Sneaker Pimps

The Profile

Sneaker Pimps are a British electronic group formed by Liam Howe and Chris Corner. They broke through with Becoming X (1996) featuring Kelli Dayton on vocals, then continued with Corner on lead for Splinter (1999) and Bloodsport (2002), later returning with Squaring The Circle (2021).

Formed in England by Liam Howe and Chris Corner; debut album Becoming X (1996) featured Kelli Dayton (Kelli Ali) on vocals and spawned the hits 6 Underground and Spin Spin Sugar. Corner took over vocals for Splinter (1999) and Bloodsport (2002). The band draws on trip hop, dark wave, and synth-pop influences (e.g., Depeche Mode, Joy Division). They returned with the album Squaring The Circle in 2021. Chris Corner also records as IAMX.

Three reviews revisit Sneaker Pimps’ arc from the icy elegance of Becoming X to the darker hues of Splinter and the uptempo melancholy of Bloodsport. The trip‑hop tag is questioned in favor of a broader electronic/dark‑wave lineage. Critics note the switch from Kelli Dayton’s vocals to Chris Corner’s, and praise the band’s sleek production, hooks, and mood. Key tracks and textures remain fresh years later.