Liam Howe and Chris Corner met as teenagers in the 80s and formed Sneaker Pimps in Hartlepool in 1994, becoming forerunners of trip-hop. They were joined by Kelli Ali (then known as Kelli Dayton) on vocals, with Ian Pickering writing the lyrics. Their debut album 'Becoming X' went Gold in 1996, spawning the hit singles 'Spin Spin Sugar' and '6 Underground'. After the tour, Ali was asked to leave as it was felt Corner's voice suited the new songs better, the follow up album 'Splinter; appearing in 1999. ONE LITTLE INDIAN