Sneaker Pimps was yet another trip-hop band to come out of a British industrial city (this time around Birmingham via Manchester) and to debute with a sequence of singles. Founders Liam Howe (keyboards) and Chris Corner (vocals, guitar) actually started out recording instrumental dance tracks inspired by acid-jazz and trip-hop. Then they hired singer Kelli Dayton and a new phenomenon was born. What set them apart from the likes of Portishead was an awareness of past genres. For example, Tesko Suicide is ebullient trip-hop for the generation that never heard B52's, and Dayton is a chirpy singer for the generation that never heard Cyndi Lauper. The next singles, 6 Underground (their greatest hit ever) and Post-Modern Sleaze basically promoted a catchier version of Tricky. Becoming X (Virgin, 1997) assembles those singles and introduces two new ones, Spin Spin Sugar and Roll On , plus at least one experimental piece, Walking Zero , that deserves to be listened to (rather than just danced at). Generally speaking, the band's sound is trip-hop for the generation that never heard new wave.

The single Low Five borders on synth-pop and Splinter (Clean Up, 1999) does not live up to the fresh exuberance of the debut.

Bloodsport (Tommy Boy, 2001) is a darker, almost gothic work, reminiscent of the claustrophobic atmospheres of Public Image Ltd (Black Sheep, Kiro TV, The Fuel, Blue Movie). The techno-rock of Bloodsport is the exception.

Chris Corner launched the project I Am X (or IAMX) with Kiss and Swallow (2004) and The Alternative (2006 - Edel, 2007), characterized by bombastic sensual ballads in a vein that merges glam-rock and techno.