While at art college in Reading, Liam met David Westlake and Joe Wilson, who would both contribute to the first three albums and join the band on tour. When F.R.I.S.K. performed a gig with this line-up they later recorded some demos with Chris singing - these were considered the next stage in the evolution of Chis and Liam's professional partnership; another in an ever-improving set of smaller projects intended for a few thousand records at most. Drafting in Ian Pickering in 1995 to help with lyrics, they recruited Kelli Dayton for vocal duties after seeing her singing in a pub in Reading. The name 'Sneaker Pimps' itself was taken from a Beastie Boys article about a man they hired to track down classic shoes.
The first single Roll On preceded the first album, followed by Spin Spin Sugar, Post-Modern Sleaze, 6 Underground and Tesko Suicide. The album contains a myriad of 90s pop-culture references (such as film Thelma and Louise) coupled to dark double entendres and puns on drug taking and suicide. It was wildly successful everywhere: in America it remains their only real hit. In 2005, the song "Post-Modern Sleaze" (from the Becoming X album) was used as the theme song for Matroesjka's, an acclaimed Flemish drama series about Eastern European prostitutes and Belgians involved in the related sex trade.
Becoming X was "toured to death" over two years, particularly in America where the toll on Chris led to mental instability chronicled in the song Low Five. Depending on who you believe, Kelli Dayton left the band in 1998 or was sacked, going on to a solo career as Kelli Ali. The band trialled new vocallists, demoing some new songs with Icelandic chanteuse Emilíana Torrini, but coupled with the feeling that these demos fit Corner's voice better, and the fear of being identified with the fad for trip-hop acts, Corner became the singer. The Line of Flight studio was moved from Hartlepool to London and production on the next album started immediately.
1999's Splinter features the back of Chris' head, symbolizing the break with Kelli and his not feeling up to the responsibility of being a 'front man'. Dayton's departure, while lamented by many, was positively received by some critics who felt that it gave the band a more honest, emotional timbre and a more uniquely identifiable sound, especially with regard to the rawer and more personal quality of the lyrics. The album's production retains the sampled style of Becoming X while being edgier, less beat-driven, and at times more psychedelic. Due to wrangles with Virgin Records, the album was self-released on their own Clean Up label and not released in the US. Without significant promotion, and the lack of obvious singles that Becoming X had shown, the album was not as successful, but the favourable critical response led the band to set up their own club night in London. Called 'Home Taping' and hosted at the [venue]ICA[/venue], it invited celebrities and musicians to submit their own cassette mixes for the night's entertainment, and the odd live set by the band. Allegedly, one was even received by Madonna.
For 2002's Bloodsport, the band decamped to France and Germany, recording in a farmhouse while capturing the trans-European essence of Berlinesque "new-wave punk". Liam Howe was unavailable, so long-term associate and friend Chris Tate was brought in for synthesizer duties. The album was a glossier affair than before and included Flood on production duties rather than the band. On Bloodsport's release (including this time the US via Tommy Boy Records) the album was a comparative flop, but made the Austrian top twenty. Its singles were more successful in both the UK and Europe.
Sneaker Pimps recorded demos, previewed live in Russia and on European radio in 2003 for an unknown movie soundtrack and a fourth album tentatively titled 'Recall' or 'Songs of Imaginary Beings'. The album was never released; Chris and Liam purportedly shelved the tracks as a Sneaker Pimps album for several reasons. One, they contained some very emotional songs penned by Corner that were felt to be more suitable for a solo project, and two, in some cases were simply not being good enough to be released. The band eventually drifted apart during protracted sessions for the 4th album: many of the 'SP4' demos leaked and have been rereleased by Chris Corner's solo project IAMX on 2004's Kiss and Swallow and 2006's The Alternative. Another solo project, not including Corner or Howe, was the nu-rave and Madchester influenced Trash Money.
In late 2006, it emerged that seven new demos had been found and leaked from a portable music player left in a Russian bar. The demos, including "Rush", "Samaritan", "Sun Ate The Moon", "The Shutdown" and "Satellite" all sung by a new female singer believed to be Paris Hampton and referred to by fans as 'SP5. The band did not comment on the leaking of this material until 2015 when Liam Howe confirmed that "the Magnificent 7" had been recorded by Sneaker Pimps exploring a new, poppier sound.
Joe and David left the band to work in film production and academia. Liam Howe went on to have a successful career in music production, while Chris moved to Berlin and later Los Angeles as IAMX enjoyed a sustained alternative career, releasing Kingdom of Welcome Addiction in 2009, Dogmatic Infidel Comedown Ok in 2010, Volatile Times in 2011, The Unified Field in 2013, Metanoia in 2016, Everything is Burning in 2017, Unfall in 2018, Alive in New Light in 2019 and Echo, Echo in 2020. Ian Pickering launched his new project The Noise who Runs in 2020.
Chris and Liam continued to tease working together on new projects throughout various IAMX eras, including a session initially planned as Sneaker Pimps material becoming the Liam-produced IAMX mini-album "Everything is Burning".
In 2019, singer Simonne Jones was confirmed as the new featured singer of Sneaker Pimps which then began recording their new album together in earnest. Finally in May 2021, 18 years after their last album was released, the Squaring the Circle era was announced with two new singles, "Fighter" and "Squaring The Circle," which were released in July.
A remix album 'Rework Collection 1' was released in August, and their fourth full studio record 'Squaring The Circle' was released on September 10th, 2021 on Chris Corner's label UNFALL Productions. 'Squaring The Circle' features material recorded with both Simonne and Chris on lead vocals.
More remix albums and a re-release of the band's older records is also planned, with the band regaining copy and distribution rights of 'Becoming X' and 'Splinter' via One Little Independent Records and the ongoing negotiations of a re-release of 'Bloodsport' with Tommy Boy Records.
Low Place Like Home
Sneaker Pimps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In your blunder stones
In your own road movie
With your one armed man
Gonna make it to the problem page
Troubleshoot your life
Gonna make it to the problem page
Just to find yourself
I hope you find yourself
In a low place like home
Low place like home
You talked it over
From your bedroom throne
Making sense of nothing
With your one armed man
Read your future in the magazine
Search the stars for clues
Read your future in the magazine
Tells you what to lose
Just to find yourself
I hope you find yourself
In a low place like home
Low place like home
I hope you find yourself
In a low place like home
You fall all over
With your small town heels
Catching hold of nothing
Like your one armed man
Treat your life like a tragedy
Self-inflict abuse
Treat your life like a tragedy
Precious else to choose
Crucify yourself
I'll bet you find yourself
In a low place like home
Low place like home
Low place like home
Low place like home
Crucify yourself
I'll bet you find yourself
In a low place like home
I'll bet you find yourself
I'll bet you find yourself
I'll bet you find yourself
In a low place like home
Low place like home
Crucify yourself
In a low place like home
I hope you find yourself
I hope you find yourself
I hope you find yourself
I hope you find yourself
The lyrics of the song "Low Place Like Home" by Sneaker Pimps describe the feeling of being lost and struggling to find oneself. The first verse describes how the singer has been walking around aimlessly, not sure where to go or what to do with their life. They have a "one armed man" with them, who could represent a friend or partner who is not fully capable of helping them find their way.
The chorus suggests that the singer is looking for answers and guidance, but is unsure where to find them. They mention needing "time and space" to "find themselves," indicating that they are feeling trapped and suffocated in their current situation. The title of the song - "Low Place Like Home" - suggests that the singer may feel more comfortable in a darker or more isolated environment, where they can be alone with their thoughts.
The second verse continues with this theme, as the singer is trying to make sense of their life but isn't sure how. They are looking for answers in magazines and horoscopes, hoping that someone or something will tell them what to do. The line "treat your life like a tragedy, precious else to choose" highlights the feeling of being stuck in a difficult situation with no clear way out. The final chorus reiterates the idea of the singer finding themselves in a low or dark place, but also offers a sense of hope that they will eventually find what they are looking for.
Overall, "Low Place Like Home" is a poignant and relatable depiction of the struggle to find oneself and make sense of one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
You walked all over
You've been careless and reckless in your actions, not thinking of the consequences of your behavior.
In your blunder stones
You've stumbled and made mistakes along the way.
In your own road movie
You see your life as a movie and you're the main character.
With your one armed man
You have someone who supports and aids you, but they have limitations that you need to work around.
Gonna make it to the problem page
You're seeking advice and guidance to help solve your problems.
Troubleshoot your life
You want to identify and fix the issues that have been plaguing you.
Need some time and space
You require solitude and contemplation to reflect on your life.
Just to find yourself
You're searching for your true identity and purpose in life.
I hope you find yourself
I wish you luck in discovering your true self.
In a low place like home
Despite the difficulties you face, you realize that there's no place quite like home.
You talked it over
You've discussed your problems with someone.
From your bedroom throne
You feel like you're in control of your life when you're in your comfort zone.
Making sense of nothing
You're trying to find meaning in a life that feels meaningless.
With your one armed man
You have someone who supports and aids you, but they have limitations that you need to work around.
Read your future in the magazine
You're trying to predict what your future holds by reading mainstream media.
Search the stars for clues
You're looking for signs and portents to guide you in life.
Tells you what to lose
You're being told what you need to get rid of in order to improve your life.
Just to find yourself
You're searching for your true identity and purpose in life.
I hope you find yourself
I wish you luck in discovering your true self.
You fall all over
You're unsteady and unsure in your actions and decisions.
With your small town heels
You feel out of place and inexperienced in the world beyond your hometown.
Catching hold of nothing
You're struggling to find something in life that you can hold on to and anchor yourself.
Like your one armed man
You have someone who supports and aids you, but they have limitations that you need to work around.
Treat your life like a tragedy
You see your life as a sad story or play full of conflict and hardship.
Self-inflict abuse
You're punishing yourself for past mistakes and perceived inadequacies.
Precious else to choose
You're running out of options and feel like you have to take drastic measures.
Crucify yourself
You're causing yourself pain and distress through your own actions.
I'll bet you find yourself
I'm certain that you'll discover your true self.
Low place like home
Despite the difficulties you face, you realize that there's no place quite like home.
Crucify yourself
You're causing yourself pain and distress through your own actions.
I hope you find yourself
I wish you luck in discovering your true self.
I hope you find yourself
I wish you luck in discovering your true self.
I hope you find yourself
I wish you luck in discovering your true self.
I hope you find yourself
I wish you luck in discovering your true self.
I'll bet you find yourself
I'm certain that you'll discover your true self.
In a low place like home
Despite the difficulties you face, you realize that there's no place quite like home.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRIS CORNER, IAN PICKERING, LIAM COVERDALE-HOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind