U.K. electronic rock act Sneaker Pimps has signed a four-album worldwide deal with Tommy Boy Music, Billboard Bulletin reports. The first album under the deal, “Bloodsports,” is due Oct. 30, featuring production work by the group and Flood (Depeche Mode, U2) and Jim Abyss (Bjork). The group, which now consists of lead singer/guitarist Chris Corner, drummer Dave Westlake, keyboardist Liam Howe, and bassist Joe Wilson, plays a handful of European festival dates starting Aug. 2 in Algarve, Portugal.
Vocalist Kelli Ali, who sung on the Pimps’ 1997 top-10 modern rock hit “6 Underground,” has left the group and signed a worldwide deal with V2 as a solo artist. The deal with Ali’s label, London-based One Little Indian, is for the world excluding North America, the U.K., and Ireland, and is said to cover five albums.
One Little Indian will separately license Ali for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. According to international manager Sabrina Scolaro, several companies are in contention. As previously reported, a new album, which the artist is co-writing with producer Rick Nowels, is set for release in early 2002.
