“She’s wet and wild
A typical 90s child”
–“Post Modern Sleaze,” Becoming X, Sneaker Pimps
“Generation X
Is doing fine
We don’t care what’s next
We just wanna blow our minds”
–“Ideal,” Psychic Cat, Kelli Ali
Happy 50th Birthday to one of my heroes, singer and songwriter, Kelli Ali, aka Kelli Dayton!
Best known as the vocalist of the Sneaker Pimps first album Becoming X, I was 9 when I first heard Kelli’s distinct voice on the band’s most famous single, “6 Underground.”
When I first watched the music video for 6 Underground, I wouldn’t be the only one intrigued by the tiny girl sitting in a revolving dentist chair. Spiky haired, crimson lips, and with vampire fangs to boot, one muses, who is this girl? This vampy punk who oozes sex appeal with the sultry vocals to match?
Discovering Becoming X
Becoming X still sounds far more fresh and original than any music produced today. Not an exaggeration when I say I listen to songs from this album daily.
My Dad, a true David Bowie aficionado, would always play music while working from his at home office. I always loved whatever he listened to, which were usually soothing instrumental pieces.
When he started playing an album I’d never heard before–spacey electronic mixed with hip hop beats, paired with a girlish, elastic, pixie-like, soothing yet sultry voice –I’d just discovered Becoming X, Sneaker Pimp’s most successful album, in my humble opinion.
I asked my Dad about the band and the singer. He told me Sneaker Pimps were from England and the singer’s name was Kelli Ali. Looking at the liner notes, I saw Kelli for the first time–a girl with short black hair and red lipstick. I’d just discovered not just one of my all time favorite albums, but one of my heroes.
US Becoming X Tour, 1997. Image from kellialiofficial Instagram.
Dazed Magazine interview, 24 September 1996
I did more research and discovered a real punk–a badass, mixed-raced girl who dropped out of school at 14 to pursue music, singing and songwriting for bands in her hometown of Birmingham, UK. From the beginning, music was always central in Kelli’s life, as she grew up listening to David Bowie and X-Ray Spex (there’s no doubt Kelli is inspired by punk vocalist Poly Styrene). In 1996, she was asked by trip hop band Sneaker Pimps to be the lead vocalist for their upcoming album, Becoming X.
I’m certainly no punk myself, but I’ve always related to Kelli as I’m mixed race as well (Filipina-English), with my Dad’s side hailing from England (my Dad is first generation American and his parents are from London). And I’ve always admired Kelli’s aesthetic. In fact, my cat eyeliner and red lip gloss/ lipstick look I rocked in high school and college were directly inspired by Kelli. 🙂
“And they’ve got the diminutive, drop-dead unconventionally gorgeous, heavily Brum accented, Goth eyelinered and recently cropped n’ bleached 22 year old Kelli Dayton, a singer with the voice of Billie Holliday taking lessons from John Lydon.”
–I.D, Magazine interview, January 1997
Upon discovering Becoming X, I was so excited to follow up listening to Sneaker Pimps other work. After all, Becoming X was commercially successful in the UK, with “6 Underground” and “Spin Spin Sugar” hitting the US airwaves, and the band toured both the UK and US. Though my Dad and I were several years late to discovering Becoming X, we were more than eager to listen to the Pimps latest works.
Alas, what disappointment for the both of us, and Sneaker Pimps fans all over, to learn that Kelli was sacked (British slang for fired) from the band. What madness! To this day, I’m still angry the band rid itself of its secret weapon, its element X, the voice that made the music.
Dazed Magazine interview, 1996. Kelli with fellow Sneaker Pimps Liam Howe (left) and Chris Corner (right). Howe and Liam are incredibly talented musicians, but were envious of Kelli’s popularity.
The Infinite Stars
But enough has already been written and argued over the moronic sacking of Kelli. What makes Kelli all the more badass is her journey as a solo artist. After riding the short but bittersweet success as Sneaker Pimps vocalist, Kelli was suddenly without a band and without a contract. This was the late ’90s, before streaming, so having to leverage your music and artistry was all the more challenging.
It wasn’t easy, but the tenacious Ms. Ali eventually released several solo albums, my favorites being:
Tigermouth (2003) – R&B fused electro/ dance pop. My high school jam! Take me to the Infinite Stars!
Psychic Cat (2004) – Psychedelic rock and electro-pop. College anthems.
Rocking Horse (2008) – Psychedelic folk and dream pop. Another high school soundtrack. Proud to say I have a personalized autographed album from Kelli. 🙂
More than 25+ years after Sneaker Pimps shot themselves in the foot (pun intended), Kelli is still producing music. In addition to her singing and music production talents, Kelli is now also an accomplished oil painter. You can view her multitude of works at her Instagram, @kellialiofficial. She also wrote an e-book, The Modern Day Recording Artist: A DIY Guide to making and releasing your own record.
Nah, Kelli, we still love you.
Kelli, thank you for your brilliant voice and music! I will forever appreciate your individuality, determination, and creative spirit! Cheers to a wonderful day.
Just as your iconic tattoo states: VIVE LA ROCK N’ ROLL!
~LMC
Gen X are a different breed entirely…take me back to the 90s!
The white shirt on the right is the shirt I got the night I saw David Bowie perform live on his 2004 Reality Tour, 20 years ago on this very day, 25th April 2004 (thank you so much Laurie for this shirt)!
