Notable for their pioneering synthesis of acoustic instruments and electronic textures, the British acid jazz trio Red Snapper comprised guitarist David Ayers, double bassist Ali Friend and drummer Richard Thair. Formed in 1993, the group's debut EP The Snapper appeared the following spring; after two more EPs, Swank and Hot Flush, Red Snapper signed to the acclaimed Warp Records label, where their early singles were later compiled as Reeled and Skinned. The full-length Prince Blimey was released in 1996, followed two years later by their American debut Making Bones. After releasing one more LP, Our Aim Is to Satisfy Red Snapper, the trio split in 2002. (Thair formed a new band, Toob, while Friend worked on a soundtrack and Ayers collaborated with Alan McGee and Felix Tod.) Compilations, remix albums, and stray tracks satisfied the faithful until a 2007 reunion and a 2008 studio record, Pale Blue Dot. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
