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Dirty Vegas Biography

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Following in the footsteps of crossover groups like Underworld, the South London trio Dirty Vegas took electronica up the pop charts with their hit single "Days Go By." The group formed in 2001 when DJs Ben Harris and Paul Harris (unrelated) joined forces with their old friend, singer Steve Smith. Smith had just returned from Ibiza, a clubber-friendly island that inspired him to write an early version of "Days Go By." The finished track became a club hit across the world and a Top 30 U.K. hit when it was released in late 2001. A year later, it would be featured in an American commercial for the Mitsubishi Eclipse, exposure that helped the track to climb up the U.S. pop charts, top Billboard's dance chart, and eventually win the Grammy for Best Dance Recording. A self-titled album on the Capitol label also arrived in 2002, and remix work for the likes of Justin Timberlake and Madonna followed. The Ultra label released their mix album A Night at the Tables in 2003 and then, in 2004, the studio album One found the group shifting toward a more guitar-based sound. They took a break in 2005 with each member working on separate projects, including Smith's solo album This Town, which appeared in 2008. In 2009 they were back to their original sound with the single "Changes," plus a remix of Ladytron's track "Tomorrow." Two years later, the Electric Love album combined the swirling electronica of their debut with the melodic indie pop sound of their sophomore effort. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi

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