Mint Royale is the alias of electronic music producer Neil Claxton and, until 2004, a duo consisting of himself and Chris Baker, originating from Manchester, England. It was founded by Claxton and Baker in 1997. Baker left the band in 2004, but Claxton continued to produce music under the pseudonym "Mint Royale" until 2016. In 2020, Claxton returned to releasing music under the Mint Royale name. Career 1997–2001: Early success and first album Mint Royale first specialised in remixes, and became known after the release of their mix of "Tequila" by Terrorvision was a number 2 hit in the charts. They were championed by big beat pioneer Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, whose DJ sets regularly included their songs. Their sound was similar to his, to the extent that some people mistakenly believed Mint Royale to be a pseudonym for Cook himself. Their first album, On the Ropes, was released in late 1999, and achieved recognition. The single "Don't Falter", featuring Lauren Laverne from Kenickie, was a Top 20 hit in the British charts. The song "From Rusholme with Love" has been made recognisable through its extensive use in film and television series soundtracks. Predating Mint Royale, the original version - Joe Harriott-John Mayer Double Quintet composed - was entitled 'Acka Raga' and the theme tune to early editions of BBCtv's family quiz, 'Ask the Family' (1967). Besides its use as the theme tune for the film Kung Pow! Enter The Fist, it appears on the soundtracks of the films Vanilla Sky, Get Carter, and Serendipity, and the television series Alias (episode "The Prophecy") and Spaced. The song "Because I'm Worth It" has also been used as the theme for the Jamie Theakston and Zoë Ball chat show The Priory. The song "Show Me", which first appeared on the 2001 US reissue of the album, is played every Friday by John Richards of KEXP and the song has become known as "The Friday Song". "Show Me" was also used in the National Lampoon film Van Wilder. 2002–2004: Continued success and second album The band released its second album, Dancehall Places, in 2002. The first single from this album, "Sexiest Man in Jamaica", featuring a sample of a Prince Buster song, became their second UK Top 20 hit. As the band embarked on a series of live shows and a UK tour in 2003, a new single was released, "Blue Song,"