Republica
Republica | |
|---|---|
| File:RepublicaMusic.jpg | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Windsor, Berkshire, England[1] |
| Genres | Alternative dance Dance-punk Techno Alternative rock Electronica |
| Years active | 1994–2003, 2008, 2010–present |
| Labels | Sony BMG/Deconstruction/Independent Records |
| Members | Tim Dorney Saffron Johnny Male Pete Riley |
| Past members | Andy Todd David Barbarossa Alix Tiernan |
| Website | http://www.republicamusic.co.uk (Replaces republica.com) |
Republica are an English alternative rock band formed in 1994.[1] The height of their popularity spanned from 1996 to 1999. The Republica sound was described by the band as "techno-pop punk rock", although Melody Maker took to calling it "electronica", a label which stuck as a genre category. On 26 April 2010, Republica announced that they are reforming for live shows and releasing a new version of their biggest hit, "Ready to Go".[2]
History
Former Flowered Up keyboard player Tim Dorney and Andy Todd founded Republica and came to popular attention with their first single "Ready to Go" and its follow-up "Drop Dead Gorgeous".[1] The band's lead singer, Saffron, was previously a dancer for The Prodigy and lead vocalist on N-Joi's rave crossover pop hit, "Anthem", in 1990.
The band's self-titled first album was released in March 1997 and reached #4 in the UK Albums Chart. However, their follow-up 1998 album Speed Ballads and its lead single, "From Rush Hour With Love", reached only #37 (UK Albums Chart) and #20 (UK Singles Chart) respectively.[1]
The group attracted positive press coverage. Emerging after a wave of female-fronted rock bands (such as Elastica, Lush, Sleeper, Echobelly and Kenickie), they had, like Garbage, a notably more aggressive and electronic sound.
The band suffered when their label, Deconstruction Records, folded shortly after the release of Speed Ballads. Deconstruction's back catalogue was swallowed up by BMG, who released a best of album.
In early 2010, pictures appeared on the band's official Facebook page showing the band rehearsing in a studio. On 26 April 2010, it was announced by NME that Republica were set to reform for a re-release of "Ready To Go", supported by a string of gig and festival dates.
In June 2010 the remix was released and reached #1 on the Upfront Club chart. The track has been produced by Andy Gray and Alan Moulder.
Members
Current line-up
- Saffron - (Samantha Sprackling, born 3 June 1968, Ibadan, Nigeria) - vocals
- Tim Dorney - (born 30 March 1965, Ascot, Berkshire) - keyboards
- Johnny Male - (born 10 October 1963, Windsor, Berkshire) - guitar (formerly of One Little Indian Records's Soul Family Sensation and Sensation)
- Pete Riley - drums
Former members
- Andy Todd - keyboards (1994–1997)
- David Barbarossa - drums (formerly of Bow Wow Wow, and Adam and the Ants) (1994–1997)
- Alix Tiernan - percussion
- Mick Pirie - bass guitar (early days)
Former members' projects
- Saffron recorded the songs "Crusher", "Spirits", and "Beauty Never Fades" on Junkie XL's 2003 album Radio JXL: A Broadcast from the Computer Hell Cabin.
- In 2001 Saffron worked with The Cure on two tracks for their Greatest Hits (The Cure album) album and featured in the video for "Just Say Yes".
- Dorney briefly reunited with fellow former Flowered Up band member Liam Maher, but they split up in late 2002. Flowered Up tried to re-form in 2007 but Dorney refused, causing the cancellation of a planned reunion tour. He worked as a painter and decorator, and on Contra Mundum with Male releases in 2008 on the White Label.
- Male co-wrote tracks for Lipslide, the 1997 solo album by Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne. He has also featured in cult band Go Kart Mozart.
- In September 2008 Republica reunited at Windsor at a Contra Mundum concert. They played the Republica songs "Ready to Go", "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and a cover of "You Got the Love".[3]
- Todd continued as a songwriter, and co-wrote "Reach" by S Club 7, and has also worked with Kylie Minogue. He now operates between his recording studios in London and the Caribbean.
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release date | Label | UK Albums Chart[4] | U.S. Albums | U.S. Heatseekers | Germany Albums |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republica | July 1996 | Deconstruction Records |
4 | 153 | 6 | 47 |
| Republica - Limited Edition 2 Disk Set (Live Versions) | 1998 | - | - | - | - | |
| Speed Ballads | October 1998 | 37 | - | - | - | |
| Ready To Go: The Best Of | May 2002 | Camden | - | - | - | - |
Singles
| Title | Release date |
Album | UK Singles Chart[4] | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. Modern Rock | Germany singles | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Out of this World" | 1994 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| "Bloke" | January 1995 | Bloke EP | - | - | - | - | - |
| "Ready to Go" | April 1996 | Republica | 43 | - | - | - | 40 |
| "Ready to Go (U.S. Mix)" (re-issue) | 1997 | 13 | 56 | 7 | 33 | - | |
| "Drop Dead Gorgeous" | 7 | 93 | 39 | 90 | - | ||
| "From Rush Hour With Love" | 1998 | Speed Ballads | 20 | - | - | - | - |
| "Try Everything" | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| "Ready to Go" (with Tomcraft) | 2007 | For the Queen (Tomcraft album) |
- | - | - | - | - |
| "Ready to Go 2010" | 2010 | - | - | - | - | - | - |