Republica

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This article is about the English rock band. For other uses of "Republica", see Republica (disambiguation).
Republica
Republica at Guilfest 2012
Republica at Guilfest 2012
Background information
OriginWindsor, Berkshire, England[1]
GenresAlternative rock
Alternative dance
Electronica
Years active1994–2001, 2008–present
LabelsDeconstruction, Sony BMG, Independent Records
MembersSaffron
Tim Dorney
Johnny Male
Conor Lawrence
Past membersPete Riley
Andy Todd
David Barbarossa
Alix Tiernan
Mick Pirie
Websitewww.republicamusic.co.uk

Republica are an English alternative rock band formed in 1994.[1] The height of their popularity spanned from 1996 to 1999. The current line-up consists of Samantha Sprackling aka Saffron (vocals), Tim Dorney (keyboards), Johnny Male (guitar), Conor Lawrence (drums).

The Republica sound was described by the band as "techno-pop punk rock". The band went on hiatus in 2001 and reunited in 2008. Republica are best known for their hit single "Ready to Go".

History

Republica live at San Antonio, TX in December 1996

Former Flowered Up keyboard player Tim Dorney and Andy Todd founded Republica.[1] The Nigerian-born Saffron was an actress at one point, performing for two years in London's Starlight Express. She also appeared in the video for the Chesney Hawkes' hit "The One and Only" and in the video for N-Joi's single "Mindflux". She was also lead vocalist on N-Joi's hit "Anthem" in 1990.

Republica released the first single "Out of This World" in 1994, followed by the single "Bloke" in January 1995.

Their debut album Republica was released in July 1996 and reached No. 4 in the charts. Their signature single "Ready to Go" peaked at No. 13 in UK Singles Chart. The fourth single "Drop Dead Gorgeous" ranked No. 7 in UK Singles Chart.[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.

In 1997 Saffron performed vocals for The Prodigy's "Fuel My Fire" from their album The Fat of the Land.

The second album, Speed Ballads, was released in 1998 and reached No. 37 in UK Albums Chart. Its lead single, "From Rush Hour With Love", peaked at No. 20 in UK Singles Chart.

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. In 2001 the band went on hiatus. On their official site it was posted the message "Republica are not recording at this time".[2] In 2002 BMG released the compilation Ready to Go: The Best Of against the band's will.

After the band went on hiatus, Saffron worked with The Cure, appearing on the single "Just Say Yes" from their Greatest Hits album. She also collaborated with Junkie XL for his 2003 album Radio JXL: A Broadcast from the Computer Hell Cabin.

In September 2008 Republica reunited at Windsor at a Contra Mundum concert. They played "Ready to Go", "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and a cover of "You Got the Love".[3]

In early 2010, pictures appeared on the band's official Facebook page showing the band rehearsing in a studio. In the same year Republica performed a string of gigs.[4] They also issued a remixed version of "Ready to Go" entitled "Ready to Go 2010". In June 2010 the remix was released and reached No. 1 on the Upfront Club chart. The track has been produced by Andy Gray and Alan Moulder.

In October 2010 the band performed a comeback gig at O2 Academy Islington followed by several dates in Eastern Europe and the Middle East in 2011. They performed at GuilFest in July 2012.

The band released a new EP, Christiana Obey, and also recorded a session for Brentwood radio station Phoenix FM in April 2013.[5]

Members

Current line-up

Former members

Side projects and collaborations

  • Saffron performed vocals for The Prodigy's "Fuel My Fire" from their 1997 album The Fat of the Land.
  • Saffron wrote and performed vocals for DeepSky's "Smile" from their 2002 album In Silico.
  • 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 the single "Just Say Yes" for their Greatest Hits. She also featured in "Just Say Yes" video.
  • 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.
  • 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

Studio albums

Title Release date Label UK Albums Chart[6] U.S. Albums U.S. Heatseekers Germany Albums
Republica July 1996 Deconstruction
Records 		4 153 6 47
Speed Ballads October 1998 37 - - -

[1]

Compilation albums

Title Release date Label
Ready to Go: The Best Of May 2002 Camden

Live albums

Title Release date Label
Live At The Astoria March 2013 Independent Label

Extended plays

Title Release date Label
Christiana Obey March 2013 Independent Label

Singles

Title Release
date 		Album UK Singles Chart[6] 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 - - - - - -

[1]

Music videos

  • "Bloke"
  • "Ready to Go" (UK version)
  • "Ready to Go" (US version)
  • "Drop Dead Gorgeous"
  • "From Rush Hour With Love" (version 1)
  • "From Rush Hour With Love" (version 2)
  • "Try Everything"
  • "Christiana Obey"

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 812. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  2. ^ Band on hiatus
  3. ^ Windsorfringe.co.uk
  4. ^ NME.com
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 458. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Republica.


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