Republica
Encyclopedia
Republica are an English alternative rock
band
formed in 1994. The height of their popularity spanned from 1996 to 1999. The Republica sound
was described by the band as "techno
-pop
punk rock
". 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
".
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". 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.
The group attracted positive press
coverage. Emerging after a wave of female-fronted rock band
s (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
.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
formed in 1994. The height of their popularity spanned from 1996 to 1999. The Republica sound
Sound
Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations.-Propagation of...
was described by the band as "techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
-pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
". 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
Ready to Go
"Ready to Go" is a song by Republica, released as a single on 15 April 1996. The original recording was not included on the band's debut album, Republica - two other versions of the song, the U.S. mix and the original mix, were included...
".
History
Former Flowered UpFlowered Up
-Career:The band was formed in mid-1989 by singer Liam Maher, along with his younger brother Joe . After a few changes in personnel, the settled line-up included Tim Dorney , Andy Jackson , and John Tuvey , with dancer Barry Mooncult adding to their live shows...
keyboard player Tim Dorney and Andy Todd founded Republica and came to popular attention with their first single "Ready to Go
Ready to Go
"Ready to Go" is a song by Republica, released as a single on 15 April 1996. The original recording was not included on the band's debut album, Republica - two other versions of the song, the U.S. mix and the original mix, were included...
" and its follow-up "Drop Dead Gorgeous". The band's lead singer, Saffron, was previously a dancer for The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
and lead vocalist on N-Joi
N-Joi
N-Joi is a house music and techno production duo from Southend, Essex, England, consisting of Nigel Champion and Mark Franklin, with sometime vocalist/front person Saffron. Champion went to Framlingham College and Franklin to Felsted School but met up again after school in 1987.Between 1991 and...
's rave
Rave music
Rave music may either refer the late 1980s genre or any genre of electronic dance music that may be played at an electronic dance party such as a rave. Very rarely, the term is used to refer to less electronic related genres glam, powerpop, psychedelic rock and dub music parties...
crossover
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
hit
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, "Anthem", in 1990.
The band's self-titled
Republica (album)
-Chart position:*Republica reached #4 in the UK Album Charts.*Propelled by the first single, "Ready to Go" and its music video, the album was number nine on Billboard's Heatseeker Chart and was climbing the Top 200 Album Chart. The video for "Ready to Go" also received extensive airplay on MTV...
first album was released in March 1997 and reached #4 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. However, their follow-up 1998 album Speed Ballads
Speed Ballads
-B-Sides:There are known to be five B-sides from the Speed Ballads era.# "World Ends In The Morning" # "Clone My Soul"...
and its lead single, "From Rush Hour With Love", reached only #37 (UK Albums Chart) and #20 (UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
) respectively.
The group attracted positive press
News media
The news media are those elements of the mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public.These include print media , broadcast news , and more recently the Internet .-Etymology:A medium is a carrier of something...
coverage. Emerging after a wave of female-fronted rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
s (such as Elastica
Elastica
Elastica were an English alternative rock band that played punk rock-influenced music. They were best known for their 1995 album Elastica, which produced singles that charted in the US and the UK.-History:...
, Lush
Lush (band)
Lush were an English alternative rock band, formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1998. They were one of the first bands to attract the "shoegazing" label...
, Sleeper
Sleeper (band)
Sleeper were a British Britpop band in the 1990s fronted by Louise Wener. The band had eight UK Top 40 hit singles and three UK Top 10 albums. Their music was also featured in the soundtrack of Trainspotting.-Career:...
, Echobelly
Echobelly
Echobelly were a Britpop band, debuting in 1994 with their album Everyone's Got One. They were often compared to Blondie and were influenced by Morrissey, who himself was a fan of the group....
and Kenickie
Kenickie
Kenickie were a four-piece rock band from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. The band were formed in 1994 and consisted of lead vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Lauren Laverne , drummer Johnny X , lead guitarist and occasional vocalist Marie du Santiago and bass guitarist Emmy-Kate Montrose...
), they had, like Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
, a notably more aggressive and electronic sound.
The band suffered when their label, Deconstruction Records
Deconstruction Records
Deconstruction Records is a record label founded in 1987 by Pete Hadfield and Keith Blackhurst in the United Kingdom. Distribution was via label deals with Parlophone Records, for acts such as K-Klass and Bassheads), and RCA Records for everybody else....
, folded shortly after the release of Speed Ballads. Deconstruction's back catalogue was swallowed up by BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
, 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
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
. On 26 April 2010, it was announced by NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
that Republica were set to reform for a re-release of "Ready To Go
Ready to Go
"Ready to Go" is a song by Republica, released as a single on 15 April 1996. The original recording was not included on the band's debut album, Republica - two other versions of the song, the U.S. mix and the original mix, were included...
", 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
Alan Moulder
Alan Moulder is one of Britain's premier alternative rock record producers. He has worked with such artists as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Elastica, Gary Numan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Curve, Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine, Lostprophets, Shihad, Ivyrise and Placebo, as well as with many American...
.
Current line-up
- Saffron - (Samantha Sprackling, born 3 June 1968, IbadanIbadanIbadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
, NigeriaNigeriaNigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
) - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Tim Dorney - (born 30 March 1965, AscotAscot, BerkshireAscot is a village within the civil parish of Sunninghill and Ascot, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. It is most notable as the location of Ascot Racecourse, home of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting...
, BerkshireBerkshireBerkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
) - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Johnny Male - (born 10 October 1963, Windsor, BerkshireWindsor, BerkshireWindsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
) - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(formerly of One Little Indian RecordsOne Little Indian RecordsOne Little Indian Records is a London-based independent record label that rose from the ashes of punk record company Spiderleg Records. It was set up in 1985 by members of various anarchist punk bands, and managed by ex-Flux of Pink Indians Derek Birkett. The first success came with A.R. Kane and...
's Soul Family Sensation and Sensation) - Pete Riley - drumDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
s
Former members
- Andy ToddAndy Todd (musician)Andy Todd is an English musician, who started out as a remixer before becoming keyboardist with Republica, famous for the smash hit "Ready to Go" in 1996. He left the band in late 1997 and became a songwriter for other bands, including songs on 7 by S Club 7.- References :...
- keyboards (1994–1997) - David BarbarossaDavid BarbarossaDavid Barbarossa is a British drummer.As part of both Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow, Barbarossa was instrumental in creating the "Tribal" drumming trend that was popular among British and some American bands, circa 1979–1983...
- drumDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
s (formerly of Bow Wow WowBow Wow WowBow Wow Wow were an English 1980s New Wave band created by Malcolm McLaren to promote his and business partner Vivienne Westwood's New Romantic fashion lines.The group's music is described as having an "African-derived drum sound".-History:...
, and Adam and the AntsAdam and the AntsAdam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
) (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 XLJunkie XLTom Holkenborg , better known as Junkie XL or JXL, is a Dutch musician. He uses the name JXL in cases where the term "Junkie" might cause offense. XL is for "Xpanding Limits"....
's 2003 album Radio JXL: A Broadcast from the Computer Hell CabinRadio JXL: A Broadcast From the Computer Hell CabinRadio JXL: A Broadcast from the Computer Hell Cabin is the third album by electronic music producer Junkie XL. Released in 2004, the double album features collaborations with a number of other artists. The songs on the first disc are generally short and vocally-driven much like modern pop, though...
. - In 2001 Saffron worked with The CureThe CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
on two tracks for their Greatest Hits (The Cure album)Greatest Hits (The Cure album)Greatest Hits is a 2001 compilation album by The Cure. The band's relationship with longtime label Fiction Records came to a close, and The Cure were obliged to release one final album for the label. Robert Smith agreed to release a greatest hits album under the condition that he could choose the...
album and featured in the videoMusic videoA music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
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 CracknellSarah CracknellSarah Cracknell is an English pop singer who fronts the band Saint Etienne and is known for her light, smooth singing voice. She is the daughter of Stanley Kubrick's first assistant director Derek Cracknell.-Career:...
of Saint EtienneSaint Etienne (band)Saint Etienne are an English Pop group comprising Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs. They are named after the French football team AS Saint-Étienne.-History:Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs were childhood friends and former music journalists...
. He has also featured in cult band Go Kart MozartGo Kart MozartGo Kart Mozart is a band founded by Lawrence, originally of the bands Felt and Denim. The sound of the band is similar to Denim, although with an emphasis on synthesizers rather than guitars. The songs are short in nature, most never going over three minutes. The lyrics are often funny and satirical...
. - In September 2008 Republica reunited at Windsor at a Contra Mundum concert. They played the Republica songs "Ready to GoReady to Go"Ready to Go" is a song by Republica, released as a single on 15 April 1996. The original recording was not included on the band's debut album, Republica - two other versions of the song, the U.S. mix and the original mix, were included...
", "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and a coverCover versionIn popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "You Got the LoveYou Got the Love"You Got the Love" is a 1986 single by the band The Source and Candi Staton. One of its many remixers also adopted the name The Source. In 2008, the song was recorded by English soul singer Joss Stone for her fourth studio album, "Colour Me Free!" released in October 2009...
". - Todd continued as a songwriter, and co-wrote "ReachReach (S Club 7 song)"Reach" is a song by S Club 7, released as a single on 22 May 2000. "Reach" is an up-tempo track co-written by Cathy Dennis and Andrew Todd .. The lyrics were probably inspired by a Shirley Bassey double A-side of "Reach For The Stars" and "Climb Every Mountain" although the song itself sounds...
" by S Club 7S Club 7S Club, formerly known as S Club 7, were a pop group created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, consisting of members Tina Barrett, Paul Cattermole, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, de facto lead singer Jo O'Meara, Hannah Spearritt and Rachel Stevens. The group rose to fame by starring in their...
, and has also worked with Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
. He now operates between his recording studios in London and the Caribbean.
Albums
| Title | Release date | Label | UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
U.S. Albums Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
U.S. Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
Germany Albums Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republica Republica (album) -Chart position:*Republica reached #4 in the UK Album Charts.*Propelled by the first single, "Ready to Go" and its music video, the album was number nine on Billboard's Heatseeker Chart and was climbing the Top 200 Album Chart. The video for "Ready to Go" also received extensive airplay on MTV... |
July 1996 | Deconstruction Records |
4 | 153 | 6 | 47 |
| Republica - Limited Edition 2 Disk Set (Live Versions) | 1998 | - | - | - | - | |
| Speed Ballads Speed Ballads -B-Sides:There are known to be five B-sides from the Speed Ballads era.# "World Ends In The Morning" # "Clone My Soul"... |
October 1998 | 37 | - | - | - | |
| Ready To Go: The Best Of | May 2002 | Camden | - | - | - | - |
Singles
| Title | Release date |
Album | UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
U.S. Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. Modern Rock Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
Germany singles Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Out of this World" | 1994 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| "Bloke" | January 1995 | Bloke EP | - | - | - | - | - |
| "Ready to Go Ready to Go "Ready to Go" is a song by Republica, released as a single on 15 April 1996. The original recording was not included on the band's debut album, Republica - two other versions of the song, the U.S. mix and the original mix, were included... " |
April 1996 | Republica | 43 | - | - | - | 40 |
| "Ready to Go (U.S. Mix) Ready to Go "Ready to Go" is a song by Republica, released as a single on 15 April 1996. The original recording was not included on the band's debut album, Republica - two other versions of the song, the U.S. mix and the original mix, were included... " (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 Ready to Go "Ready to Go" is a song by Republica, released as a single on 15 April 1996. The original recording was not included on the band's debut album, Republica - two other versions of the song, the U.S. mix and the original mix, were included... " (with Tomcraft Tomcraft Tomcraft is a German DJ and producer. He is specialized in progressive house and progressive trance and is better known for having created the tracks "Loneliness" and "Prosac", working alongside Eniac.... ) |
2007 | For the Queen (Tomcraft album) |
- | - | - | - | - |
| "Ready to Go 2010 Ready to Go "Ready to Go" is a song by Republica, released as a single on 15 April 1996. The original recording was not included on the band's debut album, Republica - two other versions of the song, the U.S. mix and the original mix, were included... " |
2010 | - | - | - | - | - | - |