Republica are an English alternative rock band formed in 1994.[1] They reached the height of their popularity from 1996 to 1999. The band went on hiatus in 2001 and reunited in 2008.
The Republica sound was described by the band as "technopoppunk rock". The current line-up consists of Saffron (vocals), Tim Dorney (keyboards), and Johnny Male (guitar).
History
Republica live at San Antonio, TX in December 1996
1994–1997: Beginnings, debut album and international success
Former Flowered Up keyboardist Tim Dorney met producer/engineer Andy Todd while both musicians were working in the studio for the band Soul Family Sensation.[6] The two decided to form Republica as an electronic-oriented outfit.[7][1] They recruited singer Saffron, who was an actress at one point, performing for two years in London's Starlight Express. She also appeared in the video for 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's first lineup was rounded out with Alix Tiernan on drums and Mick Pirie on bass.
Republica released their first single "Out of This World" in 1994, followed by the single "Bloke" in March 1995. After the music video for "Bloke" was filmed, Johnny Male joined the band on guitar. Male was an acquaintance of Dorney and Todd, since Male was formerly a member of Soul Family Sensation.[8][9][10][7] Their television debut occurred in April that same year, on the program The White Room. Pirie departed from the band later that year. In April 1996, their single "Ready to Go" became their first to chart on the UK Singles Chart, when it reached No. 43. Their debut album Republica was released in the United States in July 1996 and reached No.4 in the UK Albums Chart after being released there in 1997.[11] "Ready to Go" was re-released in remixed form, with a rock-oriented sound. This version became their signature single and reached No.13.[12][11] The fourth single, "Drop Dead Gorgeous", reached No.7.[11] To promote Republica, the band brought in Bow Wow Wow founder David Barbarossa on drums as Tiernan switched to strictly percussion (although Tiernan eventually departed in 1996).
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 Curve and Garbage, a notably more aggressive and electronic sound. In 1997, they contributed a cover of "Are 'Friends' Electric?" to the Gary Numan tribute album Random. That same year, Saffron performed vocals for the Prodigy's "Fuel My Fire" from their album The Fat of the Land. By early 1998, when Barbarossa and Todd left the band, Republica continued as a trio.
1998–2001: Speed Ballads and dissolution
The band's second album, Speed Ballads, was released in 1998 and reached No.37 in UK Albums Chart.[11] Its lead single, "From Rush Hour With Love", peaked at No.20 in UK Singles Chart.[11] 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 and Speed Ballads was never released in the United States. In 2001, Republica went on hiatus. On their official site it was posted the message "Republica are not recording at this time".[13]
2010–2020: Reunion, sporadic performances and new material
In early 2010, Republica performed a string of gigs.[15] 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.[16] A joint 20th anniversary tour with the band Space took place in the spring of 2014. In October and early November 2014, Republica toured the UK in support of the Boomtown Rats "Ratlife" tour and took the opportunity to premiere some new material. Friday 29 May 2015 saw the public debut of more new material when Republica performed at the "Under The Bridge" venue in Chelsea, London, with support from Tenek and Kenelis. A deluxe edition of Republica was released on 28 February 2020 on Cherry Red Records.
2021–present: Damaged Gods
The band released a new single, "New York" in November 2023, from their upcoming studio album Damaged Gods scheduled to be released in the spring of 2025, their first in 27 years, on Armalyte Industries.[17] The second single off the album, "Hallelujah", was released 28 June 2024.
In June 2024, Saffron announced that Steve Hewitt, former drummer of Placebo and Six by Seven, had joined Republica as the band's live drummer.[18]
Members
Current members
Saffron – lead vocals, tambourine, guitar (1994–2001, 2008–present)
Tim Dorney – keyboards (1994–2001, 2008–present)
Johnny Male – guitar, bass (1995–2001, 2008–present)
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.
Saffron performed vocals for the song Pork-U-Pine for Jeff Beck's 2003 album Jeff.
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.
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
List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Top 200 peaks from November 1994 to December 2010: "Chart Log UK 1994–2010 > The Rabble Army – RZA". Dipl.-Bibl.(FH) Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved 28 August 2015. N.B. This site contains uncompressed chart peaks (no exclusions applied) between November 1994 and May 2001.
Top 100 peaks to December 2010: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDFed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p.233.
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