Republica are an English alternative rock band formed in 1994. 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 "technopop punk rock". Saffron (vocals) is the sole member, the rest of the original band having left.
History
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. The two decided to form Republica as an electronic-oriented outfit. 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. Influences on the band included Simple Minds, Japan, the Human League, Gary Numan, OMD, Depeche Mode, the Cure, the Clash, the Jam, Gang of Four, and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
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. 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. "Ready to Go" was re-released in remixed form, with a rock-oriented sound. This version became their signature single and reached No. 13. The fourth single, "Drop Dead Gorgeous", reached No. 7. To promote Republica, the band brought in ex-Adam and the Ants 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. 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 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".
2002–2009: Hiatus In 2002 BMG released the compilation Ready to Go: The Best Of against the band's wishes. 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".
2010–2020: Reunion, sporadic performances and new material In early 2010, Republica performed a string of gigs. 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 was 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. 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. The second single off the album, "Hallelujah", was released 28 June 2024. As of May 2026, the album remains unreleased.
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. That same year, both Dorney and Male departed from Republica, leaving Saffron as the only remaining member of the band.
Members Members Saffron – lead vocals, tambourine, guitar (1994–2001, 2008–present)
Touring members Steve Hewitt – drums (2024–present) Maxine Cahill – guitar (2025–present)
Former members Andy Todd – keyboards, guitar, bass (1994–1998) Mick Pirie – bass (1994–1995) Alix Tiernan – drums, percussion (1994–1996) Tim Dorney – keyboards (1994–2001, 2008–2024) Johnny Male – guitar, bass (1995–2001, 2008–2024) David Barbarossa – drums, percussion (1996–1998)
Former touring members Pete Riley – drums (1998–2001) Nigel Champion – drums (2008–2012) Conor Lawrence – drums (2012–2024) Timm Hamm – bass (2013–2015)
Timeline
Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions CertificationsUKAUSAUTGERGerman chart peaks: Republica: "Ready to Go": "Drop Dead Gorgeous": NEDNZSCOSWIUS Republica Released: 30 July 1996 Label: Deconstruction, RCA Formats: cassette, CD, LP 4 95 34 47 36 26 9 48 153 BPI: Gold Speed Ballads Released: 5 October 1998 Label: Deconstruction Formats: cassette, CD, LP 37 — — — — — 45 — — Damaged Gods Released: TBA Label: Armalyte Industries Formats: TBA colspan="9" "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
Compilation albums TitleRelease dateLabel Ready to Go: The Best OfMay 2002 Camden
Live albums TitleRelease dateLabel Live at the AstoriaMarch 2013 Independent
Extended plays TitleRelease dateLabel Christiana ObeyMarch 2013 Independent
Singles Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications AlbumUKUK chart peaks: Top 100 peaks: N.B. This site contains 'compressed' chart (exclusion rules applied) peaks for positions 76–100. Top 200 peaks from November 1994 to December 2010: N.B. This site contains uncompressed chart peaks (no exclusions applied) between November 1994 and May 2001.AUSAustralian (ARIA) peaks: Top 50 peaks: Top 100 peaks to December 2010: "Drop Dead Gorgeous": GERIRENEDNZSCOScottish singles chart peaks: "Ready to Go": "Ready to Go" (remix): "Drop Dead Gorgeous": "From Rush Hour With Love": SWESWIUS "Out of This World" 1994 — — — — — — — — — — "Bloke" 1995 81 — — — — — — — — — Republica "Ready to Go" (original mix) 1996 43 — — — — — 59 — — — "Ready to Go" (remix) 1997 13 40 33 26 25 42 12 40 34 56 BPI: Silver "Drop Dead Gorgeous" 7 131 90 — — — 30 8 — 93 "From Rush Hour with Love" 1998 20 — — — — — 21 — — —Speed Ballads "Ready to Go" (remix with Tomcraft) 2007 — — — — — — — — — —For the Queen (Tomcraft album) "Ready to Go 2010" 2010 — — — — — — — — — — "New York" 2023 — — — — — — — — — —Damaged Gods "Hallelujah" 2024 — — — — — — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
Promotional singles Title Year Album "Holly" 1995Republica "Try Everything" 1998Speed Ballads
Music videos "Bloke", 1995 "Ready to Go" (original mix), 1996 "Ready to Go" (Ben Grosse mix), 1997 "Drop Dead Gorgeous", 1997 "From Rush Hour with Love" (version 1), 1998 "From Rush Hour with Love" (version 2), 1998 "Try Everything", 1998 "Christiana Obey", 2013 "New York", 2023 "Hallelujah", 2024
See also List of alternative music artists
Notes
References
External links
[ Republica] on AllMusic