Republica

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title: "Republica" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["alternative-dance-musical-groups", "musical-groups-established-in-1994", "musical-groups-disestablished-in-2001", "musical-groups-reestablished-in-2008", "alternative-rock-groups-from-berkshire", "english-alternative-rock-groups", "english-synth-pop-groups", "english-dance-punk-musical-groups", "female-fronted-musical-groups", "britpop-groups", "1994-establishments-in-england", "deconstruction-records-artists"] description: "English alternative rock band" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republica" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary English alternative rock band ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist "]

Field	Value
name	Republica
image	Republicagf.JPG
image_size	300px
caption	Republica at Guilfest 2012
background	group_or_band
origin	Windsor, Berkshire, England
genre
years_active
label
website
::

| name = Republica | image = Republicagf.JPG | image_size = 300px | caption = Republica at Guilfest 2012 | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = Windsor, Berkshire, England | genre = | years_active = | label = | website = | current_members =

• Saffron
• Tim Dorney
• Johnny Male | past_members =
• Pete Riley
• Andy Todd
• David Barbarossa
• Alix Tiernan
• Mick Pirie

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". The current line-up consists of Saffron (vocals), Tim Dorney (keyboards), and Johnny Male (guitar).

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Republica_live_at_San_Antonio,_TX_in_Dec_1996.jpg" caption="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. 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.

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. The fourth single, "Drop Dead Gorgeous", reached No. 7. 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.

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.

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.

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)

Current touring members

• Steve Hewitt – drums (2024–present)

Former members

• Andy Todd – keyboards, guitar, bass (1994–1998)
• Mick Pirie – bass (1994–1995)
• Alix Tiernan – drums, percussion (1994–1996)
• 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

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BackgroundColors = bars:bars

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color:EP at:03/14/2013

BarData = bar:Saffron text:Saffron bar:Male text:Johnny Male bar:Pirie text:Mick Pirie bar:Dorney text:Tim Dorney bar:Todd text:Andy Todd bar:Tiernan text:Alix Tiernan bar:Barbarossa text:David Barbarossa

PlotData = width:11

color:lvocals bar:Saffron from:start till:11/17/2001 bar:Saffron from:09/15/2008 till:end

color:guitar bar:Male from:03/03/1995 till:11/17/2001 bar:Male from:09/15/2008 till:end

color:bass bar:Pirie from:start till:11/11/1995

color:keys bar:Dorney from:start till:11/17/2001 bar:Dorney from:09/15/2008 till:end bar:Todd from:start till:03/01/1998

color:drums bar:Tiernan from:start till:07/01/1996 bar:Barbarossa from:07/01/1996 till:03/01/1998

color:perc bar:Tiernan from:07/01/1996 till:10/30/1996

width:3 bar:Todd from:start till:03/01/1998 color:guitar bar:Tiernan from:start till:07/01/1996 color:perc bar:Barbarossa from:10/30/1996 till:03/01/1998 color:perc bar:Male from:11/11/1995 till:11/17/2001 color:bass bar:Male from:09/15/2008 till:end color:bass

width:7 bar:Todd from:start till:03/01/1998 color:bass

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.
• 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.
• 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

::data[format=table title="List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions"] | Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | UK | AUS | AUT | GER German chart peaks: | NED | NZ | SCO | SWI | US | Republica | Speed Ballads | Damaged Gods | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | 4 | 95 | 34 | 47 | 36 | 26 | 9 | 48 | 153 | | | | | | | | | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | — | — | — | | | | | | | | To be released}} | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

Compilation albums

::data[format=table]

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

Live albums

::data[format=table]

Title	Release date	Label	Live at the Astoria
March 2013	Independent
::

Extended plays

::data[format=table]

Title	Release date	Label	Christiana Obey
March 2013	Independent
::

Singles

::data[format=table] | Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | UK UK chart peaks: | AUS Australian (ARIA) peaks: | GER | IRE | NED | NZ | SCO Scottish singles chart peaks: | SWE | SWI | US | "Out of This World" | "Bloke" | "Ready to Go" (original mix) | "Ready to Go" (remix) | "Drop Dead Gorgeous" | "From Rush Hour with Love" | "Ready to Go" (remix with Tomcraft) | "Ready to Go 2010" | "New York" | "Hallelujah" | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1994 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1995 | 81 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Republica | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1996 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | 59 | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1997 | 13 | 40 | 33 | 26 | 25 | 42 | 12 | 40 | 34 | 56 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 | 131 | 90 | — | — | 30 | 8 | — | — | 93 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1998 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | | Speed Ballads | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2007 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | For the Queen (Tomcraft album) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2010 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Damaged Gods | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

Promotional singles

::data[format=table]

Title	Year	Album	"Holly"	"Try Everything"
1995	Republica
1998	Speed 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

References

References

1. (12 February 2019). "Republica announced for Jack Up The Summer".
2. (30 April 2019). "Bish Bash: Republica are Ready To Go for Saturday night".
3. (3 April 2017). "ACMers get 'Ready To Go' for Live Performance with Saffron".
4. ""Ready to Go" see Republica? Britpop group will bring the 90s back to Dubai".
5. Strong, Martin C.. (2000). "The Great Rock Discography". Mojo Books.
6. (3 July 2019). "Flowered Up - A Weekenders Tale".
7. Wiser, Carl. "Saffron of Republica Interview".
8. (30 April 2019). "Bish Bash: Republica are Ready to Go for Saturday night".
9. "SOUL FAMILY SENSATION | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company".
10. "JHELISA".
11. "REPUBLICA | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company".
12. "Windsorfringe.co.uk".
13. Wilkinson, Matt. (26 April 2010). "Republica to reform for gigs and 'Ready To Go' reissue".
14. (14 April 2013). "2013 Creative Sessions: Republica".
15. (14 November 2023). "An Exclusive Interview with Republica's Saffron + New Single & Video".
16. (30 June 2024). "Important announcement !!!".
17. "austriancharts.at > Republica in der Österreichischen Hitparade". Hung Medien.
18. "Republica Chart History > Billboard 200".
19. {{cite certification
20. "The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Republica' (from irishcharts.ie)". Imgur.com (original source published by Fireball Media).
21. "dutchcharts.nl > Republica in Dutch Charts". Hung Medien.
22. "charts.nz > Republica in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien.
23. "Swedish Charts > Republica in Swedish Charts". Hung Medien.
24. "hitparade.ch > Republica in der Schweizer Hitparade". Hung Medien.
25. "Republica Chart History > Hot 100".

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