written by Juerg, j_g@bluewin.ch (updated by Alex, tryeverything@garbage.com)
This FAQ is for
informing the public about the world's best band REPUBLICA. This file is in no way
'official'. REPUBLICA have nothing to do with
it. So please don't bother them with questions about this FAQ.
All information
included here is correct to best knowledge, but I hereby disclaim
any liability for any damage caused by use of information
provided by this document.
CONTENTS
[1] Introduction
[1.1] A word
from me
[1.2] Getting
The Unofficial REPUBLICA
FAQ
[1.3] Adding to
this FAQ
[2] Preliminary Information
[2.1] Who are REPUBLICA?
[2.2] What do
they sound like?
[2.3] How did
they form?
[2.4] Facts
about the members. ----
[3] The music of REPUBLICA
[3.1] How many
records have REPUBLICA
released?
[3.2] What was
their first big hit?
[1.1] A word from me
Okay, you REPUBLICA admirers. As far as I know this is the
first FAQ about our favourite group. As described on the top of
this file isn't in any way official and REPUBLICA don't support it. So if you've got
questions about this FAQ, ask them to me. By the way, if you
write to info@republica.com you probably won't get an answer. I tried it two
times, but the band seems to be too busy to answer the fan-mails.
I also can't guarantee that this FAQ is 100% correct.
Unfortunately, I know more about
Saffron than about the other band members, because Saffron seems
to be the most interviewed member of the band.
[1.2] Getting The Unofficial REPUBLICA FAQ
At the moment, the only location to get this FAQ is the REPUBLICA fan page named RIOT IN REPUBLICA at http://thor.prohosting.com/~juerg.
[1.3] Adding to this FAQ
To make this FAQ as correct and
good as possible, I'm depended on your help. If you have some
additions, corrections or questions, write an e-mail to riotr@usa.net.
[2.1] Who are REPUBLICA?
REPUBLICA are a British band which grew out of
London's club scene and was getting tired of the mainstream dance
fuck. They wanted to put some more intelligent lyrics into the
music. And they wanted to be a real band doing gigs etc.
The members are:
Saffron | Vocals |
Tim Dorney | Keyboards |
Jonny Male | Guitars |
Pete Riley | Drums |
[2.2] What do they sound like?
Describing their style is quite difficult, because they don't fit into any kind of music-scene, but that's one fact that makes them so interesting. Saffron said one day it sounds like "Techno Pop Punk Rock". She didn't meant this as a real describtion, but it follows the band since that day. But if you think about it, this isn't such a bad term. It contains elements that you can find in their music.
Interviewed by Bernard MacMahon
(17th July 96):
If you had to explain to somebody
who hadn't heard anything that you have ever done, what would
they expect to hear on the album? How would you describe how the
album sounds?
SAFFRON It is a live guitar band with punk strong
guitars and dance beats. It is a mixture of things. Half of the
album is techno/pop, and half rock/beat.
TIM We work out best as pop/rock.
SAFFRON A guitar band, with a bit of a pop
attitude and dance beats. Burnt glamour pop!!!
[2.3] How did they form?
Once upon a time there was a girl
named Saffron who left her former band N-Joi because she wanted
to form a band at her own. She told that to a friend of her.
At the same time the
songwriter-partners Tim and Toddy composed a few dance tracks
which they played to some people. But all said that the tracks
would sound better with vocals. So they started to search for a
singer. By chance, Saffron's friend was also a friend of Tim and
Toddy and she introduced Saffron to the boys. They liked each
other and decided to stay together after the agreement that they
don't want to be another one of that boring girlie dance acts.
Johnny joined the trio when Toddy was ill and they needed a stand
in for a gig. Dave Barborossa joined the band in spring '96
through word of mouth to play the drums. He was drummer by Bow
Wow Wow and Adam Ant back in the '80s.
In September '97 Dave has had to
leave the band due to other commitments and the band took Pete
Riley on staff. At the same time Johnny became a full-time member
of the band after he already played an active part in the writing
of many REPUBLICA songs.
Unfortunately, Toddy left the band at
the end of '97 due to other record commitments. Pete Riley became
a full-time member in early '98 and he will perform on REPUBLICA's second album.
[2.4] Facts about the members.
SAFFRON:
First Name: | Samantha |
Last Name: | Sprackling |
Date Of Birth: | 3/6/1968 |
Hobbies: | Fantasy literature, Music |
TIM:
First Name: | Tim |
Last Name: | Dorney |
Date Of Birth: | 30/3/1965 |
Hobbies: | Skateboarding, Music |
JONNY:
First Name: | Jonny |
Last Name: | Male |
Date Of Birth: | ?/?/? |
Hobbies: | Music |
PETE:
First Name: | Pete |
Last Name: | Riley |
Date Of Birth: | ?/?/? |
Hobbies: | Music |
[3.1] How many records have REPUBLICA released?
PROMOS:
Out Of This World (1994)
Bloke (1994)
Ready To Go (1995)
From Rush Hour With Love
(1998)
Try Everything (1998)
SINGLES:
Holly (1995)
Ready To Go (1996)
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1996)
From Rush Hour With Love
(1998)
Try Everything (1999) (unreleased)
ALBUMS:
Republica (1996)
Speed Ballads (1998)
There's also a limited edition
of the album available for the S/T Album. It contains a bonus CD
with 6 live tracks.
[3.2] What was their first big hit?