As Brit-pop remained popular in England during the mid-'90s,
Republica hit the charts with a sound closer in feel to '80s indie-dance groups such as
the Pet Shop Boys and
New Order. Vocalist
Saffron was born in Nigeria, and began singing with club-staples N-Joi and
the Shamen, as well as
Jah Wobble. By 1995, she had met keyboard players
Tim Dorney (previously with
Flowered Up) and
Andy Todd (who has produced
Barbra Streisand and
Bjork, among others). They began writing songs, and after recruiting guitarist Johnny Male and drummer Dave Barborossa,
Republica debuted with the single "Out of the Darkness." U.K. indie-dance label Deconstruction signed the group and released its self-titled debut. From the album, "Ready to Go" became a hit both in England and in the States, where it stormed the alternative Top Ten during late 1996. The follow-up, 1998's
Speed Ballads, only gained British distribution. ~ John Bush