Republica

Republica are an English alternative rock band formed in 1994 in the United Kingdom. The original lineup included Samantha Sprackling (known as Saffron) on vocals, Tim Dorney on keyboards, Johnny Male on guitars, and later Pete Riley on drums, who joined in 1997. Earlier members included Andy Todd on keyboards and David Barbarossa on drums, both of whom were part of the initial 1994 lineup until 1997. Alix Tiernan (percussion) and Mick Pirie (bass) also performed with the band during its early period. Republica’s sound has been described by its members as a blend of techno, pop, punk, and rock.

The band was founded by Tim Dorney, formerly of Flowered Up, and Andy Todd. Saffron, born on 3 June 1968 in Ibadan, Nigeria, was previously an actress and performed for two years in the London production of “Starlight Express.” She appeared in music videos for Chesney Hawkes’s single “The One and Only” and N-Joi’s “Mindflux,” and provided lead vocals on N-Joi’s 1990 hit “Anthem.”