Republic of Loose came together from the ashes of a band called Johnny Pyro
and the Rock Coma in 2001.Dave and Michael had been working together under
that moniker for several years previous,making a kind of grimy sub-gospel
noise. Though both came from a blues background,Dave and Michael had traveled
distinct musical paths before joining forces.Dave had been making deliciously
Tim Buckley-esque constructions with his band Sportsman.Michael had been
writing subversive pop songs for his kid sisters band Chicks. In 1998 he recorded an Album with them in Philadelphia under the auspices
of the legendary Royal Trux.They were promptly dropped. Around this time Dave
and Michael began playing blues together in their kitchens and in un-peopled
venues, learning the true art of performance and showmanship before strange
and difficult crowds. As they began to assimilate other influences, such as
Sly and the Family Stone, Mahalia Jackson and the Wu-Tang Clan they became
Johnny Pyro and the Rock Coma.However, it was only in 2001 with the advent of
four young, hungry and extremely gifted new members that the band began to
refine their sound into the, sinuous and beautiful conflation of styles that
it has now become. Brez had learned to play guitar with Dave years before, jamming blues and
soul and drinking whiskey.As such they played with a Stones like synergy. Brez
brought in his compadre Deco on keys,chiseled melodies, the crystalline line
cohesion. Coz Noleon, an old school friend of Michael Pyro, brought fiery rock
energy. Benjamin Loose brought a Kabbalistic understanding of the dangerous
properties of bass. They changed their name to Republic of Loose, and began to
rehearse constantly,cannibalising such influences as the Rolling Stones,
Howlin Wolf, Al Green, James Brown, Rick James,Earth Wind and Fire, The Ohio
Players, Prince, Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Cameo, Hall and Oates,Scritti
Politti, A.B.C, Slick Rick, Missy and Timbaland, Outkast, Cash Money, Capleton,
Elephant Man,Eightball,, Cee-lo Green.In 2003 they signed to Big Cat records,
once host to Jeff Buckley, Will Oldham, Grandaddy,Pavement and Mikey Dread.
They recorded their debut album This is the Tomb of the Juice in March of
that year. It was released in 2004 and garnered some excited and disgusted
press and radioattention in Ireland and Europe. Emerging as the most exciting
live act in the country, they quickly garnered a sizable and loyal fan base.
Their mesmerising live performances led to tour support withthe Neville
Brothers, the Thrills, the Zutons, the Scissor Sisters, Alabama 3, Fun Lovin
Criminals,Snow Patrol, The Roots, Dilated Peoples, as well as festival
appearances at Glastonbury, T in the park,the Fleadh, Oxygen and the
Transmusicale, Nice Jazz and Furia Sound festivals in France. They have
completed successful headline tours of the U.K. and Ireland. The single "Comeback Girl" was released in July 2005 and became a huge
radio hit in Ireland. "You Know It" was released in October of that year and
became an even bigger hit, followed in February 2006 by the third single
"Shame". The second album, AAAGH!, was released on 7th April and entered the
charts at number 2.
