Breaking All Boundaries: Republic of Loose

One miserable Saturday evening back in 2003 while working in my local venue, I saw a bunch of scruffy looking lads stroll in with their gear for their gig that night. I questioned myself for the countless time on why I had chosen bar work. But one sound check, and about a hundred ‘please can I work the back bar tonight boss’s later, I was watching the venue fill as Republic of Loose took to the stage and wordlessly burst into “Kiodin Man”. I was converted, and so will you be if you haven’t seen ‘em yet.

Their songs are laden with catchy, funk filled beats and with more soul that a Marvin Gaye hairpiece, Republic of Loose, or ‘The Loose’ as they are affectingly known as to their fans, are not quite your average Irish band.

Stick any of their LPs into your player, and you’ll find no signs of your typical three-minute spiky guitar pop songs.Instead, funky bass lines, catchy beats and dirty vocal melodies spring forth thumping from your speakers.

And I can image the look of disbelief that crosses your face when you’re told you’re listening to a bunch of Dubliners who “are here to deliver dirty, sleazy, bluesy rock n roll with hip hop ethics”.

Q & A With… Mick Pyro (Republic Of Loose)

DPIK – Republic of Loose Spoken Interview 2009-03-13

Mick Pyro

DPIK caught up with Mick Pyro on the day of the release of new single ‘Awful Cold’ from new album ‘Vol IV: Johnny Pyro and The Dance of Evil’ to hear his opinion on bands fussing over their image, the scenesters and what he really thinks of being called a sell out…’

Where are ye playing tonight?

Mick: We’re playing the RDS.

Are ya looking forward to it?

Mick: Yeah, should be good, loads of teenagers so, I like that. [Laughs]

What with six band members plus guests, does it ever get intense touring on the road?

Mick: Well, we get on pretty all right; it’s good when there are so many of us. It takes the pressure off. When its only two or three people it can get kind of intense but when there’s six people, when’s there’s someone pissing you off, ya can ignore them and basically go off and talk to someone else. We usually get on all right on the road.