Republic of Loose explained

Republic of Loose
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Dublin, Ireland
Genre:Rock, blues, funk, soul
Years Active:2001–2014
Label:Loaded Dice Records, Big Cat [UK]
Associated Acts:Damien Dempsey, Sinéad O'Connor, Styles P

Republic of Loose were an Irish funk rock band from Dublin. Formed in 2001, the band formerly consisted of lead vocalist Mick Pyro, bass guitarist and vocalist Benjamin Loose, keyboardist Deco, guitarists and vocalists Dave Pyro and Brez and drummer and percussionist Coz Noelen.

With a self-described musical style of "the stuff your dad likes", the band signed to Big Cat Records in 2003, recording their debut album This is the Tomb of the Juice which was released in 2004. They were named "Hope for 2004" at the 2004 Meteor Awards. In 2005, the singles "Comeback Girl" and "You Know It" received significant airplay on Irish radio. Republic of Loose's second album Aaagh!, released in April 2006, reached number two in the Irish Albums Chart, achieving platinum sales and a Choice Music Prize nomination in the process. It spawned several more successful singles, including "Break" which achieved notoriety in South Africa where a radio station banned it following complaints regarding its allegedly explicit lyrics. , Republic of Loose's third album, was released in 2008. That album produced their highest chart performer to date, "The Steady Song", which peaked at number twelve and stayed in the Irish Singles Chart for thirteen weeks. Bounce at the Devil, the band's fourth album, was released in 2010.

Having earned the admiration of several musicians, including members of Snow Patrol and U2, as well as Sinéad O'Connor - with whom they recorded, released and performed a duet at the 2008 Meteor Awards - the band have had their music played on radio stations in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The Irish Times placed them at number thirty-seven in a list of "The 50 Best Irish Acts Right Now" published in April 2009,[1] referring to them as "one of Ireland's most original bands" led by "the gruff singer with the extraordinary soul voice [...] simultaneously channelling the spirits of James Brown and James Joyce in one fell swoop."[2] Aside from U2 and Bell X1, they are the Irish band with the most airplay in their native country.[3] In August 2014, vocalist Mick Pyro confirmed that the band had split.[4]

History

Formation

Mick Pyro performed with self-described "rubbish rock bands" for several years before the formation of The Republic of Loose. During this time, he was, according to himself, "depressed out of my brains" and listened to artists such as Manic Street Preachers. Experiencing what he termed "a huge metaphysical overturning of my value system", Pyro had developed a fascination with musicians such as James Brown and The Rolling Stones, or "the stuff your Dad likes". This change of musical interest prompted him to create Johnny Pyro, an alter-ego, who, according to Pyro, "disassociated himself from the normal lifestyle of an Irish bourgeois kid". This alter-ego would later develop into Johnny Pyro And The Rock Coma (Mick Pyro, Dave Pyro, Coz Noleon, Mark Dennehy and Emmet Cole). The band recorded an EP, which featured four of the songs that later appeared on the Republic of Loose's first album, 'This Is The Tomb Of The Juice.' Following the departure of guitarist Emmet Cole (who wrote the song "Black Bread") and bassist Mark Dennehey "To Texas and Ringsend," respectively, Johnny Pyro and Rock Coma split.

About a year later the Republic of Loose was formed.[5] Benjamin Loose studied theology in Trinity College Dublin before performing in a country band with Mick Pyro.[6] Dave Pyro used to play guitar with Brez and Deco joined them to play keys. The name Republic of Loose was settled upon in 2001 when Dave and Mick, combined with Brez, Deco, Coz Noleon, who had been Mick's schoolfriend, and Benjamin Loose.[7]

This is the Tomb of the Juice

The band's break, according to Mick Pyro, came as a result of ten days recording time they won in "some competition or something, some fucking battle of the bands".[8] In 2003, Republic of Loose signed to Big Cat Records. The single "Girl I'm Gonna Fuck You Up", released in late 2003, was largely ignored by daytime radio in Ireland, with Mick Pyro commenting in an early Hot Press interview: "We were never going to be the type of band that Larry Gogan or Ian Dempsey would play anyway, regardless of the lyric".[9] The band's debut album, This is the Tomb of the Juice, was partially recorded in the ten days studio time they had won in the aforementioned competition. This is the Tomb of the Juice was recorded in 2003 then released in 2004.[10] [11] 2004 was also the year in which Republic of Loose débuted at Oxegen (on the New Band Stage), a festival at which they have since regularly performed.[12] [13] Singles "Comeback Girl" and "You Know It" were released in July and October 2005 respectively, both achieving significant airplay on Irish radio and entering the top thirty of the Irish Singles Chart. By 2006 the band had toured Ireland, the United Kingdom, where they performed at festivals such as Glastonbury and T in the Park, and France, where they performed at Furia Sound Festival, Nice Jazz Festival and Les Transmusicales. They also performed alongside veteran rock band Lir at Vicar Street in January 2006.[14]

Aaagh!

At a cost of 70,000 to make,[15] the band's second album, Aaagh! was released in 2006.[16] Sunday Tribune journalist Una Mullally called it "one of the most original and progressive Irish albums ever made". Aaagh! reached number two in the Irish Albums Chart, going platinum in the process, received regular airplay on Irish radio and produced five singles, including "The Idiots", a song about Mick Pyro's former girlfriend which also features her on vocals.[15] [17] "Break", a top ten single in Ireland and top forty single in South Africa, was temporarily banned by South African radio station 5fm when a female DJ declared on air that it promoted anal sex without contraception, a comment which led to several complaints from listeners.[18] The band's 2006 summer tour included a performance where fans danced outside despite "the lashing rain" at Oxegen 2006, with the Irish Independents Larissa Nolan saying "their scheduling on the main stage was a testament to just how big their army of fans is",[19] [20] [21] and Castlepalooza.[22] In 2007, Republic of Loose performed at several festivals in Ireland and the United Kingdom, including Reading and Leeds Festivals, Cois Fharraige and a headline slot at Indie-pendence.[18] [23] [24] [25] Aaagh! was released in the United Kingdom on 15 October 2007.[18] In January 2008, Republic of Loose were one of the acts who recorded "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew" at Dublin's Windmill Lane Studios;[26] the sessions led to a meeting with Sinéad O'Connor, with whom the band recorded and released a duet which was then performed live at the 2008 Meteor Awards the following month.[27]

Vol IV: Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil

On 27 March 2008, Republic of Loose announced the track list and title for their third album.[28] was released in May 2008, featuring contributions from Sinéad O'Connor, rapper Styles P and hip hoppers Millionaire Boyz.[3] In the run-up to the release, the band uploaded free downloadable songs to their MySpace profile, including b-sides, live tracks and songs from Aaagh!.[28] Vol IV: Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil spent more than three months in the top thirty of the Irish Albums Chart,[29] spawning the successful singles, "I Like Music" and "The Steady Song", the latter their highest chart performer to date, having peaked at number twelve and stayed in the charts for thirteen weeks.[30] Mick Pyro has described Vol IV: Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil as the first album the band feel proud of.[5]

In support of the album's release, the band embarked on a small national tour and received an invitation to perform a sell-out month-long residency at The Dublin Academy for four consecutive Fridays,[5] [28] thus ending their habit of playing Dublin only once per year. This involved two-hour sets featuring new material and duets with Sinéad O'Connor - on her song "Nothing Compares 2 U" - and Damien Dempsey - on the Thin Lizzy song "Dancing in the Moonlight".[31] [32] The Academy residency led to a Meteor Award nomination for Best Irish Live Performance the following year and they would return for another performance at the same venue that September.[29] [33] A couple were engaged as part of a BBC television series prior to the Sunday evening appearance of Republic of Loose on the O2 Stage at Oxegen 2008 - [34] [35] a performance which also featured collaborator Styles P - [36] whilst the band also performed for several journalists backstage.[37] They performed a DJ set at Castlepalooza before headlining Solas Festival on 17 August 2008.[38] [39] [40] [41] [42] Republic of Loose featured on Today FM's The Ray D'Arcy Shows charity album Even Better Than the Disco Thing released in December 2008,[43] finishing off the year with three shows in Cork.[44]

Republic of Loose were one of several acts to perform cover versions at a show in The Academy titled "Inspirations", held in honour of the actor Paul Newman's Irish charity in February 2009.[45] In June 2009, the band were part of a collaboration of musicians calling themselves The Troublemakers who recorded a cover version of the Horslips song "Trouble with a Capital T" for charity.[46] [47] [48] The recording session was part of The Raw Sessions and the song was performed by The Troublemakers on The Late Late Show.[46] [47] [48] The band performed on the Heineken Green Spheres Stage at Oxegen 2009 before supporting U2 during one of their U2 360° Tour concert dates at Croke Park in July 2009.[49] [50] [51] [52] [53] Republic of Loose participated in the international celebration of the 250th birthday of Guinness - known as Arthur's Day - which took place on 24 September 2009.[54]

Bounce at the Devil

In 2009 Brez and Deco left the band and were replaced by Da'Rock and Da'ragh. July 2010, Republic of Loose returned to Oxegen.[55] [56] Their fourth album, Bounce at the Devil, was released later that year and led to an appearance on The Late Late Show.[57] [58] The album, recorded in Baltimore, "blends a myriad of influences -- from plastic soul to the sort of 'big hair' rock of the 80s", according to Irish Independent reviewer John Meagher.[59] Entertainment.ies Jenny Mulligan describes it as good craic but occasionally bordering on obnoxious.[60]

Influences, praise and style

Republic of Loose's genre has been defined by various sources as blues,[15] funk, metal,[3] R'n'B,[61] pop,[15] rock[15] and soul. They are influenced by acts such as Bobby Brown, James Brown, Al Green, Howlin' Wolf, Michael Jackson, Prince and The Rolling Stones.[62] They perform as a six-piece band complete with backing singers.[31] [33] The chant, "Loose! Loose Loose!", is commonly heard from the crowd during their performances.[63]

Republic of Loose have earned the admiration of several musicians. Damien Dempsey called them the "best band in Ireland" after performing alongside them.[5] Sinéad O'Connor, in an e-mail to the Irish Independent, asked to become a member of what she described as "simply the best Irish band ever".[5] Bono has described them as "sophisticated soul bootboys", "trailblazers" and proclaimed that "the Celtic Twilight turned into Celtic soul with Van Morrison, then Republic of Loose grabbed the Celtic Tiger by the tail, swung it around their heads and threw it out the window into the cosmos".[5] Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody, who called them "the best band in the country this year [2007] and for many years to come".[18] Snow Patrol have also remixed "Comeback Girl".[18] Praise has come from other musicians too, including Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters.[5] [64] Marcus Russell, manager of Oasis, is reported as having called Republic of Loose the "most exciting new band" since Oasis.[65] Novelist Irvine Welsh has referred to "Comeback Girl" as "one of the greatest songs ever recorded".[5] Actress Mischa Barton is also a fan.[66]

Paul Lester, writing in British newspaper The Guardian in July 2007, described Republic of Loose as an "Irish OutKast" to be filed next to Danny Wilson, Hall & Oates and N.E.R.D and least likely to be compared to The Pogues.[67] John Meagher, writing in the Irish Independent in April 2008, said the band were "out of step entirely with prevailing trends [...] almost like they stopped listening to music after hearing the young Prince and early Dexys Midnight Runners".[68] Vocalist Mick Pyro has commented that there are very few musicians performing "authentic modern soul" and that the band's aim is to "combine the energy of the New York Dolls with the funk and soul qualities of The Roots".[63] When writing a piece on The Script in August 2008, Brian Boyd of The Irish Times claimed that they were "as un-Irish sounding as The Republic of Loose ".[69] Internationally, they have established fan bases in London and New York City and have achieved regular airplay on Los Angeles radio in the United States,[15] as well as France, Indonesia and the Philippines.[70] Bunim/Murray Productions has licensed their music for use on American television.[70] They have, however, refused several indie contracts in the United States.[3]

Discography

Albums

YearAlbum detailsChart peaksCertifications
(sales thresholds)
IRL
[71]
UK
2004This is the Tomb of the Juice 35
2006Aaagh!
  • Released: 7 April 2006
  • Label: Loaded Dice Records
2
2008
  • Released: 2 May 2008
  • Label: Loaded Dice Records
6
2010Bounce at the Devil
  • Released: 8 October 2010
  • Label: Fish Don't Fear Nets Records
10
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Singles

From "This Is The Tomb of the Juice"

From "Aaagh!"

From "Vol IV: Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil"

From "Bounce At the Devil"

Non-album singles

Awards

Choice Music Prize

Republic of Loose's second album Aaagh! was nominated for the Choice Music Prize, an award won by The Divine Comedy for the album Victory for the Comic Muse.[5] [74] [70] [75] [76] [77] The band performed at the award ceremony in Vicar Street on 28 February 2007.[78] [79] Surprise was expressed within the industry when they were not nominated again for the 2009 award.[80] [81]

|-| 2007 || Aaagh! || Irish Album of the Year 2006 || |-

Meteor Music Awards

Republic of Loose won the Hope for 2004 award at the 2004 Meteor Awards.[82] They were nominated in the Best Irish Band category at 2007 Meteor Awards.[83] [84]

Republic of Loose were nominated in the Best Irish Band and Best Irish Live Performance categories at the 2009 Meteor Awards.[85] [86] [87] They lost to The Script and The Blizzards in those respective categories.[88]

In addition to this, they have performed at both the 2006 and 2008 awards ceremonies, the latter of which involved a duet with Sinéad O'Connor on the Curtis Mayfield song "We People Who Are Darker Than Blue".[89] [82] [90] [91]

|-| 2004 || Republic of Loose || Hope for 2004 || |-| 2007 || Republic of Loose || Best Irish Band || |-| 2009 || Republic of Loose || Best Irish Band || |-| 2009 || The Academy || Best Irish Live Performance || |-

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The next 50 bands . 2009-04-10 . 2009-08-16 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20101023035300/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0410/1224244309293.html . 23 October 2010 . dead .
  2. News: Jim Carroll . Tony Clayton-Lea . Sinéad Gleeson . Sinéad Gleeson . Lauren Murphy . The 50 best Irish music acts right now . 2009-04-03 . 2009-06-08 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20101007190642/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0403/1224243925837.html . 7 October 2010 . dead . . Simultaneously channelling the spirits of James Brown and James Joyce in one fell swoop, the gruff singer with the extraordinary soul voice leads Republic of Loose, one of Ireland’s most original bands..
  3. News: Neil Dunphy . Rock -- Loose men . 2008-04-27 . 2009-08-21 . .
  4. 499223935196889088. @jeffcrosdale Nope Bosch. Loose have finished gigging for the forseeable [sic] future.. MIKPYRO. Mick Pyro. 12 August 2014.
  5. News: Eamon Sweeney. Let Loose. 2008-04-25. 2009-08-16. Irish Independent.
  6. News: Bass instincts Benjamin from Republic of Loose on his Transition Year. 2008-10-22. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. By the time I did my Leaving Cert, I wasn't that into journalism anymore. I went through my options and decided to do theology in TCD. Then music got in the way. I finished college and started playing in a country band with Mick Pyro, the singer from Republic of Loose, and it has been music ever since..
  7. News: Staff Reporter . Republic of Loose at the Róisín . 2008-04-09 . 2009-08-16 . .
  8. News: Una Mullally . Loose lips . 2006-04-16 . 2009-08-21 . .
  9. Killer on the loose. 2003-12-03. 2009-08-24. Hot Press.
  10. Web site: Sligo appearance for Republic of Loose. 2006-05-17. 2009-08-16. The Sligo Champion.
  11. Web site: DIVERSE GIGS IN SPIRIT STORE . 2006-05-24 . 2009-08-21 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055744/http://www.argus.ie/entertainment/diverse-gigs-in-spirit-store-617581.html . 16 July 2011 .
  12. News: Mick Pyro. Mick Pyro. Nightwatch: Mick Pyro. 2009-07-03. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  13. Oxegen running order - Sunday. 9 July 2004. 20 February 2010. Hot Press.
  14. News: Kevin Courtney. No swansong planned for the boys of Lir. 2009-10-04. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. Dublin rock band Lir are back with a new album - 20 years after they began. [...] The band still reconvenes at least once a year to play a gig for the home crowd; in January 2006, they played a gig in Vicar Street alongside Damien Dempsey and Republic of Loose..
  15. News: Sophie Grenham. A Loose definition of the rock 'n' roll life. 2007-04-22. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  16. Web site: Republic to return? . 2007-04-26 . 2009-08-21 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055807/http://www.argus.ie/entertainment/republic-to-return-671070.html . 16 July 2011 .
  17. News: Blizzards, Republic of Loose and The Flaws. 2009-05-26. 2009-08-16. Westmeath Examiner. 28 September 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090928080823/http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/plus/goingout/articles/2009/05/26/39796-blizzards-republic-of-loose-and-the-flaws. dead.
  18. News: Steve Cummins. Irish band's Loose lyrics 'sex-rated'. 2007-08-12. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  19. News: Larissa Nolan. Why does it always rain on festivals?. 2006-07-09. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  20. News: Thumbs up for a rockin' weekend as thousands breathe the Oxegen. 2006-07-08. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  21. News: Breda Hefferenan. Flocking to rock with legends. 2006-07-08. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  22. News: Breda Hefferenan. Making a big song and dance of the August bank holiday. 2006-08-07. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  23. News: 10 last chances for fun this summer. 2007-08-16. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  24. News: Sun shines for music festival revellers. 2007-09-10. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  25. News: Loose and free at festival. 2007-05-10. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  26. News: Richie Taylor. Cream of Irish music in tribute to Dubliner as he battles with cancer. 2008-01-18. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  27. News: Bill Browne. Music legends flock to the Lodge. 2008-11-13. 2009-08-21. The Corkman.
  28. Republic Of Loose reveal new album details. 2008-03-27. 2009-08-16. Hot Press.
  29. News: The Insider: 09/09/2008 . https://archive.today/20130217204406/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/the-insider-09092008-1472385.html . dead . 2013-02-17 . 2008-09-09 . 2009-08-21 . .
  30. Web site: The Irish Charts. The Irish Chart. 20 August 2009.
  31. News: Ed Power. Footloose funkateer's new cuts hit the spot. 2008-04-08. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  32. News: Tanya Sweeney . Dempsey's den . https://archive.today/20130217173646/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/music/dempseys-den-1383086.html . dead . 2013-02-17 . 2008-05-22 . 2009-08-21 . . Eamonn Doran's is where Damo enjoyed a fruitful rapport with Republic Of Loose frontman Mick Pyro. Theirs is a long-time kinship which culminated in Damien joining ROL onstage during their sell-out residency at the Academy. .
  33. News: Tanya Sweeney . The Insider - 12/09/2008 . https://archive.today/20130217190340/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/the-insider--12092008-1474420.html . dead . 2013-02-17 . 2008-09-12 . 2009-08-21 . .
  34. News: Fiach Kelly. Sunshine brightens festival for happy campers. 2008-07-14. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  35. News: Full line-up announced for Oxegen Festival. 2008-06-09. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  36. News: Ed Power. Review of the Week: Oxegen 2008 * * * *. 2008-07-18. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  37. News: Kevin Doyle . Oxegen: Mud, sweat and beers . https://archive.today/20120801133906/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/music/oxegen-mud-sweat-and-beers-1432656.html . dead . 2012-08-01 . 2008-07-14 . 2009-08-21 . .
  38. News: John Meagher. Loaded: Apr 26th - May 2nd. 2008-04-25. 2009-08-16. Irish Independent.
  39. News: Pamela Newenham. Bad weather, mess and muck 'but the vibe was great'. 2008-08-18. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. The festival was headlined by Kila and the Republic of Loose. Other acts included God is an Astronaut, Autamata, Andy McKee, White Noise and Gavin Glass and the Holy Shakers. Other highlights included two double-decker buses serving hot food, a nice break from the rain..
  40. Solas festival: new names, stage-by-stage breakdown. 2008-08-01. 2009-08-16. Hot Press.
  41. Web site: Solas headliners to light up castle . 2008-08-06 . 2009-08-21 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055625/http://www.carlowpeople.ie/news/solas-headliners-to-light-up-castle-1453058.html . 16 July 2011 .
  42. News: The Insider - 06/08/2008 . https://archive.today/20130217192507/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/the-insider--06082008-1447920.html . dead . 2013-02-17 . 2008-08-06 . 2009-08-21 . .
  43. News: Digging deep for a good cause. 2008-12-12. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. The Ray Darcy Show on Today FM has already put together a number of cover version albums to aid various charities. The latest is Even Better Than The Disco Thing with Cathy Davey, Lisa Hannigan, Jape, Republic Of Loose, The Blizzards Duke Special, Director and many more getting on down. All proceeds go to the National Children’s Hospital and Barretstown..
  44. News: Band Loose 'on tour' in the Peoples Republic. 2008-12-18. 2009-08-21. The Corkman.
  45. Web site: Kinetiks look to heroes for Inspirations concert . 2009-02-25 . 2009-08-21 . Fingal Independent . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055756/http://www.fingal-independent.ie/news/kinetiks-look-to-heroes-for-inspirations-concert-1652690.html . 16 July 2011 .
  46. Irish music celebs record charity Horslips cover. 2009-05-21. 2009-08-21. Hot Press.
  47. Raw Sessions celebrity episode airs tonight. 2009-06-09. 2009-08-21. Hot Press.
  48. News: The Insider: 09/06/2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120606143758/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/the-insider-09062009-1766837.html . dead . 2012-06-06 . 2009-06-09 . 2009-08-21 . .
  49. News: Oxegen gets more acts. 2009-04-10. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times.
  50. News: THE LINE-UP. 2009-07-10. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times.
  51. News: Oxegen 09: Oxegen line-up. 2009-07-03. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  52. News: Tony Clayton-Lea. Another sort of homecoming. 2009-07-24. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. One really sore point: whoever is responsible for selecting the Irish support acts (Damien Dempsey, The Script, BellX1, Republic of Loose) should be ashamed. Not one of these acts needs the profile such a “special guest” slot can provide. Where is the support system for lesser-known Irish bands that genuinely need a leg-up on their home turf? Nowhere on the horizon, that’s where..
  53. News: Lorna Nolan . Boys can still party as hard as they play with three nights of clubbing . 2009-07-27 . 2009-08-21 . . dead . https://archive.today/20120804122548/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/music/boys-can-still-party-as-hard-as-they-play-with-three-nights-of-clubbing-1842519.html . 4 August 2012 .
  54. News: Catch Tom Jones in your local. 2009-07-17. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. A number of Irish acts, including Imelda May, Mick Flannery, Republic of Loose and The Blizzards, will also participate..
  55. News: New Oxegen acts announced. 28 April 2010. 28 April 2010. The Irish Times.
  56. Bell X1, Doves & Editors among Oxegen additions. 28 April 2010. 28 April 2010. Hot Press.
  57. The Loose on The Late Late tonight. 8 October 2010. 8 October 2010. Hot Press.
  58. Web site: The Saturdays star set for Late Late Show. 8 October 2010. 8 October 2010. RTÉ.
  59. News: Meagher, John. Music: Bounce at the Devil by Republic of Loose * * *. 8 October 2010. 8 October 2010. Irish Independent.
  60. Web site: Mulligan. Jenny. Republic of Loose - Bounce At The Devil. Review by Jenny Mulligan. Entertainment.ie. 10 January 2011 . 19 October 2010.
  61. News: Gerry Smyth. A flea in its Earwig. 2009-08-15. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. Also involved are local and highly successful singer-songwriter Noelie McDonnell, indie bands The Coonies and The Ralphs, Dublin sleaze funk, and “libidinous r’n’b” band Republic Of Loose and “agit-folk” singer and performance poet Jinx Lennon..
  62. Web site: Loosen up at the Left Bank. 2006-05-24. 2009-08-21. The Sligo Champion.
  63. News: Fast and Loose. 2008-05-01. 2009-08-16. Irish Independent.
  64. News: Who we'll be watching. 2009-07-03. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. OXEGEN 2009 : Snow Patrol’s hot tips [...] Republic of Loose One of the best Irish live bands and the most fun you can have in the mud.
  65. News: Loose put in hard yards to storm barricades of success. 2007-05-01. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  66. Web site: Loosen up at the Left Bank. 2007-02-07. 2009-08-21. The Sligo Champion.
  67. News: Paul Lester. No 144: Republic Of Loose. 2007-07-16. 2009-08-16. The Guardian.
  68. News: John Meagher. Review of the Week: Republic of Loose * * * *. 2008-04-11. 2009-08-16. Irish Independent.
  69. News: Brian Boyd. The write touch. 2008-08-08. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. The group are as un-Irish sounding as The Republic of Loose (sic).. Direct link to view quote
  70. Republic of Loose announce acoustic set and album signing. 2008-04-28. 2009-08-28. Hot Press.
  71. Web site: Steffen Hung . Discography Republic Of Loose . irishcharts.com . 2013-03-09.
  72. Web site: The Irish Charts - All there is to know . Irishcharts.ie . 1962-10-01 . 2013-03-09 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121025141432/http://www.irishcharts.ie/awards/gold08.htm . 25 October 2012 .
  73. Web site: GFK Chart-Track . Chart-track.co.uk . 2013-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043034/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2008&year=2008&week=20 . 24 September 2015 . dead .
  74. News: Una Mullally. The lowdown on what should be top. 2007-01-14. 2009-08-22. Sunday Tribune.
  75. News: Who wins? You don't decide. . . . 2007-02-18 . 2009-08-21 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306234818/http://tribune.ie/article/2007/feb/18/who-wins-you-dont-decide . 6 March 2016 .
  76. News: Here come the judges. 2007-01-13. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  77. News: I heard the 'Muse' today, oh boy!. 2007-03-10. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  78. News: People: Falling for a tacky Vegas wedding. 2007-02-20. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  79. News: Is a prize in the Immediate future?. 2007-02-28. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  80. News: Eoin Butler. Choice script upset by inclusion of . . . The Script. 2009-01-15. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. Pop-rockers The Script’s eponymous debut album has been shortlisted for the Choice Music Prize announced in Dublin yesterday afternoon. Their inclusion at the expense of critically acclaimed efforts by Ham Sandwich and Republic of Loose was the biggest talking point of the shortlist..
  81. News: Eoin Butler. The Script debut album makes Choice shortlist. 2009-01-14. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. Their inclusion at the expense of critically acclaimed efforts by Ham Sandwich and Republic of Loose was the biggest talking point of a shortlist that provided no major upsets..
  82. Web site: Sinead O'Connor and Republic of Loose announce duet at Meteor Ireland Music Awards. 2008-01-22. 2009-08-16. Fame Magazine. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111004152547/http://www.famemagazine.co.uk/2008/01/22/sinead-oconnor-and-republic-of-loose-announce-duet-at-meteor-ireland-music-awards/. 4 October 2011. dmy-all.
  83. Web site: The Republic of Loose, The Rogues and The Trampz - what a line-up! . https://archive.today/20130217211005/http://www.argus.ie/entertainment/the-republic-of-loose-the-rogues-and-the-trampz--what-a-lineup-635758.html . dead . 2013-02-17 . 2007-01-18 . 2009-08-21 . .
  84. News: People: Winehouse in awards party throw-down. 2007-02-05. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  85. Phil Udell . Meteor Awards nominations out . https://archive.today/20130218014935/http://www.state.ie/meteor-awards-nominations-out/ . dead . 2013-02-18 . 2009-01-28 . 2009-08-16 . .
  86. News: Jim Carroll. Meteor Music Awards folks wake up and shut down website. 2009-01-27. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times.
  87. Web site: Meteor Music Awards nominees revealed. 2009-01-29. 2009-08-16. RTÉ.
  88. News: Ronan McGreevy. Top accolade for The Script. 2009-03-17. 2009-08-16. The Irish Times. Having already garnered No.1 album status in Ireland and the UK, The Script were the big winners of tonight's Meteor Music awards winning best band and best Irish album for their self-titled debut which was only released in August. [...] Mullingar band The Blizzards were nominated for three awards and won in the category they really wanted to win in - best Irish live performance for their barnstorming set at Oxegen last year..
  89. News: Richie Taylor. Sinead cuts Loose with new band. 2008-01-23. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.
  90. Republic of Loose added to Meteors bill. 2005-12-29. 2009-08-16. Hot Press.
  91. News: Still the best U2 clean up at Meteors. 2006-02-03. 2009-08-21. Irish Independent.