If the Republic Of Loose were ever to record a seasonal cover, ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’ might be the most appropriate. The Dubliners seem driven by a fun-fuelled philosophy that chimes perfectly with the exuberant excesses of the season.
As Mick Pyro of said Republicans puts it: “Christmas is always a fun time for us, and with the big gig at The Ambassador this is gonna be a really massive one. I’m really lookin’ forward to it.”
The Ambassador show is the culmination of a busy 12 months for the band, during which they scored a bone-fide radio hit, ‘Comeback Girl’.
“We’ve had a great year,” enthuses Pyro. “We did a lot of gigs around the country and that was fantastic. It was great to see all the work we’d put in really beginning to pay off.”
Of course, enjoying music is second nature to the band.
“I’ve been doing this since I was 12 and it’s like an addiction. If someday I have to give it up and get a real job, I’ll still want to make music in some form or other."
I put it to Pyro that Republic Of Loose are unusual in that music, rather than a career in music, is their chief priority.
“I wouldn’t really want to knock career bands. I think we have an attitude that's kind of unusual. Other groups seem to get caught up in whatever they see on MTV, but we’re not into that crap. As far as I’m concerned, they can go do it their way too. It’s really up to them.”
One priority for ROL over the merry days of Christmas is their new album, which is nearing completion.
“We hope to have it out around March next year,” Pyro concludes. “We’ve already got 10 songs done, so we just need to come up with another three or four and we’re there.”
Somehow, I don’t imagine Republic Of Loose will let the pressure of writing new songs distract them from their love of a good party.