The making of Republica’s seminal 90s track “Ready to Go” was defined by a DIY ethos and an ambitious fusion of genres. According to the band, they maintained a clear vision from the outset to merge acid house with indie rock, a soundscape they believed required a space of their own.
Long before the London borough of Shoreditch became a cultural hub, the group secured and converted a unit into their personal recording studio. The project consumed their entire budget, primarily going toward rewiring the facility.
A key feature of the studio was a compact vocal booth nicknamed “Hattie Jacques.” The name served a dual purpose: it honored the actress from the “Carry On” film series and referenced Cockney rhyming slang, where “Hattie Jacques” is used for the word “shakes.” It was within these self-built walls that the band wrote, recorded, and produced their biggest hit.
The path to the final track was far from straightforward. The band tested approximately 100 different mixes before arriving at the definitive version. A pivotal moment occurred when vocalist Saff entered the studio with red hair, prompting a bandmate to declare it “the missing link” and predict massive success. The resulting anthem has since become a staple of 90s music, remembered as a battlecry for a generation.
Leave a Reply