Republic of Loose

Sly Stone has always been renowned for two things. Firstly, ‘The Funk’, closely followed by his ability to remain consistently off his cake.

Captain Beefheart is a reclusive, eccentric legend, whose spluttering drawl cuts through some of the best exotic blues ever put on record.

Republic of Loose are a five piece from Ireland who somehow manage to infuse all of the above, creating what may become the most exciting slew of sounds you’ll hear this year. Interested? You should be.

If they haven’t already, ROL's live performances are set to become legendary. Having already developed something of a frenzied dedication within their ever-growing following, they splurge the tiny Water Rats stage, rapping, swamped in blues and tickled by funk. It is electric. Lead vocalist, the aptly named Michael Pyro, constantly confronts the crowd, wrapping the band’s muddy delta sermon around every fizzing guitar lick and bass groove. Comparisons with a single artist are simply impossible. Eminently watchable and satisfyingly undefined, The ‘Loose play around with extended blues jams, screaming gospel vocals and harmony-driven slow burners. Brez and Dave Pyro create a top layer of slide guitar magic while Benjamin Loose and Coz Nolean form a pelvic thrusting rhythm section, oozing character and soul.

As tonight’s lengthy set progresses the unpredictability of this band increases, with M. Pyro literally shoving the rest of the band around the stage and attacking them during solos. It’s brilliant to watch, as Brez and D. Pyro remain unmoved - still playing some crackling blues grooves with the beer soaked vocalist grappling them into headlocks. Set highlight and new single ‘Girl I’m Gonna Fuck You Up’ has both a catchy melody and a toke-strengthened lead riff that will have you bopping long after the tune has stopped.

During excellent set closer ‘Something In the Water’ and just when I thought it couldn’t get anymore frantic, Shane MacGowan arrives at the front of the crowd and begins to drawl his way over the bands gospel-tinged jam. It’s a very strange moment – MacGowan in his half-comatose state with the band looking on, not quite knowing what to do. Five minutes later he’s still there but now he’s on the stage and frankly, it’s getting tiring. So thank fuck M. Pyro grabs another mic and finishes the song with the crescendo drowning out the ex-Pogues frontman’s dribbles. The night is theirs.

Behold the uniquely unique and much-needed Republic of Loose.