David Jaymes, who occasionally sends information in my direction for use at Salut! Sunderland’s folk and roots music offshoot, Salut! Live, may well be unaware that Ready To Go and Republica – whom he manages (he is not, as I suggested when first posting, their publicist) – are inseparable from the recent history of Sunderland.
Every SAFC fan, and all visiting supporters who made appearances at the Stadium of Light until – what is it? – a couple of years or so ago will know that as the teams take to the pitch, Prokoviev’s Dance of the Knights gave way to Ready to Go, a lightweight but essential and utterly addictive slice of rock.
And a lucky few once saw Saffron and the band performing it live on the pitch, an event that had the edge on Samson’s antics. David tells me the band still talk about it fondly – “we were just discussing it the other day; I believe a few drinks were consumed during the game! It was one of the stand out moments for the band – playing on a football pitch”.
Nor should we overlook Ready To Go, the massively popular Sunderland fans’ forum.
So where does all this fit in with the World Cup 2010? Well, everyone wants to make a buck from it and Republica are no exception.
“REPUBLICA have re-activated and will be releasing a re-recording of their worldwide smash Ready To Go on 7th June in time for the world cup,” David tells us excitedly, giving the band nine capital letters and the World Cup none. The YouTube clip is obviously an old one.
“Heralded as the unofficial anthem for the world cup READY TO GO 2010 will be available digitally from all online stores from today including iTunes, Amazon, Play with more to follow.”
It would be churlish not to let David plug a forthcoming London show, too, the band’s first in more than10 years (Oct 13: O2 Academy Islington). “Look out for secret warm up shows around the country followed by a full UK tour to be announced,” he adds.
Colin Randall