There are some who felt that any soul revival in Ireland stopped and started with the blockbuster film "The Commitments." But anyone who feels that way has never heard of Republic of Loose, a band that is stirring the soul pot with an infectious jam band earthiness. The eagerly anticipated third album from Republic of Loose, "Vol. IV: Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil," was released in Ireland last May but has yet to be released here in the States. That won't stop the band from coming here anyway to build a fan base. They visited a number of venues throughout Manhattan and the Northeast last week, and continue this week. "It's rock music with a soul dynamic," says singer Mick Pyro. "I like to say it is rock and roll played as it was intended. You can dance to it. I think it sounds very contemporary. It has this grimy type of soul that makes it sound older than it is." The album touches many genres over its 16 tracks. At times they sound like Sly and the Family Stone at a Journey concert, featuring guest vocals from Sinead O'Connor and U.S. hip hop legend Styles P. "We were very nervous about working with her," says Pyro of their experience with O'Connor. "The people at her label were looking to get a more radio friendly version of the track 'We People (Who are Darker than Blue),' from her last album. "We did the track and she was into it, then we filmed a video and played at the Meteor Awards show with her. We got on with her very well. She is really down to earth and easy and she made everyone feel so at ease. "She got onstage with us not long ago at one of our gigs and did a killer version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U.' Our crowd went nuts. The Prince lawyers took it down after we put it up on YouTube." Formed in Dublin in 2003, Republic of Loose quickly amassed a fan base with a string of successful independently released albums and a slew of opening slots with the Roots, the Neville Brothers and Snow Patrol. "Comeback Girl" received huge airplay on U.S. radio stations like Indie 103 and KCRW. This led to the licensing of tracks from the album to Real World producers Bunim-Murray in the U.S. In LA, the band was invited by Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones to perform on Indie 103's radio show "Jonsey's Jukebox." "Steve Jones was playing it on every show," says Mik. "I am a huge fan of his guitar work, not only with the Sex Pistols, but with Iggy Pop. Even as well rounded as he is, he is underestimated as a player. We jammed with him in the studio, which was a huge thrill." The album has already spawned two massive hits in "I like Music" and the band's biggest single to date, "The Steady Song." The core of the band numbers seven - Pyro (vocals), Benjamin Loose (bass, vocals), Deco (keyboards), Dave Pyro (guitar, vocals), Brez (guitar, vocals), Coz Noleon (drums and percussion) and Barnes (drums and percussion), with percussionist Gargos and backing singers Orla La and Eve Ill Jones along for the trip. "There are a lot of metal influences in it, but I would say its just a soul record," when this reviewer points to elements of big eighties arena rock in the grooves. "The Rolling Stones were directly channeling the blues music of the fifties when they started out and we are doing the same thing with American music." Republic of Loose grinds different pieces of funk, soul, rock, and hip cop into a musical sausage which results in a delicious dish indeed! "The live shows are really our thing. It's a pretty over the top performance," says Pyro. "We do a lot of hip hop and techno music into the shows, and I think it's interesting on how we meld the human energy into the beats. I definitely think the crowd is more receptive to what we are doing in New York versus back home. "It took a while for the people in Ireland to get us. People tell us that the New York City crowd is the most difficult in the world, but that has not been the case for us. We started out with 20 people and the crowd built very quickly." You have been warned. Get your tickets now! Republic of Loose will be at the Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard Street in New York, on November 28.