British pop act Republica is currently working on the follow-up to their 1996 self-titled debut, which brought the group stateside success with the singles "Ready to Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous."

After a year of touring both the U.S. and abroad, the band has been holed up in a U.K. studio for some time writing and recording their new album, which hasn't been hindered by the recent turnover in personnel.

A source in the Republica camp says that drummer Dave Barbarossa -- the man who brought Burundi rhythms to Bow Wow Wow -- is no longer with the group and that they are currently working with new drummer Pete Riley.

According to the band's official website (www.republica.com), co-founder Andy Todd also left the group at the end of last year to pursue other recording projects, but a replacement for him has not been named.

Republica hopes to have the new record out by the end of '98, but no official date has been set.