Right Said Fred were too sexy for idolatry, credibility and longevity. The cheeky trio were an anomaly in the early-Nineties grunge period and their No. 1 single "I'm Too Sexy" is arguably the most infectious -- and disposable -- song of the past decade. With that dubious distinction, however, comes the inevitable reunion with the ranks of Gerardo and EMF in one-hit wonder purgatory. |

But now, because everything happens for a reason (even if it's not a good one), Right Said Fred are back. In fact, they've been touring Europe for the past two years with a full backing band and their sights are set on re-conquering the U.S. -- at least for a little while.

Late last year, the pumped-up brothers -- Richard and Fred Fairbrass -- asked remix wunderkind Jason Nevins (who made Run DMC's "It's Like That" a smash club hit throughout Europe last year) to have his way with "I'm Too Sexy." "The thing about 'Sexy' is that it's a totally mutable track," said lead singer Richard Fairbrass from London. "It can be anything. It can be the original, fluffy pop, or you can really harden it up. I think for people in the States, we need an element of reinvention."

And Right Said Fred are hoping to recruit an unlikely ensemble to give the song its proper face-lift -- namely, hip-house trio the Jungle Brothers and former Guns n' Roses guitarist Slash.

"The reason for [asking Slash] is that when we were in the States in the early Nineties -- and he might sue me for saying this -- I'm sure he said that 'Sexy' was one of his favorite tracks that year," Fairbrass revealed. "We've approached him and his manager, and they haven't told us to fuck off, which is a good sign."

The group intends to sashay down the catwalk at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, in March. Depending on the strength of the remix, which will hit radio this spring, Right Said Fred might return in the fall for a college tour.

Meanwhile, the group is preparing to release their greatest hits collection, tentatively titled Up, Up and Away, throughout Europe. That package, however, may never hit stores in the U.S. "The ambition is for people to get into our new material by listening to the remix of 'Sexy,' and we'll stimulate interest in what we're doing now," Fairbrass said. "I feel we've got some ground to make up and we have to prove ourselves all over again, really."

ARI BENDERSKY(January 19, 1999)