POP MUSIC : Right Said Fred: A Model Trio

There’s plenty of irony in the way Right Said Fred pokes fun at the king-size vanity of fashion super-models in its hit single “I’m Too Sexy.” Two members of the British dance-rock trio could probably be accused of vanity themselves: They’re muscle-bound fitness buffs.

Skin-headed brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass managed a swank South London gym when they got together in 1990 with guitarist Rob Manzoli. They later recorded their wry hit, which topped the pop charts last week.

The upbeat song satirically portrays the mental state of self-absorbed models who pose and pout as they walk up and down the runway.

“Sure, I like vanity things,” admits 31-year-old singer Richard Fairbrass. “But models have absolutely no shame at all.”

“A lot of models used our gym, so we thought it was time to start poking at them,” explains brother Fred, 28, a guitarist. “Models get too much money for too little work.”

No one in the group is new to the music business. The Fairbrass brothers worked as part-time musicians while managing the gym, and did shows with various bands in the late ‘80s. Manzoli also toured the world in stints as a backup musician.

Right Said Fred (the name was taken from a ‘60s British novelty record) conceived the record during a jam session at the recording studio. “We had just taken a break from recording.” says Manzoli. “Richard started saying, ‘I’m too sexy for this shirt,’ and it felt good.”

The record--made for only $825 and first issued on a small, independent label--was the second biggest single in England last year. It was released in the United States by Charisma Records.

RSF plans to launch a U.S. club tour in March that will coincide with the release of the group’s debut album, “Up.”

What are the new tracks going to sound like?

“We tend to think in terms of songs instead of dance grooves,” Richard says. “I think that’s why our music works.”