2017 has been quite a ride for Right Said Fred. Earlier this year they released their 9th studio album Exactly!. The album was two years in the making, featuring an array of special guests and Fred and Richard Fairbrass’ signature mix of tongue-in-cheek observational pop. After the release of their album and single Sweet Treats, the boys performed all over the UK and Europe on a string of festival dates to promote the album.

The brothers have reached fans all across the globe, selling in excess of 7 million copies of their debut album Up worldwide, receiving two Ivor Novello’s for I’m Too Sexy and Deeply Dippy as well as a Brit Award nomination for Best British Act. Fred and Richard have also played The Royal Variety Performance, met the Queen, released a track for Comic Relief (Stick It Out) and, most importantly, Richard was voted Rear of the Year by Smash Hits Magazine.

Right Said Fred continue to appear at various special events and TV shows all over the world performing in front of 200,000 people at the 2006 World Cup opening ceremony and 300 million people for the Bollywood Awards plus guest appearances on Good Morning America, Big Brother’s Bit On The Side,The Wright Stuff, Lorraine, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Pointless and John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight.

After 25 years, the brothers remain true to their spirit – they don’t follow trends, they follow their instincts and have fun along the way. Doing music the ‘Right Said Fred’ way has always been the right way and their track record and continued success is testament to that. Long live Right Said Fred!

Exactly! is out now.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Jonny Brister of Right Said Fred about the new project, motivations, challenges and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Hi Jonny. What first attracted you to playing with Right Said Fred?

Something I really love about working with RSF is the fun they have on stage, music comes across better in my opinion when the people on stage are connected and I think if there is enjoyment then that can come across to the audience, especially when it’s right said Fred, they’re fun guys. Live the show tends to be ‘rocky’ and it’s fun to play these classic hits with it really driving with energy.

How did the opportunity come about to work with Right Said Fred?

When I was first asked to join Right Said Fred, I was actually on tour with another artist, but it all worked out in the end as I got the call again a few months later, and it was great to finally work with the guys.

Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?

My biggest influences would have to be John Bonham and Jeff Porcaro, those guys just had something, it felt and sounded amazing and I think just owned every single note they played so they’re definitely big inspirations on me but the list of names I could give you are endless, there are so many great players out there, especially some of my friends in London, being around that is inspiring. Motivation has never been a problem for me, I love music and I love playing, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else so touring the world with different artists has been a dream of mine since I was a kid.

What was the last song you listened to?

The last song I listened to was from the Fred Hammond album ‘worship journal’. It’s a gospel record and the musicianship is incredible, Gospel music is a new thing for me but I love it. I listen to so much music for inspiration and to understand as much music as possible. I will be in a completely different mood later and could be listening to hard rock or big band.

Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?

I gig and tour with different artists and theatre shows, including Right Said Fred, and have been fortunate to tour around Europe and the U.S so you could catch me at a show with one of those artists/shows.

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?

You can find me on my own website, Instagram or Twitter where you can find videos of me playing and photos and updates of what I am up to.