LFO

September 7, 1999
Web posted at: 1:15 p.m. EDT (1715 GMT)

By Donna Freydkin
Reporting for CNN Interactive

In this story: Sample the single 'Summer Girls' Accident of birth Peaks and valleys RELATED STORIES, SITES

(CNN) -- At first glance, LFO seems to be little more than just another telegenic boy band cranked out by the teen hit-making workshop Trans Continental Entertainment. It gave us Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync.

Sure, Brad Fischetti, Rich Cronin and Devin Lima are all in their early 20s and genetically blessed, a fact not unnoticed by their female fans. Their music, including the breakout single "Summer Girls," is catchy, ultra-accessible Top 40 fare. "Summer Girls" has gone platinum, thanks in part to a video showcasing more physical splendor than a Tommy Hilfiger ad.

But the men of LFO say they're anything but a studio creation. As solo performers, they've been singing for years. Lead vocalist Lima, for example, is a seven-year veteran of the Boston music scene, where he was part of a band similar to R&B crooners Jodeci. Cronin says he's been rapping since the sixth grade.

Perhaps most importantly, LFO writes most of its own songs, including Cronin's "Summer Girls."

"We write our own songs, and that came from years of learning," says Fischetti. "That doesn't happen overnight. You don't all of a sudden start writing your own songs. We'd written a bunch of songs before 'Summer Girls,' but it takes time to write something really good.

"We put in the time because I want us to last."

MULTIMEDIA

"Summer Girls" Audio clip: 230k MPEG-3 Audio clip: 315k WAV Video clip: 1Mb QuickTime

ALSO:

LFO's 'Summer Girls': Song in season

DISCUSSION:

Are boy bands a passing craze? Go to the boards!

Formed about three years ago in Orlando under the moniker Lyte Funkie Ones -- later shortened to "LFO" -- the band initially signed with the small Logic Records and had two minor hits with rap remakes of dance classics. But they knew the grass had to greener elsewhere.

"It's not enough to have talent," says Fischetti. "You also have to have the right people behind you."

LFO found that right person in Trans Continental chief Lou Pearlman, who picked up the band after it left Logic and helped it hone its songwriting and performances. Pearlman, who guided the careers of Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, introduced LFO to Clive Davis, Arista Records' president, who promptly signed the group and oversaw its development into a hit act.

"He did everything for us," says Fischetti of Pearlman. "He always believed in us. He put the time and money and effort behind us to make it happen for us."

Now, thanks to MTV and radio's infatuation with "Summer Girls," LFO has made it. But in fact, the credit for breaking LFO goes to Logic Records, which sent a copy of the song to an influential Top 40 radio station in Washington. The programming director took one listen and started airing "Summer Girls." The song took off nationwide.

"The song got on the radio by accident," says singer Devin Lima. "It was never supposed to be a single, but it blew up."

The hit is a made-for-radio tune, a series of related pop-culture vignettes: "New Kids on the Block had a bunch of hits / Chinese food makes me sick / And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer / like girls that wear Abercrombie & Fitch ... ."

Arista, the band's current label, hasn't messed with a good thing. Almost on its own, "Summer Girls" -- recorded about a year ago in a friend's basement in 45 minutes -- is a runaway hit. LFO's self-titled Arista debut hit store shelves on August 24.

Ask any of the band members about his future -- whether he's worried about longevity and outliving the current boy-band-of-the-moment status -- and you'll find these singers are ambivalent about being lumped in with Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync.

"We're like a boy band because we happen to be guys, obviously," says Lima. "We've followed our dreams, and now that we're here, there's plenty of room for all of us. Plenty of room."

"No one has ever really compared us to any of those bands," adds Fischetti. "We're pretty close to the Backstreet Boys -- I regularly call Howie (Dorough) for advice. And we've known 'N Sync for four years. They're all really cool, really different. There's no reason why we can't all survive together."

It's an industry in which bands peak stunningly fast, only to fade away faster than you can say "New Kids on the Block" or "Leif Garrett." Fan bases grow up and switch allegiances. But LFO says it's in the business for the long haul.

Sure, Fischetti marvels that he just wished his younger brother happy birthday when the band was live on MTV in late August, but thrills don't make for a solid career. And that's something the band members know.

"Personally, I want to grow and become a great singer," says Lima. "I know I'll never be a Stevie Wonder, but I want to try to be. I want to be a great singer, great performer. And as far as this group goes, I want to have fun and grow as a band."

LFO recently finished tours with Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync and LL Cool J, and is preparing to headline its own tour. Barraged by promotional appearances, including stints on MTV and "The Donnie and Marie Show," endless autograph signings and myriad other events, the artists say they're tired. In a good way.

"I'm exhausted," says Fischetti. "I haven't had a full night's sleep in three months. But I'm happy. It's a good reason to be tired. Almost like when you go out on a really good date and stay out late, and the next day you feel tired but you feel good because you know you had a good date? It's kind of like that."