Forty-five minutes before the Jonas Brothers take the stage in Everett, the youthful group plans to put its dressing room into lockdown: No one enters or exits.
This is the calm before the storm.
If history is any judge, when the power pop band walks out under the lights, it will be greeted by thousands of screaming tweens. Granted, the brothers intend to prepare for the onslaught with some pre-show routines.
“We pray, all together,” said Kevin Jonas, 20.
That’s probably a good idea. The three brothers were launched into the fast lane in 2007, landing their first platinum album and opening up for Miley Cyrus — aka Hannah Montana — on her headline-making tour. Now, they plan to play Comcast Arena at the Everett Events Center on Tuesday during their own arena tour.
The sudden rush of success for the New Jersey siblings came as something of a surprise. Their first album, “It’s About Time,” had contributions from Fountains of Wayne songwriter Adam Schlesinger and Aerosmith collaborator Desmond Child. Still, it flopped, selling an underwhelming 62,000 copies as of mid-January, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
That album’s hook-happy pop rock laid a blueprint for its follow-up, however. The brothers were released by Columbia Records and signed to Disney-owned Hollywood Records. Their self-titled sophomore album came out in August, went gold in November and was certified platinum in December, having sold one million units.
“We were definitely surprised,” Jonas said. “Every time we hear that number, we’re still surprised.”
Jonas, a self-professed Red Bull fan, sounds full of jittery energy answering questions. He’s either “excited” or “truly excited” by the “very exciting” things happening to the young band. He said comparisons some have made of the group to the Ramones and Hanson are “funny.”
“It’s just music that we hope inspires people, that people can understand, that they can relate to,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of his younger brothers, he said the set list for their Everett show could include fan favorites — songs like “When You Look Me in the Eyes” and their biggest hit to date, “S.O.S.” — along with new material they’ve been polishing in the studio.
Most of all, Jonas said the group wants the audience to know that they are the real deal. When Kevin plays guitar, he’s playing, not posing. The same goes when Joe, 18, and Nick, 15, are singing.
“That is us, and nobody’s putting it on,” Jonas said. “Nobody’s faking.”
The group’s star could continue to rise in 2008. Along with their music, the brothers have filmed a movie, “Camp Rock,” set for release in June this year. The tour itself was launched to fill time after the writers’ strike stalled their Disney Channel show, “J.O.N.A.S,” a spy spoof.
Jonas is quick to emphasize that while the pace might be intense, the brothers are in the driver’s seat; no behind-the-scene handlers are pushing them forward.
“It’s us not wanting to stop,” he said.
And is that really a shock? It is, as Jonas might say, an exciting time for the caffeinated trio.
“Every day for us is waking up, and a brand new thing we’ve done,” he said.
Reporter Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455 or e-mail arathbun@heraldnet.com
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