All systems Jo

A PSYCHOLOGIST has described the effect the Jonas Brothers have on female fans as “putting them in a state of ecstatic love”. They’re young – Kevin, 21, Joe, 19, and Nick, 16 – and what the media call a worldwide phenomenon although the more elderly, ie anyone over 20, may simply ask “who?” when the name is mentioned.

For the record, they’re songwriters, musicians and recording artists with hit albums, sold-out concert tours and even their own TV series. And their Rolling Stone cover was the magazine’s largest-selling issue of last year.

Yet they’re probably most famous over here for being on the receiving end of saucy jibes by Russell Brand at the MTV Video Music Awards about the purity rings they wear as a token of their no-sex-before-marriage rule.

Like their friend and fellow US teen idol Miley Cyrus, who bounded through the UK not long ago promoting Hannah Montana The Movie, they’re squeaky clean pop performers adored by fans and ridiculed by cynical journalists.

They bound into the room to be interviewed. Words like fun (everything is deemed fun) and awesome pepper their conversation. They’re promoting their film Jonas Brothers The 3D Concert Experience.

The title tells all – an energetic record of their Burnin’ Up tour, which drew more than one million fans.

That tour didn’t stray outside the US but, fear not faithful fans, the brothers are touring the world this year, including a concert date at Newcastle MetroRadio Arena in November.

Nick is the youngest, but seems to be, in many ways, the boss. The three brothers began performing together, putting on their own impromptu concerts in the family basement. Nick won roles on Broadway, later Joe followed him on stage. Then, in 2005, they signed their first record label deal although things didn’t take off until signing with Hollywood Records a year later.

The movie, says Nick, “was like a dream come true”. They were part of Miley Cyrus’ concert movie and wondered how they could record their own concert. The answer was to film it in 3D. “The cameras were a lot closer, they come right up in your face. But you get used to them after a while. We’re really happy with the end product and it’s really exciting for us,” says Joe.

“It’s kind of odd,” adds Kevin, “we’ve never been able to see a Jonas Brothers show before.”

The film features footage of the trio offstage, including one scene of them being pursued by screaming fans. You can’t help noting – if you’re old enough to remember – the resemblance to the cinema verite look of the Beatles’ first film A Hard Day’s Night.

“It was definitely an inspiration for us,” says Kevin (or it might have been Nick or Joe, I was getting confused by now). “A Hard Day’s Night was a classic. We watched it and were not only influenced by the music side, but that it was one of the funniest films we’ve ever seen.

“We had to find a way to add a little humour into our movie. We wanted to make a concert film, but also have that element that really makes you laugh in the theatre.”

Beatles aside, their influences take in Mick Jagger (hardly surprisingly this comes from Joe, whose prancing around as lead singer is very Jagger-like) through Prince and Johnny Cash to Stevie Wonder. Kevin also owns up to being a big country fan.

They deny sibling rivalry or brotherly bovver. “In the earlier days of our songwriting career, there might have been times when there were creative differences when we were still learning how to write together and to work together,” says Nick.

“There are no disagreements. We trust each other in our opinions and ideas. We just gel as a group.”

Efforts to promote dischord meet with failure. Nothing serious bugs them about each other. “Obviously there are little things here and there,” says Nick. “Over time, you learn to work them out. The only thing is that Kevin is so messy sometimes when it comes to hotel rooms. But luckily Joe and I share a room.

“We don’t like to compare ourselves and say who’s the most talented. I think we enjoy doing it together and we’re strong together.”

Where they do differ is in their approach to preparing for the high-energy stage act.

Joe talks of stretching and warming up his vocals. He likes going to the gym, whereas Nick prefers sports. Going to the gym and working out, he says, isn’t as exciting as playing a baseball game.

When they’re performing, the schedule is sound check, dinner, meet and greet followed by “one hour of lockdown” when the trio are in their dressing room by themselves, warming up or changing for the concert.

Despite the fans, they can still walk down the street without being mobbed. “We choose the street carefully,” adds Kevin.

“We try and live as normal a life as we possibly can. We go out and shop and see movies and hang out with friends. We have to be aware of our surroundings.

“The reaction is amazing and overwhelming for us at times. It’s incredible you can go all the way across the world and meet someone who’s listened to your music.”

There is a fourth, younger brother Frank, who’s just started a band with his best friend. “He’s really talented and perhaps one day down the road we’ll consider him for the band,” he says.

Nick doesn’t rule out a return to Broadway some day. “There’s a possibility,” he says. “As far as the future goes, we each have individual goals and ideas where we see ourselves and as a group. We want to make more records and tour.

“I know Joe would love to do more acting roles. I’d love to go to college too and get a degree. You never know what tomorrow holds. We’re excited we’ll be on tour this summer. We’re just taking one step at a time.”

For the present, the brothers are more than happy to cope with all the things that go with being teen idols. There aren’t many downsides to being famous, says Kevin.

“There isn’t much time for yourself and people are always prying into your personal life. But we know those things go with it. It always comes back to the music for us. That and our fans – without them we wouldn’t be here today.”

■ Jonas Brothers The 3D Concert Experience (U) opens in cinemas tomorrow and is reviewed on Page 11. They appear at Newcastle MetroRadio Arena on November 18. Box Office: 0844-4936-666