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SPENDING an afternoon with JLS is like hanging out with mates on a Friday night. With endless laughter, excited chatter and jokes being cracked in between questions, the British boys are breath of fresh air from the monosyllabic answers and diva antics of some stars.

Polite and friendly, it’s not hard to see why they’ve become the UK’s latest boyband sensation.

It’s been quite a year for JLS (an acronym for Jack the Lad Swing). The former contestants of The X Factor have so far achieved a number one single (Beat Again) and two MOBO awards. But Marvin Hume, Oritse Williams, Jonathan “JB” Gill and Aston Merrygold are taking their status as the hottest new boyband in their stride.

“It just doesn’t stop for us,” Oritse said. “It’s been amazing and it’s hard to reflect on what we’ve done because we are moving forward everyday,” Oritse said.

The boys have been working behind the scenes for a number of years to turn their dreams into a reality, and they themselves are surprised at their success so far.

“When we got together, we knew we had something good, but to go from paying £6 an hour to use rehearsal space in Fulham to where we are now its incredible,” Marvin explained.

Perhaps this explains the emotional response the boys gave when they won their MOBO awards, with JB saying that he was “grateful, shocked and happy” for the group to be recognised.

But despite this, their performance at the MOBOs drew criticism from N-Dubz member Dappy, who accused them of being a manufactured pop band. In an interview with a British tabloid, Dappy said of JLS:

"I've got nothing against them, they've done well for themselves. But I just think it's different to us, who have worked our b*****ks off. At the end of the day, they're a manufactured band. They just sing other people's songs. And they were miming.”

Ever the diplomats, the boys have shrugged of the criticisms and defended their MOBO performance.

“Most people would not be able to do what we did on that stage – it’s not the easiest thing to do,” Aston said. “Whether the comments were made or taken out of context, there is no love lost. We don’t know what happened, we weren’t in the room.”

Despite the inevitable criticism the boys may face from their peers in the industry, they can take comfort in the fact that they have the love and support from their fans. Aston explains that the group gets mobbed by screaming female fans wherever they go.

“We tried to go out in Cardiff one night and an under-18s rave had just finished. We literally got chased by about 30 girls we were running like Usain Bolt down the street!”

Of course, as four single, good-looking young guys, they are enjoying the female attention. This is evident in the video for their single Everybody in Love, in which the guys got to star alongside some very good-looking women.

“We were asked what kind of girls we’d like in the video and we got sent a web page where there were 300 girls to choose from,” Aston laughed. “We definitely enjoyed the experience!”

Of course, it was taking part in The X Factor in 2008 that kick-started the fellas’ careers, after they won over the nation with their weekly performances. The boys say they are “proud” of their association with the show and advised this year’s contestants to enjoy the experience and work hard.

“X Factor is our mum – it gave birth to JLS,” JB said. “Even if you don’t win it, there are a lot of opportunities you can get from it.”

Aston added: “Every Saturday, just sing your a**off.”

The boys are proof that you don’t need to win the show to become successful recording artists, and speak enthusiastically about their new album.

“The album will be varied we co-wrote nine out of the 13 tracks, so it’s very much a JLS album,” JB said. “We are proud of it. It’s something that we have had a hand in and we have been lucky enough to have creative control. Fingers crossed, it does well.”

And it seems the rest of the year and beyond is going to be busy for the group.

“We’ll be touring – hoping to go international,” Aston said. “We have to do a promotion for our book and our second album will be coming next year. From now ‘til next Christmas, we’re busy!”

The new single Everybody In Love is out now and the debut self-titled album is out November 9, both on Epic Records

Published: 02 November 2009
Issue: 1396

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