I don’t know much about pop-rockers-on-the-verge the Jonas Brothers. But I was encouraged to read this Reuters piece about these guys who are eschewing sex, drugs — and politics — in favor of just having fun with their music:

The brothers, who sport purity rings signifying their pledges to remain virgins until marriage, began their first national tour as headliners on Thursday in Arizona. The trio — comprised of Kevin, 20; Joe, 18; and Nick, 15 — cite punk pioneer Elvis Costello and 60s-era rock singers The Rascals as creative influences.

Helped by Disney’s marketing clout, the band’s catchy tunes and squeaky clean lyrics laced with “muscular guitar fuzz” have moved beyond Radio Disney to Top 40 stations and landed them a lucrative touring deal with Live Nation, the concert promoter that backs Madonna. Despite their foray into the world of rock ‘n’ roll — long a refuge for teen angst and rebellion — the New Jersey-raised sons of an ordained minister vow they will stick to their wholesome ideals despite the trappings of fame that derailed other Disney alumnus like Britney Spears.

“We want to continue being a positive influence,” said Kevin, when asked if they ever faced criticism for being so straight-laced in the world of rock. “I don’t think it’s a contradiction. It’s more of a new way of looking at things. We’re trying to be different. It’s who we are as people, and it’s how we set ourselves aside from people, not making a statement with their personal lives.”

And, thank heaven, the Jonas Brothers are specifically staying away from politics. I understand that art can be a powerful and legitimate way to make a political statement, but I would prefer that artists attempting to do so have a fair amount of life experience first. If I hear another 20-something-year-old rocker tell me the president is an idiot, I plan to give him a bottle and send him to bed.