IRISH threesome JJ72 have grown up.

When they released their debut album in 2000, main man Mark Greaney already sounded wiser than his 20 years and his teenage looks.

The album went on to sell half a million copies worldwide and spawned three Top 30 UK hit singles - Oxygen, October Swimmer and Snow - but it also split the critics straight down the middle.

"The first album had a black cover and, because of the lyrics I write and because I like to wear black clothes, people thought we were miserable," said Mark.

"We were perhaps too eager in the way we wanted to be portrayed. It put a bit of a smokescreen in front of the music. We're more relaxed now."

The band released their second album, I To Sky, earlier this month and have made a conscious effort to make it happier.

"I think this album is optimistic and very uplifting. I wanted to take something personal and try to make it universal. I did write lyrics with other people in mind, not because I want to fill huge arenas - well, I do - but because I want to leave something behind that has substance to it, not just a rant and a moan," said the singer.

"Maybe I've matured a little but I've understood it's important to make music with the idea of comforting people - not solving their problems but making them a little easier."

So, how does Mark see the band developing in the future?

"I see us as a pop band really," he said, "even though the way I talk about our music may sound like I have aspirations above my station.

"But I hope people can set that aside when they hear us on the radio and at the very least say that's a very good tune."

You can catch JJ72 at the Portsmouth Pyramids Centre on October 22.