( CNN ) -- A trio of middle school rockers has just unlocked a major record deal . The Brooklyn metal band Unlocking the Truth has signed a $ 1.7 million recording contract with Sony . The deal commits Sony to producing two of the band 's albums , as long as the first album sells more than 250,000 units . The three musicians -- guitarist Malcolm Brickhouse , 13 ; bassist Alec Atkins , 13 ; and drummer Jarad Dawkins , 12 -- will be paid $ 60,000 upfront for their first LP and could earn a $ 325,000 advance on their second . With Sony having the option to extend their contract for three more albums , Unlocking the Truth could earn $ 1.7 million . The major label love is just one part of a stellar two years for the group . After getting their first big break in 2012 during Amateur Night at New York City 's Apollo Theater , a YouTube clip of them playing in Times Square went viral in 2013 . In June , Unlocking the Truth opened for Guns N ' Roses -- and that was after happily crowdsurfing during a set at the Coachella music festival in April . `` Deep down , they know they are inspiring kids . They know they 've done it and in their own way , '' the band 's manager , Alan Sacks , said . `` They know they 're representing a lot . It 's beyond African-American performers . They 're iconic for the whole world -- for kids doing whatever you want and if you put your mind to it you can do it -- as long as you have the talent , the motivation , the concentration and the patience . '' The trio is performing with the 2014 Vans Warped Tour , opening for Queens of the Stone Age , and plans to start recording in about four weeks . `` What started out as play dates went to Times Square and now this . It 's been one great thing after another , '' Jarad 's mother , Tabatha Dawkins , told the New York Daily News . Of the record deal , she added , `` It 's so exciting . We 're jumping over the moon . '' The three metalheads are n't leaving behind school for music . Tabatha Dawkins said they 'll be entering the eighth grade at different schools in Brooklyn next school year and that education is still the top priority . In fact , Sony will pay out-of-pocket costs for academic tutors for each musician when they are unable to attend school . `` Schoolwork comes first , '' Tabatha Dawkins told the New York paper . `` If their schoolwork is not done , they do n't play . '' CNN 's Allie Malloy contributed to this report .
Middle Eastern band Unlocking the Truth has signed a major record deal . Sony Music has agreed to produce the group 's first two albums . The trio of two teens and a preteen has gained fame , opened for Guns N ' Roses . Their schoolwork still comes first , says Michael 's mother .