Tim Harvey (as Lead Singer) and James Harvey (Drums and Vocals) make Hot Little Hands who are moments away from launching their three-years-in-the-making debut album. So, are their palms sweaty? A quick check reveals some clamminess, but nothing to write Lady Mitchum about. To be fair, it could be the Siberian conditions inside their sprawling, ramshackle warehouse on this bitter Melbourne morning. They're an 'ORIGINAL' band - and you can't say that about a lot of bands. They manage to take influences from electro-pop and rock n' roll and make something unique out of it without any pretention. It also doesn't hurt that they're white-hot live. As part of the uncharTED Competition, Antix questioned the guys about the things that matter, to us anyway...

If you were a piece of string, what colour would you be and why?
Black and gold: Black is mysterious and exciting. Gold is beautiful and trashy. How long is this so called piece of string?

What is your most outrageous clothing / performance item?
I have a multicoloured patchwork leather jumper.
We have capes.
We have art Nouveau inspired owl masks.
We have matching beige outfits.
Not sure which...

You cannot perform without....
My guitar, whiskey.

What is your mobile phone's current ringtone?
The Reflex by Duran Duran.

Track you'd love to remix?
Anything by Sherlock’s Daughter.

Track you never want to hear again and why?
That’s My Favourite – Directions in Groove. Too groovy.

John Farnham - national treasure or scourge of humanity?
Good question. National Treasure: Take the Pressure Down is an old HLH favourite – we used to do a cover of it.

There’s some inspired production on Whispering Jack, and the visual joke in the album artwork (where he whispers something to a woman on the cover and receives a slap on the inside sleeve) is priceless! What a larrikin.

Which artist/band in history would you want to support?
David Bowie at Kooyong
Devo
The Pretty Things
The Zombies
The Loved ones
The Easybeats
INXS
(No particular order)

Beatles or Stones?
Charlie vs Ringo

Hmmm.

a) Ringo is happy go lucky but solid.
b) Charlie is rakish with skin like parchment, but mean.

Conclusion: I don’t know.

I think Ringo could win, but would be more likely to cook Charlie a pie – I just don’t think he has the killer instinct.

The Beatles were more punkish.
The Stones never took any musical risks.
The Stones have The Funk.

Name 5 people, dead or alive you'd put front row centre at a gig?
Mark Mothersbaugh, Beck, Iva Davies, Cyndi Lauper, Damon Albarn, David Byrne.

What's your favourite plugin and why?
I like the ones that add hum or noise and have switches that say things like 'Funk'. They keep me occupied for hours. It’s where most of our new material comes from. I listen to the noise, write down the numbers and colours I see and hear and they correspond to keys and types of chords. Blue is minor 7, indigo is major 7, 1is A, 2 is B etc. but seven is a bonanza number

How long have you been at this?
Since that day in the park during the Summer of 2005.

Have you ever played in Albury?
No! That’s next on our list.

Best and worst thing to happen while playing?
Best: Someone threw a bra at Tim
Worst: Found out it was a guy

What do you think Aussie Music Events are missing?
Great dunnies like the composting ones at Meredith. Great food like at Splendour and Meredith Um, Hot Little Hands...

Coke or Pepsi?
We switch from Coke to Pepsi depending on the time of day.

Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition 1, 2009 is now on. Melbourne outfit Hot Little Hands were selected by MySpace as a media pick, which automatically secures them a spot in the Top 10 semi-finals announced 22nd May. The major prize of the comp is a spot on the bill for Splendour In The Grass 2009, plus an artist development package worth $25,000! Register online and vote for your favourite artist at www.uncharted.com.au.