Scarlet Harlots
FemaleFirst were devastated when Scarlet Harlots were kicked out of the Orange Unsigned Act with Sony Ericsson, but we managed to pull ourselves together in time to chat with Sam from the band! Here we chat about the wildcard, Lauren Laverne and Matthew's scratching!
Hello boys, what have you been up to since leaving the show?
We've just been chatting to a lot of the public really, who are a little bit indignant about it all. We've just been kind of, keeping the momentum going for the show really, to try and get us get back in. [ff: Do you think you'll be able to get back in?] I don't know, it's the public's vote and there could be somebody else but I think the fact that we were the last ones to go could help us.
How much would getting back in on the wildcard mean to you?
It would mean a great deal. Because it's the public vote, it would be really nice, we would get an idea of how the public feel about us. It would be a great feeling.
What was the highlight of the show for you?
A couple of things really, meeting Murf from The Wombats and when we did our cover and getting to meet Lauren as well. After we got chucked out she came and spoke to us for a while and that was pretty nice of her.
Who would you like to see win?
I think it would benefit the most, Tommy Riley. I think he resonates with the public hugely. But I think as well he could do with the support of a big name. If the public put a band behind him, he could get a lot of time in the studio. I think Tommy deserves it.
You were one of the most experimental groups in the competition, can you describe yourself in 5 words?
Deep-cleansing, straight-forward, five-piece...Is that 5 words? [ff: well it's sort of 6 words, or 3 hyphenated words! But that's ok!]
How did you come up with your name?
It was inspired by a Oscar Wilde poem. We just took it from some of the themes in his poems.
So how did you come to enter the competition in the first place?
Geoff our guitarist put us on the page. I didn't even know we were going through until he told us that we'd got into the auditions. So it was a nice surprise.
What was it like having Lauren Laverne champion you?
It was great. It was nice to know that at least one of them had our back and out of all of them, shes kind of the one you'd want because of what else she does. She's got a good radio show, she does the culture show. She talks to a lot of people so hopefully she's been chatting about us to the right circles!
Where would you like to be 12 months from now?
I'd like to have at least a single, working towards an album or having an album finished. And been on at all the festivals! Just getting out there a bit more and going to Europe. Maybe even trying to do something in Japan. We really want to exploit the whole show! [ff: You should! Come to Manchester!]
Who is the greatest artist of all time
That's a hard question! I would say Notorious B.I.G!
If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Probably the first Smiths album, which is the coolest Smiths album. I'd probably listen to that for the rest of my life.
Who has the worst habit in the band?
Matthew's scratching!
Who is the most vain?
It's got to be Geoff, he spends ridiculous amounts of time in the bathroom! When we're sharing a hotel he'll be in there for ages, we always try and get in there before him!
If the bands equipment was in a fire, which 1 piece would you save?
Aw, I could only save one piece? I'd say the drum kit, just to save the beats!
You did a great cover on the show, what other song would you love to cover?
I'd love to cover a Gang of Four track, something real punky.
We also ask three random questions to everyone we interview, so your first one is, what's your most extravagant purchase?
A pair of out of order tracksuit bottoms. I got them and they were cream and were so wrong that I took them back! I don't know what came over me!
What's your biggest regret?
Not finishing uni, but I might go back there.
If money was no object, and you had the desire to, how many kids would you like to have?
If money was no object, I'd probably have about 20!
We ask everyone we interview to come up with a question to as the next person we interview. Tommy Riley wants to know, if you were on your own farm, which animal would you pay the most attention to?
I'd probably spend most of my time with a little lamb, just because they're nice!
So can you come up with a question for the next person we interview please?
My minds gone blank, have you got any ideas? [ff: Ok if you were on an airplane with talking to someone pleasantly and they were of average appearance and they then offered you £10,000 for a night of sex and you knew it wasn't dangerous and you'd get the money would you do it?] Yeah ask that!
Scarlet Harlots are a band that would do anything for a second chance and if you think they have what it takes to win the competition you can get them back in by calling 09011213102
FemaleFirst - Harriet Watson and Ruth Harrison
Read our interview with Judge Simon Gavin here
Read our interview with Fangs here
Read our interview with Klaus Says Buy The Record here
Read our interview with SleeperCell here
Read our interview with Toby Sebastian here
Read our interview with Tommy Reilly here
Read our interview with Hip Parade here
Calls cost 25p from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary and from mobiles will cost considerably more. Details and Terms at http://orangeunsignedact.co.uk/vote_terms . Voting closes on 11 January at the end of the programme.