Jermayn Clarke, Windon Bradfield, Joss Colling, Rewi Mclay and Dillon Riesterer formed the band while at Western Springs College, Auckland, and made the regional finals of the SmokeFree RockQuest in 2005.
They played Auckland University of Technology's city and North Shore orientations, and won the Waikato Ultimate Band Competition in June this year.
Lead vocalist-keyboardist-harmonica player Riesterer said the quintet were influenced by James Brown, Stevie Wonder and The Doors, among others.
"To best describe Harvey Knows A Killer, take one homegrown rhythm machine, groove and layer over a smoky organ, add the soul funk pipes of a preacher and serve red hot with a brace of cajun-fried guitars and our own honey-mellowed harmonies."
Three-piece self-styled cowboy surf trio the Merkins, of Nelson, support.
Harvey Knows a Killer, with the Merkins, Dux de Lux, Saturday, December 18, 9.30pm. Free entry.
