THOUGH THEY nipped The Beatles as top vocal group of 1965, success isn't about to go to the heads of Herman's Hermits. In fact, the mop-headed British quintet is thinking of snipping off a wee bit of their treasured locks! "We're really not as long-haired as other rock 'n' roll groups," said Herman, on a quickie New York stopover after a tour of Australia, New Zealand and Japan. "The Japanese, you know, shook us up a bit. They associate long hair with juvenile delinquency and were a bit shocked at our looks. It got us to thinking maybe the shears are in order to improve our image."
    Who are Herman's Hermits anyway? Don't ponder that question too loudly, especially around any of their millions of worldwide fans, who just might throw a picket line around you. Even if you are over 25, you must have heard of the rampaging five who are spinning merrily to the tune of 15 million records sold so far. Unless, of course, you happen to dwell in a hermitage.
    Happily unspoiled and well-adjusted, 'ERman's 'Ermits (as they like to be called) are more in the nature of a vaudeville act than a rock 'n' roll group. They formed their musical alliance in 1964 when Herman - or Peter Blair Denis Bernard (his parents didn't want to leave out any relative) Noone joined them in manchester. At that time, they were called The Heartbeats and played the North End of England. They were shy a singer one night and Peter, who frequented the club, stepped in. He stayed for good. A name change was in order and the tag Herman came from a misunderstanding of the name Sherman of the Bullwinkle Show. Peter resembled the cartoon character and Herman was born.
    Later, Hermits was tacked on because it sounded just right. Soon after, they were spotted at a concert by Mickie Most, an independent record producer who was responsible for the hits of The Animals and The Nashville Teens. He signed them to a recording contract and the rest is 'istory, luvs, as "Erm would say. The group took off like a five-stage rocket. Their first single, "I'm Into Something Good," won a gold record (for a million sales) as did subsequent singles, "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry the VIII I Am". And the Hermits were recently presented with their third gold award by MGM Records for their album, "The Best of Herman's Hermits," which commemorates the sale of $1 million in albums. But when the group returned to Britain after picking it up in New York, the gold plaque was impounded by customs authorities until its value could be ascertained - $150.
"you must be up for some kind of award, like

  the MBE (Member of British Empire) for all the shillings you've reaped for dear old Blighty," we told Herman. "no," said the fair-haired, blue-eyed vocalist. "I don't think they'll give any more MBE's away to people in show business, as they did The Beatles. It's too much of a problem - all those other people returning theirs. It was only The Beatles who really deserved them. They started it all." The 18-year-old youngster was born in Manchester, took singing lessons at school and acted on British TV pre-H.H.
    But as for the rest of the gang - they're equally knocked out, as the girls might say, starting with guitar-plunking, bespectacled Derek (Lek) Leckenby, 21 on May 14, oldest of the group. The Hermits kiddingly say Lek even wears glasses in bed and sleeps with his guitar. Girls, girls, girls in any order are his favorite pursuits, as long as they have long hair. Lek was born in Leeds and originally wanted to be an engineer.
    Do the boys ever date fans? "Sure," said Barry Whitwam, the secret one with the shadowy smile who raps the skins. "Those are usually the only girls we meet." Barry, who'll be 20 in July, was a hairdresser before joining the troupe. He was born in Manchester and is called Bean by the others. It was Barry who, playfully wrestling with Herman, accidentally knocked out the latter's famous tooth. "But," said Herm, "I don't miss the bloomin' thing. It was only a milk 'toof."
    The lads draw SRO crowds of shrieking, manhandling kids wherever they appear and are often bombarded with stuffed animals, jelly beans and other sometimes dangerous missiles of affection. Torn jackets and yanked buttons are routine. Herm was once dragged 50 yards by admiring fans before being rescued. "But that's the price you have to pay for success," said Keith Hopwood, 19. "Kids are the same the world over it seems, but the unnerving thing is there are more of them here in the States." Keith, the quiet one, was born in Manchester, too, and plays lead and rhythm guitar. He formerly worked as a telephone engineer and likes to collect records and clothes.
    And Karl Green, 18, again Manchester, is the bass guitarist who's teen twanging one since he was 10. "It was really because everyone else seemed to be getting one at the time," he said. Karl likes to collect records, too, and said he has one of the biggest collections in the world. He also digs pink shirts, big cufflinks and girls. He was a process-engraver before joining the group.
    As for future plans the youngsters are firmly in the driver's seat. Their first full-length movie, "Hold On," has just been released and it could launch them on another career. "Movies and more movies is what we want," said Herm, "although we have nothing against making hit records like 'Listen People' and 'Leanin' On the Lampost'" (their last big singles).
    A polished group in every sense of the word, Herman's Hermits have nothing to worry about. When they play, people listen.