Harem Scarem
Encyclopedia
Harem Scarem were a Canadian
melodic rock band from Toronto
, ON
. Harem Scarem achieved popularity in Japan
and their native Canada
in the early 1990s. Harem Scarem were active from 1987 to 2008. Throughout their career, they released 12 studio albums, plus numerous live and compilation albums.
and singer Harry Hess
, formerly of Blind Vengeance who had recorded one heavy metal
album in the late 80's. The lineup was rounded out by Darren Smith (drums) and Mike Gionet (bass). They recorded a demo CD
in 1990, which garnered them attention since most demos at the time were released on cassette tape only. On the strength of this demo, they were signed to Warner Music and recorded their first album. This demo CD, which was sold to fans, is long out of print.
debut album, which charted at #68 on the Canadian album chart. The band scored a hit single from the album; "Slowly Slipping Away
", which charted at #25 on the Canadian single chart. They also managed to chart two minor hits; "Honestly
" and "Love Reaction" The following year, Harem Scarem was able to gain some notoriety when 8 songs from their debut album Harem Scarem were predominantly featured in the Canadian teen series Degrassi Junior High
, and Degrassi High
s farewell TV movie, School's Out.
Harem Scarem released their second album in 1993, Mood Swings, which had a harder sound to it than their previous album. It also featured the recorded vocal debut of drummer Smith on the song "Sentimental Blvd." A fan favorite, Mood Swings charted at #83 on the Canadian charts. The album's lead off single was "No Justice", which managed to chart at #59 in Canada, while the other two singles failed to chart. Mood Swings caused the band to gain popularity in Japan
, and the band's previous album was quickly issued in that country the following year. This was followed by a live and acoustic EP
, appropriately titled Live & Acoustic.
The next two albums, Karma Cleansing
(which was released as Believe in Japan) and Big Bang Theory
, saw Harem Scarem modernizing their sound. Barry Donaghy also made his lead vocal debut with Harem Scarem on "Sometimes I Wish" from Big Bang Theory. Both the albums and the singles from them again failed to chart. In 1998, the band released their last commericial single "So Blind".
, and parodied movies which were released around that time, such as American Pie
. The second album under the Rubber name, Ultra Feel
, featured their new drummer Creighton Doane (brother of Melanie Doane
) replacing Darren Smith. Smith briefly switched to guitar and joined Helix
as a touring member. The band soon dropped the Rubber name and switched back to their original name, Harem Scarem.
. The album's sound was more of a combination of classic melodic rock with a modern production. The album also featured the power ballad "Higher". The year 2003 also saw the release of Harry Hess' debut solo album Just Another Day which was well received by fans.
In 2004 Pete Lesperance released his debut solo album Down In It (re-recorded with Mike Turner
and released under the band name Fair Ground
in 2006).
Continuing their prolific output of studio albums, 2005's Overload
was followed by Human Nature
in 2007. The Japanese version of Overload features a cover of the AC/DC
classic, "You Shook Me All Night Long
".
On July 19, 2007, lead singer Harry Hess
announced that Harem Scarem "will make one more studio record, and then after 20 years we have decided to move on to other things". The final album, called Hope
, was released July 2008.
Regarding the breakup and a possible reunion, Creighton Doane said:
announced a new studio project called First Signal featuring ex-Harem Scarem members Harry Hess and Darren Smith. The album was released on August 27, 2010
Much of the Harem Scarem back catalogue was reissued in September 2010, featuring bonus tracks. Included in the reissue program are albums formerly only available in Japan, such as B-Side Collection, Rocks, and Ballads.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
melodic rock band from Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, ON
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. Harem Scarem achieved popularity in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and their native Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in the early 1990s. Harem Scarem were active from 1987 to 2008. Throughout their career, they released 12 studio albums, plus numerous live and compilation albums.
Early years
Harem Scarem was formed in 1987 by guitarist Pete LesperancePete Lesperance
Pete Lesperance is a Canadian guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer best known as the former lead guitarist for the Canadian melodic rock band Harem Scarem. Lesperance was born October 13, 1968 in Scarborough, Ontario...
and singer Harry Hess
Harry Hess
Harry Hess is a Canadian record producer, singer and guitarist best known as the former frontman for the Canadian melodic rock band Harem Scarem....
, formerly of Blind Vengeance who had recorded one heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
album in the late 80's. The lineup was rounded out by Darren Smith (drums) and Mike Gionet (bass). They recorded a demo CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
in 1990, which garnered them attention since most demos at the time were released on cassette tape only. On the strength of this demo, they were signed to Warner Music and recorded their first album. This demo CD, which was sold to fans, is long out of print.
Commercial Success
In 1991, Harem Scarem released their self titledHarem Scarem (album)
Harem Scarem is the 1991 self-titled debut album by the Canadian hard rock band of the same name. Music videos were shot for the songs; "Slowly Slipping Away", "Honestly", and "With a Little Love"...
debut album, which charted at #68 on the Canadian album chart. The band scored a hit single from the album; "Slowly Slipping Away
Slowly Slipping Away
"Slowly Slipping Away" is a hit single, released in 1991 by Canadian glam metal band Harem Scarem. The song appears on their 1991 self-titled debut album. "Slowly Slipping Away" is Harem Scarem's biggest hit, reaching #25 on the Canadian singles chart...
", which charted at #25 on the Canadian single chart. They also managed to chart two minor hits; "Honestly
Honestly (Harem Scarem song)
"Honestly" is a single released in 1992 by Canadian glam metal band Harem Scarem. The song appears on their 1991 self-titled debut album. The song charted at #68 on the Canadian singles chart and also had a music video shot for it...
" and "Love Reaction" The following year, Harem Scarem was able to gain some notoriety when 8 songs from their debut album Harem Scarem were predominantly featured in the Canadian teen series Degrassi Junior High
Degrassi Junior High
Degrassi Junior High is a Canadian CBC Television teen drama series that was produced from 1987-1989 as part of the Degrassi series. The show followed the lives of a group of students attending the titular fictional school...
, and Degrassi High
Degrassi High
Degrassi High is the third television show in the Degrassi series of teen dramas about the lives of a group of kids living on or near De Grassi Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It first aired from 1989 to 1991 and followed the kids from Kids of Degrassi Street and Degrassi Junior High through...
s farewell TV movie, School's Out.
Harem Scarem released their second album in 1993, Mood Swings, which had a harder sound to it than their previous album. It also featured the recorded vocal debut of drummer Smith on the song "Sentimental Blvd." A fan favorite, Mood Swings charted at #83 on the Canadian charts. The album's lead off single was "No Justice", which managed to chart at #59 in Canada, while the other two singles failed to chart. Mood Swings caused the band to gain popularity in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and the band's previous album was quickly issued in that country the following year. This was followed by a live and acoustic EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, appropriately titled Live & Acoustic.
Short Lived Success
In 1995, the band released their third album Voice of Reason. The album introduced a change in the bands musical style, and was darker in sound than the first two albums. The song "Blue" was released as a promotional single and had a music video for it, however it failed to chart. Bassist Mike Gionet departed after Voice of Reason for personal reasons and was replaced by former Blu Bones member Barry Donaghy.The next two albums, Karma Cleansing
Karma Cleansing
Karma Cleansing is a 1997 album by the Canadian Hard rock band Harem Scarem. The album was released as Believe in Japan with the songs "Cages" and "The Mirror" being replaced with "Staying Away" and "Baby With a Nail Gun"...
(which was released as Believe in Japan) and Big Bang Theory
Big Bang Theory (Harem Scarem album)
- Track listing :-Band members:*Harry Hess – lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance – lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Barry Donaghy – bass, backing vocals.*Darren Smith – drums, backing vocals....
, saw Harem Scarem modernizing their sound. Barry Donaghy also made his lead vocal debut with Harem Scarem on "Sometimes I Wish" from Big Bang Theory. Both the albums and the singles from them again failed to chart. In 1998, the band released their last commericial single "So Blind".
Rubber
In 1999, Harem Scarem changed their name to Rubber, and released two albums under that name in Canada. However, they still used the name Harem Scarem in Japan and the rest of the world. Pete Lesperance made his recorded lead vocal debut on the song "Trip" from the self-titled Rubber CD. They made a music video for "Sunshine", which had actors that looked like Jay and Silent BobJay and Silent Bob
Jay and Silent Bob are fictional characters portrayed by Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, respectively, in Kevin Smith's View Askewniverse, a fictional universe created and used in most films, comics and television by Smith, which began in Clerks....
, and parodied movies which were released around that time, such as American Pie
American Pie (film)
American Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series...
. The second album under the Rubber name, Ultra Feel
Ultra Feel
Ultra Feel is an album by Canadian hard rock band Harem Scarem then known as Rubber.-Track listing :-Personnel:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, keys*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, vocals, keys*Barry Donaghy - bass guitar, vocals...
, featured their new drummer Creighton Doane (brother of Melanie Doane
Melanie Doane
Melanie Doane is a Canadian pop singer-songwriter who has had seven Top 40 singles in Canada, including "Adam's Rib", "Goliath", "Still Desire You" and "Waiting For The Tide"....
) replacing Darren Smith. Smith briefly switched to guitar and joined Helix
Helix (band)
Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
as a touring member. The band soon dropped the Rubber name and switched back to their original name, Harem Scarem.
Later Years and Breakup
2002's Weight of the World (released as a Rubber album in some markets) harkened back to the earlier sound of Mood Swings. It was followed in 2003 by HigherHigher (Harem Scarem album)
- Track listing :-Band members:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, backing vocals.*Barry Donaghy - bass, backing vocals.*Creighton Doane - drums, backing vocals....
. The album's sound was more of a combination of classic melodic rock with a modern production. The album also featured the power ballad "Higher". The year 2003 also saw the release of Harry Hess' debut solo album Just Another Day which was well received by fans.
In 2004 Pete Lesperance released his debut solo album Down In It (re-recorded with Mike Turner
Mike Turner (musician)
Mike A. Turner is a musician and producer. He is the former lead guitarist of the band Our Lady Peace. After his departure from OLP he began producing music and played guitar in the Canadian band Fair Ground, with Harem Scarem guitarist Pete Lesperance...
and released under the band name Fair Ground
Fair Ground
Fair Ground is a Canadian Rock band.Fair Ground was formed by Canadian guitarists Pete Lesperance and Mike Turner, of the bands Harem Scarem and Our Lady Peace, respectively...
in 2006).
Continuing their prolific output of studio albums, 2005's Overload
Overload (Harem Scarem album)
-Band:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Barry Donaghy - bass, backing vocals.*Creighton Doane - drums, backing vocals....
was followed by Human Nature
Human Nature (Harem Scarem album)
- Track listing :-Band:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Barry Donaghy - bass, backing vocals.*Creighton Doane - drums, backing vocals.-Release history:...
in 2007. The Japanese version of Overload features a cover of the AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
classic, "You Shook Me All Night Long
You Shook Me All Night Long
"You Shook Me All Night Long" is one of AC/DC's signature songs from their most successful album, Back in Black. The song also reappeared on their later album Who Made Who. It is one of the band's top 40 singles, reaching number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in 1980...
".
On July 19, 2007, lead singer Harry Hess
Harry Hess
Harry Hess is a Canadian record producer, singer and guitarist best known as the former frontman for the Canadian melodic rock band Harem Scarem....
announced that Harem Scarem "will make one more studio record, and then after 20 years we have decided to move on to other things". The final album, called Hope
Hope (Harem Scarem album)
Hope is a 2008 album by the Canadian hard rock band Harem Scarem. This is the bands twelfth and final studio album. The European version of the album contains an acoustic version of "Higher", which was originally from their 2003 album of the same name....
, was released July 2008.
Regarding the breakup and a possible reunion, Creighton Doane said:
Post-Breakup
On June 21, 2010 Frontiers RecordsFrontiers Records
Frontiers Records is an Italian record label, predominantly producing melodic rock. It was formed in 1996 by Serafino Perugino and is based in Naples, Italy.-History:...
announced a new studio project called First Signal featuring ex-Harem Scarem members Harry Hess and Darren Smith. The album was released on August 27, 2010
Much of the Harem Scarem back catalogue was reissued in September 2010, featuring bonus tracks. Included in the reissue program are albums formerly only available in Japan, such as B-Side Collection, Rocks, and Ballads.
Band members
- Harry HessHarry HessHarry Hess is a Canadian record producer, singer and guitarist best known as the former frontman for the Canadian melodic rock band Harem Scarem....
- Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar - Pete LesperancePete LesperancePete Lesperance is a Canadian guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer best known as the former lead guitarist for the Canadian melodic rock band Harem Scarem. Lesperance was born October 13, 1968 in Scarborough, Ontario...
– Lead Guitar, Vocals - Mike Gionet – Bass, Vocals
- Darren Smith – Drums, Vocals
- Barry Donaghy – Bass, Vocals
- Creighton Doane – Drums, Vocals
Studio albums
- Demo (1989)
- Harem ScaremHarem Scarem (album)Harem Scarem is the 1991 self-titled debut album by the Canadian hard rock band of the same name. Music videos were shot for the songs; "Slowly Slipping Away", "Honestly", and "With a Little Love"...
(1991) - Mood Swings (1993)
- Voice of Reason (1995)
- Karma CleansingKarma CleansingKarma Cleansing is a 1997 album by the Canadian Hard rock band Harem Scarem. The album was released as Believe in Japan with the songs "Cages" and "The Mirror" being replaced with "Staying Away" and "Baby With a Nail Gun"...
(1997) - Big Bang TheoryBig Bang Theory (Harem Scarem album)- Track listing :-Band members:*Harry Hess – lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance – lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Barry Donaghy – bass, backing vocals.*Darren Smith – drums, backing vocals....
(1998) - Rubber (1999)
- Ultra FeelUltra FeelUltra Feel is an album by Canadian hard rock band Harem Scarem then known as Rubber.-Track listing :-Personnel:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, keys*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, vocals, keys*Barry Donaghy - bass guitar, vocals...
(2001) - Weight of the World (2002)
- HigherHigher (Harem Scarem album)- Track listing :-Band members:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, backing vocals.*Barry Donaghy - bass, backing vocals.*Creighton Doane - drums, backing vocals....
(2003) - OverloadOverload (Harem Scarem album)-Band:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Barry Donaghy - bass, backing vocals.*Creighton Doane - drums, backing vocals....
(2005) - Human NatureHuman Nature (Harem Scarem album)- Track listing :-Band:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Barry Donaghy - bass, backing vocals.*Creighton Doane - drums, backing vocals.-Release history:...
(2006) - HopeHope (Harem Scarem album)Hope is a 2008 album by the Canadian hard rock band Harem Scarem. This is the bands twelfth and final studio album. The European version of the album contains an acoustic version of "Higher", which was originally from their 2003 album of the same name....
(2008)
EPs
- Acoustic SessionsAcoustic Sessions (Harem Scarem EP)- Personnel :*Harry Hess – lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance – lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Mike Gionet – bass, backing vocals.*Darren Smith – drums, backing vocals....
EP (1991) - Live & AcousticLive & Acoustic EP (Harem Scarem)Live & Acoustic EP is a limited release of Harem Scarem performing songs from their self-titled album and their second studio album either acoustically or by live performance, the latter having been recorded at a concert on January 22, 1994 in Toronto, Ontario.-Track listing:-Band:*Harry Hess –...
EP (1994) - MelodicRockMelodic Rock EP (Harem Scarem album)-Band:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Barry Donaghy - bass, backing vocals.*Creighton Doane - drums, backing vocals....
EP (2008)
Live Albums
- Live in JapanLive in Japan (Harem Scarem album)Live in Japan is the first live album by the hard rock band Harem Scarem. The recording was from a concert at the Club Citta in Japan. It features two studio track previously unreleased.-Track listing:-Band:*Harry Hess – lead vocals, guitar, producer....
(1996) - Live OnesLive OnesLive Ones is a double CD album released by the hard rock band Harem Scarem. The album is a reissue of two previously released albums. The first CD features the 1994 release of Live & Acoustic EP and the second is the 1996 release of Live in Japan...
(1997) - Live At The SirenLive At The SirenLive At The Siren is a live album released by the hard rock band Harem Scarem. The album features two studio songs and was only released in Japan.-Track listing:-Band:*Harry Hess – lead vocals, guitar, producer....
(1998) - Last LiveLast LiveLast Live is a live album released by the hard rock band Harem Scarem. The album features two studio songs and was only released in Japan.-Track listing:-Band:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer....
(2000) - Live At The GodsLive At The Gods (Harem Scarem album)Live At The Gods is a live album released by the hard rock band Harem Scarem.-Track listing:-Band:*Harry Hess - lead vocals, guitar, producer.*Pete Lesperance - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer.*Barry Donaghy - bass, backing vocals....
(2004) - Live At FirefestLive At FirefestLive At Firefest is the only official live bootleg album released by the hard rock band Harem Scarem. It was recorded at Rock City in Nottingham during FireFest II and was only available as an MP3 download for members of Harem Scarem's on-line fan club....
(2005) - Raw And RareRaw & RareRaw & Rare is a live album released by the hard rock band Harem Scarem that was also released as a DVD. It was recorded at Rock City in Nottingham at Firefest IV and consists of the final Harem Scarem live performance ever.-Track listing:-Band:...
(2008)
Compilation Albums
- The Best Of...The Best of Harem ScaremThe Best Of Harem Scarem is the first greatest hit type album the Canadian rock band Harem Scarem. It was released in 1998 and features several of the band's best known songs in different versions...
(1998) - B-Sides CollectionB-Side Collection (Harem Scarem album)B-Side Collection is an album by the Canadian rock band Harem Scarem that was released in Japan in 1998. It mostly features all the bonus songs that were only available on previously released albums in Japan.-Track listing:-Band members:...
(1998) - BalladsBallads (Harem Scarem album)Ballads is an album by the Canadian rock band Harem Scarem that was released in Japan in 1999. It features all the well known rock ballads that the band had released on their past albums as well as two previously unreleased songs.-Track listing:...
(1999) - RocksRocks (Harem Scarem album)Rocks is an album by the Canadian rock band Harem Scarem that was released in Japan in 2001. It features all the well known rock songs that the band had released on their past albums as well as two previously unreleased songs.-Track listing:...
(2001) - The Very Best OfThe Very Best Of Harem ScaremThe Very Best Of Harem Scarem is an album by the Canadian rock band Harem Scarem that was released in Japan in 2002. It features all the well known songs by the band from their past albums as well as a previously unreleased song.-Track listing:...
(2002) - The Early YearsThe Early Years (Harem Scarem album)The Early Years is an album by the Canadian rock band Harem Scarem that was released in 2003. It features the complete demo recording of the band when they were trying to establish themselves and get discovered by a record company...
(2003) - The Essentials (2005)
- This Ain't Over - Best Of The Avalon YearsThis Ain't Over - Best of the Avalon YearsThis Ain't Over - Best Of The Avalon Years is an album by the Canadian rock band Harem Scarem that was released in Japan in 2009. It features popular songs from the band's studio albums from "Weight Of The World", released in 2002, to "Hope", the last studio album released by the band in...
(2009)