Harem Scarem’s Best Albums: A Buyers’ Guide
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Harem Scarem made early inroads into Japan and their native Canada but have remained a cult act elsewhere, the success they deserved eluding them. Internationally stifled by the notorious WEA Canada label (see also Honeymoon Suite, Brighton Rock, Streetheart et cetera), they’ve nevertheless managed to craft a rich and varied discography.
Formed in 1987 by ex-Blind Vengeance singer Harry Hess and Minotaur guitarist Pete Lesperance, Harem Scarem was completed by bassist Mike Gionet and drummer Darren Smith. They recorded a demo CD which won the attention of Warner Bros in Canada, who signed the band in what was probably the last big multi-album deal for an act of its type in Canada.
They’ve released studio albums regularly since 1991, as well as numerous live albums and compilations for the Japanese market, with bassist Gionet leaving in 1995 to be replaced by ex-Blu Bones bassist Barry Donaghy.
After a brief dalliance with modern pop/rock for two CDs under the name of Rubber (Darren Smith was replaced by drummer Creighton Doane on the second Rubber album), they returned to the Harem Scarem moniker after signing a European deal with the UK/Italian label Now & Then/Frontiers in 2001.
Several more studio albums followed until 2008, when Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance – who had become in-demand producers and session musicians – felt that they’d taken the band as far as they could.
Unexpectedly, the band re-formed in 2012, re-recording their classic 1993 Mood Swings album and booking a world tour, including their third appearance at the annual Firefest festival in the UK. Enlisting well-travelled bassist Stan Miczek (later replaced by Mike Vassos) and re-uniting with original drummer Darren Smith (who had continued to record backing vocals with the band), Harem Scarem were back, and they’ve been back ever since, with a 30th anniversary edition of Mood Swings released in 2023.
If you’re unfamiliar with the band, then here’s what any self-respecting melodic rock fan should own (and avoid!).
…and one to avoid
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