Harem Scarem made early inroads into Japan and their local Canada however have remained a cult act somewhere else, the good fortune they deserved eluding them. The world over stifled by way of the infamous WEA Canada label (see additionally Honeymoon Suite, Brighton Rock, Streetheart et cetera), they’ve nonetheless controlled to craft a wealthy and sundry discography.
Shaped in 1987 by way of ex-Blind Vengeance singer Harry Hess and Minotaur guitarist Pete Lesperance, Harem Scarem used to be finished by way of bassist Mike Gionet and drummer Darren Smith. They recorded a demo CD which received the eye of Warner Bros in Canada, who signed the band in what used to be almost certainly the final large multi-album deal for an act of its kind in Canada.
They’ve launched studio albums incessantly since 1991, in addition to a large number of are living albums and compilations for the Jap marketplace, with bassist Gionet leaving in 1995 to get replaced by way of ex-Blu Bones bassist Barry Donaghy.
After a temporary dalliance with trendy pop/rock for 2 CDs underneath the identify of Rubber (Darren Smith used to be changed by way of drummer Creighton Doane on the second one Rubber album), they returned to the Harem Scarem moniker after signing a Eu handle the United Kingdom/Italian label Now & Then/Frontiers in 2001.
A number of extra studio albums adopted till 2008, when Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance – who had transform in-demand manufacturers and consultation musicians – felt that they’d taken the band so far as they might.
Rapidly, the band re-formed in 2012, re-recording their vintage 1993 Temper Swings album and reserving a global excursion, together with their 3rd look at the once a year Firefest competition in the United Kingdom. Enlisting well-travelled bassist Stan Miczek (later changed by way of Mike Vassos) and re-uniting with unique drummer Darren Smith (who had persisted to file backing vocals with the band), Harem Scarem have been again, and they have been again ever since, with a thirtieth anniversary version of Temper Swings launched in 2023.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the band, then right here’s what any self-respecting melodic rock fan must personal (and steer clear of!).
…and one to steer clear of
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