Harem Scarem

Harem Scarem originated in Toronto, Ontario during 1987, taking their moniker from a Bugs Bunny cartoon and operating as a hard rock/glam metal unit distinguished by forceful guitar riffs, explosive solos, commanding vocals, and expansive anthemic choruses. Frontman and vocalist Harry Hess, who had previously belonged to Blind Vengeance, joined forces with guitarist Pete Lesperance, formerly of Minotaur, to launch the project that year. Bassist Mike Gionet and drummer Darren Smith completed the lineup, prompting early notice following the 1990 demo CD. Professionalism evident in the recording earned the group a contract with Warner Music Canada. Their self-titled debut album surfaced in summer 1991 and entered the Top 100 of the Canadian charts. Commercial traction arrived via five singles, among which “Slowly Slipping Away,” “Something to Say,” and “Honestly” stood out, while Degrassi Junior High incorporated substantial portions of the material. Guest contributions came from fellow Canadian rock figures Paul MacAusland of Haywire, Carl Dixon of Honeypatch, Ray Coburn of Honeymoon Suite, and songwriter Christopher Ward.

The group issued its second album, Mood Swings, in 1993, adopting a noticeably more aggressive and heavier sonic approach than its predecessor. Although chart placement proved lower, the lead single “No Justice” performed strongly, cultivating an expanding audience in Japan and paving the way for the live unplugged EP Live & Acoustic. Subsequent Canadian and European touring followed those releases. Voice of Reason, the third album, arrived in 1995, preserving the heavier character of Mood Swings yet introducing a darker overall tonal range. Its lyrics explored more narrative-driven themes and concepts, while the music employed a Wall of Sound aesthetic as Lesperance tested numerous effects pedals. The resulting sonic shift polarized portions of the audience; commercial performance remained modest, yet the track “Blue” became a hit and critics commended the decision to explore fresh ground. Bassist Mike Gionet departed afterward, with Barry Donaghy, previously of Blu Bones, stepping in. Two further studio albums appeared—1997’s Karma Cleansing and 1998’s Big Bang Theory, the latter featuring Donaghy on select vocal parts—before the ensemble adopted the name Rubber in 1999 for Canadian performances and releases while retaining Harem Scarem elsewhere.

Alongside the name adjustment, the band pursued additional sonic directions. Reactions from listeners and reviewers proved divided, with some uncertain how to respond to the more radio-oriented direction. During the late 1990s the members also collaborated with other artists, operated projects from their studio base, and assisted emerging Canadian acts. Two additional albums appeared under the Rubber name—1999’s Rubber and 2001’s Ultra Feel, the latter introducing drummer Creighton Doane after Darren Smith exited to concentrate on his band Juice—before reversion to the original moniker. Performances as Rubber achieved moderate success, yet devoted followers continued pressing for a return to the earlier Harem Scarem style. The musicians responded by reemerging in the new millennium as a refreshed Harem Scarem.

Weight of the World, the first album following the return, appeared in 2002 and recalled the sound associated with Mood Swings in particular. Already known for live recordings, the band satisfied supporters with the 2003 dual CD/DVD Live at the Gods documenting their 2002 appearance at the U.K.-based Gods Festival. The next release, 2003’s Higher, shifted toward a more accessible classic rock style with updated production values. That same year Harry Hess issued his debut solo album, Just Another Day, which drew praise for its unanticipated sonic character reminiscent of the Rubber releases and its adoption of a power pop-inflected approach. Pete Lesperance followed in 2004 with his own debut solo effort, Down in It, later re-recorded in 2006 by his subsequent band Fair Ground alongside Canadian producer and Our Lady Peace guitarist Mike Turner. Listeners were surprised to find substantial vocal contributions from Lesperance alongside his guitar work rather than a purely instrumental set. Meanwhile, copies of the original demo CD surfaced sporadically on eBay, prompting the band to assemble those early recordings into the 2003 compilation The Early Years, which also included previously unreleased material from the Mood Swings sessions. Doane remained active, releasing his solo debut Learning More & More About Less & Less through Bullseye Records, which received favorable notice.

Harem Scarem continued without pause, delivering Overload in 2005 and Human Nature in 2006. Both albums synthesized the range of styles explored across the band’s history. The following year Hess announced plans to record one final album before the group disbanded. Doane clarified that the decision stemmed from a desire to pursue separate projects rather than internal conflict. Ahead of that last full-length, the Melodic Rock EP appeared in spring 2008, comprising five unplugged renditions of earlier songs including selections from Human Nature. The twelfth album overall, Hope, arrived in summer 2008 and earned approval from critics and fans alike for blending a cohesive nod to the band’s formative sound with the anthemic and melodic qualities heard on Overload. After completing Hope, activity remained limited until 2010, when Italian rock label Frontiers Records announced First Signal, a new project featuring Hess and Smith. The self-titled debut emerged that summer, followed by One Step Over the Line in 2016. Supporters received welcome news at Christmas 2012 with confirmation that the band would headline Firefest in Nottingham, U.K., the next year.

The musicians reconvened in 2013 to produce three new songs and to re-record the classic Mood Swings, issued as Mood Swings II. Excitement continued in 2014 when Hess and Lesperance disclosed plans to reunite for the long-awaited thirteenth album, simply titled Thirteen. Released via Frontiers in December of that year, the record received broad acclaim. Early 2017 brought news of an appearance at the Rockingham Festival at Nottingham Trent University that October, followed shortly by the fourteenth album, United, issued in May 2017. The release featured Hess, Lesperance, and Doane along with a guest vocal contribution from original drummer Darren Smith, who later performed on tour dates. Issued on Frontiers, United drew further praise for the group’s sustained creativity and bold songwriting choices.