Harem Scarem

Harem Scarem is a Canadian hard rock/melodic hard rock band from Toronto, Ontario. Harem Scarem initially (the early 1990s) achieved popularity in their native Canada and Japan. The band was active from 1987 to 2008, and again from 2013 after reforming. Throughout their career, they have released 15 studio albums (including two releases as Rubber in Canada, but not the vinyl re-issue in 2023 of Mood Swings), plus numerous live and compilation albums, and a re-record of Mood Swings (as Mood Swings II) in 2013. Totals record sales are in excess of one million worldwide. History 1987 - 2008 Harem Scarem was formed in 1987 by guitarist Pete Lesperance and singer Harry Hess, formerly of Blind Vengeance who had recorded two heavy metal albums in the 1980s. The name Harem Scarem was based on a Bugs Bunny cartoon. The initial Harem Scarem lineup was completed by Darren Smith (drums) and Mike Gionet (bass). This lineup recorded a demo CD in 1990, which garnered them attention since most demos at the time would be on cassette tape only. On the strength of this demo they were signed to Warner Music and recorded their first album. The demo CD was initially sold to fans. In 1991, Harem Scarem released their self-titled debut album, which charted at No. 68 on the Canadian album chart. The album includes guest appearances by fellow Canadian stars such as Ray Coburn of Honeymoon Suite, Carl Dixon of Coney Hatch and Paul MacAusland of Haywire. A hit single from the album, "Slowly Slipping Away", charted at No. 25 on the Canadian singles chart, and there were also two minor chart hits; "Honestly" and "Love Reaction". The following year, Harem Scarem was able to gain some notoriety when eight songs from their debut album Harem Scarem were predominantly featured in the Canadian teen series Degrassi Junior High, and Degrassi Highs farewell TV movie, School's Out. The album was followed by the EP Acoustic Sessions which features recordings of selected songs from their self-titled album and was only sold in Canada, having just 500 units available.