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Interview with Harry Hess - Harem Scarem
The artwork for the new album is quite interesting - Does the artwork have any hidden meanings?
The artwork symbolizes tempting the unknown, It's basically playing on the train tracks. Human Nature is to constantly tempt fate even if there may be a disastrous outcome.
Your previous 10 records are all diverse. How would you describe "Human Nature" in relation to your other albums?
It reminds me of the style and direction of the earlier recordings in the the sense that the melodies are in the forefront and the songs are built for a melodic rock production.
One of my favorite songs is "21". Please elaborate on the lyrics?
Thanks!! I wrote those lyrics with someone privileged in mind who had fallen from grace in many respects.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your songs?
Well there are only so many chord changes that you can possible put together and even less if you're playing straight ahead pop/rock so really one of the defining features of a song would be the lyrics and of coarse the melody. The more I write I find the lyrics to be very important.
Tony Harnell sings background vocals on the new album. How did you set up working with Tony?
I've been in touch with Tony for a few years talking about working together in some way and when we were recording the new record I thought it would be great to have him sing on a few songs and Tony was receptive to the idea.
You are based in Canada. How is the music scene in Canada for melodic Hard Rock?
It hasn't been in the forefront for many years here in Canada but I have noticed more acceptance to bands that play rock and now even younger fans are being exposed to bands like us.
Do you consider your origin a major disadvantage compared to a US band or a European band?
It's definitely harder because we don't have the population like the US does and Canada is physically such a big country so it's very hard to tour and our fan base is in Asia and Europe so yes, we're fucked!!!!!
What were the decisions behind making a comeback in 2002 with "Weight of the World"?
We were approached by a few labels about making a real " Harem Scarem " record after the Rubber years and we were into that idea so it really came out of a handful of people that planted the seed with us to do it.
Since 2002 you have released circa one album a year. What were your reactions to the fan and media response to the comeback of Harem Scarem? Did it meet your expectations?
Yes, it was great because we hadn't done anything like that in many years so fans were really pumped about a return to that sound. We also played our first show in the U.K on that release ( the Gods festival ) and that was definitely a highlight for us.
You have been on Frontiers Records releasing all the "comeback" albums on that label. "Human Nature" is a self released album. How come?
All the records since our Warner Music days have been done through " Vespa Music " and then licensed to labels in specific territories. We decided just to go directly to the distributors this time as a bit of an experiment for ourselves to see if it's viable. We are still on great terms with Frontiers and I'm discussing other productions with them as we speak.
Regardless of label support is it likely that we'll see Harem Scarem live in Europe in support of "Human Nature"?
Our live situation was never subsidized by a label so nothing has changed there. That being said, it will always be difficult for us to come over to Europe because of the great expense but please know that we are always trying!!!
Any final words to the readers?
Have a good time, all the time!!!!!!
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Written by Michael - 2/12/2007 |
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