Mood Swings Turns 30: An Interview With HARRY HESS Of HAREM SCAREM
By
Larry Petro,
News Monkey
Thursday, May 18, 2023 @ 8:12 AM
- advertisement -
Photo Credit: Rich McPherson
Canadian Hard Rock act HAREM SCAREM released their self-titled debut on August 6, 1991. It was a weird time for rock bands, as mainstream tastes were shifting. Looking back on the release, there isn’t one bad song in the bunch. Each track could have easily been a hit single.
It wasn’t until the release of HAREM SCAREM’s follow-up album that the world started to take notice of the band. Mood Swings was released on June 11, 1993, and it triggered interest around the globe in markets such as Europe and Japan. Mood Swings is considered by most to be the definitive HAREM SCAREM album of the ‘90s.
Since their debut in 1991, HAREM SCAREM has gone on to release 16 studio albums, 7 live albums, numerous complications and box sets, and has built up a cult following that continues to grow until this day. I’ve said this a few times over the years; HAREM SCAREM is the greatest band you are probably not listening to.
Since Mood Swings is such a special album to HAREM SCAREM and their fans, they decided to give it the 30th anniversary treatment. SING MARKET is currently taking pre-orders for a limited edition, first time on vinyl, version of Mood Swings. It comes with numerous physical and digital bonuses. Visit SING MARKET for all the details.
I had the chance to speak with vocalist Harry Hess to find out more about it.
Highlights include:
-Discussion of the 30th Anniversary Edition of Mood Swings
-Their partnership with SING MARKET for the release
-How pieces of the collection came together
-Live performances around the release
-Memories of recording and touring in 1993
-The response that followed
-Why HAREM SCAREM wasn’t marketed to the U.S.
-The release of Mood Swings II for the 20th Anniversary in 2013
-Hess’ side project FIRST SIGNAL
-Working behind the boards at his VESPA MUSIC GROUP studio
-Is there any new music coming from the group
-And much, much more