Cargo Records

The Early Years

After spending many years in Oshawa's heavy metal band Blind Vengeance, in 1988 Harry Hess and Darren Smith were ready to move into a new musical direction.

Teaming up with their buddies Pete Lesperance and Mike Gionet, they sat down to write some songs together. Deciding to make a go of it and try to get a record deal, they rehearsed for a full year before they ever played live. Putting together an 11-song demo in Hess's 24-track recording studio, they sent their manager out to shop it in early 1989 while continuing to write more material. This "Early Years" album covers all the demo material that was recorded by the band to get the record deal with Warner Bros. The idea came about when the band was informed of a website listing the original ultra-rare Harem Scarem 10 track demo CD for sale for 995 U.S. dollars. The CD was a limited run of some 50-100 copies, which were used to be shopped to labels before the release of the band's self titled debut. Knowing how often some of these old demos were being traded and the poor quality of them, plus the listing of this CD prompted Harem Scarem frontman Harry Hess to release officially by the band. Not only, but the original tracks have been remastered and some other bonus material has been included and in particular the song "End of Time" is the first release of the Japanese bonus track which was featured on the last Harem Scarem studio album "Weight Of The World". Value for money for all the fans and the best way to discover the early talent of one of the best melodic hard rock bands around ! Line-up: Harry Hess - vocals, guitar, keyboards Pete Lesperance - lead guitar Darren Smith - drums, vocals Mike Gionet - bass.