Pete Lesperance - Harem Scarem Interview

Harem Scarem have just released their new album 'Human Nature', which looks set to be one of the landmark melodic rock releases of 2007. We recently caught up with guitarist Pete Lesperance to find out a bit more about what's happening with Harem Scarem and his other projects.

Pete Lesperance & Harry Hess

Hi Pete and thanks for taking to us here at HardrockHouse. Would you like to introduce yourself and the rest of the band to our readers…?

PL - Hey Dean, thanks for the interview! I’m Pete Lesperance, guitarist for the modern melodic rock band Harem Scarem. The band consists of myself, Harry Hess on Vocals, Creighton Doane on drums and Barry Donaghy on Bass.

So, looking back on 2006 – How was it for you?

PL - It was great! The new Harem Scarem record came out, my other band Fair Ground was finally released and we worked on a number of other records for other artists. Busy year as usual.

Let’s talk about the new album, ‘Human Nature’, your eleventh studio album. Are you pleased with the way it has turned out and how would you say it compares with your previous work?

PL - Yes, I’m very happy with the record in hindsight and I think it really captured the energy and mood we were looking for. So far all the reviews have been very positive and fans seem to like the record so I’m a happy guy!

As you say the album has been getting some very strong reviews. Is that still important to you at this point in your career?

PL - Of course! It’s always great to know that your work is connecting with people.

I’ve picked out three of my favourite songs from the new album. Perhaps you could tell us a bit about them and how they came together. First up, the title track ‘Human Nature’, a great melodic rocker and a really nice guitar sound…

PL - Harry had the chorus for that one and we built the rest around it. It was the first song finished for the record and defined the direction.

‘21’ has a more contemporary feel to it, tell us about that one…

PL - “21” is as close to our last record “Overload”. I think it bridges the gap between old school melodic rock and the more modern new breed rock sound.

And then there is the one all Queen Fans really should hear, ‘Get Love / Get Live’. Even the guitar solo sounds like a tip of the hat to Brian May…

PL - We knew when Harry wrote that one that it would be a total homage to Queen so we pulled out all the stops and did our best to cop that vibe.

Talking of Queen, were they / Brian May a big influence on you when you were starting out as a guitarist?

PL - Actually he definitely was a big influence. He is such a great melodic player and really stretched the limits of “Rock” guitar with some very non-rock influences. I love his playing. In my early days as a guitarist, Randy Rhoades and Eddie Van Halen were big influences. Some of the first bands I listened to were the Beatles, The Eagles and Kiss.

Do you remember much about going to gigs when you were growing up and maybe thinking about becoming a musician? What bands / albums really made an impression on you?

PL - My Parents took me to see Kiss when I was 11 in 1979 in the Dynasty tour and the second Gene Simmons walked out onto the stage I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Destroyer was the first record I ever bought with my own money.

Can you tell us anything about what is in the pipeline as far as touring the new album is concerned and what countries you hope to visit?

PL - We are speaking with promoters at the moment trying to put some tour dates together for the summer. I’d love to make it to France and Greece, as we have never been there.

The song ‘Higher’ has been chosen to be used in the new film ‘Snow Angels’ which stars British actress Kate Beckinsale. How did this come about?

PL - We work closely with a company here in Canada that places songs in TV and film and they had some luck with that track. We’ve also had 3 Harem Scarem songs and a song from my solo record placed in a reality/docudrama called “30 days till’ I’m famous”.

We’re not really seen as a technical or muso site but I would be interested to know a little about your live set up and choice of gear and equipment?

PL - The whole “Human Nature” record was done on 2 Gibson Les Pauls and all Line 6 Amplification through a Mesa Boogie Cabinet as well as the Line 6 POD and Line 6 Amp Farm in Pro Tools.

You re-recorded your solo album ‘Down On It’ under the band name Fair Ground. What was the reasons behind this, and were you more happy with the way the songs came out on the band project?

PL - I’m very happy with the Fair Ground record. I really didn’t feel the songs on my solo record had a real shot since it was only ever released in Japan. Also the new versions are different, as Mike’s guitar playing has brought a lot to the sound of the songs. Also there are a couple different tracks on the Fair ground record. You can check it out at http://www.fairgroundtheband.com/

How do you see the differences between Harem Scarem and Fair Ground ?

PL - Well…The biggest difference is I’m the singer of Fair Ground. It’s great to have both projects on the go as they fulfill very different things for me musically. Singing has become really important to me over the last 8 years and I did some singing in Harem Scarem as well but it didn’t really work in context of that band, certainly didn’t sound like Scarem.

Will you be continuing with Fair Ground and what else have you got planned for 2007 (any chance of some UK dates?)

PL - I absolutely will be continuing with Fair Ground and may even start on another solo record. As far as Fair Ground dates, we’ll have to wait and see what happens with the record.

Any bands or artists you can tell us about where you are involved with the production?

PL - Harry and I just finished a record with a great rock singer named Suzi Rawn. Suzi was a contestant on Canadian Idol and she even covers a couple Harem Scarem tracks on her record. Also I’m working with a young new rock band called “Burry The Bully”.

And away from music, do you have much time to pursue other interests?

PL - There are things other then music? Why didn’t someone tell me?!

Finally, is there anything else you wanted to add that we haven’t already covered?

PL - I’d just like to thank any one that’s ever bought a Harem Scarem record for their support!

Cheers

Pete Lesperance

Pete, thanks for your time

PL - No, no…thank you!

Many thanks to Pete for taking the time to speak to HardRockHouse. To find out more about Pete & Harem Scarem then you can check out the following links

www.haremscarem.net

www.fairgroundtheband.com

www.myspace.com/HaremScarem

www.myspace.com/petehope