Hi Andrew, from a few of the posts below it's possible to see Harem Scarem are fast losing fans, credibility and sales with their 'new direction'.I know you get on well with Harry ,does he ever read this board?? does he know the feelings of the real fans that have supported the band from day 1??I'd like to hear something (even 3rd or 4th hand) from the band themselves.....why did Darren leave??some say he didn/t like the new direction,what's the offical line.Harry and Pete are fine songwriters and musicians , however they have angered so many fans I can't see their logic.Do you have any info on this subject...perhaps even a word from HH himself......thanks..............Kieranhttp://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2641#msg-2641Thu, 23 May 2013 18:43:23 +1000 Phorum 5.2.16 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2679#msg-2679 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2679#msg-2679ps Thanks Andrew for trying to get an update, I'm looking forward to hearing what they have to say]]> Kieran NoticeboardSat, 01 Jul 2000 21:28:15 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2676#msg-2676 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2676#msg-2676
A few answers for you, to the best of my limited knowledge about the situation....

The official line is that Darren left amicably because he wanted more time to spend on his own band (named Juice, I think?). If you read between the lines, why would you leave for your own band if you were musically fulfilled in your own band, which already has achieved a certain degree of fame?

As for Harry, Andrew actually spoke to him after there was a rumour going round that HS might return. Harry dismissed the possibility out of hand - it ain't going to happen. He says he's very happy with Rubber and that they're having lots & lots of success with the single getting lots of spins on radio and the video on some good position on MuchMusic (?). I haven't heard a single thing about Rubber outside the traditional AOR circles which insist on paying attention to it, which is totally okay since many dig it, I'm just not interested on a personal level. And I do watch some Much Music sometimes (for those of you who may not know, it's the Canadian version of MTV) and have yet to see anyone so much as mention them.

It seems from interviews and such that Harry does indeed know the feelings of the fans, but he feels that this direction is more fulfilling and is finding much more success. He apparently believes the genre is clichéd (and indeed, much of it is - but not Harem Scarem, which is precisely why they shouldn't have strayed!) and has no future. It bores him.

I think that his changing doesn't undermine his credibility. It's his choice and his prerogative because he's the one making the songs and the results will directly affect his career. I don't agree with him, but he does have the right even if it was just some strange whim. And I have the right to not support him one inch, though. If I don't like what he's doing there is no longer any reason to give him my money. Pretty straightforward - you want a new audience? Then go find it. As for this so-called great success Rubber is having, Harry must forgive me if I remain incredulous.

But like I said in the other post below, what does tear at the band's credibility is pleading ignorance about the fleecing of the fans. In fact, to say it's ignorance is innacurate, because they know it only too well. Stefan from www.aor.nu asked Harry about this, and Harry was pretty casual about it - he basically implied that although the situation with the deluge of releases with all sorts of tracks and versions here and there wasn't ideal, but that it wasn't a real problem to him and he really didn't have anything to do with it, and won't even give it a second thought.

So there it is!

Cheers,
Jack.

]]> Jack NoticeboardSat, 01 Jul 2000 17:39:01 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2675#msg-2675 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2675#msg-2675But I will take and HS album over it!

Will see if I can track Harry down.

Regards,
Andrew.

]]> Andrew NoticeboardSat, 01 Jul 2000 17:26:29 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2652#msg-2652 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2652#msg-2652
I could not agree more. The "Rubber" disc isn't bad, but come on! If they think they are going to break into this horribly fickle American crowd, they are really dreaming!!! I respect the fact that they want to try something different. When the fans speak, listen!!!!! They need to ask themselves, "Do we really think we can change our name and style and get a bigger fan base than we already have?" I don't think so. Guys, be happy. Most bands don't come close to having the popularity you have. It's not like you guys are bad at it! You are amazing! So when "Rubber" fails, please bring back Haren Scarem.

That is my Harem Scarem rant...........

Chris(Popefreak)]]> Chris Pope NoticeboardFri, 30 Jun 2000 15:41:20 +1000 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2641#msg-2641 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,2641,2641#msg-2641 Kieran NoticeboardFri, 30 Jun 2000 08:08:54 +1000