Army of Lovers

Infobox musical artist
Name = Army of Lovers


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Background = group_or_band
Alias = AoL
Origin = flagicon|Sweden Sweden
Genre = Pop, Dance
Years_active = 1987 – 2001
Label = Stockholm Records
Associated_acts = Bodies Without Organs, Vacuum, Nouveau Riche, Alcazar
URL =
Current_members = Alexander Bard
Jean-Pierre Barda
Dominika Peczynski
Camilla Henemark
Michaela Dornonville de la Cour

Army Of Lovers was a Swedish dance music group founded in 1987 by 3 members of a band called "Barbie", namely Alexander Bard, Jean-Pierre Barda and Camilla Henemark. The name of the band alludes to a documentary [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078794 IMDb Entry] ] about Rosa von Praunheim, which in turn alludes to the Theban Band.

Army Of Lovers had over 20 top 10 hits on the Eurochart, the biggest being "Crucified", which was one of the biggest selling European singles of 1991. It also stayed at #1 on the Eurochart for 8 weeks.

While Alexander Bard was the "brain" behind the band, Jean-Pierre Barda was the lead vocalist on hits such as "Crucified" and "Israelism". Bard and Barda were with the group in all of its incarnations. Barda often wore the most outrageous or revealing outfits. When "La Camilla" left the band in 1991, right after "Obsession" was released, she was replaced by Michaela Dornonville de la Cour. In 1993 a new member joined, Dominika Peczynski. In 1995, Michaela was thrown out and Camilla returned.

They were famous for their controversial appearance, their music videos (some of which were banned by MTV), directed by Fredrik Boklund and their costumes, created by Camilla Thulin.

Both "Obsession" and "Sexual Revolution" reached the top spot of the Eurocharts, while their presence in the US and the UK was limited to repeated club chart successes. They released five studio albums, made over 20 high-camp music videos, and became very successful across Eastern Europe, before Bard disbanded the group to concentrate on his new group Vacuum in 1996. The band reformed shortly in 2001.

They also joined forces again in 2007 for 2 shows, one at G-A-Y in London and one in Moscow. La Camilla, the singer on the first number of hit singles, was replaced by an inflatable doll. Alexander, Dominika and Jean-Pierre were present. The latter, asked after the show about a possible reunion, stated that there's none in the foreseeable future and that their work is a "jewel in time" that won't be repeated.

Army Of Lovers have earned a widespread iconic status in the gay culture, often referred to as a perfect example of the postmodern take on the ideals of camp.

Members

*Alexander Bard
*Jean-Pierre Barda
*Michaela Dornonville de la Cour
*Dominika Peczynski
*Camilla Henemark

Discography

Singles

Albums

;Official Band releases:

*1990 - Disco Extravaganza (Issued in the U.S. as "Army of Lovers")
*1991 - Massive Luxury Overdose
*1992 - Massive Luxury Overdose (US Edition)
*1993 - The Gods of Earth and Heaven
*1994 - Glory, Glamour and Gold
*1995 - Les Greatest Hits
*1996 - Les Greatest Hits (UK Edition)
*2001 - Le Grand Docu-Soap
*2001 - Le Remixed Docu-Soap

;Other compilations
*1997 - Master Series 88-96
*2000 - HTV Music History: Army Of Lovers (Unauthorized compilation)
*2004 - 14 Klassiker

VHS & DVD

* Videovaganza 1990-1993 (VHS, 1993)
* Hurrah Hurrah Apocalypse - The Definitive Video Collection (DVD, 2005)

Promotional videos

*1988 - When The Night Is Cold
*1990 - Ride the Bullet (with La Camilla)
*1990 - My Army Of Lovers
*1991 - Crucified (with La Camilla)
*1991 - Obsession (with La Camilla)
*1991 - Candyman Messiah
*1991 - Crucified (with Michaela)
*1992 - Ride The Bullet (with Michaela)
*1992 - Obsession (with Michaela)
*1992 - Judgment Day
*1993 - Israelism
*1993 - La Plage De Saint Tropez
*1993 - Sons Of Lucy
*1993 - I Am
*1994 - Lit De Parade
*1994 - Sexual Revolution
*1995 - Give My Life
*1996 - King Midas
*2001 - Let The Sunshine In
*2001 - Hands Up

ee also

*List of Swedes in music

External links

* [http://www.army-of-lovers.org/ army-of-lovers.org Fan site]
* [http://www.armyoflovers.net The Army of Lovers network]
* [http://www.answers.com/topic/army-of-lovers Army of Lovers info at Answers.com]
* [http://www.mothervirgin.com/ Dominika Peczynski]
* [http://www.barda.weebly.com Jean-Pierre Barda Fan site]

References