The flamboyant multi-cultural Swedish dance-pop group Army of lovers
formed in 1987, the brainchild of composer and producer Alexander Bard.
Five years earlier Bard first emerged as a member of the short-lived trio
Baard, best known for the single "Life in a Goldfish Bowl." In 1985 -- in
drag, no less -- he led Barbie, a band also comprising hairdresser
Jean-Pierre Barda (alias Faruck),Yazmina Chantal and model Camilla Henemarck
(a.k.a. Katanga); two years later, Bard, Barda and Henemarck (now performing
under the name La Camilla) founded Army of lovers, taking the name in honor
of the 1970s cult movie Armee der Liebenden.
With the aid of designer and stylist Camilla Thulin, the group created an
outrageously campy image, their wardrobe drawing heavily on religious
imagery while also referencing history and folklore. Army of lovers debuted
in 1988 with the single "When the Night Is Cold," followed by the more
dance-minded "Love Me Like a Loaded Gun." After scoring a 1989 hit with
"Supernatural" the following year they issued their debut LP Disco
Extravaganza (issued in the U.S. as Army of lovers). 1991's Massive Luxury
Overdose,recorded with producer Anders Wollbeck, was their breakthrough; in
tandem witha pair of lurid videos, the singles "Crucified" and "Obsession"
became club hits, and the group became major stars in their native Scandanavia
and throughout Eastern Europe.
In the wake of the record's success, however, La Camilla was fired and
replaced by model and school teacher Michaela Dornonville De La Cour ,
who debuted on the single "Judgment Day." After recording music for the
soundtrack to the film Ha Ett Underbart Liv, Army of lovers recruited
former phone-sex operator Dominika Peczynski and released 1993's The Gods
of Earth and Heaven ; the single "Israelism" became the subject of
considerable controversy when it was accused of mocking Jewish culture,
but ironically rose to the number one spot on the Israeli pop charts.
After 1994's Glory Glamour and Gold, De La Cour exited, paving the way for
the return of La Camilla prior to the release of the 1996 Les Greatest Hits.
With Army of lovers on hiatus, Bard formed a new group,Vacuum, and issued
1997's "The Plutonium Cathedral" and in 1998's "Seance At The Chaebol" then
in late 1998 he left Vacuum to start new project Alcazar with album Casino;
La Camilla , meanwhile, mounted a solo.
Jean-Pierre was busy as hairdresser and he had a role in opera, also he
hosted a tv show Silikon.
Dominica and La Camilla made a tv show Lovesearch.
And now Army of Lovers are back and they are going to issue their
new album "Le Grand Docu-Soap"...
|