Wonderland Burlesque's Down The Rabbit Hole: Army Of Lovers

Wonderland Burlesque's Down The Rabbit Hole:

Army Of Lovers

We're off to Sweden for today's edition of Down The Rabbit Hole.

Euro synth disco. Androgyny. Drag queens. Outrageous costumes. Behind the scenes drama. Worldwide success.

What is not to love about these queens?

Army Of Lovers formed in 1987 from the ashes of a Swedish band called Barbie. Alexander Bard, Jean-Pierre Barda, and Camilla Henemark (aka La Camilla) immediately began poking holes in the fabric of any and all prudish European holdouts; this wasn't pop music... this was a sexual revolution. 

Yeah... ABBA, this aint!

Thanks to the outlandish, bizarre (and maybe just a tad tacky) costumes created by Camilla Thulin and  the innovative videos directed by Fredrik Boklund, the trio attracted attention like a lightening rod.

Barbie Goes 'Round The World - Army Of Lovers

In 1986, as a nod to their former band, the trio released a one-off single, a bit of Pet Shop Boys-like pop, Barbie Goes Around The World, which was accompanied by an artful video featuring outrageous costumes and visuals. This was followed up with another stand-alone single, 1987's When the Night Is Cold.

When The Night Is Cold - Army Of Lovers

The origins for the band's name references an infamous documentary film entitled, Army of Lovers or Revolt of the Perverts by German gay rights activist Rosa von Praunheim - a title which alludes to the Sacred Band of Thebes; a troop of select soldiers, consisting of 150 pairs of male lovers which formed the elite force of the Theban army in the 4th century BC, ending Spartan domination.

How's that for some gay history!

 Alexander Bard was known as the brains behind the band, while Jean-Pierre Barda served as the lead vocalist with La Camilla providing vocal support and visual appeal. Bard and Barda are the only two band members who remained present throughout all of the band's various line-ups. 

Their female counterparts became something of a revolving door; La Camilla left in 1991, replaced by Michaela de la Cour. In 1992, the band became a quartet when Dominika Peczynski joined their ranks. Then, in 1995, another shake up ensued when Michaela De la Cour left and Camille Henemark returned.

Ride The Bullet - Army Of Lovers

Musically, the group focused on experimenting with various club sounds and samples for their first album, 1990's Disco Extravaganza, which was later re-issued as Army of Lovers in the US market. Two singles were released from this set, Ride the Bullet (with La Camilla), which attracted quite a bit of attention and My Army of Lovers - a rewrite of their first single, Barbie Goes 'Round The World.

My Army Of Lovers - Army Of Lovers

This was followed up the next year with their most popular album, a mix of pop and dance sounds, appropriately titled Massive Luxury Overdose, now featuring Michaela. Three major singles were released from the album. The first, Crucified, which remains their biggest hit, went worldwide, charting for 31 weeks on the Eurochart, peaking at #14. 

Crucified - Army Of Lovers

They found similar success with their second international hit, Obsession, which charted for 32 weeks, while peaking at #29. Two versions and videos were released for the song, one featuring La Camilla, and the other, with her replacement, Michaela de la Cour.

Obsession - Army Of Lovers (w/ La Camilla)

Obsession - Army Of Lovers (w/ Michaela)

A third single, a version of their previous single Ride The Bullet, with vocals by Michaela was also released.

The album managed to sell 250,000 copies in Germany alone and was later released in the US market, featuring Michaela on vocals, a new cover and four new tracks - including their latest single, Judgement Day. 

Judgement Day - Army Of Lovers

However, viewed as little more than a curiosity and deemed 'too European,' the group's songs failed to make much of a mark in the US.

Israelism - Army Of Lovers

This is why their third album, 1993's The Gods of Earth and Heaven, was never released in the US. Another reason? The controversary surrounding the first single from the album, Israelism, which received radio airplay in several European countries and topped the charts in Israel, despite being subject to criticism. 

Other singles released from the album included: La Plage de Saint Tropez, Sons of Lucy, and I Am.

I Am - Army Of Lovers

Now a quartet, with the addition of Dominika Peczynski, the group had solidified a cult following who would travel the world to attend one of the band's live appearances. A fourth album, Glory, Glamour and Gold (1994), was supported by a club tour across Germany, during which the band promoted same-sex marriage. 

Sexual Revolution - Army Of Lovers

In 1995, Army of Lovers released their first best-of compilation entitled Les Greatest Hits, which included three new songs. One year later, it was re-released with one additional new song, King Midas a song written by Jonas Berggren from Ace of Base. The new song featured La Camilla, who had returned to the fold, replacing Michaela. 

King Midas - Army Of Lovers

I was at this time that Bard chose to disband the group, so he could focus his energies on his new venture, a band called Vacuum. 

Army of Lovers reformed briefly in 2001 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough single, Crucified. A new greatest hits compilation was released, featuring two new songs, Let the Sunshine In and Hands Up (with La Camilla and Dominika,) along with a documentary tracing the group's storied history.

Hands Up - Army Of Lovers

Army of Lovers would reform in 2012, with Alexander Bard, Jean-Pierre Barda and Camilla Henemark on board, to enter the 2013 Melodifestivalen with the song Rockin' the Ride. They hoped to represent Sweden at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, however, their entry failed to reach the finals. 

Rockin' The Ride - Army Of Lovers

2013 Melodifestivalen

Drama ensued!

A few days after their performance at Melodifestivalen, Bard called the press to announce that, once agian, Camilla Henemark had been kicked out of he group and would be replaced by Dominika Peczynski. More scandal quickly followed, as reports of a very public fight with Bard and Dominkia ganging up on La Camilla hit the papers.

Signed On My Tattoo - Army Of Lovers 

feat. Gravitonas

Yet another compilation album was released in 2013. The appropriately titled Big Battle of Egos featured four new songs, including a duet with Bard's latest effort, a group called Gravitonas, titled Signed On My Tattoo. 

An EP, Scandinavian Crime, followed in June of that same year, containing newly recorded versions Rockin' The Ride and Tragedy, with Dominika's vocals replacing those of La Camilla. In addition, in July of 2013, a revamped version of the band's biggest hit was released as Crucified 2013. It was chosen as the official anthem of Copenhagen's 2013 Pride Celebration. 

Crucified 2013 - Army Of Lovers

To this day, the band continues to make the occasional appearance, although Barda officially 'retired' from the music business in 2015. Now a trio, composed of Bard, Barda and Dominika, their hardcore fans remain as devoted as ever.