Army Of Lovers had a lot of opposition, not only from the press but also from other bands, especially in Sweden. The first name from the list would be Roxette.

Roxette

Roxette had a lot of succes with hits like 'Joyride' and 'Sleeping in my car'. Since the start of the musicbusiness, there were four important exportproducts from Sweden: ABBA, Army Of Lovers, Ace Of Base and Roxette. Roxette blamed Army Of Lovers for choosing the 'easy' way and to record only commercial music. But in my opinion, Roxette was angry (or better: jealous) about the fact that they needed ten years to get notorious in Europe, while Army Of Lovers had a worldhit after four years. It was only a coincidence that both bands got the fame around the same time. Roxette sat on a throne in Sweden, but were forced to give it to Army Of Lovers. The only 'competition' between the bands were not about selling the most records but getting the most attention. The musicstyles were so different that people who bought Army Of Lovers records wouldn't (exceptions granted) buy Roxette's records. In 1991 La Camilla once said: "Roxette and we are as fire and water.", and this was only an allude on the different musicstyles. However, in 1993 the fire and water exceeded the difference between the musicstyles. Jean-Pierre admitted that he wasn't always positive about Roxette, but and I quote: "It was only for fun. It was a challenge to irritate them.". And it worked, in an interview with Roxette the unavoidable question "What do you think about Army Of Lovers?" was asked. It was answered by Per: "I hate them!".

The second name on the list: One More Time. They had a huge hit with 'Highland' in Europe, but unfortunately for them, they completely fulfill the definition of one-day-timers. They even tried to make a come-back by representing Sweden in the Eurovision-songcontest, but it didn't work. One More Time had one major disadvantage: it's familylink with ABBA (Peter is the son of...). Peter used the same 'formula' as ABBA, but it was a little bit oldfashioned. Nevertheless, no reason for a conflict between the two bands, but Peter put a lot of effort in his career and there is no doubt about it: he wanted to get the title 'ABBA of the nineties' for his band. And you can see it coming; the press gave that title to Army Of Lovers when they performed for the first time as a quartet covering ABBA's 'Hasta Mañana'. The reaction from the leadsinger of One More Time, Maria Radsten: "What Army Of Lovers do, hasn't got to do much about music. They only aim for sensation and fame!". Alexander reacted on his turn with the following: "Popmusic is in general way used to describe the world around you and to accuse abuses. We grant One More Time a lot of succes, but admit: what do they got to tell, to defend?".

One More Time

Ace Of Base is the third name, and were also once a Swedish topact with commercial ideas. Competition can be healthy, but in this situation it was almost destructive. Alexander once said: "Ace Of Base are a bunch of icepicks and are very lucky that after so many years they finally have a bit of succes!". It's a very jealous remark, but Alexander took his words back in 1993 on MTV and in the most important newspaper from Sweden, granting that Ace Of Base were the ambassadors of Swedish pop. Jenny reacted like only an Ace Of Base member would react: "We didn't need so much honour, but we are willing to interpretate the announcement as an opologize. And of course we are willing to forget the past.". But it worked and ended even in an collaboration between the two: 'King Midas' and 'Closer than the Holy Ghost' (of Vacuum) was co-written with Ace Of Base's Jonas (a.k.a. Joker).

Ace Of Base

So there were conflicts between the several Swedish band, but it never came to a real war: "We never started a war. Neither did our fans, they are too intelligent for that.", said Jean-Pierre. No war, but there is one name in the musicbusiness that Army Of Lovers hated: Deee-Lite. Everytime Deee-Lite had the chance, they gave Army Of Lovers a bad name.

Deee-Lite

Deee-Lite, known from the single 'Groove is in your heart', had chosen the same base as Army Of Lovers. Namely: parody and a lot of kitsh. According to Jean-Pierre the actual war between those two bands started when Army Of Lovers were starring in a show from Jean-Paul Gaultier where Deee-Lite were part of the public: "We looked a bit provocative to their direction.".