The Ark is a Swedish glam rock band formed in 1991 by Ola Salo, Mikael Jepson, and Lasse "Leari" Ljungberg, when Ola Salo and Leari were only fourteen years old. Martin Axén officially joined the band in 1997, and Sylvester Schlegel in 1999. In late 2006, Jens Andersson joined The Ark as an official member. He had at that point played live with the band for several years.
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- This article is about the glam rock band. For the metal band, see ARK (band).
Generally written in a collaborative effort by the band, the Ark's lyrics are sometimes controversial. For example, the 2002 single "Father of a Son" is about homosexuals' right to have children. In October, 2006, the band and Ola Salo were criticized by members of the U.S. public due to some controversial comments referencing 9/11 that were apparently part of the joking banter between songs as the band performed at the opening festivities for the new Swedish embassy in Washington, D.C. [1] This was unfortunate timing, as the free concert was the kick off for the band's U.S. tour.
The Ark participated in the Swedish Melodifestivalen 2007 with the song "The Worrying Kind". The song, which won the contest after capturing both the popular vote and the jury's vote, was written by Ola Salo. The song will be Sweden's Eurovision 2007 entry, and is also included in The Ark's fourth album Prayer for the Weekend, released in April 2007. "Absolutely No Decorum", the first single from the album, was released in January 2007.
The Ark has collaborated with artists such as The Darkness and The Cardigans.
Members
- Ola Salo (vocals and piano)
- (Mikael) Jepson (backing vocals and guitar)
- Martin Axén (backing vocals and guitar)
- Leari (Lars Ljungberg) (backing vocals and bass)
- Sylvester Schlegel (backing vocals and drums)
- Jens Andersson (keyboards and sound engineer)
Discography
Albums
EPs
- The Ark - 1996
Singles
- "Let Your Body Decide" - 2000
- "It Takes a Fool to Remain Sane" - 2000
- "Echo Chamber" - 2000
- "Joy Surrender" - 2001
- "Let Your Body Decide" - 2001
- "Calleth You, Cometh I" - 2002
- "Father of a Son" - 2002
- "Tell Me This Night Is Over" - 2002
- "Disease" - 2003
- "One of Us Is Gonna Die Young" - 2004
- "Clamour for Glamour" - 2005
- "Trust Is Shareware" (Download only) - 2005
- "Absolutely No Decorum" - 2007
- "The Worrying Kind" - 2007
External links
References
1. A Swedish Star's Rock-and-Rile Words, Washington Post article, Tuesday, October 24, 2006; Page C03.