Au Pairs
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 in Birmingham, England |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Au Pairs were a British post-punk group originating from Birmingham in 1978, remaining active until 1983. Throughout their career, they produced two studio albums alongside three singles. Their sound, distinguished by its incisive critique of prevailing sexual politics, has often been likened to that of Gang of Four and Young Marble Giants. The ensemble was fronted by Lesley Woods, who gained recognition as an influential figure within British rock music.
Career
Au Pairs launched their career with the album Playing with a Different Sex, regarded as a seminal post-punk release featuring incisive and satirical tracks such as "It's Obvious" and "We're So Cool," which explored themes of gender dynamics. The record also contained politically charged material like "Armagh," which condemned the British government's policies toward Irish prisoners amid The Troubles.
In 1980, the band appeared in the concert documentary Urgh! A Music War.
Their sophomore effort, Sense and Sensuality (1982), introduced elements from jazz, soul, funk, and disco genres but did not achieve the same critical acclaim as their debut.
Following the exit of bassist Jane Munro in 1983, Nick O'Connor joined the group, contributing on bass, piano, and synthesizers. The lineup further expanded to include Jayne Morris (percussion and backing vocals), Graeme Hamilton (trumpet), and Cara Tivey (keyboards). Although there were intentions to produce a third album with producer Steve Lillywhite, these plans were abandoned when the band dissolved. Woods attributed their disbandment partly to the antagonism women encountered within the music industry.
After Au Pairs disbanded, Woods established an all-female band named the Darlings before eventually departing from music to pursue a legal career in London under the name Lesley Longhurst-Woods. Guitarist Paul Foad co-wrote The Caged Guitarist (2000). Jane Munro shifted her focus to alternative therapy in Birmingham, while Pete Hammond continues his involvement in music as both a performer and percussion teacher within the local scene.
Reception
In 1981, Robin Denselow of the London Guardian commended the band for their "viciously well-observed lyrics on contemporary life and love and the role of women."
During their 1981 US tour, Richard Cromelin reviewed their debut performance at the Whisky a Go Go, noting enthusiastic audience reactions and highlighting Lesley Woods' compelling stage presence. John Rockwell’s coverage of their show at The Ritz emphasized their fusion of politically charged lyrics with funk-infused dance rock, drawing comparisons to a blend of Gang of Four and Young Marble Giants, and underscored their ability to escalate into a powerful rock crescendo.
Music historian Gillian G. Gaar pointed out that the band’s distinctive combination of male and female members was integral to their forthright commentary on sexual politics.
Albums
- Playing with a Different Sex (Human Records, 1981) (Reached No. 33 on UK Albums Chart)
- Sense and Sensuality (Kamera Records, 1982) (Peaked at No. 79 UK)
Singles
- "You" / "Domestic Departure" / "Kerb Crawler" (021 Records, 1979)
- "It's Obvious" / "Diet" (021 Records, 1980) (No. 37 US Billboard Club Play Singles)
- "Inconvenience" / "Pretty Boys" (Human Records, 1981)
- "Inconvenience" / "Pretty Boys" / "Headache For Michelle" (remix) (Human Records, 1981)
Live and compilation records
- Live in Berlin (AKA Records, recorded in 1982, released in 1983)
- Shocks to the System: The Very Best of the Au Pairs (Cherry Red, 1999)
- Equal But Different - BBC Sessions 79-81 (RPM)
- Stepping Out of Line: The Anthology (Castle Music, UK release May 2006)
- Equally Different. Live in Berlin, 1981, Suffragette Production SP 27 (unauthorized recording)
Founding members
- Lesley Woods – guitar and vocals
- Paul Foad – guitar and vocals
- Jane Munro – bass guitar
- Pete Hammond – drums
Additional members (1983)
- Nick O'Connor – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
- Graeme Hamilton – trumpet
- Jayne Morris – percussion and backing vocals
- Cara Tivey – supplementary keyboards