Au Pairs were an 80’s punk band formed in Birmingham in 1979 during the ‘second wave’ of punk. The band was fronted by Lesley, who at the time was one of very few lesbians in the punk scene that had actually ‘come out’ and was an outspoken feminist.
Members:
*Paul Foad (guitarist)
*Lesley Woods (vocalist)
*Jane Munro (bassist)
*Pete Hammond (drummer)
Within their lyrics, the Au Pairs often highlighted the power struggles between men and women in relationships, celebrating female sexuality. They also swiped at the present politcal climate after Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister.
The group released two studio albums. Their first, ‘Playing with a Different Sex’ (1981), is a post-punk classic with sarcastic songs like “It’s Obvious” and “We’re so cool”. Other songs looked at the controversial “Troubles” in Northern Ireland at the time. ‘Sense and Sensuality’ released the following year showed an influence of jazz, soul, funk and disco in the band’s sound.
‘Equal But Different’ was released in 1983, but the band broke-up later that year just before they were about to go into the studio to record an album with producer Steve Lillywhite.
Lesley went on to form an all female band called the Darlings in the late ’80s, but then left the music industry altogether and now works as a lawyer.
Paul remains an active musician, playing with Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes a Jamaican Jazz band and also teaches guitar in and around Birmingham. He has published a guitar technique book, co-written with Stuart Ritchie, titled The Caged Guitarist (2000).
Jane works as an alternative therapist in Birmingham while Pete teaches percussion in Birmingham.
Discography:
*Equal But Different (1983)
*Sense and Sensuality (1982)
*Playing with a Different Sex(1981)
any one remember the bands that played the mermaid warwick road in the early 80’s Echo Base tarzan 5, fast relief and the mangy banannas along with many others
Anyone interested in organising an Au Pairs tribute night to mark the 30th anniversary of Playing with a Different Sex?
Hi Nickra and Paul, just to let you know, I’ve just completed an hour documentary called Made In Birmingham: Reggae Punk Bhangra which has rare archive footage of the Au Pairs and interviews with Paul and Pete. It is on at the Midland Art Centre until 30th August upstairs in the exhibition space (free) and I’ll be having some public screenings later in the year.
Did anything come of the Au Pair tribute night ?
Can I get a copy of Made In Birmingham ?
I await any response. Cheers.
Ian – it is on Youtube now
Did the Au Pairs tribute night ever happen? Can somebody out there let me know ?
Av Pairs tribute would be Brilliant
The Au Pairs were an incredible live band. They were a massive influence on me and the first band I formed were embarrassingly similar in style and song content.
Mick – Mighty Miighty
Saw them in an old cinema in moseley Birmingham in the early 80’s. A good night. Apart from coming off my bike on the way back to Nottingham!!
Happy days.
Hello. I am the guy who replaced Jane Munro on bass (and keyboards) in 1983.
As far as a reunion goes, that might be difficult if not impossible to get Lesley back on vocals, but I suppose another singer could be persuaded to provide the lead.
Nice to see people with fond memories of the band 30 years on …
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Lesley Woods is playing an acoustic set live on Sat 7 June at Going Up The Country Charity All dayer at the Church House Congleton Cheshire cw12 2dy . Lesley will be on stage at 7pm the gig starts at 2pm with outdoor stage. All money goes to Macmillan Cancer Support. Check out the facebook page GOING UP THE COUNTRY for more details & ticket info
I saw the Au pairs a number of times around the turn of the 1980’s and they were excellent on record and even better live. Bought all the band’s albums and singles in including the bootleg Berlin album. The band were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were simply ahead of their time. but the trend in the early 1980’s was more for synth/keyboard pop and new romantic stuff. The band’s music still stands up in a way that many other bands from that period who had more success does not.
Lesley Wods is doing another solo gig at The Prince Albert, 48 Trafalgar St, Brighton on April 19th. Can’t wait!
Sorry…..of course I meant Lesley Woods.
Awesome band saw them many times in their own right & as support , they gave me my love of jagged guitar & meaningful political music, with great tunes.
I lived in Birmingham when The Aupairs were around . I remember going to the pub with
or was it a party ? with Paul Foad. I lived in a squat/ rented house and we had a basement where a local Reggae band ‘Mystic revelation’, used to rehearse there. I remember Pete Hammond coming around to practice drums once. Hung out with members of Tarzan 5 , the pinkies, and others. I remember the Mermaid Pub too.
Great band . Loved the reggae , funk influence . Au Pairs were an amazing band. Saw them live many times.