Who, What, When, Where and Why: Au Pairs

Political unrest, sexual politics, emotional instability and women’s rights: rarely has one band been influenced by a wider variety of personal and societal factors than the Au Pairs (http://www.myspace.com/aupairs). Formed in Birmingham in 1979, the Au Pairs (http://www.comnet.ca/~rina/aupairs.html) burned bright for a mere four years, from 1979 to 1982, but left a lasting impression on a number of music scenes over the years. Influencing the style of the alternative era Pixies (http://www.pixiesmusic.com/), heard in riot grrl groups like Sleater-Kinney (http://www.sleater-kinney.com/) and singled out by current day punk revivalists Chicks on Speed (http://www.chicksonspeed.com/) and The Rapture (http://www.therapturemusic.com/), the Au Pairs had an impact.

Lesley Woods (vocals and guitars), Jane Munro (bass), Paul Foad (guitar and vocals) and Pete Hammond (drums) formed the nucleus of the band. But it was Woods who gave the group their distinct voice. A well read feminist and unabashed lesbian (at a time when few women in the punk scene were officially “out”) Woods singing had range that clearly conveyed the emotional roller coaster found in each song. While Woods may have been the driving force behind the Au Pairs, both musically and emotionally, it was the songwriting (a chore shared by all members) that set them apart. Songs like “Come Again” (http://www.houseoflyrics.com/lyrics/au_pairs/come_again.html), “Diet” (a women’s place in the world) and “It’s Obvious” (gender relations) placed sex and the battle between the sexes clearly in the forefront. But the message didn’t just stop with sex. Songs such as “Armagh” dealing with the fire brand topic of the political and religious tensions in Northern Ireland and “America” which attacked the Reagan government’s use of military power, set the band apart from many of their contemporaries in the second wave of punk rock. This was songwriting using both the big and little head.

And then, it was over. After touring continuously behind their second full length release “Sense and Sensuality”, the band disintegrated. First Munro left, citing Woods increasing emotional instability. Preparing to head into the studio to record their third album the group, now including Graham Hamilton (trumpet), Nick O’Connor (bass) and Carla Tivey (keyboards/vocals), officially broke up when Woods failed to appear for a show in France. The third album, slated to be produced by U2 (http://www.u2.com/) collaborator Steve Lillywhite (http://www.answers.com/topic/steve-lillywhite), never saw the light of day.

Discography:
Playing With a Different Sex, Human Records, released May 1981
Sense and Sexuality, Kamera Records, released August 1982
THE VERY BEST OF THE AU PAIRS, Cherry Red Records (http://www.cherryred.co.uk/), released 1999

The band also was one of the featured artists in the seminal concert movie of the time "URGH! A Music War" (http://www.urgh-dvd.com/index.html).



The Ten:
My periodic list of songs you can't live without. Call it my "deserted island" list, but remember, when we're all stuck on that island, don't blame me if you don't have them (and no, I won't let you borrow my ipod).

1. Come Again - Au Pairs
2. Take This Town - XTC
3. Silver Rocket - Sonic Youth
4. Leaders of Men - Joy Division
5. Rev It Up - Jerry Harrison
6. Love To Hate Love - Eleventh Dream Day (right)
7. Borstal Breakout - Sham 69
8. Waterfront - Simple Minds
9. Pulse - Psychedelic Furs
10. Cameras In Paris - The Fixx