The Au Pairs were a British post-punk band that formed in Birmingham in 1978 and continued until 1983. They produced two studio albums and three singles. Their songs were said to have "contempt for the cliches of contemporary sexual politics" and their music has been compared to the Gang of Four and the Young Marble Giants. The band was led by Lesley Woods, who was once described as "one of the most striking women in British rock" and is now a practising barrister.
Links to Peel[]
On first playing the Au Pairs' Domestic Departure John remarked that all the tracks on the single were just as good: this was the beginning of a lengthy relationship between the group and the DJ that spawned four sessions and multiple airings of their material including the LP Playing With A Different Sex. Although their songs were sometimes requested by listeners, none of their material made the Festive Fifty and their split meant that they were absent from JP's show until the 2000s, when John was inspired to revisit them from a Rough Trade compilation.
The Musical Youth single Generals was given to Peel by members of the Au Pairs probably because they shared a label - 021 Records (so named after the Birmingham dialling code). [1]
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- None
Sessions[]
- Four sessions. All available on Equal But Different - BBC Sessions 1979-81 (RPM)
1. Recorded: 1979-10-26. First broadcast: 09 October 1979. Repeated: 14 November 1979. "Saturday night, I took curry in a place in Birmingham where the Au Pairs often break bread; tonight they are on the programme. There’s really no connection between the two events, but just thought I’d mention them." [2]
- Pretty Boy / Ideal Woman / Monogamy / Come Again
2. Recorded: 1980-05-28. First broadcast: 12 June 1980. Repeated: 02 July 1980
- Dear John / The Love Song / It's Obvious / Repetition
3. Recorded: 1981-01-21. First broadcast: 28 January 1981. Repeated: 12 February 1981, 23 December 1981.
- We're So Cool / Headache For Michelle / The Setup
4. Recorded: 1982-03-15. First broadcast: 31 March 1982. Repeated: 22 April 1982
- America / Steppin Out Of Line / Sex Without Stress
Other Shows Played[]
- 1979
- 04 September 1979: Domestic Departure (7” - You) 021
- 06 September 1979: You (7") 021 incorrectly announced as Kerb Crawler
- 10 September 1979: You (7") 021
- 12 September 1979: Domestic Departure (7” – You) 021
- 13 September 1979: Kerb Crawler (7" b-side - You) 021
- 19 September 1979: Domestic Departure (7" b-side - You) 021
- 08 October 1979: Kerb Crawler (7" b-side - You) 021
- 15 November 1979: You (7") 021 Records
- 20 October 1980: It's Obvious (7" Promo) 021
- 28 October 1980: It's Obvious (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 30 October 1980 (BFBS): It's Obvious (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 01 November 1980 (BFBS): Diet (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 06 November 1980: It's Obvious (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 12 November 1980: It's Obvious (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 11 December 1980: It's Obvious (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 18 December 1980: It's Obvious (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 27 December 1980 (BFBS): It's Obvious (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 1981
- 03 January 1981 (BFBS): Diet (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 19 January 1981: Diet (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 03 February 1981: 'It's Obvious (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 23 February 1981: Diet (7" - Diet / Its Obvious) Human OTO 4
- 12 May 1981: Set-Up (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 13 May 1981: Dear John (album - With A Different Sex) (Human Records)
- 18 May 1981: Come Again (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 19 May 1981: Headache (For Michelle) (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 21 May 1981: We’re So Cool (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 21 May 1981 (BFBS): Set-Up (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 27 May 1981: It's Obvious (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 28 May 1981 (BFBS): Repetition (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human
- 01 June 1981: We're So Cool (LP - Playing With A Different Sex) Human
- 02 June 1981: Dear John (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 04 June 1981 (BFBS): We're So Cool (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 04 June 1981 (BFBS): Headache For Michelle (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 07 June 1981 (BFBS): Repetition (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 09 June 1981 (John Walters): We're So Cool (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 21 June 1981 (BFBS): Set-Up (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 19 July 1981 (BFBS): We're So Cool (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 13 August 1981: Inconvenience (12" - Inconvenience / Pretty Boys) Human
- 23 August 1981 (BFBS): Inconvenience (7") Human HUM 8
- 17 September 1981 (BFBS): Inconvenience (7") Human
- 26 October 1981: Inconvenience (7") Human
- 01 November 1981 (BFBS): Inconvenience (single) Human
- 1982
- 04 April 1982 (BFBS): Set-Up (album - Playing With A Different Sex) Human HUMAN 1
- 19 August 1982: Don't Lie Back (album - Sense And Sensuality) Kamera KAM 010
- 25 August 1982 (BFBS): Don't Lie Back (album - Sense And Sensuality) Kamera KAM 010
- 25 August 1982 (BFBS): Intact (album - Sense And Sensuality) Kamera KAM 010
- 25 August 1982 (BFBS): Shakedown (album - Sense And Sensuality) Kamera KAM 010
- 01 September 1982 (BFBS): America (album - Sense And Sensuality) Kamera KAM 010
- 09 December 1982: It's Obvious (7”) 021
- 29 December 1982 (BFBS): It's Obvious (7”) 021
- 1983
- 13 July 1983 (BFBS): You (7") 021
- 1984
- 31 March 1984 (BFBS): Shakedown (album - Sense And Sensuality) Kamera KAM 010
- 1985
- 02 December 1985: Dear John (LP - Playing With A Different Sex) Human
- 2003
- 31 July 2003: You (2xCD - Post Punk Vol. 1) Rough Trade / Mute
- 28 August 2003 (Radio Eins): 'You (2x Compilation CD-Rough Trade Shops - Post Punk 01)' (Mute)
See Also[]
- Gigography 1980
- Gigography 1982
- Au Pairs