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Au Pairs

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[]

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
1980
The_Au_Pairs_-_it´s_obvious

The Au Pairs - it´s obvious

1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
2003

See Also[]

External Links[]

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