Au Pairs, February 1981

On the third song I realised what was their strength: anger.

The Au Pairs were a brilliant live band who proved that you could be “right on” (as we used to say in the 1980s before “woke” was invented) and still exciting.

Several of their songs were about sexual politics, meaning they were very much of their time but also pioneering for the times.

Non-sexist rock lives!

THE AU PAIRS, Brady's, Liverpool

Melody Maker, February 14, 1981

IN THE same week that the Passions are introduced on Top of the Pops as "This lovely young lady and her backing band", the Au Pairs continue to do their bit for non-sexist rock in yet another club gig.

The club is packed, but there's not a long raincoat in sight. Forget all the stereotypes about politics and seriousness: the Au Pairs may be worthy but they're exciting too, and they don't leave you any time for liberal complacency.

As they rush into their first song they thunder over your preconceptions with the combination of Lesley Wood's strong voice, a powerful sound, and two equally aggressive front people (one of each).

The sound is much better than you'd expect from hearing the single, "It's Obvious", which I found thin and disappointing. It wasn't the record but the memory of the band's last appearance here that had brought me out tonight. And this time they were even better.

On the third song ("Armagh") I realised what was their strength: anger. Suddenly I remembered punk and why it'd been so good.

The anger continues in "Come Again" which is real rock 'n' roll in the old fashioned sense as Paul Foad runs back and forth across the stage brandishing his guitar, and the music runs back and forth too, across everything from Bo Diddley to the Gang Of Four (and they're not so far apart).

The music makes you want to jump. It has the same impact on the feet as the Blues Band, who played Liverpool earlier that week and who can't do anything else. The Au Pairs can do a lot more. There's so much to listen to, so many surprises, a bewildering, breathtaking mixture that takes in everything from Rolling Stones and the Beatles to punk and dub.

And it all makes sense because there's an Au Pairs identity too.

The Au Pairs may be contemporary and relevant and all the rest of it, but their roots are in the right place. And by building on the past they can give hope for the future, proof that they're still optimists in this mess that's modern music.

It's not a direction or anything as concrete as that — God save us from direction. It's just one band. But life would be a lot better if there were more bands like it.

Watch the Au Pairs

Here are the Au Pairs playing Come Again. I think “blistering” is the word.

Back in the 21st century

The Au Pairs’ classic 1981 LP Playing With a Different Sex is reissued next month, and the 1982 LP Sense and Sensuality has just been re-released.

Meanwhile, singer Lesley Woods has just released a new EP, In The Fade, her first recording in over 35 years.