The Au Pairs was a post-punk band who formed in Birmingham, UK in 1979. Musically they were very similar to bands such as
Ludus,
Gang of Four and
Delta 5. That is, the rhythm section was tight and funky (obvious influences were
James Brown and
Funkadelic), but the guitars were light and "scratchy" (like
Subway Sect). All these bands shared a strongly left wing social outlook, but the Au Pairs stood out due to their frontwoman,
Lesley Woods, being an outspoken feminist and lesbian: the band were greatly influential in this respect on the
riot grrrl movement a decade later. …
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