The Au Pairs were, along with Gang of Four, perhaps the ultimate ‘NME band’ of the early eighties when I started reading. Never far from a benefit gig, strident in intra-band equality, writers (ah..more later) of catchy songs with incendiary lyrics about hot-button topics from Northern Ireland to domestic violence. Playing With A Different Sex (what a cover photo) was brilliant. Second album less so. And so they who burn brightest burn briefest. I was delighted to pick up their career-spanning double CD a decade or so ago. FF to yesterday – am off to see Pains of Being Pure At Heart in Nottingham at the Metronome on a brief reunion tour. Checking the venue website I see that the ‘Au Pairs’ are playing an anniversary tour of PWADS. How come I heard nothing about this? The detail on the Metronome site starts to explain things ‘Lesley and three new members’. Oh that’s a bit different.

A brief google brought this corking article (in comments) to light which explains everything, including Lesley’s strident denial of how she pronounces ‘deer’. It is well worth five minutes of your time and tells a somewhat sad story. You must scroll down to the » Continue Reading.