Biography
One of the earlier Christchurch acid-rock groups of Celia Patel (aka Celia Pavlova / Mancini) along with twins Sharon and Joanne Billesdon and Reta La Quesne.
Forming after Celia and Rita’s former group The Axel Grinders, Stepford 5 only released two (now rather rare) European-issued 7″ singles – one a split with Japanese act Teengenerate. Their members would later resurface in Snort, and King Loser.
Stepford 5 were rougher, rawer and dirtier than their related groups, with Patel’s vocals in particular being much more harsh than her Nancy Sinatra style chanteuse approach in The Axel Grinders and King Loser.
The group came to an end with the impending birth of Reta le Quesne’s first child, however Le Quesne and Joanne Billesdon would soon form Snort, eventually recruiting Sharon Billesdon to the new group.
Members
- Celia Patel (aka Celia Pavlova / Celia Mancini, The Stepford 5, Snort, Cease to Exist, Snapper, Mothertrucker, King Loser, The After Dinner Mints, Revolution 10, guitar / vocals)
- Joanne Billesdon (Dark Matter, The Stepford 5, Snort, Thee Strapons, Outsiders, The Renderers, Lo liners, guitar)
- Sharon Billesdon (The Stepford 5, Snort, Outsiders, Lo liners, drums)
- Reta La Quesne (The Axel Grinders, The Stepford 5, Snort, The Hell City Slickers, The Long Collars, Flamejob, Five Car Pile Up, Thee Royal Family, The Wrong Doings, Levitating Churches, vocals / bass)
- Camille Lahood (guitar)
Discography
- Cave of Love 7″ EP (1991, Demolition Records, DEMO004)
- Snake Lady Split 7″ w/ Teengenerate (1993, Demolition Derby, DD006)
was after the axel grinders, not before
also originally had another member, camille lahood, guitar – left or was kicked out (i dunno) before they recorded that e.p.
lol Left thank you not kicked out. We were all friends I had a job at Echo records and didnt wish to persue a career in music 🙂
steps were in between axels, Axels was formed first with Celia then we formed Steps then Reta joined Axels after
she left stepford 5 cheers
pretty sure it was (immediately) after the axel grinders broke up…reta joined the axel grinders in 1989, got together w/ celia et al straight after the dissolution of that band (early 91)
might be wrong, there mighta been an overlap but don’t reckon so
Also I would like to say I cowrote Cave of Love with Reta at the Into the void practice room 1991 🙂