www.genelovesjezebel.com

 
Carolyn, J. and Michael Aston
 

Carolyn is 24, married and living in South Wales. She has five older brothers, David, Edward, Richard, John, and Michael and one younger brother, Ian. The twins, John (known as J.) and Michael are the successful pop duo, Gene Loves Jezebel.

"My mum always used to say there was a bit of jealousy
between us but I think it was more a fight for survival. My father was a train driver in the steel works and we lived in a three-bedroomed house. My parents had one room, the boys had another, with bunk beds, and I had the third. When Ian was born I slept on a camp bed downstairs. 

The thing is when there are so many children, people compare you and you don't want to be compared with anyone else. The English teacher always threw the twins at me, how marvelous they were and how useless I was. The twins and I were the closest in age and we hated each other. I think it was because the neighbours made such a fuss of me, being a girl. The first day I went to school I hit the teacher and ran like hell and after that one of the twins always had to look after me. 

It was Edward who first took me to a pub when I was 15, showing me off a bit. I remember one evening a little fellow, a ruffian really, wanted to take me out and four of my brothers stood guard over me all night. They were all very protective, especially the twins. 

The twins were very beautiful, colourful characters, arty. I've never been able to be like them with their confidence in dress; flamboyance is the best word for it, really. I wished I could be like them, so I could say all the things they're saying in their songs, things that ought to be said. They should have gone to art school. I lived in London with them for a bit and they took me to the ICA, and places like that that they were interested in. I never went to their concerts; I had enough of it at home. 

None of my brothers were sure about my husband Tony at first. We were always a close family but husbands and wives make a difference. I wish I had a sister sometimes so I could be open, without offending. The wives tend to be more friendly with each other than they are with me. It's natural, really, I was the woman in my brothers' lives until the girls came along - and I think it's hard sometimes to say and do what's expected of you." 
 
 

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