Spoons -

Spoons were a Canadian synthpop band that released three albums on Ready Records between 1981 and 1983, followed by two further albums on Anthem during the late 1980s.

Members: Gordon Deppe (vocals, guitar), Sandy Horne (vocals, bass), Brett Wickens (keyboards, synthesizer, 1979-80), Peter Shepherd (drums, 1979), Derrick Ross (drums, 1980-86), Rob Preuss (keyboards, synthesizer, 1981-86), Steve Kendry (drums, 1986-90), Scott MacDonald (keyboards, 1986-90)

Background

Spoons formed in 1979 in Burlington, Ontario, by three Aldershot High School students: singer–guitarist Gordon Deppe, bassist Sandy Horne (Gordon’s then-girlfriend), and keyboardist Brett Wickens. They chose their name at Wickens’ home while eating alphabet soup. Drummer Peter Shepherd completed the initial lineup, which first plied symphonic rock but adopted quickly to the New Romantic synth-pop style. Shepherd soon cleared for drummer Derek Ross.

Wickens and band-manager Paul Abrahams initiated Mannequin Records, which issued the 1980 debut Spoons single: “My Job” backed with “After the Institution.” Mannequin pressed 1,000 copies, which spurred Spoons’ cult following on the Toronto live circuit. They signed with Ready Records, a nascent local indie with a diverse new wave roster (Battered Wives, Blue Peter, Demics, Steve Blimkie & The Reason).

As Spoons readied their debut album, Wickens departed for Ceramic Hello, a minimal wave duo that made the 1981 Mannequin album The Absence of a Canary. He designed subsequent album covers for assorted acts (China Crisis, Zaine Griff) under the pseudonym Brel Wik. Spoons hired keyboardist Rob Preuss, a fifteen-year-old fan of the group.

Stick Figure Neighbourhood

Spoons released their debut album, Stick Figure Neighbourhood, in 1981 on Ready Records.

The album contains eight songs by Gordon Deppe and two (“Ice Age” and the title track) by Sandy Horne.

Rob Preuss plays synthesizer and piano on Stick Figure Neighbourhood, which features two tracks (“For Tran,” “Only for Athletes”) with mellotron by Hugh Syme, a longtime auxiliary for Rush and Ian Thomas.

A1. “Conventional Beliefs” (3:57)
A2. “Stick Figure Neighbourhood” (3:59)
A3. “Red Light” (4:42)
A4. “For Tran” (3:42)
A5. “Capitol Hill” (4:38)

B1. “Ice Age” (4:07)
B2. “Dropped Dishes” (3:56)
B3. “Friends In the Media” (3:31)
B4. “Only For Athletes” (5:28)
B5. “Annita” (4:16)

Sessions occurred at Grant Avenue Studio, a five-year-old Hamilton facility owned by Daniel Lanois, who produced the album in sequence with This Is the Ice Age, the third album by Martha + The Muffins.

Spoons gained regional exposure as an opening act on Canadian dates by Fingerprintz, Simple Minds, and Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark.

Stick Figure Neighbourhood appeared only in Canada as the third album in Ready’s LR series (LR 012), ahead of the debut by hard-rockers Santers (LR 014).

Spoons’ contacts linked them with veteran English soundman John Punter, an engineer for post-psych Decca/Deram acts (Caravan, East of Eden, Satisfaction, Walrus) with recent credits behind Gloria Mundi, Japan, and Judie Tzuke.

Arias & Symphonies

Spoons released their second album, Arias & Symphonies, in October 1982 on Ready Records.

The album contains eleven Gordon Deppe originals, including “No Electrons” and the lead single “Nova Heart.” Sandy Horne co-wrote four songs: “A Girl In Two Pieces,” “Smiling In Winter,” “South American Vacation,” and “No More Growing Up” — the last two with third-writer Rob Preuss, who co-wrote “One In Ten Words.”

Arias & Symphonies features Preuss on the Roland Jupiter IV and SH-2000 analog synthesizers.

A1. “Trade Winds” (2:15)
A2. “Smiling In Winter” (4:06)
A3. “One In Ten Words” (4:10)
A4. “No Electrons” (5:12)
A5. “No More Growing Up” (3:26)
A6. “Arias & Symphonies” (4:48)

B1. “Nova Heart” (5:47)
B2. “South American Vacation” (4:12)
B3. “A Girl In Two Pieces” (4:28)
B4. “Walk the Plank” (4:27)
B5. “Blow Away” (5:58)

Sessions occurred at Sounds Interchange, Toronto, and AIR Studios, London, where John Punter produced the album in sequence with 2XS, the thirteenth studio album by Nazareth. English expat Mike Jones engineered the Interchange sessions after multiple titles by FM, Triumph, and the recent Quality Records one-off Instructions.

Deppe co-designed the cover with photographer P.L. Noble, who pictured each member in a garden terrace clad in white garments by stylist Judy Cornish. The front-cover image comes from the Spanish Riding School, a classical dressage in Vienna.

Spoons lifted “Nova Heart” as a single, backed with the non-album “Symmetry,” a Deppe/Horne number. Ready/A&M issued the single in standard 7″ and extended 12″ formats (6:42).

B. “Symmetry” (3:59 / 6:47)

In the “Nova Heart” video, the men stand before the red-light emissions of telegraphic blocks and cones while Sandy reads an illuminating book and communicates with the others through the frequencies of a telegraphic egg. They converge in white on a blue-back soundstage, where Sandy plays a headless electric bass.

“Arias & Symphonies” became the second single (b/w “Trade Winds”) and reached No. 18 on the Canadian RPM. The third single, “Smiling In Winter” (b/w “South American Vacation”) peaked at No. 30. Arias & Symphonies reached No. 20 on the Canadian albums chart.

In early 1983, Spoons opened dates on the first North American Culture Club tour. This brought them to the attention of erstwhile Chic mastermind Nile Rodgers, who offered to produce their next album.

Talkback

Spoons released their third album, Talkback, in 1983 on Ready Records.

The album contains ten originals by guitarist Gordon Deppe. Keyboardist Rob Preuss co-wrote “Don’t Shoot the Messenger” and the title-track. Bassist Sandy Horne partnered with Deppe on “Old Emotions,” “Stop,” and “The Rhythm.”

A1. “Talk Back” (4:36)
A2. “Camera Shy” (4:06)
A3. “My Favourite Page” (3:58)
A4. “Don’t Shoot the Messenger” (3:16)
A5. “Time Stands Still” (5:01)

B1. “Old Emotions” (3:40)
B2. “Stop” (3:08)
B3. “Out of My Hands” (3:46)
B4. “Quiet World” (4:35)
B5. “The Rhythm” (4:20)

Nile Rodgers produced Talkback at Sounds Interchange, Toronto, with engineer Jason Corsaro. Designer Dale Heslip and photographer P.L. Noble collaborated with Spoons on the album’s sleeve visuals.

Talkback generated two Canadian Top 30 singles: “Old Emotions” and “The Rhythm,” that reached the Canadian Top 30.

1984/85 Activity

Spoons recorded the soundtrack for the 1984 Canadian drama Listen to the City, incorporating both existing and new material written for the film. Sandy Horne took a supporting role in the movie. Ready Records issued singles from these sessions, including “Tell No Lies” backed with “White Lies.” These two songs later appeared on an EP with “Romantic Traffic,” which became the band’s second video and most enduring hit.

The “Romantic Traffic” music video, featuring a travel adventure with cameos from Toronto radio personality Live Earl Jive and musician Nash the Slash, received significant attention. “Romantic Traffic” was subsequently re-released as a 45, paired with “Theme for a City” from the Listen to the City soundtrack. These tracks showcased an evolution in the band’s sound, complemented by a horn section featuring Phil Poppa on saxophone and Tony Carlucci on trumpet.

During this period, the band also secured promotional deals, recording commercials for Maxell and Pepsi-Cola, and signing a six-figure agreement with Thrifty’s Clothing Stores.

Ready Records, facing financial difficulties, ceased operations later in 1985, leaving Spoons in hiatus. Derrick Ross transitioned to a career in accounting, eventually becoming co-president of Flood Ross Enterprises. Rob Preuss moved into musical theatre after working with several acts including TBA, Perfect World, and Honeymoon Suite, taking on musical director roles in Toronto and New York.

Late in 1985, Spoons departed Ready Records, which had been unable to secure international releases for their material. The band subsequently signed with Anthem Records and engaged Bob Muir, former president of Virgin Records Canada, as their new manager.

Discography: