The ’80s are back in vogue and that’s good news for a Canadian band that was at the forefront of the new wave movement in its heyday.
The Spoons, formed in Burlington just over 30 years ago, come to the Living Arts Centre this Friday. It’s one of many shows the band has done in the past few years since the music, style and culture of the ’80s has become hip again, according to founding member Gordon Deppe.
“I think we’ve played more shows in the past two years than we did in the previous 15,” Deppe, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, told The News. “Since the retro thing happened, we’ve met so many bands and fans who said we were an influence for them.”
The resurgence of the decade of excess even has the band talking about a new album.
“If you had asked me before Christmas, I would have said no,” said Deppe, who lives in Oakville. “But you see the longevity of the ’80s and I don’t think it’s just nostalgia. I think it’s here to stay.
“We’re writing (for it) now,” he continued. “It was hard to get back into that Spoons frame of mind, but I’ve been possessed.”
The current lineup of the band also includes founding member Sandy Horne on bass and vocals, longtime member Steve Kendry on drums and new addition Stephen Sweeney on keyboard.
The band released its first album, Stick Figure Neighbourhood, in 1981. However, its second album, Arias & Symphonies, released one year later, established the band’s reputation.
The album spawned three Top-40 hits in Canada, including Nova Heart, Arias & Symphonies and Smiling in Winter. The band went on to release several more albums, including Talkback and Listen to the City.
It also released Unexpected Guest at a Cancelled Party, a compilation of unreleased material, in 2007.
Show time Friday is 8:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $28 to $45. Call 905-306-6000.