64 Spoons

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64 Spoons were a British pop–rock band from Watford, England, active from 1976 to 1980. The group included Lyndon Connah, Tam Neal, Andy Crawford, Ted Emmett and Jakko Jakszyk (who joined as lead singer and guitarist).

They were known for mixing complex, jazzy and theatrical music with catchy pop and English humor. Their sound drew on progressive rock, classical and avant-garde influences, blended with disco, West Coast vibes, and 60s/70s pop.

Jakko Jakszyk recalls that their songs could be long and intricate, yet performed with a punk-like energy and unpretentious lyrics. The band’s live shows were theatrical and full of jokes and audience interaction.

Songs covered social and sexual awkwardness, resistance to domestic life, suicide ideas, the music business, running away from home, and thoughts about pets and the afterlife.

64 Spoons formed when Connah and Neal, both multi-instrumentalists who had been writing since they were about 10, teamed up with Crawford (a Royal College of Music flautist). The lineup solidified in 1976 around Connah on drums, Crawford on bass, and Neal on keyboards. A teenage Jakko Jakszyk, drawn to their complexity, joined as frontman after hearing a long piece called Life Is Unsaid. He left briefly to try another band but returned in 1977 when the group stayed a five-piece with Emmett on trumpet.

The band toured the UK for three years and built a dedicated following, but never achieved major commercial success. They tried different presentation ideas and even shortened their name to The Spoons. They also fired Emmett and he joined The Teardrop Explodes. Despite their efforts, they disbanded after a rough gig in 1980.

A one-off reunion was discussed in the mid-1990s but never happened. They did release one single, Ladies Don’t Have Willies, which is now a collector’s item. They also recorded material for an album that was released posthumously as Landing on a Rat Column in 1992 on Freshly Cut Records; the single was not included on the album due to copyright reasons.

All of the members went on to successful careers. Jakko Jakszyk became well known, later singing and playing guitar with King Crimson (2013–2021) and Level 42 (1991–1994), and working on many other projects. Lyndon Connah became a noted session musician and played with Level 42 (2001–2006) and Go West; he also co-led the pop band 3 Blind Mice. Tam Neal pursued theatre work and composed scores for plays. Andy Crawford focused on baroque flute, performing with groups like the Gabrieli Consort and the London Handel Orchestra, and occasionally played bass for others. Ted Emmett played with The Teardrop Explodes and Joan Armatrading, and contributed to 3 Blind Mice.

Vox magazine later noted that the 64 Spoons recordings showed 1990s ideas in late-1970s music, with twists and turns that still felt fresh in today’s pop, funk, jazz and rock.