In 1977 brothers Paddy and Martin McAloon formed the Dick Diver Band to be renamed to Prefab Sprout in 1978. A name Paddy came up with years earlier because like he said "All the groups had names like that". Paddy misheard the lyrics of the song "Jackson" by Johnny Cash where he sings "We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout". Together with drummer Michael Salmon they gave their first live performance in 1979.

Goodbye Lucille #1 (AKA Johnny Johnny) - single cover

Their debut single "Lions In My Own Garden (Exit Someone)" of which the first letters of the words in the title formed the name ot the French city Limoges where his former girlfriend was studying at the time. Then Wendy Smith joined brothers as a band member and they released their second single "The Devil Has All The Best Tunes".

Faron (AKA Faron Young) - single cover

Their debut album titled "Swoon" managed to reach #22 in the UK. The album was noticed by Thomas Dolby who offered to produce their next album. 

Appetite - single cover

For the next album Neil Conti became their new drummer and fourth band member. The album was titled "Steve McQueen" except for the United States where the the offspring of Steve McQueen didn't permit to use his name as the album title in the US. Therefore the album was titled "Two Wheels Good" in reference to the album cover. The album cover is a reference to Steve McQueen's passion for Triumph motorcycles which could be seen in the movie "The Great Escape" from 1963.

The first single for the album was "When Love Breaks Down" released in October 1984 and failed to chart. It was reissued as a new single in March 1985 and again it failed. The singles "Faron" and "Appetite" where released but also didn't chart. Then the third attempt for "When Love Breaks Down" in October 1985 finally managed to reach #25 in the UK. "Goodbye Lucille #1" was renamed to "Johnny Johnny" to become the final single in January 1986.

The album was the creation of the typical Prefab Sprout sound that made them famous. "Faron Young" opens the album and is a country stylish pop song.

The album itself reached #34 in the Netherlands, #21 in the UK and #178 in the US.

An extensive UK and European tour followed the album release after which the band quickly recorded  another album titled "Protest Songs" in late 1985 that was shelved four another 4 years because the album "Steve McQueen" belatedly reached the charts worldwide. There was so much more to come from arguably the British band of the decade.

When Love Breaks Down - single cover
Original album cover Steve McQueen
Original album cover Two Wheels Good (US)

Steve McQueen (1985)
Faron Young / Bonny / Appetite / When Love Breaks Down / Goodbye Lucille #1 / Hallelujah / Moving the River / Horsin' Around / Desire As / Blueberry Pies / When the Angels

Two Wheels Good (1985)
Faron Young / Bonny / Appetite / When Love Breaks Down / Goodbye Lucille #1 / Hallelujah / Moving the River / Horsin' Around / Desire As / Blueberry Pies / When the Angels / The Yearning Loins / He'll Have to Go / "Faron" (Truckin' Mix)


Appetite
Desire As

When Love Breaks Down

When The Angels