Not terrible long ago I went to a used book store and I counted myself lucky to find a brand new copy of a book "The Complete Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments" ...

This book is subtitled "A comprehensive guide to musical instruments around the world".

After reading the posts in this thread I'm not sure I know what 'spoons' are. So I located that 'comprehensive guide to the world's musical instruments, and of course found no entry for 'spoons'.

So here is my sincere question: I'm guessing that 'spoons' are the same as the eating utensils, but are used to make percussive sounds in a similar to the way '{jaw} bones' were played by enslaved African Americans? Am I right?

And BTW, I 'get' that the person playing the spoons at your gig was a pest who didn't know he was messing up the set.

Also, my compliments to you on the creativity of your thread title.
Love it!