Interview: Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra

Photo by Lyle Bell

When I first moved to Newcastle, I often ran into a sharp dressed, baby-faced lad around town who had no qualms about wearing spats in the Bigg Market and looked like he’d been teleported in from 1920s St Louis to a  grimy Toon street. Before long, I got to know him and got to know he’d recently started a band. He was Rob Heron, they were the Tea Pad Orchestra and that, somehow, was fifteen years ago.

Bands operating at the level of the Tea Pad don’t tend to last a decade-and-a-half, don’t manage to largely self-release six albums and don’t enter their fifteenth year playing some of their biggest shows. But that’s where Heron and his band find themselves in 2026 and to celebrate their against-the-odds longevity, they’re putting on a birthday party.

“Fifteen years ago, I was 21, and obviously wanted to become rich and famous from my music.”, Heron admits, and he’s both pragmatic and pleased with how it’s turned out. “Saying that, I am very proud and content with what we have achieved. In reality, playing the style of music we do, it could never really make me rich and famous!”

Listening to the albums in sequence, from 2012’s Money Changes Everything to 2024’s Feet First, there’s a gradual shift in styles that reflect changing tastes and changing line-ups. “My tastes are quite eclectic anyway, but I think over time, I have become more confident and bold in changing the sound of the band.” Heron reflects. “To most people, it all probably sounds like ‘retro’ music, but over the years we have progressed from a sort of 1920s stringband sound, to a 1950s rock & roll band.  Sticking to one style is quite restrictive for songwriting, so I think it’s important to evolve.” If you include the occasional forays into country, blue-eyed soul and rhythm & blues, the Tea Pad have flirted with most of the main musical styles of the mid-twentieth century without it ever seeming like a novelty or a schtick.

Inevitably, there have been a lot of members over the years – somewhere around fifteen, Heron thinks – and Heron’s clearly made his peace with that. “In the early days, I would feel quite sad when members moved on, but now I would see it as a really good opportunity to change it up.” he explains. “Most of the current band members have a ‘dep’, so we can almost always do a gig, but I do prefer having the A-Team. Tom [Moanin’ Tom Cronin to his fans, mandolin and harmonica hero] is my best mate and has been a huge part of the creative and business side of the music from the very start.  I think he has missed two gigs in 15 years, and it’s always a bit strange when he isn’t there.  I am very happy with the current line-up, and I hope to continue this version for many years to come.”

For a band that have toured and recorded pretty hard for fifteen years, and had a good time doing it, there’s bound to be a lot of highlights (and a lot that’s forgotten, or best forgotten). “Our first ever time playing Glastonbury was mind-blowing.” Heron recalls. “I won’t rush back though.  We played a few times on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends, which was pretty cool. Touring in Europe is always the highlight of the year, as our fanbase – in Germany especially – is pretty strong.  The biggest shows we have ever done were supporting people like Pokey LaFarge and The Dead South, so they have to be highlights, as we probably won’t get to that level of show on our own!  Venues like Glasgow Barrowlands, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Albert Hall in Manchester, the Kunst Rasen in Bonn. Huge shows!”

It’s no surprise that the band have got big plans for their anniversary show at Gosforth Civic Theatre (on March 28^th). For starters, they’re going record it for a future live album – John Martindale from Blank Studios will be there with a desk to capture the gig for posterity. The set will be pretty special too. “We have a ‘greatest hits’ set list prepared, with songs from all six of our albums, including quite a lot of the debut album… those are always fan favourites, but we rarely play them these days, as we make way for newer material in our live shows.  It will be a lot of fun reviving them.” There’s going to be a host of guests too, former members and fellow travellers from over the years. “There’ll be original band members Colin Nicholson (accordion) and Ben Fitzgerald (Guitar), as well as a four-part horn section featuring Sam Thornton (Louis Louis Louis, King Zepha), Neil Hopper (House of the Black Gardenia), Lara Hopper (Neil’s daughter who is studying Jazz trumpet in London), and our own saxophone player, Ben Powling.  We will also have a guest vocalist Ruth Lyon (previously of Holy Moly & The Crackers).  The double bass will be shared between our two current bass players Ted Harbot and Adam Richards.” Which is quite the line-up…

As for the future, as always Heron is ever restless, always planning.  “We have a pretty busy summer with festivals in the UK and a European tour, and in the autumn I’ll release a solo record (yet to be written and recorded) and tour it alongside my good friend Conrad Bird (Holy Moly & The Crackers), who also has a new solo record coming out.  And in 2027, we will release and tour the live album.”

And with all this reflection, does it cross Heron’s mind that he might want to stop one day.

“To be honest, there’s not much else I would love to do more than continue the band until my last breath.  Writing and recording music is a pure joy, and playing live shows keeps my dopamine levels satisfied. “

Long may they continue.

Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra play Gosforth Civic Theatre on March 28^th