Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra release "Feet First" and announce summer dates

With their sixth album, ‘Feet First’, Newcastle-based  Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra have packed in soul, doo-wop, rockabilly, blues and country into a collection of songs, many of whose titles point to some harrowing times. All written by Heron, they mostly deal with breakups and breakdowns, yet the overall feel is far from despondent, such is the lightness of touch in the lyrics and the musicality of the five-piece band.

Recorded in the old-fashioned way straight to tape (how else?) over two days at Lightning Recorders in Berlin, “Feet First” marks the return of Rob Heron and the Teapad orchestra with a slightly tweaked line-up – and a few studio guests.

The addition of Ben Powling’s saxophone is immediately noticeable on the opener “Good Lovin’” which reveals a more muscular pre-Rock ’n’ Roll, Bluesy Soul revue type sound, allied to complementary Elvis-alike lead and Jordanaire-ish backing vocals. “Six Month Sleeper” keeps up the energy levels and wanders more into Jazz-Scat singing territory, whereas “Blood In The Water” clicks along in a sax-underpinned Rockabilly groove.

On this album, Rob Heron and the Teapad Orchestra have managed to catch their live energy in a bottle – the pressure and warmth of recording in an analogue environment has produced a fun – and thoroughly clever party album, that’s not just a multi-influence meaty step forward. It's a great introduction to the band for newcomers too. 

Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra will be touring all summer. Find the first tour dates here:

24/04: Schwalmstadt, DE - Rockschuppen
25/04: Frankfurt, DE - ONO2
26/04: Hamburg, DE - Honky Tonk Harbour
30/04: Dortmund, DE - Subrosa
01/05: Lessines, BE - Roots & Roses
02/05: Ospel, NL - Moulin Blues
03/05: Groningen, NL - Rhythm & Bluesnight
04/05: Utrecht, NL - Cafe De Stad
05/07: Kloster Nimbschen, DE - Firebirds Festival