Eddie & the Hot Rods
Encyclopedia
Eddie and the Hot Rods are a pub rock
band from Essex
founded in 1975. They are best known for their 1977 UK top ten hit "Do Anything You Wanna Do", released under the name The Rods. They originally split up in 1981, but have reformed several times since, with singer Barrie Masters the only constant member.
), with drummer Steve Nicol, bassist Rob Steel, and singer Barrie Masters.
Before rising to semi-stardom in 1977, the Hot Rods underwent several changes in personnel: One of the first members to leave the band was Eddie himself, a dummy
that featured prominently in the Hot Rods' early gigs and was discarded as the joke had worn thin. Otherwise, the band consisted of Barrie Masters on vocals, Pete Wall and Dave Higgs on guitar, Rob Steel on bass and Steve Nicol on drums. Ed Hollis (brother of Talk Talk's
Mark Hollis) became their manager.
In May 1975, after building a live reputation, they secured a Saturday-night residency at The Kensington in London. This was followed in October by a joint residency with The 101ers
at The Nashville, playing alternate headline sets. In November, after positive press reviews of their live shows, they were signed by Island Records
.
(harmonica
) and Paul Gray
(bass) had replaced Wall and Steel. Lewis's tenure in the group lasted for the release of their first two singles before he too left. With this new line-up, the Hot Rods played a set at London's famous Marquee Club
– their opening act was a young band named Sex Pistols
playing their first London gig, which descended into chaos with the Pistols smashing the Hot Rods' gear; During a residency at the club in the summer of 1976 they duelled for alternate weeks with AC/DC
, to see who could cram more bodies into the Marquee during one of the hottest summers on record. They first appeared in the UK Singles Chart
the end of that year with the Live at the Marquee EP
and the single "Teenage Depression", an energetic rock and roll
song.
After the release of the Teenage Depression album, which gave them their first appearance in the UK Albums Chart
, they recorded another EP called Live – At the Sound Of Speed. During the gig from which this EP was recorded, Graeme Douglas (formerly of The Kursaal Flyers
) joined the band onstage and jammed along adding extra lead lines. Afterwards his membership of the band was made permanent, and they set about writing and recording
for their second album. The live recording of the Sound of Speed EP featured Douglas on only one track, he therefore set about recording additional lead guitar overdubs in the studio, though to keep in with the essence of a live release, he was only given one attempt at recording each song.
With the addition of Douglas, the band was moved in a more radio-friendly direction. Their biggest hit came with the Douglas/Hollis collaboration "Do Anything You Wanna Do" in the summer of 1977, under their shorter, snappier name, The Rods. This single made the British Top 10 (number 9 in August 1977) and also proved popular with the then predominant punk audience, as did that year's album Life on the Line. Still in 1977, the Hot Rods toured the United States with the Ramones
and Talking Heads
. In late 1977 they released a one-off collaboration with MC5
singer Rob Tyner as 'Rob Tyner & the Hot Rods'. When it came to recording a follow-up album, the band tried to recapture the success of "Do Anything You Wanna Do", but to no avail. The album, Life on the Line, hit further problems with CBS Records
still having contractual claim over Douglas, leading to his picture being removed from the LP sleeve for some releases. They found themselves dropped by Island in 1979, and in May that year were rumoured to be on the verge of splitting, with Gray touring with The Members
and Masters and Nicol playing in the band Plus Support. They signed to EMI
in August 1979, releasing a further album, Fish'n'Chips, but disbanded in 1981.
. Ed Hollis went on to work with some of the best known acts of the punk era including The Damned, Elvis Costello
, and Stiff Little Fingers
. Nicol joined One the Juggler.
Masters and Nicol re-formed the Hot Rods in 1984, along with new members Warren Kennedy (guitar) and Tony Cranney (bass). This line-up recorded the single "Fought for You" and the live mini-LP
One Story Town, before the band split again in 1985. Tex Axile, who had briefly been a member in this era, went on to join Transvision Vamp
.
In 1992 the 'classic' line-up (Masters, Nichol, Higgs, and Gray) re-grouped for a European tour. Higgs left after the tour, but the band carried on with Steve Walwyn of Dr. Feelgood
replacing him. Another Feelgood member, Gordon Russell was briefly a member, soon replaced by Mick Rodgers, a former member of Manfred Mann's Earth Band
. In 1994 they recorded the album Gasoline Days, released in 1996 by Japanese label Creative Man. Several line-up changes followed, with members including Madman Keyo and Jess Phillips. In 2005, a Masters-led outfit recorded Better Late than Never in preparation for a 30th anniversary tour. The band is currently enjoying renewed popularity throughout Europe with regular tour dates, and has also performed in the US for the first time in 25 years.
of 1960s R&B songs and original songs inspired by the likes of Dr. Feelgood. Known for their energy on stage, they attracted a younger audience than many pub rock bands. They were initially lumped in with the punk rock bands of the era, and Joe Strummer
stated that when he read about the band in a listings magazine it was the first time he had seen the word 'punk' used to describe a band. Their 1977 tour of the US with the Ramones and Talking Heads was billed as a punk rock tour, and their 1977 concert in Windsor, Ontario
was billed as "Windsor's First Punk Rock Concert". They were overtaken by punk rock bands, however, and were soon considered to be outside the genre.
Pub rock (UK)
Pub rock was a rock music genre that developed in the mid 1970s in the United Kingdom. A back-to-basics movement, pub rock was a reaction against progressive and glam rock. Although short-lived, pub rock was notable for rejecting stadium venues and for returning live rock to the small pubs and...
band from Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
founded in 1975. They are best known for their 1977 UK top ten hit "Do Anything You Wanna Do", released under the name The Rods. They originally split up in 1981, but have reformed several times since, with singer Barrie Masters the only constant member.
Formation
The band was formed in 1975 by guitarist Dave Higgs (who had previously played in The Fix with Lee BrilleauxLee Brilleaux
Lee Brilleaux was an English rhythm-and-blues singer and musician with the British band Dr Feelgood....
), with drummer Steve Nicol, bassist Rob Steel, and singer Barrie Masters.
Before rising to semi-stardom in 1977, the Hot Rods underwent several changes in personnel: One of the first members to leave the band was Eddie himself, a dummy
Dummy
Dummy may refer to:*Military dummy:**dummy round—a cartridge that is inert, i.e. contains neither primer nor gunpowder**decoy—fake military equipment intended to deceive the enemy...
that featured prominently in the Hot Rods' early gigs and was discarded as the joke had worn thin. Otherwise, the band consisted of Barrie Masters on vocals, Pete Wall and Dave Higgs on guitar, Rob Steel on bass and Steve Nicol on drums. Ed Hollis (brother of Talk Talk's
Talk Talk
Talk Talk were an English musical group, active from 1981 to 1991. The group had a string of international hit singles including "Today", "Talk Talk", "It's My Life", "Such a Shame", "Dum Dum Girl", "Life's What You Make It" and "Living in Another World"....
Mark Hollis) became their manager.
In May 1975, after building a live reputation, they secured a Saturday-night residency at The Kensington in London. This was followed in October by a joint residency with The 101ers
The 101ers
The 101ers were a pub rock band from the 1970s, notable as being the band that Joe Strummer left to join The Clash. Formed in London in May 1974, the 101ers made their performing debut on 7 September at the Telegraph pub in Brixton, under the name El Huaso and the 101 All Stars. The name would...
at The Nashville, playing alternate headline sets. In November, after positive press reviews of their live shows, they were signed by Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
.
Commercial success
By 1976, Lew LewisLew Lewis
Lew Lewis is a "Little Walter-influenced" harmonica player and vocalist who was a member of Eddie and the Hot Rods before forming his own bands, and guesting on albums by The Stranglers, The Clash and others.-Career:...
(harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
) and Paul Gray
Paul Gray (musician)
Paul Gray was the second, most well known bassist for the Southend-on-Sea teen rockers Eddie and the Hot Rods, scoring several hit singles and albums in the late 1970s, including "Do Anything You Wanna Do". In early 1980, he was recruited to join the punk rock band The Damned to replace Algy Ward...
(bass) had replaced Wall and Steel. Lewis's tenure in the group lasted for the release of their first two singles before he too left. With this new line-up, the Hot Rods played a set at London's famous Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
– their opening act was a young band named Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
playing their first London gig, which descended into chaos with the Pistols smashing the Hot Rods' gear; During a residency at the club in the summer of 1976 they duelled for alternate weeks with AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
, to see who could cram more bodies into the Marquee during one of the hottest summers on record. They first appeared in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
the end of that year with the Live at the Marquee EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
and the single "Teenage Depression", an energetic rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
song.
After the release of the Teenage Depression album, which gave them their first appearance in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, they recorded another EP called Live – At the Sound Of Speed. During the gig from which this EP was recorded, Graeme Douglas (formerly of The Kursaal Flyers
The Kursaal Flyers
The Kursaal Flyers were a British pop and country music band, formed in Southend-on-Sea in 1973, who "bridged the gap between pub rock and power pop".-Original members:*Paul Shuttleworth , vocals...
) joined the band onstage and jammed along adding extra lead lines. Afterwards his membership of the band was made permanent, and they set about writing and recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
for their second album. The live recording of the Sound of Speed EP featured Douglas on only one track, he therefore set about recording additional lead guitar overdubs in the studio, though to keep in with the essence of a live release, he was only given one attempt at recording each song.
With the addition of Douglas, the band was moved in a more radio-friendly direction. Their biggest hit came with the Douglas/Hollis collaboration "Do Anything You Wanna Do" in the summer of 1977, under their shorter, snappier name, The Rods. This single made the British Top 10 (number 9 in August 1977) and also proved popular with the then predominant punk audience, as did that year's album Life on the Line. Still in 1977, the Hot Rods toured the United States with the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
and Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
. In late 1977 they released a one-off collaboration with MC5
MC5
The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
singer Rob Tyner as 'Rob Tyner & the Hot Rods'. When it came to recording a follow-up album, the band tried to recapture the success of "Do Anything You Wanna Do", but to no avail. The album, Life on the Line, hit further problems with CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
still having contractual claim over Douglas, leading to his picture being removed from the LP sleeve for some releases. They found themselves dropped by Island in 1979, and in May that year were rumoured to be on the verge of splitting, with Gray touring with The Members
The Members
The Members are a British punk band that originated in Camberley, England. Their best known recording is "The Sound of the Suburbs" .-Career:...
and Masters and Nicol playing in the band Plus Support. They signed to EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
in August 1979, releasing a further album, Fish'n'Chips, but disbanded in 1981.
Reformations
At this point, Gray and Douglas had already left the band, the former joining The Damned. Masters teamed up with The InmatesThe Inmates
The Inmates are a British garage rock/pub rock band, formed after the split up of The Flying Tigers in 1977. In the early 1980s, they had a medium sized international hit with a cover of The Standells' "Dirty Water", and a UK Top 40 hit with "The Walk"...
. Ed Hollis went on to work with some of the best known acts of the punk era including The Damned, Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, and Stiff Little Fingers
Stiff Little Fingers
Stiff Little Fingers are a punk rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They formed in 1977, at the height of the Troubles. They started out as a schoolboy band called Highway Star , doing rock covers, until they discovered punk. They split up after six years and four albums, although they...
. Nicol joined One the Juggler.
Masters and Nicol re-formed the Hot Rods in 1984, along with new members Warren Kennedy (guitar) and Tony Cranney (bass). This line-up recorded the single "Fought for You" and the live mini-LP
Mini-LP
A Mini-LP or Mini-album is a short album, usually retailing at a lower price than an album that would be considered "full-length".-History:...
One Story Town, before the band split again in 1985. Tex Axile, who had briefly been a member in this era, went on to join Transvision Vamp
Transvision Vamp
Transvision Vamp were a British alternative rock group. Formed in 1986 by Nick Christian Sayer and Wendy James the band enjoyed chart success in the late 1980s...
.
In 1992 the 'classic' line-up (Masters, Nichol, Higgs, and Gray) re-grouped for a European tour. Higgs left after the tour, but the band carried on with Steve Walwyn of Dr. Feelgood
Dr. Feelgood (band)
Dr. Feelgood are a British pub rock band formed in 1971. The band's name derives from a slang term for heroin or for a doctor who is willing to overprescribe drugs. It is also a reference to a 1962 record by the American blues pianist and singer Willie Perryman called "Dr Feel-Good", which...
replacing him. Another Feelgood member, Gordon Russell was briefly a member, soon replaced by Mick Rodgers, a former member of Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann.-Formation:Having started in the 1960s with a British band that had such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn", then moving on to Jazz Fusion with Manfred Mann's Chapter Three, Manfred's third...
. In 1994 they recorded the album Gasoline Days, released in 1996 by Japanese label Creative Man. Several line-up changes followed, with members including Madman Keyo and Jess Phillips. In 2005, a Masters-led outfit recorded Better Late than Never in preparation for a 30th anniversary tour. The band is currently enjoying renewed popularity throughout Europe with regular tour dates, and has also performed in the US for the first time in 25 years.
Musical style
The band's early repertoire consisted coversCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of 1960s R&B songs and original songs inspired by the likes of Dr. Feelgood. Known for their energy on stage, they attracted a younger audience than many pub rock bands. They were initially lumped in with the punk rock bands of the era, and Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer
John Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...
stated that when he read about the band in a listings magazine it was the first time he had seen the word 'punk' used to describe a band. Their 1977 tour of the US with the Ramones and Talking Heads was billed as a punk rock tour, and their 1977 concert in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
was billed as "Windsor's First Punk Rock Concert". They were overtaken by punk rock bands, however, and were soon considered to be outside the genre.
Studio albums
- Teenage DepressionTeenage DepressionTeenage Depression Is the first studio album released by Pub Rock band Eddie and the Hot Rods. It is mixed by Jonz:A and R Howard Thomson and produced by Ed Hollis and Vic Maile. The album contains three cover songs, The Who's "The Kids Are Alright," Joe Tex's "Show Me" and Sam Cooke's "Shake"...
(1976), Island – UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#43 - Life on the LineLife on the LineLife on the Line is the second studio album released by pub rock band Eddie and the Hot Rods. It is mixed by Ed Hollis and Steve Nicol, produced by Ed Hollis and engineered by Steve Lillywhite...
(1977), Island – UK #27 - ThrillerThriller (Eddie and the Hot Rods album)Thriller is the third studio album released by Pub Rock band Eddie and the Hot Rods. It is produced by Peter Ker. The album builds on the sound they have established in the previous studio album Life on the Line. Shortly after the 1979 release of Thriller, the band were sacked by their record...
(1979), Island – UK #50 - Fish 'N' ChipsFish 'N' ChipsFish 'N' Chips is the Forth studio album released by Pub Rock band Eddie and the Hot Rods. It is produced and mixed by Al Kooper, Engineered by Bob Edwards and assistant Stuart Henderson and mastered by Mike Reese...
(1981), EMI - Gasoline Days (1992), Creative Man
- Better Late than NeverBetter Late Than NeverBetter Late Than Never is the debut full-length album by the ska/reggae band The Slackers, originally released in 1996 on Moon Ska Records...
(2005), Voiceprint - Been There, Done That... (2006), Voiceprint
- 35 Years Of Teenage Depression (2011)
Live albums
- One Story Town (1985), Waterfront
- BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1994), Windsong
- Live at the Paradiso (1998), Pub
- Get Your Rocks Off (2002), Jungle
Compilations and sessions
- Rods (1977) Promo (Live & Out-takes)
- Curse Of The Hot Rods aka 1979 Freerange Studio – Covent Garden sessions (1992), Street Link
- Live and Rare (1993), Receiver
- Ties that Bind (1994), Dojo
- The End of the Beginning – the Best of Eddie & the Hot Rods (1994), Island
- Get Your Balls Off (1996), Skydog
- Doing Anything They Wanna Do... (1996), Anagram
- Do Anything You Wanna Do (2000), Spectrum
- The Singles Collection (2009), Captain Oi!
Singles
| A-side | B-side(s) | Year | Label | Cat. No. | UK Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Writing on the Wall" | "Cruisin' (in the Lincoln)" | 1976 | Island | WIP 6270 | – | |
| "Wooly Bully" | "Horseplay (Weary of the Schmatlz)" | 1976 | Island | WIP 6306 | – | |
| "Teenage Depression" | "Shake" | 1976 | Island | WIP 6354 | 35 | |
| "I Might be Lying" | "Ignore Them" | 1977 | Island | WIP 6388 | 44 | |
| "Do Anything You Wanna Do" | "Schoolgirl Love" | 1977 | Island | WIP 6401/ 12WIP 6401 |
9 | credited to The Rods |
| "'Til the Night Is Gone (Let's Rock)" |
"Flipside Rock" | 1977 | Island | WIP 6418 | – | Rob Tyner & the Hot Rods |
| "Quit This Town" | "Distortion May Be Expected" | 1978 | Island | WIP 6411 | 36 | |
| "Life on the Line" | "Do Anything You Wanna Do" (live) "(I Don't Know) What's Really Going On" (live) "Why Can't It Be" (live) |
1978 | Island | WIP 6438/ 12WIP 6438 |
– | Last 2 tracks on 12-inch only |
| "Media Messiahs" | "Horror Through the Straightness" | 1978 | Island | WIP 6464 | – | |
| "Power and the Glory" | "Highlands One, Hopefuls Two" | 1979 | Island | WIP 6474 | – | |
| "At Night" | "You Better Run" "Looking Around" |
1980 | EMI | EMI 5052 | – | |
| "Wide Eyed Kids" | "Leave Us Alone" | 1980 | EMI | EMI 5110 | – | |
| "Farther on Down the Road (You Will Accompany Me)" |
"Fish 'n' Chips" | 1981 | EMI | EMI 5160 | – | |
| "Fought for You" | "Hey Tonight" | 1985 | Waterfront | WFS9 | – |
EPs
- Live at the Marquee EP (1976), Island, IEP 2 – UK #43
-
- "96 Tears96 Tears"96 Tears" is a popular song recorded by ? in 1966. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and on the RPM 100 in Canada and is ranked #210 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.-History:...
" - "Get Out of Denver"
- "Medley: Gloria – Satisfaction(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" Satisfaction" is a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in 1965. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and produced by Andrew Loog Oldham. Richards's throwaway three-note guitar riff — intended to be replaced by horns — opens and drives the song...
"
- "96 Tears
- At the Sound of Speed EP (1977), Island, IEP 5
-
- "Hard Drivin' Man"
- "Horseplay"
- "Double Checkin' Woman"
- "All I Need is Money"
- "On The Run" (on 12-inch version only)
DVDs
- Do Anything You Wanna Do (1996), Cherry RedCherry RedCherry Red is a London-based independent record label formed in 1978.-History:Cherry Red grew from the rock promotion company founded in 1971 to promote rock concerts at the Malvern Winter Gardens...
- Live 2005 (2006), Plastic Head
- Introspective (2009), Voiceprint
Further reading
- Crancher, Steve (2008) Eddie and the Hot Rods: Do Anything You Wanna Do, Desert Island Books, ISBN 978-1905328406