Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

EDDIE & THE HOT RODS

UK band formed in Southend mid-'70s, a link between pub rock and punk. Lineup: Barrie Masters, vocals; Dave Higgs, guitar; Paul Gray, bass; Steve Nicol, drums. Followed Dr Feelgood out of "Canvey Delta' of Southend, playing loud, fast, aggressive music, at first augmented by harmonica player Lew Lewis, whose departure after playing on first single "Writing On The Wall' and B-side of second was due to group's re-orientation towards punk: they were not genuine punks but delighted to be adopted, and even got a good review in punk bible Sniffin' Glue. Early material was mostly covers: second single was Sam The Sham's "Wooly Bully'; EP Live At The Marquee incl. ? And The Mysterians' "96 Tears', Jim Morrison's "Gloria', Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction'. Latter made no. 43 UK followed by "Teenage Depression' at no. 35, both '76; by then Higgs and manager/lyricist Ed Hollis were writing most material, cf. LP Teenage Depression '76. Graeme Douglas from fellow Southenders Kursaal Flyers added on lead guitar '77; they backed MC5 singer Rob Tyner on "Til The Night Is Gone'; made no. 9 themselves with amphetamined rocker "Do Anything You Wanna Do', striking a suitable rebellious stance in heyday of Sex Pistols. That was their peak: "Quit This Town' made only no. 36; second live EP Live At The Sound Of Speed followed by LP Life On The Line '77, their only top 30 album; Thriller '79, Fish'n'Chips (on EMI) failed to do as well: the latter was prod. by Al Kooper, but Douglas had left, with much of their verve. Masters (whose energetic stage act was unrivalled in acrobatic content) disbanded, sang with Inmates; Gray joined Damned, then UFO; Masters re-formed group with new members, sounding much like Lee Brilleaux and Feelgoods, their original inspiration: made live LP One Story Town '85 for local Waterfront label.