They are often considered as one of the many punk rock bands that sprang from that city in the mid-Seventies, but in fact saw themselves as more influenced by groups like The Who and The Kinks, and other pub rock acts such as Dr Feelgood or Graham Parker & the Rumour. Their brand of energetic R&B was over-trumped massively by the punk explosion, and they withered away. The repertoire consisted of Chicago Blues or Soul covers, plus tunes in a similar vein written by the band's guitarist Dave Higgs.
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, and the band were signed to Island Records.
By 1976, Lew Lewis (harmonica) and Paul Gray 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. 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'n'roll song.
After the release of the Teenage Depression LP, 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 Americas. When it came to recording a follow-up album, Thriller, the band tried hard to recapture the success of "Do Anything You Wanna Do", but to no avail. They found themselves sacked by their record company in 1979, and after Fish'n'Chips, another misguided effort for EMI, the Hot Rods disbanded in 1981.
At this point, Gray and Douglas had already left the band, the former joining The Damned. Masters teamed up with The Inmates. 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.
In 1985 the band reform with Masters and Nichol joined by Warren Kennedy (guitar) and Russ Strutter (bass)and release a single and live mini-album, but after a couple of years this version of the band fizzles out.
In early 1991 the 'classic' line-up (Masters, Nichol, Higgs, Douglas, and Gray) regrouped to play some live dates, by the mid 90s Masters, Gray and Nichol are joined by Manfred Mann guitarist Mick Rodgers to record the album Gasoline Days; plus 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 is also performing in the U.S. after a 25 year sabbatical.
At Night
Eddie & The Hot Rods Lyrics
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And go beyond the outer depths
And stranger things have happened since you've been here
It's been so long since I've seen your face
Or even been to this place
This town was cool for one night
Early July
And I don't think that I can ever remember one time
That this place felt quite like home
And I've lived my life with no regrets
Regardless of circumstance or chance I'd have to take
And stranger things have happened since you've been here
It's been so long since I've seen your face
Or even been to this place
This town was cool for one night
Early July
Childhood friends have all grown up
And I don't think that I can ever remember one time
That this place felt quite like home
This town was cool for one night
Early July
Childhood friends have all grown up
And I don't think that I can ever remember one time
That this place felt quite like home
The lyrics to Eddie & The Hot Rods' song "At Night" convey feelings of nostalgia, regret, and a sense of displacement. The singer seems to look back on their past experiences and reminisce about a time when they felt more connected to their surroundings and the people around them. However, as time has passed, they feel disconnected and out of place. This is highlighted by the repetition of the lines "this town was cool for one night, Early July" which suggests that this place has lost its appeal for the singer.
The first verse alludes to the singer's sense of failure and remorse. They have set goals for themselves, but have broken them without intention. They have also gone beyond the outer depths, perhaps meaning they have taken risks, but it is not clear what these are. What is clear is that the singer feels that stranger things have happened since someone important to them has been absent from their life. This could suggest that the absence of this person has affected the singer in ways they didn't expect.
The second verse gives further insight into the singer's mindset. They claim to have lived their life with no regrets, but it is unclear if they truly believe that. They seem to have accepted the inevitability of circumstance and chance, suggesting a lack of control over their lives. However, the absence of this significant person still weighs heavily on the singer's mind. The repetition of the refrain "this town was cool for one night, Early July" reinforces the idea that the singer feels disconnected from their surroundings and the people around them.
Overall, the lyrics to "At Night" suggest a feeling of displacement and disconnection from one's surroundings, as well as a sense of remorse and nostalgia for the past. The singer seems to be searching for a sense of belonging, but is struggling to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
And I've made goals I've never meant to break them
I have set intentions that I didn't mean to abandon
And go beyond the outer depths
I have explored beyond my familiar boundaries
And stranger things have happened since you've been here
Unusual events have occurred while you were present
It's been so long since I've seen your face
It has been a significant period since I saw your countenance
Or even been to this place
I haven't visited this location at all
This town was cool for one night
This town was enjoyable for one evening
Early July
It was early in the month of July
Childhood friends have all grown up
My childhood companions have all matured
And I don't think that I can ever remember one time
I am unable to recollect a single instance
That this place felt quite like home
It seemed like a comfortable residing place
And I've lived my life with no regrets
I have no qualms about how I've lived
Regardless of circumstance or chance I'd have to take
Irrespective of the outcome, I had to take the risk
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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