Writing On The Wall/Cruisin' In The Lincoln (Island February 1976)

Howard Thompson (Island A&R man): Rehearsals were set up round the back behind Island’s canteen (and two songs were chosen to be the first single. Vic Maile got the producer’s hat, largely because he’d done such a good job with the Feelgoods and knew how to make a band sound great. Photos were taken, more gigs were booked, equipment was bought, hopes were high and Caroline Coon gave ‘Writing On The Wall’ a decent mention in her Melody Maker singles column. The record flopped. Looking back, I don’t think anybody in their right mind would have picked either of these songs for a B-side, let alone an ‘A’. I told you I had no idea what I was doing.

The single was recorded on Christmas Eve 1975

Wooly Bully/ Horseplay (Island June 1976)

After the failure of the first single Island supremo Chris Blackwell tried his hand at producing this cover of Sam and The Pharaohs number before passing on the duty to Roxy Music's Andy McKay. Again the single did nothing chart wise. More remembered for its controversial cover of a young man about to blow his brains out that was pilfered from a True Detective magazine and which would be used again for the 'Teenage Depression' album art. This was the last single featuring Lew Lewis as well.

96 Tears/Get Out Of Denver/Gloria/Satisfaction (Island August 1976)

In the long hot simmer of '76 the Rods and AC/DC were vying for who could break the house attendance records at the famous Marquee club in London. All covers but done in a way that captures the high paced adrenaline of the band and the hot steamy nights at the Marquee.

Boy! Here is yer real steamin’, sweaty, sweet, street-punkie Rock’n’Roll. This fast little platter is a gift to the hardcore pub following and...fans should see them soon before they lose their edge. Caroline Coon. MM 31.7.76

It reached no 43 which meant that with the boys relative success they were green lighted to go ahead and record an album.

Teenage Depression/Shake (Island October 1976)

While the Damned's single is acknowledged as being the first punk single you can't deny the attitude, balls and velocity of this fine single of teenage angst.

They are the first of the new-wave punk band to trail-blaze into the national chart and they are a fine measure of the storm brewing on the horizon. Everything about the single works – the explosive power, the convincing presence and the intense sound focused into sharp definition around the concept of ultra-fast, no-messing rock. Caroline Coon. Melody Maker 30.10.76

Teenage Depression

Well I'm spending all my money and its going up my nose
My Daddy's found me out and he's tearing up my clothes
My probation man says you know you ought to quit
I said now don't you hang me up now with none of that shit

I got the teenage depression that's what I'm talkin' bout
If you don't know what I mean then you better look out

Same thing every day, well I cant get out of bed
Too many questions are confusing up my head
I cant stand the thought of another day at school
But I know the weekends coming so I gotta keep my cool

I got the teenage depression that's what I'm talkin' bout
If you don't know what I mean then you better look out

It really makes me mad when they always ask me why
That I never comb my hair and I never wear a tie
School teacher bugging me it's the same old thing
Get out of my way I need another shot of gin

I Might Be Lying/Ignore Them (Island April 1977)

“This is their blandest release yet” Caroline Coon, MM, Apr 16

“’I Might Be Lying’ has the backing track that could almost be an out-take from the Stones’ ‘Exile On Main Street’, which can’t be bad” Steve Clarke, NME, Apr 23

“Not immediately likable but after a while - really enjoyable” Sniffin’ Glue, issue 9

Hard Drivin' Man/Horseplay/Double Checkin' Woman/All I Need Is Money (Island June 77)

The cover featured the first 4 or 5 rows of seats of the Rainbow following their demolition by Hot Rods fans. The music itself pretty run of the mill signifying more the change of band with the addition of Kursaaals guitarist Graeme Douglas and more rock style.

Another live E.P., not as good as the Marquee one. The Rods were good when there was nuthin else to listen to. Now they seem a bit lame. Sandy Robertson. Sounds 18.6.77

Do Anything You Wanna Do/ Schoolgate Love (Island July 77)

Single of the week across most of the music weeklies and rightly so. A 24 carat bona fide rock'n'roll classic that is sheer perfection and which hit the Top ten of the singles chart. More than that the b side ain't no slouch either!

Forerunners of the punk movement, they came too early to take full advantage of the current punk boom. I suspect that this record will reach the widest audience so far: slowed-down and tuneful enough to get pop air play, hard and fast enough for the street. Alan Lewis. Sounds 30.7.77

Single of the Week. Their best single so far, superior even to the Live Marquee EP recorded in the halcyon daze of last summer. Tony Parsons. NME 30.7.77

Do Anything You Wanna Do

I'm gonna break out of the city
Leave the people here behind
Searching for adventure
It's the kind of life to find
Tired of doing day jobs
With no thanks for what I do
I know I must be someone
Now I'm gonna find out who

Why don't you ask them what they expect from you ?
Why don't you tell them what you're gonna do
You get so lonely, maybe it's better that way
It ain't you only, you got something to say
Do anything you wanna do
Do anything you wanna do

I don't need no politicians to tell me things I shouldn't be
Neither no opticians to tell me what I oughta see
No-one tells you nothing even when you know they know
They tell you what you should be
They don't like to see you grow

Quit This Town/Distortion May Be Expected (Island December 1977)

How this wasn't a bigger hit I'll never know but it's the Hot Rods at their best with a taut rhythmic belter of a tune. Rightly single of the week across all the music weeklies. Disappointingly it stalled at number 36.

Single of the Week. They pulsate, vibrate, innovate, captivate. It never loses tempo or gets directionally confused. Nothing I would write could be as good as this is. Donna McAllister. Sounds, 12.12.77

Single of the Week. The melody and hook represent the team of Douglas and Hollis at their glossiest. Bob Edmands. NME 17.12.77

Till The Night Is Gone (Lets Rock)/Flipside Rock (Island December 76)

Legend or not MC5 singer Rob Tyner's songs backed up by our boys was not what rock 'n' roll dreams are made of. But hell what would you do if the great man came a calling and you had the chance to record with him?

Rob Tyner: Now I realise that it's not fashionable to dig the Rods...Being your basic rock and roller at heart, I really do dig the Rods. Maybe the dudes in plastic bags and fuchsia hair don't know, but the little girls understand...I've developed a real affection for [them] both musically and personally, and I believe that they have the best chance for America of all the bands I've seen here. NME 1.10.77

Life On The Line/Do Anything You Wanna Do (live) (Island March 78)

Ok so the Rods were midway through a three month UK tour in support of 'Life On The Line' album but was there really any mileage in releasing a third single from an album that though very good had yielded one hit and that some 9 months ago and a live version of it on the B side? Not surprisingly it sank without trace. That's not to say it's not a good song!

Single of the Week. Topside is the title track from the album and it would put any well-oiled carburettor too shame. Ian Birch. MM 18.3.78

Media Messiahs/Horror Through Straightness (Island January 1979)

Why oh why did Island reject the ban's choice of song 'Circles' and pick this? Having been away for over a year you have to question the wiseness of releasing a caustic comment on bands and journalists and a song though catchy falls under the weight of the heavy subject matter.

Catchy enough after a few plays with a production that wavers between Spector and ‘Rubber Soul.' Hugh Fielder. Sounds 20.1.79

A disappointing single that starts well but quickly loses its way, suggesting that the Rods have lost the touch that made ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’ a worthy hit. Jon Savage. Melody Maker 20.1.79

Power & The Glory/Highlands One Hopefuls Two (Island March 1979)

What is going on with the cover? Fuck me its atrocious! Which is a shame because the song is an absolute belter displaying all the best sides of the band with a world weary maturity.  

The Rods’ newie comes as something of a surprise so soon after ‘Media Messiah’ which, bad reviews and all, was a strong number. This, sadly, isn’t nearly as effective Giovanni Dadomo. Sounds 3.3.79

A much needed vitamin pill on their repertoire. Robin Smith. RM 3.3.79