Album review : EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS – Teenage Depression & Life On The Line (2CD set)

January 15th, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 23.01.26]

So much crammed into these “two CD” reissues from punk/ new wave/ R’n’B legends Eddie and The Hot Rods’. So much history here. Of the band, of the nascent sound of Punk.

Of the talent that flowed through the various line-ups. The ones who stayed, the ones who moved on. And they are many. They need a Wikipedia page on their own.

And you have to say, Cherry Red’s completist approach has allowed for two comprehensive CD reissues that almost sink under the weight of the bonus tracks, 12 on each disc.

The Canvey Island band has its own little world, its own little history.
Once they had settled on the Barrie Masters, Paul Gray, Steve Nicol and Dave Higgs lineup, the opportunity to record their debut album came quickly.

Residencies in London’s Kensington and then The Nashville in 1975 led to the band being signed by Island Records.
Teenage Depression (1976) was released the following year, rocketing up the UK charts before stalling at the No. 43 spot. The single version made it to the Top Forty.
Two EPs were released in the same year, almost in parallel. The second, Live At The Marquee, also broke the UK Top 50.

Both EPs illustrate the huge leap in style taken by the band at that time. From covers of the Stones, Them, Sam The Sham and Question Mark and The Mysterians (all featured here as CD1 bonuses) to their own febrile mix of pub rock, punk, garage, and rhythm’n’blues.

The follow up album, Life Life On The Line (1976) was the one.
The NME were already listing the band ahead of Graham Parker, Heart, Lone Star and the Sex Pistols in their “Most Promising Emergent Act” Top Ten, and so their future was bright. They were already wearing shades.

Graeme Douglas, ex Kursaal Flyers had joined the band. He wrote two songs, the second was ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’, one of three singles released. The others broke the Top Forty, but ‘Do Anything…’ zoomed into the Top Ten.

They were on bills with the Sex Pistols. Their live act – now distilled to hi speed garage r’n’b – was gaining huge audience support and participation. Feted by the music media, the present was turning out to be just as bright as promised.

CD2 includes the album plus 12 bonus tracks…live versions, alt edits and extended cuts.

Record Collector scribe, George Rab has contributed entertaining liner notes. And for further raw facts, lookout online for Tales From a Former Fanzine Journalist (Devorah Ostrov). Great interview with Barrie Masters ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

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