Eddie & The Hot Rods - Teenage Depression

Where pub rock met punk, this time in digipak

Were Canvey Islanders Eddie & The Hot Rods pub rockers with a youthful and rebellious edge who, bridged the gap between that scene and the emerging punk explosion? Or were they merely bandwagon-jumping chancers? Opinions constantly change, and the jury has been out since Teenage Depression was originally released in 1976. Their pro-punk case is a pretty strong one: they had the Sex Pistols support them at the Marquee Club (though they fell out pretty swiftly), appeared on the cover of punk bible Sniffin’ Glue and even, accidentally (unless you believe the Stiff conspiracy theories), had their photo on early pressings of The Damned’s debut album.

Listening to the Rods’ debut album today doesn’t make the picture much clearer. Musically, the pub rock/R&B element is dominant. It’s only really lyrics on songs such as the title track and a prevailing feistiness of spirit that give the album punk points. Still, given the timing of its December 1976 release, that must surely have been enough to make Teenage Depression, along with the preceding singles and Live At The Marquee EP (all included here as bonus tracks) a major influence.

Captain Oi! | AHOY DPX 132

Reviewed by Shane Baldwin
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