The band quickly established themselves on the scene and a sizeable following soon built up. Despite having contemporaries like Brinsley Schwartz and Dr. Feelgood Eddie and The Hot Rods had a tougher and faster sound which set them apart from other bands on the circuit and this stance would also stand them in good stead when in 1976 "Pub Rock" metamorphosed into "Punk Rock" although it was quite obvious that thee band weren't punks they were accepted by the punk movement where others failed.

The bands first brush with success was the EP Live At The Marquee and the single Teenage Depression both of which made the top forty singles charts.

The bands first album also titled Teenage Depression cemented their tough fast rocking attitude and sold well. In 1977 former Kursaal Flyers guitarist Graeme Douglas joined the band and they shortened their name to the Rods. The single Do Anything You Wanna Do was a top ten singles success in the summer of that year and the album from whence it came Life On The Line also sold well. Further albums saw smaller returns however and the band split in 1981 following the release of the album Fish n Chips.

The classic line up of the band Barrie Masters, Steve Nichol, Dave Higgs, and Paul Gray reformed for a hugely succesful European tour and a subsequent album was released in Japan and the UK.

In 2005 the band now led by Barrie Masters who is the only remaining founder member have recorded their latest album Better Late Than Never. The album contains new material specifically recorded for this album and is the first new album form the band in a number of years. The album will also include two bonus tracks recorded live in 2001 including the R 'n' B classic Woolly Bully.

2005 sees the thirtieth anniversary of Eddie and The Hot Rods who will also be embarking on an extensive tour in support of Better Late Than Never.