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 the 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 worthwhile album Fish n Chips.

The classic line up of the band Barrie Masters, Steve Nicol, Dave Higgs, and Paul Gray reformed for a hugely successful 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) has recorded their latest album Better Late Than Never.

2005 also saw the filming of a new live DVD at the London Astoria in order to capitalise on the interest shown in the current line up of this legendary band and also celebrate the bands thirtieth anniversary. The set list includes the classic tracks Teenage Depression, Quit This Town and the top ten hit Do Anything You Wanna Do. The band also features an exciting take on Van Morrison’s Gloria.

The DVD is the first DVD from the current line up and is sure to benefit from the heightened awareness of the band who have consolidated their live reputation in the last twelve months in celebration of their thirtieth anniversary.