EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS, with REPTILEHAuSE.
Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Friday 27th July 2012.
Review by Martin Stapleton.
It did seem as if EDDIE ANDTHE HOT RODS' 2012 Esquires visit was jinxed with misfortune. They were originally booked to play back in June, but I believe this was cancelled due to a clash with a rather important England footy match. Tonight is, of course, the opening ceremony for the b****y Olympics!! People are around (there is a blues band playing in the bar downstairs), but unfortunately not enough upstairs to give the magical evening that this band thoroughly deserve. Frontman Barrie Masters is the only original member, but in essence he has always been the heart and soul of 'The Rods' - a true talisman.
It was back in the mid seventies when Eddie And The Hot Rods formed. Straight outta Southend-on-sea, I always felt that they were the poorer cousins in comparison with near neighbours Dr Feelgood. However, the band certainly had their moments and are a truly dynamic live act (thanks to Mr Masters they still are after 37 years service except for the odd split!). It's fair to say that this band occupy the middle ground when pub rock turned into punk rock. They have a healthy dose of both, respected by both.
This reviewer's age has a lot to do with it. As an impressionable teenager it was exciting to see the late, great DJ Jimmy Saville introduce them on TOTP with a performance of "Get out of Denver" back in the fall of 1978. Sadly they don't play it live tonight, but we are treated to "Gloria", which came off the same "Live at The Marquee" 'EP. All eyes seem to be fixated on Barrie. His stage movement brilliantly combines showmanship with chutzpah, all encased with boundless and reckless energy. He brazenly swigs out of a bottle of Bud. Originally resplendent in a loud jacket, he quickly discards it after ten minutes. Thin, wiry but exceedingly agile, his face bears the well worn creases of a man reaching his well deserved bus pass and heating allowance. However, a lush rock'n'roll hairstyle is still very prevalent.
Most people's favourite song (I know it's mine) "Do anything you wanna do" arrives quite early on. It's the composition that cemented their reputation and still frequently crops up on the radio. The crowd know and are only too pleased to reciprocate the enjoyment of the band. Hands in the air and a united singalong. All together now "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". Why, it could be late summer 1977 all over again. As the set develops, more people do enter the room but I still feel really annoyed, dismayed and disappointed that only a handful of local people could be bothered to walk up the stairs and witness a real musical legend still up there doing the business. Why, one attendee travelled all the way from America for this gig. Shame on you Bedford.
There's a snappy professional way that this five piece go about their work. Songs flow instantly such as "All I need is money", "Ignore them" and "The power and the glory". Needless to say, "Teenage depression" is greeted with applause and rightly so. Covers were (and are) an integral part of The Rods' repertoire, both live and recorded. This is where "The kids are alright" fits in, plus the aforementioned "Gloria" which brings the evening to a close. An encore sees Barrie at his cheeky best! The band arrive back on stage at the natural bequest of the crowd but hey, the frontman is not sure. He quips "I've made an executive decision - see you next time!". Barrie is only joking of course. They play "Wooly Bully" and a smashing version of Steppenwolf's "Born to be wild" before Eddie And The Hotrods take a well deserved bow.
Opening the show and also returning to Esquires after a lengthy gap are REPTILEHaUSE. The trio offer a lively punk brew. Guitarist and vocalist Kip is better known for his stint in The Vibrators. It was 1980 and he spent that year as their vocalist. His composition "Disco in Moscow" is subsequently featured, not once but twice! The latter is specifically "for the people who arrived late". A lack of people for their set is handled with humour including "spread out a bit" (to the ten spectators) and "I believe they call this intimate"! Despite the lack of human atmosphere, the REPTILEHaUSE set cannot be faulted, especially with the excellent "Madness calling". At least somebody came to see them play!
Review by Martin Stapleton www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk