Telephone Girl

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Telephone Girl" by Eddie & The Hot Rods from their 1977 album Life On The Line, firing up the Zoo Freaks in the audience. This track, a high-energy pub rock anthem, captures the band's raw, rebellious spirit. According to fan discussions on sites like Rate Your Music, "Telephone Girl" stands out for its blistering guitar breaks, with some noting its nostalgic vibe, sounding just a chord away from The Rolling Stones' "Hip Shake." The song’s driving rhythm and catchy hooks made it a favorite among fans who saw the band as bridging pub rock and punk, with one reviewer calling it a track that delivers "great rocking vibes" even decades later.

While specific interviews or social media posts about "Telephone Girl" are scarce, the album Life On The Line itself has been praised for its energy and influence. A 2007 Amazon review griped about a CD pressing issue but still raved about the song’s raw power, calling it part of a "masterful job" by the band. On Punk77, a fan site dedicated to the era, the album’s tracks, including "Telephone Girl," are described as having a "latent Texan BOOOOGIE!" backbeat, hinting at influences like ZZ Top. The song’s place on the album, alongside hits like "Do Anything You Wanna Do," helped cement its role as a staple of the band’s live sets, where their connection with audiences shone through.

Eddie & The Hot Rods kicked off in 1975 in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England, diving into the pub rock scene with a fierce, no-frills sound. Formed by guitarist Dave Higgs, who’d previously played with Lee Brilleaux in the Fix, the band included drummer Steve Nicol, bassist Rob Steele, and charismatic frontman Barrie Masters. They rehearsed in Nicol’s garage in Rochford, Essex, initially under the name The Hot Rods, with a dummy named "Eddie" as a quirky stage prop—later dropped when the gag wore thin. Higgs’ experience helped them gel, landing gigs on London’s pub circuit by 1975. Managed by Ed Hollis, brother of Talk Talk’s Mark Hollis, they signed with Island Records and leaned into a sound influenced by The Who, The Kinks, and Chicago blues, setting them apart from the punk explosion they helped inspire.

The band’s early days were chaotic and legendary. A 1976 gig at London’s Marquee Club, with the Sex Pistols as their opener, ended with the Pistols trashing their gear, earning a snarky NME review that ignored the headlining Hot Rods. In retaliation, the band claimed to have “sacked” the Pistols from a tour, a move NME called the price of “mixin(g) with real punks.” That same summer, they battled AC/DC to pack the Marquee during a scorching heatwave, proving their draw. Their 1976 EP Live at the Marquee and single "Teenage Depression" hit the UK charts, but it was the addition of guitarist Graeme Douglas in 1977 that pushed them toward a more radio-friendly sound, leading to their Top 10 hit "Do Anything You Wanna Do."

You can keep up with Eddie & The Hot Rods on their official Facebook page, where they share tour dates and memories, or follow them on Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots. Their X account posts updates on gigs and band news. Fans gather on sites like Punk77, which dives deep into their history, and the Eddie and The Hot Rods Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and vinyl finds. Despite lineup changes and Masters’ passing in 2019, the band, now led by bassist Ian ‘Dipster’ Dean, keeps rocking, with their latest album Guardians of the Legacy released in 2023.