The Rods - Wild Dogs

The Rods – Wild Dogs

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With the blistering opening pair ‘Too Hot To Stop’ and ‘Waiting For Tomorrow’, you can’t help feel that The Rods and the term ‘gonzo’ were a match made in heaven.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: The Rods
ALBUM: Wild Dogs
LABEL: Arista
SERIAL: AI-9601
YEAR: 1982
CD REISSUE: 1997, High Vaultage (Germany), HV-1016 * 2010, Lemon (UK), CD LEM DD151
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

LINEUP: Dave Feinstein – vocals, guitars * Carl Canedy – vocals, drums * Gary Bordonaro – bass, backing vocals

TRACK LISTING: 01 Too Hot To Stop * 02 Waiting For Tomorrow * 03 Violation * 04 Burned By Love * 05 Wild Dogs * 06 You Keep Me Hangin’ On * 07 Rockin’ n’ Rollin’ Again * 08 End Of The Line * 09 No Sweet Talk Honey * 10 The Night Lives To Rock

WEBLINKS: Site Link

Background

Tell me who wasn’t impressed by that debut Rods album from 1981? A classy slice of early 80’s metal exhibited with a bit of manic energy from lead guitarist Dave ‘Rock’ Feinstein. The band were all over the press in the UK, and followed this up with their second album ‘Wild Dogs’. I’m not quite sure what the thinking was when Sounds Magazine reviewed it and gave it the thumbs down.

I still have a copy of that review somewhere, and it was rather unflattering. However, many people I’ve spoken to since consider ‘Wild Dogs’ to be great album, and I will admit to enjoying it as much as ‘The Rods’ LP. The Sounds review in my opinion was well wide of the mark, though I am also aware that the band themselves weren’t too happy with the final output of this album when compared to the debut. Despite that, it still has its moments.

The Songs

Sure it’s gonzo metal of the best kind, and when compared to the likes of early Motorhead, Ted Nugent, Kiss, Anvil and Twisted Sister, The Rods are a snug fit within that sub-genre of heavy metal. With blistering tracks such as the opening pair ‘Too Hot To Stop’ and ‘Waiting For Tomorrow’, you can’t help feel that The Rods and the term ‘gonzo’ were a match made in heaven.

The chant-a-long ‘Violation’ is a headbangers anthem, while the band replicate Kiss with ease on ‘Burned By Love’. I wonder if Mr $immons was having discussions with his lawyer? The title track ‘Wild Dogs’ may not be as rabid as the album cover, but the Y&T flavoured rock strikes a chord with me. ‘Rockin’ N Rollin’ Again’ harks back to the debut album era, another anthem based track guaranteed to tip the audiences upside down in concert.

The track that will have people scratching their heads is a cover of the 1966 Supremes hit ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’. Interestingly, The Rods aren’t the first rock/metal band to cover this, I recall Vanilla Fudge performing this too. Bringing things back to relevance, ‘End Of The Line’ is a slower moodier track but normal transmission is resumed with the fantastic ‘No Sweet Talk, Honey’ which could be an out-take from the debut album. The closer ‘The Night Lives To Rock’ helps The Rods gallop off into the evening dark with fists clenched in triumph.

In Summary

As mentioned in our debut album review, The Rods came over to the UK as a support for Iron Maiden, and depending who you talk to, ended up blowing the Irons off the stage. However the Irons would have the last laugh with their success guaranteed for the next thirty odd years, unlike The Rods who had to survive on indie-based releases all through the 80’s. Success, or lack of it, can be so unfair at times.

‘Wild Dogs’ has seen two CD reissues in recent times, the German High Vaultage release from 1997 contains five live bonus tracks including ‘Power Lover’ off the debut, while the 2010 Lemon reissue contains liner notes from Malcolm Dome plus three live tracks and ‘Wings Of Fire’, which appeared previously on the Shrapnel compilation ‘U.S Metal II’ also from 1982.

Video

Entire Album (Select Tracks)

Playlist: The Rods ''Wild Dogs'' 1982
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