Started out in 1975 as a rhythm & blues/pub rock outfit - and later on transformed into 'new wave rock' (or whatever). Some journalists handily labelled them as 'punk rock'. Hardly the correct label.

Originally boasted ace blues harpist Lew Lewis who played on the groups first two singles (1976) and then was booted out as being 'too wild' or perhaps wrong for the manager's view of the Hot Rod image. So out went most of the blues.

Links:
Eddie & The Hot Rods: an excellent Official Web Site