Formed in 1980, in Cortland, New York by David “Rock” Feinstein (guitar & vocals), Steven Starmer (bass & vocals) and Carl Canedy (drums & vocals). Feinstein had originally come to the musical arena with his more famous cousin Ronnie James Dio in the rock band ELF.
The Rods’ debut album, ‘Rock Hard’, was released in 1980, retitled simply ‘The Rods’ the following year, and was swiftly followed by the ‘Full Throttle’ EP. Finding champions in the rock and metal press, especially UK’s Kerrang! magazine, they released the ‘Wild Dogs’ LP in 1982, their rising popularity making them the perfect opening act for Iron Maiden on their Beast On The Road UK tour.
