The Rods

The Rods

The Rods are an American hard rock and heavy metal group from Cortland, in the United States. They form in 1980 and remain active.

Line-up and origins

The band begins as a trio with David “Rock” Feinstein on guitar and vocals, Steven Starmer on bass and vocals, and Carl Canedy on drums and vocals. After the first album, Starmer leaves and Garry Bordonaro takes his place. The group later includes Rick Caudle, and the listed members associated with the band also include Shmoulik Avigal and Andrew “Duck” MacDonald.

Feinstein has previously gained attention as a member of Elf, where he plays alongside his cousin Ronnie James Dio. The Rods develop a heavier, more traditional metal sound than Elf’s boogie-rock style.

Early releases

Their debut album first appears independently as Rock Hard in 1980. After the band signs to Arista Records the following year, the label reorders the track list and reissues it as The Rods. The group then releases Wild Dogs in 1982, which is re-released in 2004, followed by In the Raw in 1983.

In 1981, they also issue the EP Full Throttle. Their live album The Rods Live appears in 1983.

Mid-1980s work and break-up

In 1984, Canedy and Bordonaro contribute to Jack Starr’s Out of the Darkness with Rhett Forrester and Gary Driscoll. Later that year, The Rods release Let Them Eat Metal and record The Rods Live.

The band follows with Heavier Than Thou in 1986. Another 1986 release, Hollywood, is credited to Canedy, Feinstein, Bordonaro and Caudle, with Rick Caudle on lead vocals and Feinstein playing only guitar. The group then disbands after the poor sales of its final two releases.

Carl Canedy as producer

Canedy also builds a career as a producer. His credits include Anthrax’s Armed and Dangerous and Spreading the Disease, Exciter’s Violence & Force, Overkill’s Feel the Fire, Possessed’s Beyond the Gates, and Roxx Gang’s Love 'Em and Leave 'Em.

Reunion and later albums

The Rods reunite in 2008 with Feinstein, Bordonaro and Canedy, and perform at Metal Rock Fest in Lillehammer, Norway. They release Vengeance in 2011, The Brotherhood of Metal in 2019, and Rattle the Cage in 2024.