In 1972, Hodder accepted an invitation from Katz and Boston guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter to relocate to Los Angeles and join Steely Dan, a new group built around songwriters Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
[4] He sang "Dallas", the A-side of the initial Steely Dan single, and "Midnite Cruiser" from the debut album, Can't Buy a Thrill.
With session musician Jim Gordon and future Toto member Jeff Porcaro drumming, Hodder's role was relegated to backup vocals.
[1] Both he and Baxter left the group after the tour, as Becker and Fagen reduced band activity to studio sessions with guest musicians.
[1] Hodder continued working as a session drummer, playing on tracks on the 1976 albums Nine on a Ten Scale by Sammy Hagar[7] and Sibling Rivalry by The Rowans.