Molly Hatchet

Molly Hatchet

Molly Hatchet is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 1971 by guitarist Dave Hlubek. It is associated with southern rock, and its sound also spans boogie rock, classic rock, hard rock and blues rock. The band remains active.

Early line-up and breakthrough

After a series of personnel changes in its early years, the group settles in 1976 into its classic line-up: Danny Joe Brown on vocals, Hlubek, Steve Holland and Duane Roland on guitars, Banner Thomas on bass and Bruce Crump on drums. The three-guitar line-up becomes one of the band’s defining features. After building a following on the Florida club circuit, the group signs to Epic Records in 1977.

The self-titled debut album arrives in 1978 and is produced by Tom Werman. It includes a cover of the Allman Brothers Band song “Dreams”, retitled “Dreams I’ll Never See”, and establishes the band within southern rock. Flirtin’ with Disaster follows in 1979 and brings greater commercial success, with the title track and “Whiskey Man” among its best-known songs. The band tours extensively with major rock acts during this period.

1980s albums and personnel changes

In 1980, Brown leaves because of health issues and internal disagreements and is replaced by Jimmy Farrar. With Farrar, the band’s music shifts further towards hard rock on Beatin’ the Odds and Take No Prisoners. Banner Thomas leaves in 1981 and is replaced by Riff West, while Bruce Crump is succeeded by B.B. Borden. Brown returns in 1982, and the reunited line-up releases No Guts...No Glory in 1983.

John Galvin joins in 1984, the same year as The Deed Is Done, which moves towards a more mainstream rock sound. After the live album Double Trouble Live in 1985, the band ends its association with Epic Records. Hlubek leaves in 1987 and Bobby Ingram joins the band that year. The group’s only album for Capitol Records, Lightning Strikes Twice in 1989, includes the rock radio track “There Goes the Neighborhood”.

1990s and later activity

The band announces its dissolution in 1990, then reforms later that year under a revised line-up led by Danny Joe Brown and Bobby Ingram. Line-up changes continue through the 1990s. Devil’s Canyon appears in 1996, followed by Silent Reign of Heroes in 1998 and Kingdom of XII in 2000. By June 2000, Ingram owns the Molly Hatchet trademark outright.

Tim Lindsey rejoins in 2003, and Hlubek returns in 2005 after a long absence. The band releases Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge in 2005 and Justice in 2010, along with other live and cover albums, while continuing to tour in North America and Europe.

Recent line-up and legacy

Several former members die between the 2000s and 2020, including Danny Joe Brown, Duane Roland, Riff West, Bruce Crump, Dave Hlubek, Banner Thomas, Jimmy Farrar, Phil McCormack and Steve Holland. Following Hlubek’s death in 2017, Molly Hatchet continues under Bobby Ingram’s leadership. Phil McCormack is replaced for live work by Jimmy Elkins, who later becomes the official singer in 2019; after Elkins is sidelined following an accident, Parker Lee takes over lead vocals in 2023. The current line-up includes Bobby Ingram, John Galvin, Tim Lindsey, Parker Lee and drummer Garrett Ramsden.

In 2023 the band releases “Firing Line”, its first new song in thirteen years, and announces work on a new studio album. Over its career, Molly Hatchet has charted singles including “Flirtin’ with Disaster”, “The Rambler”, “Bloody Reunion” and “Satisfied Man”.