Stats
Biography
The band was first formed by Have Hlubek and Steve Holland and toured their local roadhouse and bar circuit until they caught their big break in 1975 when they signed with Epic Records. The signing resulted in a collaboration with producer, Tom Werman, who helped them establish the developing Southern Rock genre by combining boogie, blue and hard rock. By 1978 they recorded and released their debut album, “Molly Hatchet,” followed a mere year later by “Flirtin’ With Disaster.” The band followed each record with a tour, which really helped them gain a larger fan base.
With the addition of vocalist Jimmy Farrar in the early 80s, the band enjoyed a huge rise in popularity. In 1981 they took on a more straight rock style for the album “Take No Prisoners” and while their touring was remained a strong success, the album didn’t fare as well. After the release of their third album, and a series of lineup changes, the band released a pop/rock album entitled “The Deed Is Done” in 1984 followed by a double live album the next year. Despite the release of an album in 1989, however, the band announced retirement in 1990.
The retirement didn’t last long, as the band reunited in 1991 with a new lineup and a series of shows and tours. Band members came and went, and throughout the 90s not a single member of the original band prior to 1984 was part of the band, however, the band was still finding touring success. They released a new album in 2000 entitled “Kingdom of XII” and continue to tour as extensively as they can.
Live reviews
A band with a real Southern feel, Molly Hatchet will tug on your heart strings with their beautiful guitar riffs and musical arrangements. Where does their band name come from I hear you ask? An obscure fact that one may not have heard of, however, Dave Hlubek (the bands founder) got the name from a prostitute who allegedly mutilated and decapitated her clients...DELIGHTFUL!
However, this gruesome tale does not reflect their musical abilities. They have been around since 1975, and despite disbanding and changing members at many points due to various drug issues within the band, and even retiring at one stage, they came back in the early 2000's in full force touring and releasing music once again, building up a massive fan base in Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Belgium, Sweden and other markets in the Pacific rim and Australia.
Their latest album 'Regrinding the Axes' was released in 2012, and although they have not released a further album in the past two years, they are touring again. All tour dates can be found on their website: http://www.mollyhatchet.com/
Myself & 2 of my friends go to the Medina often. The Molly Hatchet show was phenomenal the vocals were spot on, & the guitars and bassist brought the southern Rokk to the forefront! It was the 6th time I've seen The Hatchet slashing out the heavy southern sound and the picks were burning up the strings rumbling the amps! And finally the drummer was kickin that bass with precision and the vocalist had us all cheering with great intensity.
An all-time classic Southern Rokk band, will be a Rokk Hall of Fame band! Rokk On!!!
What a show..great passion shown by the veterens southern rockers...from boogie no more to Whisky man to my favourite the Fall of the peacemakers...80 minutes of sheer foot stomping, Whisky drinking music...only one thing that i found was that when they were up there with he best they had 3 guitarists and now they are down to one but it still didnt take away the passion and True Grit..10/10