After the guys worked on their sound for a while, inspired by gritty rock n roll, they finally recorded and released their first album, 1978's 'Molly Hatchet'. Then, in 1979, 'Flirtin' with Disaster' came out. The group's work earned them both critical praise and commerical success, the album hitting the #19 slot on the Billboard top 200 chart. Allmusic's Rob Theakston has spoken for many in writing that the "tour de force" of a record shows that " the band means business".
Yet the group's history would prove to be a rocky one. In 1980, Brown left the group to form The Danny Joe Brown Band (with future Molly Hatchet guitarist Bobby Ingram). He was replaced by vocalist Jimmy Farrar. After the release of Beatin' the Odds in 1980 and Take No Prisoners in 1981, Farrar left as well.
Brown rejoined the band in 1982 and Banner Thomas left and was replaced by Riff West. In 1983, a new album was released titled No Guts... No Glory. Steve Holland left and was replaced by keyboardist John Galvin.
In 1984 came the release of a new album The Deed Is Done. In 1985 Dave Hlubek left and he was replaced by Bobby Ingram. Then in 1985, the double live album Double Trouble Live was released.
The band continued to tour regularly, and then in 1989 the album Lightning Strikes Twice was released.
1990s
In 1991, the greatest hits collection Greatest Hits was released. Molly Hatchet was in ways similar to fellow Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd in that it paired strong guitar work with a pounding boogie beat. When Brown left the band after Flirtin' with Disaster and was replaced by Farrar, the band's sound turned more to jamming and free form. When Brown returned in time for No Guts...No Glory, the original sound returned as well.
In 1996 due to a stroke and illness Brown had to leave the band, bringing in lead singer Phil McCormack to finish the album Devils Canyon in 1996.
At this point, the band consisted of members: vocalist Phil McCormack, guitarists Bobby Ingram and Bryan Bassett, keyboardist John Galvin, bassist Andy McKinney, and drummer Mac Crawford.
In 1998 Silent Reign Of Heroes was released. And in 1999 the band traveled coast to coast with Charlie Daniels and the Volunteer Jam.
2000s
In 2000, the album The Kingdom Of XII was released in Europe. The band went on tour to promote this album. It was released in the United States in 2001. Locked and Loaded (2003) and Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge (2005) followed. In January of 2005, Ingram invited Hlubek to rejoin Molly Hatchet and in doing so became the only current member who was a part of the original band.
On Thursday, March 10, 2005, after Brown was hospitalized for four weeks, he died less than an hour after returning to his home in Davie, Florida with his family and friends at his side, at the age of 53 from complications from pneumonia. He had previously left the group due to the suffering from a massive stroke in 1995 while driving to his brother's house. After a long battle with diabetes and the effects of the stroke, Brown was able to take the stage one last time at the Jammin' for DJB benefit concert in 1998 where with the help of his friends he ended the show with "Flirtin' with Disaster."
On Monday, June 19, 2006, founding guitarist Duane Roland died in St. Augustine, Florida at the age of 53. He had been playing with the band Gator Country, consisting of former members of Molly Hatchet, as late as May of 2006. His death was listed as being of "natural causes".
Bruce Crump (July 17, 1957 – March 16, 2015) was the original drummer from 1976 to 1983 (including their 1980 hit song "Flirtin' with Disaster" ) and 1984 to 1991. He also played as a member of Canadian band Streetheart in the early 1980s, and joined several of his former Molly Hatchet bandmates in the band Gator Country in the mid-2000s. At his death, Crump was in the Jacksonville, Florida-based band White Rhino and the newly reformed China Sky.
Bass guitarist Banner Thomas died of complications of pneumonia, at 63, on April 10, 2017.
Dave Hlubek died of a heart attack on September 3, 2017, at the age of 66.
Jimmy Farrar, who was frontman from 1980 to 1982, died of heart failure on October 29, 2018, at 67. Singer Phil McCormack died on April 26, 2019 at 58 (McCormack had been sidelined in early 2019, after suffering from health troubles that affected his voice andwas replaced by singer Jimmy Elkins, who continued on with Hatchet after McCormack's death).
Steve Holland, the last original member of Molly Hatchet, died on August 2, 2020.
Bloody Reunion
Molly Hatchet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking for the man
Staying out of sight
Trying to find something
To ease my mind
Traffic lights a-blinkin'
And I'm right on time
Come around a corner
Joint was a -jumpin'
People going insane
Jukebox a-flappin'
On through the night
I think all the boys
Are starting up a bloody reunion.
Chorus:
A bloody reunion
Well, it's a bloody reunion
Tearing up the town
Smoking on a Saturday night
Well, it's a bloody reunion
What a bloody reunion
All hell's a-poppin
Rockin' 'till the morning light.
Here comes Mary
In a long red dress
Looking hot 'n' sasy
Just like all the rest
Leaning on a lamp post
And she's dressed to kill
Lord she wants to make it
And I think I will
Coming on strong
And giving me the eye
Ain't no way
I'm gonna pass it by
Tonight we're gonna do it
Gonna get it right
Me and Miss Mary
Gonna start another
Bloody reunion.
Chorus:
A bloody reunion
Well, it's a bloody reunion
Tearing up the town
Smoking on a Saturday night
Well, it's a bloody reunion
What a bloody reunion
All hell's a-poppin
Rockin' 'till the morning light.
Chorus:
A bloody reunion
Well, it's a bloody reunion
Tearing up the town
Smoking on a Saturday night
Well, it's a bloody reunion
What a bloody reunion
All hell's a-poppin
Rockin' 'till the morning light.
Lord what a party
Everybody feelin' right
Drinking and a-smoking
Everybody's high as a kite.
The lyrics to Molly Hatchet's "Bloody Reunion" describe a wild night out on the town, as the singer is streetwalking looking for a man to ease her mind. She arrives at a bar on 4th and Main that is packed with people, and the jukebox is playing as the boys are starting to cause a ruckus. The energy is high, and people are going insane. Later on, a woman named Mary arrives, dressed to kill and giving the singer the eye. The two hit it off and plan to start another "bloody reunion."
The lyrics use vivid imagery to depict a reckless and exhilarating night out on the town. The use of phrases such as "all hell's a-poppin" and "rockin' 'till the morning light" indicate that the party is wild and raucous. The chorus phrase "bloody reunion" is symbolic of the chaotic and potentially dangerous nature of the night. The use of personification with the phrase "traffic lights a-blinkin'" adds to the feeling that the city itself is alive and energized.
Line by Line Meaning
Out streetwalking on a Saturday night
I am walking down the street on a Saturday night.
Looking for the man
I am looking for someone I know.
Staying out of sight
I am trying to stay hidden so nobody sees me.
Trying to find something
I am trying to discover something new.
To ease my mind
I want to relax and find peace mentally.
Traffic lights a-blinkin'
The streetlights are flashing.
And I'm right on time
I arrived on the scene at the correct moment.
Come around a corner
I came around a streetcorner.
On 4th and Main
I arrived on the corner of 4th and Main streets.
Joint was a -jumpin'
The club was lively and festive.
People going insane
The club-goers are having an outrageous time.
Jukebox a-flappin'
The jukebox is playing loud and well.
On through the night
The wild celebration continues through the night.
I think all the boys
It seems all the men are there.
Are starting up a bloody reunion.
They are beginning to hold a tumultuous gathering that may end in a full-out fight.
Here comes Mary
A person named Mary is approaching me.
In a long red dress
Mary is wearing a long red dress.
Looking hot 'n' sasy
Mary looks attractive and confident.
Just like all the rest
Mary looks like the other party-goers.
Leaning on a lamp post
Mary is leaning on a lamp pole.
And she's dressed to kill
Mary is wearing a striking outfit to draw attention.
Lord she wants to make it
Mary has a desire to be with me.
And I think I will
I also feel a mutual attraction.
Coming on strong
Mary is decidedly interested in me.
And giving me the eye
Mary is giving me a flirtatious look.
Ain't no way
I cannot resist the temptation.
I'm gonna pass it by
I am not going to let this opportunity go to waste.
Tonight we're gonna do it
Mary and I will have an amorous night.
Gonna get it right
We will fulfill our desires confidently and completely.
Me and Miss Mary
Mary and I will be together.
Gonna start another
We are starting another night of wild partying.
Bloody reunion.
We are continuing the previous violent gathering.
Lord what a party
The party is exciting and enjoyable.
Everybody feelin' right
Everyone is happy and content.
Drinking and a-smoking
People are consuming liquor and tobacco products.
Everybody's high as a kite.
Everyone is intoxicated and under the influence of the substances they consumed.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BANNER THOMAS, DAVE HLUBEK, DUANE ROLAND, JIMMY FARRAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bluesrocker79
In the mid 80's,after Jimmy left and Danny Joe came back,This was Molly Hatchet's opening song. Thank you,Jimmy Farrar,for Everything you did for Molly Hatchet.
ventues97
Great song !!! I saw them on the 1981 tour !!!
G S
Four albums into their career and with Lynyrd Skynyrd still in a state of hiatus, Molly Hatchet had survived the seemingly fatal exit of frontman Brown to craft excellent, raucous Southern rock records. Produced to immaculate standards by Tom Werman, the album Take No Prisoners and this, its second single, were prime examples of their strengths, but nobody knew that the merry-go-round of lead singers was revving up again.
bluesrocker79
So hard to relate to people today how great this band was especially live. Danny Joe Brown was the voice of Hatchet but after he left Jimmy came in and saved Hatchet.
ventues97
Yes, I saw them on the 1981 Tour
60BloodyChamp60
It’s probably hard to explain to people with a narrow mind but really to me Molly Hatchet is 1 of those bands who you can tell is so much better live, and HEAVIER. They’re like Ted Nugent or older Rolling Stones to me. Pretty good on the radio but just a whole other animal live.
colin6768
God this song is so fucking good. First heard this album back in 81 or 82. With the opening riff of Bloody Reunion I was hooked! Killer southern metal.
chris cason
No doubt about it a killer bad ass song turn it way up loud you won't regret it
SuperDachshund
Great tune. Great band!
Bill Cornaire
One of my favorite songs..never disappoints..28 years & countin!