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.
Bounty Hunter
Molly Hatchet Lyrics
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I'm just getting back from a trip to hell
My six gun she's stapped by my side
Thunder is the horse that I ride
And it seems to me this is one hell of a way
For a man like me to earn that pay
Outlaws on the loose
Blue steel flashing, hot lead flying
I wonder what they feel like when they're dying
Someday soon it might be my turn
Is it worth the money I earn?
And it seems to me this is one hell of a way
For a man like me to earn that pay
Outlaws on the loose
Running, running from the noose
I'm a bounty hunter, I'll hunt you down, yeah, I will
Did you know $500 will get your head blown off?
It will, ha, ha, ha
Blue steel flashing, hot lead flying
I wonder what they fell like when they're dying
Someday soon it might be my turn
Is it worth the money I earn?
And it seems to me this is one hell of a way
For a man like me to earn that pay, yeah, yeah
Outlaws on the loose
Running, running from the noose
Outlaws on the loose
Running, running from the noose
I'm a bounty hunter going to hunt you down
The lyrics to Molly Hatchet's song "Bounty Hunter" highlight the dangerous and conflicted life of a bounty hunter as he carries out his work in the Wild West. The song starts with the bounty hunter riding on his horse back from a dangerous mission, covered in dust and weary from the trail. He reflects on the danger that his profession brings, with his trusty gun strapped by his side and his faithful horse named Thunder carrying him through it all. Despite the risk of his job, the bounty hunter recognizes that it is his livelihood- a brave and noble way to earn his pay.
As the song progresses, the bounty hunter reflects on the outlaws that he must capture, acknowledging their resolve to evade the noose at any cost. He slips into a moment of contemplation, wondering what it feels like for them to face death as he aims his blue steel gun at them. However, he doesn't shy away from the thought that one day, he might be in their shoes; but he considers whether the money he earns is worth the risk he takes. In his heart, he feels that this is one hell of a way to earn a living but knows that the job must be done.
The song is a metaphor of the tough and challenging life that the bounty hunters faced in the Wild West. They were subject to hard work, danger, and frequent threats to their safety. However, their efforts made the streets safer, and the lyrics about "running, running from the noose" highlight the sense of justice that they created. The song speaks not only about the dangers of being a bounty hunter but also about the ethical considerations necessary when considering any job.
Line by Line Meaning
My horse is kicking dust up off the trail
I am riding my horse through the dusty path and advancing towards my destination.
I'm just getting back from a trip to hell
I have just returned from a dangerous mission that was full of risks and obstacles.
My six gun she's stapped by my side
I have my revolver on the side of my body, ready to be used at any moment for my defense and protection.
Thunder is the horse that I ride
I am riding on a horse called 'Thunder' which is known for its power and speed.
And it seems to me this is one hell of a way
For a man like me to earn that pay
I am reflecting that risking my life as a bounty hunter may not be the best way to make a living, but this is the path I have chosen.
Outlaws on the loose
Running, running from the noose
There are criminals wandering free, trying to escape from the law.
Blue steel flashing, hot lead flying
I wonder what they feel like when they're dying
I am imagining the sensation of killing a person with my gun, the sight of the bullet and the sound of the weapon echoing.
Someday soon it might be my turn
Is it worth the money I earn?
I am questioning myself whether the risk of dying is worth the reward of money I receive as a bounty hunter.
I'm a bounty hunter, I'll hunt you down, yeah, I will
I am declaring my identity as a bounty hunter and my willingness to capture and bring in fugitives.
Did you know $500 will get your head blown off?
It will, ha, ha, ha
I am warning would-be criminals that a small amount of money can lead to their fatal demise if they are caught by a bounty hunter.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Danny Joe Brown, David Lawrence Hlubek, Steven Jerome Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind