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.
Justice
Molly Hatchet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up ahead a stranger hides with a tombstone in his eye
The stranger knows this is his very last ride
A crescent moon in the sky you can't run and hide
They ride for freedom around the world and across the land
For the woman and the baby child and for the ones who can't
The stranger knows hell is coming, coming up from behind
They call it justice, heaven knows justice is blind
We need some justice to make the wrong into right
Justice don't play favorites and justice don't pick sides
We need some justice, heaven knows justice is blind
This man is pure in his heart and in his mind
Thinks of a woman who is weeping in the night
Vengeance makes him righteous when the smoke is clear
It's only pure if it's justice, nothing else comes near
They call it justice, heaven knows justice is blind
We need some justice to make the wrong into right
Justice don't play favorites and justice don't pick sides
We need some justice, heaven knows justice is blind
The lyrics of Molly Hatchet's song "Justice" tell the story of a man known as the "stranger" who is on his final ride, with a sense of impending danger. As they ride through the desert, the stranger hides with a look of determination and intensity in his eyes, symbolized by the mention of a tombstone. The presence of a crescent moon in the sky adds to the atmosphere, creating a sense of inevitability and making it clear that there is no escape.
The riders in the song represent individuals who fight for freedom, not only for themselves but also for others who are oppressed or unable to fight for themselves, including women and innocent children. The stranger is fully aware that trouble or "hell" is approaching from behind, implying that fighting for justice is not an easy path.
The concept of justice is then explored in the lyrics, emphasizing its importance and universal nature. The phrase "they call it justice, heaven knows justice is blind" suggests that although justice is a concept that people often talk about, its true meaning and implementation are complex and difficult to fully comprehend. The line "we need some justice to make the wrong into right" reflects the yearning for justice and the belief that it can rectify the injustices and imbalances in society.
The lyrics also highlight that justice should not show favoritism or take sides. It should be impartial and unbiased, treating everyone equally. The repetition of the line "justice don't play favorites and justice don't pick sides" stresses the importance of fairness in the pursuit of justice.
The final verse delves deeper into the stranger's mindset, revealing that he is driven by a pure heart and mind. He is guided by a sense of righteousness, seeking vengeance for those who have suffered. However, the lyrics also emphasize that vengeance alone is not sufficient for justice. Justice is only true and pure if it is rooted in fairness and the pursuit of what is right.
Overall, "Justice" by Molly Hatchet explores the themes of righteousness, fairness, and the struggle for justice in a world that often seems blind to it. The song portrays the dedication of those who fight for justice, acknowledging the challenges they face and the importance of maintaining an unbiased approach in the pursuit of a just world.
Line by Line Meaning
The Daltons ride and the desert sky gets swallowed up by the night
As the notorious Daltons ride through the desolate desert, the darkness of the night engulfs the vast sky, concealing their actions.
Up ahead a stranger hides with a tombstone in his eye
A mysterious figure lurks ahead, his cold and determined gaze reflecting the weight of death he carries within him.
The stranger knows this is his very last ride
Aware that impending doom awaits him, the stranger understands that this will be his final journey.
A crescent moon in the sky you can't run and hide
With the presence of a crescent moon illuminating the night, there is no escaping the impending fate that awaits.
They ride for freedom around the world and across the land
The ride of these individuals symbolizes their pursuit of freedom and justice, transcending borders and encompassing all lands.
For the woman and the baby child and for the ones who can't
Their cause is driven by the desire to protect and fight for the rights of women, innocent children, and those who lack the means to defend themselves.
The stranger knows hell is coming, coming up from behind
Sensing the approaching chaos and destruction, the stranger is well aware that the grim forces of hell are closing in from the rear.
They call it justice, heaven knows justice is blind
Despite its name, justice, as an abstract concept, remains impartial and unbiased, disregarding external factors or personal interests.
We need some justice to make the wrong into right
In order to rectify the injustices and restore balance, an implementation of justice is essential to correct the existing wrongs.
Justice don't play favorites and justice don't pick sides
True justice does not favor any particular party nor takes one side over another, operating solely on the merits of each individual case.
We need some justice, heaven knows justice is blind
Reiterating the necessity for justice, it emphasizes that the impartial nature of justice remains unaffected by personal opinions or external influences.
This man is pure in his heart and in his mind
Describing the artist's moral integrity and strong sense of righteousness, his intentions are untainted by corruption or malevolence.
Thinks of a woman who is weeping in the night
His thoughts gravitate towards a sorrowful woman stricken with grief during the darkest hours, evoking his empathy and determination.
Vengeance makes him righteous when the smoke is clear
In the aftermath of chaos and destruction, the pursuit of justice empowers him, as his quest for vengeance becomes synonymous with righteousness.
It's only pure if it's justice, nothing else comes near
Affirming that purity can only be attained through the means of justice, no other alternative comes close in terms of righteousness and morality.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Phil McCormack, Bobby Ingram
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Feito Paletes
Brutal esta versão, espetacular, a voz rouca com os solos das guitarras excelente.
Sakeviz
Thanks Phil for great vocals. God Will take care of you. R.i.p. amigo.
Robert White Wolf
We LOVE & Miss You Phil & Danny Joe as Well & All the band members gone but NOT Forgotten !!
Judy Walker
If I hear another person say they are nothing but a cover band,I might lose my mind.Since 2001,they have put out some quality music that I am pretty sure the original members would be proud of if they were alive to carry on.I counted up that when Dave Hlubek and Phil McCormack were with them till they died two years ago,this band had combined over 100 years of playing Molly Hatchet music.
Kenneth Pitcock
I'll take Phil myself over Danny.
Sergio D'Ambrosio
K-Ray Zee yeah, thank you! Very great! The song you put the link is another that I like very much! Indeed, today I had already watched it a few hours ago, this afternoon (now it is late night in Italy) 😆; and, of course, the video with the bikers is always good, too! With Rock songs they are never out of place, I think! Even though I do not drive, I always liked the bikers for their image and lifestyle (not the ones who commit crimes, of course, but all of the others) since I was a kid, and they were (almost always) the bad guys/rebels in movies/comics and so on. Of course their look could seem intimidating for someone! And it goes very well with HR/HM musicians... Motorhead is the first name that come to my mind now, but the list could go on and on.
I like Frazetta too, his painting are very epic. One of my favorites is the cover for Hard Attack by a band called Dust, it shows Conan that fights two giant vikings. But Frazetta made so many good paintings. I like Michael Whelan too.
I have a channel of bass covers, here on YouTube; for now I have not made any songs by Molly Hatchet, but I am thinking to make one (or two) in the future. One it will be Devil's Canyon, probably, because it's a song that I often play.
Greetings from Italy!
Sergio D'Ambrosio
K-Ray Zee It has happened this way to me: even though I am not young (51) I had never listened to Molly Hatchet until a few years ago (and I listen to, and play, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal/Prog Rock since mid eighties).I had only read about them in music magazines, but I did not know any of their songs. So I heard in the same weeks both Fall Of The Peacemakers and Silent Reign Of Heroes, both Bounty Hunter and Tatanka, and so on... older songs and newer songs! And I really liked both, regardless of the different musicians who played on those songs. It is not so important. Indeed, most of my favorite songs by Molly Hatchet seem to be not from the classic line up: Silent Reign Of Heroes, Devil's Canyon and The Journey are awesome epic songs and really no one can deny their valor, I think. Of course I like old songs too, Fall Of The Peacemakers is another favorite of mine, but it is really wrong that some dislike the newer songs only because there are no original members left: they still are good songs. At least, in my humble opinion.
Greetings from Italy!
Molly Tunstall
LOVE, LOVE THIS SONG AND ALBUM
Cool Roy
I know it ,I just recently found this song. I didn't even know this guy ever sang with them .The other replacement wasn't very good but this guy is good and I love the part where he says "They ride for freedom .." I listen to this song over and over .👍❤🇺🇸
JOHN JACKSON
AWESOME,
AWESOME,
AWESOME,
LONG LIVE MOLLY HATCHET.🎸💜