In the early 1970’s a new form of music was emerging in the South. A mixture of blues, country, gospel and the English invasion of rock and roll that later was to be coined the phrase “Southern Rock”. The music was filled with style and emotion and with bands in the forefront such as the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and a band from Jacksonville, Florida called “Molly Hatchet”. Named after a famous 17th century axe murderess Hatchet Molly who would behead her lovers with the hand tool Lizzy Borden made famous.
Danny Joe Brown, Dave Hlubek, Duane Roland, Steve Holland, Banner Thomas and Bruce Crump made Southern Rock history and shall never be forgotten!!!
Their self-titled debut album was released on Epic Records in 1978 and reached multi-platinum status as the band established their reputation of working hard, playing tough and living fast through intense touring with such bands as Aerosmith and Bob Seger.
In 1979, Flirtin with Disaster was released and history was in the making. The band continued touring on the road with an average of 250 live shows per year and like the first album it also achieved multi-platinum status. Lead singer, Danny Joe Brown left the band in 1980 and contacted Bobby Ingram, a well known southern guitarist and friend, who gave Brown his first singing gig in 1975 with a Jacksonville based band called “Rum Creek”. Brown and Ingram then put together with keyboardist John Galvin the Danny Joe Brown Band and continued touring until 1982. During this time, “Beatin the Odds” (1980) and “Take no Prisoners” (1981) was released with singer Jimmy Farrar.
Brown returned to record “No Guts ... No Glory” (1983) ,“The Deed is Done” (1984) and “Double Trouble Live” (1985). In 1985, Bobby Ingram, with his songwriting and live performance abilities came into the band to replace Dave Hlubek. The band continued to tour over 200 dates a year and in 1989 record “Lightning Strikes Twice” for Capitol Records. In 1990, while Brown and Ingram continued the tradition as Molly Hatchet other members departure from the band to persue other interests. The “Greatest Hits” album was released in 1991 and certified gold. The band from 1990 until 1995 took a break from recording but continued to write new songs and tour in the United States, Canada and Europe. Devil’s Canyon, the first studio album in 6 years was then recorded in Hamburg, Germany in 1996 under the care and guidance of Rainer Hansel, CBH Records.
With producers Kalle Trapp and Bobby Ingram the album was voted the number one rock record in Europe for 1996. With a history of diabetes, Brown was unable to fulfil studio and touring responsibilities and he brought in Phil McCormack to take over the lead vocal position. Long time member Bobby Ingram - lead guitar, Phil McCormack - lead vocals, John Galvin - keyboards, Bryan Bassett - lead guitar, Andy McKinney - Bass, Mac Crawford - drums, make up the current lineup. From the release of Devil’s Canyon and the world wide touring coodinated by Steve Green, Artists International Management, the band has continued performing the classic hits such as “Flirtin with Disaster”, “Gator Country”, "Whiskey Man" and “Dreams I’ll Never See”, as well as, the current hits in the true spirit and Southern tradition of “Molly Hatchet”.
The 1998 release of “Silent Reign of Heroes” on CMC International Records was recorded back in Hamburg, Germany with Producer/ Guitarist Bobby Ingram and is kept in the same spirit and tradition as the past with new hit songs “Mississippi Moon Dog”, “Saddle Tramp”, “Miss Saturday Night” and the title track “Silent Reign of Heroes”. Included on the album is an acoustic version of the classic hit “Fall of the Reacemakers”. In 1999 the band took off on a history making event know as the "Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam" and traveled from coast to coast. The Volunteer Jam made history due to the fact it has never been taken out of the state of Tennessee.
The band continued touring after the jam and started production on the third Molly Hatchet album since Devil's Canyon in '96. This album to be titled "The Kingdom of XII". The release in Europe in late 2000 gave way to sold out shows from England thru Scandanavia, The Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland and the band charted in Europe for the 3rd consecutive album!!! The "Kingdom of XII" is a Southern Boogie Showdown with tracks like Cornbread Mafia, Heart of the USA, White Lightning and the Vocal and guitar solo epic of "One Last Ride" in true Hatchet Tradition. The band recorded in acoustic style of "Edge of Sundown" as a tribute to Danny Joe Brown.
The bands current lineup is Bobby Ingram / Lead Guitars, Phil McCormack / Lead Vocals, John Galvin / Keyboards, Andy McKinney / Bass, Russ Maxwell / Guitars Sean Shannon / Drums.
The band is currently on an extensive 20 month world tour in support of the "Kingdom of XII" and is still after 2 decades working hard, playing fast and living a little easier !!!
Sybille wrote:
Sorry, but Andy (Bass Player) is kicked off the band in 2002. He is playing now for Live Parts of Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys). The new guy is calling Jerry (I don´t know his Christian name).
The band has just recorded from 15. January 2003 till today (26/02/03) their second live album with the real old songs of Molly Hatchet. The first Live album just came out at the 24/02/03!
Also, Rainer Hensel his Recording Company calls SPV (also Motörhead and Saxon are on his label!!).
Phil and Bobby are leaving tomorrow Hamburg, we are so sad about it!!!
