Essential Albums
- It’s hard to account for the runaway success of Molly Hatchet’s breakout 1979 single “Flirtin’ with Disaster,” as the band had already recorded several songs with similarly swift grooves and punchy riffs. Then again, maybe “Flirtin’ with Disaster” just had the perfect lyrical touch; lead singer and songwriter Danny Joe Brown had a way with the rock 'n' roll lexicon. “Boogie No More,” “Good Rockin’," and “Let the Good Times Roll” are just a few examples of how Molly Hatchet placed itself in the great tradition of wild rockers like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. The headbanging riffs behind “Good Rockin’” hint at the impending sounds of '80s heavy metal, but on the whole Flirtin’ with Disaster has more in common with the sneaky, understated grooves of J.J. Cale than it does the steamrolling riffs of Led Zeppelin or Lynyrd Skynyrd. While other hard rock groups tried to bludgeon fans into submission, Molly Hatchet was more interested in coaxing its listeners with wily grooves, as it does on “One Man’s Pleasure” and “Jukin’ City.”
- When Lynyrd Skynyrd’s career was cut short by a 1977 airplane crash, Molly Hatchet stepped in to fill the void left by the beloved progenitors of Southern rock. However, it’s important to understand that the band wasn't simply cashing in on tragedy. Molly Hatchet shared a hometown and a manager with Skynyrd, and Ronnie Van Zant had been slated to produce the band's debut before he died in the crash. Thus, Molly Hatchet shouldn't be viewed as a replication of Skynyrd’s formula but rather a continuation. And for all the similarities between the two groups, the differences are immediately evident. Where Skynyrd was predicated on an occasionally unwieldy three-guitar attack, Molly Hatchet is all about sinewy grooves. “Bounty Hunter,” “Gator Country," and “Trust Your Old Friend” may be considered good old-fashioned rock & roll, but their stealthy, shuffling underpinnings make them unique. “Cheatin’ Woman” veers closer to Skynyrd's majestic swamp metal, but its slyness and concision make this a definitive example of Florida rock.
Albums
Artist Playlists
Singles & EPs
Live Albums
Compilations
About Molly Hatchet
Since the early ‘70s, Florida guitar heroes Molly Hatchet have been injecting a heavy dose of boogie into Southern rock, crafting bluesy, metal-adjacent riots like “Flirtin’ With Disaster.”
- FROM
- Jacksonville, FL, United States
- FORMED
- 1975
- GENRE
- Rock