Although other acts of the genre disputed the fact that MOLLY HATCHET is a Southern Rock band, it is fair to say that the Jacksonville, Florida group was the first to take the spirit of the genre and kick its butt with an infusion of classic Heavy Metal. The formula worked and the band's presence soon rose to that of international platinum status. MOLLY HATCHET took their cue from the THE ALLMAN BROTHERS, whose 'Dreams I'll Never See' is covered on the first MOLLY HATCHET album.

Dave Hlubek, the acknowledged founder of the band, had been born in Hawaii. His parents relocated to Silcon Valley in California, where the youngster first gained an interest in music. At first he tackled drums before shifting to guitar for his first act SOMETHING ELSE. The Hlubek clan journeyed to Florida where the guitarist then became a member of the late 60's act MIND GARDEN, which featured latter day ROSSINGTON/COLLINS and LYNYRD SKYNYRD bassist Tim Lindsey. Initially Hlubek also took on lead vocal duties. Named after a 17th century axe murderess Abigail "Hatchet Molly", from Salem, it was to another early lead vocalist, Bobby Maddox, who actually came up with the band name. The group members had each written suggested band names on pieces of paper that were drawn blind from a John Deere tractor cap.

MOLLY HATCHET had actually originally been formed in 1971 by Hlubek and former ICE guitarist Steve Holland, the pair meeting at Paula's Music store in Jacksonville. Bassist Banner Thomas had joined the group in 1973, with ex-RUM CREEK singer Danny Joe Brown, a former insurance salesman, enrolled in 1974, drummer Bruce Crump in 1975 and third guitarist Duane Roland completing the 'classic' line-up a couple of years later.

MOLLY HATCHET's self-titled Tom Werman produced debut album was released in September 1978. It had been intended for MOLLY HATCHET's debut to be produced by LYNYRD SKYNYRD frontman Ronnie Van Zant but his untimely death in a 1977 plane crash put paid to the original idea. The record, clad in an iconic Frank Frazetta painting entitled 'The Deathdealer', would peak at no. 64 on the national US charts and eventually earn platinum status. Jai Winding provided studio keyboards.

As a promotion item Epic Records pushed the debut album to radio packaged with a five track live album. Actually, no less than two copies of 'Molly Hatchet' were to be found in this boxed set. The live material was taken from a MOLLY HATCHET show at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey.

The group's second album, 'Flirtin' With Disater' issued in 1979 and once again seeing Tom Werman manning the desk, broke the US top twenty at no. 19, being rewarded with double platinum sales status. The title track was lifted as a single and gained valuable airplay, attaining a no. 42 position on the charts. Frazetta again supplied the cover art with his painting 'Dark Kingdom'.

By the time the third MOLLY HATCHET album, 1980's 'Beatin' The Odds', was recorded Danny Joe Brown had been replaced by Jimmy Farrar, officially due to Brown being diagnosed as a diabetic, although, off the record, Brown is claimed to have departed because of a dispute with the band's manager at the time. Brown alleged that the manager was cheating him out of money and failed to get any backing from his band mates.

'Beatin' The Odds', another million seller which included the John Forgerty penned 'Penthouse Pauper' and a radio hit with 'The Rambler', hit no. 25 on the US charts. Another live promotion album was released by Epic packaged with a copy of 'Beatin' The Odds', this time featuring six tracks and capturing a solid performance by the group with Farrar and recorded at the Lakeland Civic Center, Lakeland, Florida on 31st December 1980.

Brown retained his links with Epic and recorded an album under the DANNY JOE BROWN BAND handle in which he was re-united with guitarist Bobby Ingram from his pre-MOLLY HATCHET group RUM CREEK, Ingram having hired Brown in that instance. His successor Jimmy Farrar recorded just one more album after 'Take No Prisoners', featuring a duet with MOTHER'S FINEST Baby Jean on the track 'Respect Me In The Morning', with MOLLY HATCHET before Brown was asked to step back into the fire once more.

The first three albums featured artwork from Frank Frazetta until, according to the band, had demanded too much money. the group promptly invited Boris Vallejo to contribute to 1981's 'Take No Prisoners'. The album, scored a respectable no. 36 on the US charts with tracks 'Power Play', 'Bloody Reunion' and 'Lady Luck' all making their mark on mainstream radio.

Danny Joe Brown Brown made his comeback on March 1983's 'No Guts...No Glory', which hit no. 59 on the charts. This transition also marked further line-up changes, Banner Thomas and Bruce Crump being replaced by Riff West and ex-MOTHER'S FINEST drummer B.B. 'Queen' Borden respectively. John Galvin, a former member of the DANNY JOE BROWN BAND, was also added on keyboards replacing guitarist Steve Holland. The band was also joined in the studio by guitarists Dru Lombar, of GRINDERSWITCH, and Scott Shelly. Keyboards again came from Jai Winding. Subsequently, Banner Thomas turned up in THOSE GUYS with ex-LYNYRD SKYNYRD drummer Artimus Pyle.

During 1983 MOLLY HATCHET toured America sharing the billing with their Southern Rock compatriots BLACKFOOT. Mid way through the dates MOLLY HATCHET split in two, with Brown, Holland and Roland bailing out. Left in the lurch Hlubek, Borden and West quickly drafted in BLACKFOOT men vocalist / guitarist Ricky Medlocke and guitarist Charlie Hargrett to plug the gap for a show in Kansas. Fortunately the differences were resolved and MOLLY HATCHET proper resumed action the day after.

However, Crump, who had joined Canadian outfit STREETHEART for one album, returned later in the year to take over from Queen who had decided to form ILLUSION with erstwhile MOTHER'S FINEST colleague Gary 'Moses Mo' Moore. Borden, under his real name would later join THE OUTLAWS for their 1993 live album. November 1984's 'The Deed Is Done', recorded at Bee Jay Studios in Orlando, Florida, was to be the band's first record not to be produced by Tom Werman. Behind the desk was Terry Manning, with SURVIVOR vocalist JIMI JAMISON and Tom DeLuca both lending backing vocals. 'The Deed Is Done' only reached number 120 on the US charts. The band toured North America in 1985 with BILLY SQUIER and TRIUMPH.

MOLLY HATCHET briefly disbanded after Epic issued the rousing 'Double Trouble Live' set in December 1985. The band was struggling with both Danny Joe Brown's diabetes and Dave Hlubek's acknowledged drug problems. Quitting the band he formed, Hlubek forged the HLUBEK-HARWOOD BAND alongside ex-ROSSINGTON COLLINS BAND guitar player Barry Lee Harwood. 

MOLLY HATCHET reformed in 1988 and recorded the 'Lightning Strikes Twice' set for new label Capitol Records. This record introduced guitarist Bobby Ingram, replacing Duane Roland, as a fully paid up member of the band, having recorded with his group CHINA SKY in the period since last working with Brown in the DANNY JOE BROWN BAND.

'Lightning Strikes Twice' featured a slew of songs donated by outside writers. 'Hide Your Heart', written by Paul Stanley of KISS in collaboration with noted songwriters Desmond Child and Holly Knight, MOLLY HATCHET was one of five acts to cover the track. It was used as the title track for a BONNIE TYLER album,on KISS' own 'Hot In The Shade', on ACE FREHLEY's 'Trouble Walkin' and ROBIN BECK's 'Trouble Or Nothing'.Also on the track listing was 'Take Miss Lucy Home', a song previously aired bu Bobby Ingram's CHINA SKY. 'There Goes The Neighbourhood' was co-authored by FLEETWOOD MAC guitarist Billy Burnette whilst 'The Big Payback' was a cover version originally by STILLWATER.

After the release of the album in 1989, now with his diabetes really beginning to catch up with him, Brown was forced to quit and helped choose ex-ROAD DUCKS man Phil McCormack as his replacement. As 1990 drew in the shape of the band shifted again. Alongside Ingram and Danny Joe Brown the new look MOLLY HATCHET comprised guitarist Rik Blanz, bassist Rob Sweat, keyboard player Rob Scavetto and drummer Kenny Fiegle of the DANNY JOE BROWN BAND. However, before the year was out Kenny Holton took command of the drum stool, having had prior credits with noted Christian Rockers PETRA, DEGARMO & KEY and CARMEN. By 1991 Sweat was out of the picture, later coming to the for with Jacksonville band PUSH. The four string position was duly doled out to Kevin "Sav" Ryan.

In 1993 Erik Lundgren, formerly with VAN ZANT and the JOHNNY VAN ZANT BAND, usurped Blanz's position. Blanz subsequently wound up in BAD MONKEY. Scavetto opted out the same year, he would journey onto METROPOLIS albeit switching roles to that of a guitarist. Andy Oarth took on the MOLLY HATCHET keyboard duties. McCormack would also fill in for Brown during 1993 when the singer was too ill to perform live. MOLLY HATCHET circa 1994 boasted a membership roster of Danny Joe Brown, Ingram, bassist Kevin Ryan, keyboard player Mike Kach with Kenny Holton on the drums. However, Banner Thomas did return for a brief stint. Buzzy Meekins, of the DANNY JOE BROWN BAND and SOUTHERN ROCK REBELLION, also figured on the roll call that year.

With Danny Joe Brown's illness beginning to exact a toll on road work. Jimmy Farrar was contacted at one point and deputised for a run of shows but it was felt that he was unsuitable for the new material MOLLY HATCHET were writing for their new album 'Devil's Canyon'. Phil McCormack took the reins once more at Danny Joe Brown's request for 'Devil's Canyon', a record that wound up being produced by Kalle Trapp. The MOLLY HATCHET recording line-up for this opus comprised McCormack, Ingram, bass player Andy McKinney and drummer Mac Crawford. Both John Galvin and Tim Donovan would figure on keyboards, Galvin primarily utilised for studio work, although he has on occasion performed in Europe and at dates close to his Michigan home, and Donovan for live sessions. WILD CHERRY and FOGHAT man Brian Bassett also featured on guitar that year. Drummer Mickey Barker of veteran British act MAGNUM also aided in the studio.

Erstwhile member RIFF WEST issued a solo album 'Animal Magnetism' in 1996 in aid of animal charities. The record boasted an all star guest casting.

During 1998 the group offered a brand new album, 'Silent Reign Of Heroes', through C.M.C. International in America and SPV in Europe. The following year Bobby Ingram reportedly became legal owner of the MOLLY HATCHET band name. As to the original line-up, Roland made a guest appearance on the 1989 debut album by Los Angeles rock n' rollers JUNKYARD and pursued a day time occupation repairing fax machines, Dave Hlubek gigged with the DIXIE ALL STARS, a band also comprising ex-members of BLACKFOOT and THE OUTLAWS, whilst Bruce Crump was married with children and lived the life of a typical family man in Virginia.

The following year a cast of MOLLY HATCHET alumni, Dave Hlubek, Banner Thomas, Riff West, Duane Roland, Jim Farrar, Jay Johnson, Bruce Crump, Steve Holland and Greg VanderVoort, would reform under the banner of THE DIXIE JAM BAND, issuing the album 'Jammin' For DJB'.

MOLLY HATCHET in 2000 comprised McCormack, Ingram, McKinney, Galvin, guitarist Russ Maxwell and drummer Sean Shannon. A later addition would be six-stringer Mike Owings from the ALLEN COLLINS BAND. Meantime, the ex-members were busy too. Jimmy Farrar was operating BLACK MOLLY with ex-BLACKFOOT guitarist Charlie Hargrett whilst Banner Thomas formed THOSE GUYS. The drummer was also to be found as a member of Jacksonville's BIG ENGINE. Bruce Crump would keep his in hand in too, active as a member of both SMILEK and DADDY-OH. By the following year Hlubek returned to the fore with the SOUTHERN ROCK ALL STARS 'Crazy Again' album debut, a union with erstwhile members of LYNYRD SKYNYRD, BLACKFOOT and TOKYO ROAD.

MOLLY HATCHET too returned in 2001 issuing 'Kingdom of XII' on CMC International Records. The album, which saw contributions from legendary Country fiddle player CHARLIE DANIELS, was preceded by a radio single 'Why Won't You Take Me Home'. In keeping with tradition the album was backed by a suitably mammoth tour commencing on the 3rd of July in Knoch Park, Naperville, Illinois. In November that same year the band would draft drummer Shawn Beamer, previously with BLACKFOOT man Charlie Hargrett's REBELLION, into the ranks.

A second SOUTHERN ROCK ALL STARS album, 'Danger Road', arrived in 2002 seeing Hlubek drafting in ex-MOLLY HATCHET frontman Jimmy Farrar as guest. Touring throughout North America the SOUTHERN ROCK ALLSTARS often pulled in guesting erstwhile MOLLY HATCHET personnel Jimmy Farrar, guitarist Rik Blanz and keyboard player John Galvin.

MOLLY HATCHET's latest bass player, Jerry Scott formerly of the BRIAN HOWE band, commenced his duties with the band at Daytona Beach in Florida in February 2002. This incarnation of the band cut the album '25th Anniversary - Best Of Re-Recorded', as the name implies, classic tracks brought up to date with the new line-up. Tim Donovan decamped in December 2002, making a side step to become road manager and subsequently keyboard player for boy band O-TOWN. Donovan would be replaced for live work by Jeff Ravenscraft. Scott would be out of the picture by May of the following year, going on to joins 80s Rockers XYZ, superseded by former BLACK MOLLY man J.J. Strickland.

MOLLY HATCHET issued the double disc live set 'Locked And Loaded' in February 2003, these tracks having been recorded across Germany at the 'Wacken Open Air' festival and in Hamburg and Bremen. In mid March 2003 the SOUTHERN ROCK ALLSTARS saw a switch of membership that was of great interest to MOLLY HATCHET fans as Hlubek decamped and Duane Roland duly replaced him. Hlubek promptly joined SOUTHERN ROCKERS REUNION, an act also hosting another former comrade in arms, Banner Thomas.

MOLLY HATCHET journeyed to Germany in February of 2004 to cut a new studio album for SPV Records. Newly installed on bass guitar would be Tim Lindsey, a veteran of ROSSINGTON, RANDALL HALL BAND, TIMEPIECE, LYNYRD SKYNYRD and BRAVE NEW SOUTH. Tragedy befell the band in early April when Bobby Ingram's 33 year old wife Stephanie was found dead.

January 2005 marked a significant turning point in the band's history when Dave Hlubek returned to the group he had created twenty five years previously. The band at this juncture comprised McCormack, Ingram, Hlubek, Lindsey, the REGULATORS credited keyboard player Richie Delfavero with Shawn Beamer, a scene veteran of SOUTHERN ROCK REBELLION, CITIZEN ZANE, LITTLE TRAMP, LAZY LESTER and even JERRY LEE LEWIS, on the drums.

The MOLLY HATCHET family was dealt a huge blow on March 10th with the passing of original singer Danny Joe Brown. He had only just been released from hospital, after treatment for pneumonia and other ailments, but died upon his return home.

Mid 2005 saw an announcement that no less than five 1978-1991 era MOLLY HATCHET members had reunited to forge the GATOR COUNTRY BAND, this alliance comprising vocalist Jimmy Farrar, guitarists Duane Roland and Steve Holland, bassist Riff West and drummer Bruce Crump. The new band's only non MOLLY HATCHET campaigner would be third guitarist, Virginian Linne Disse of DADDY-OH!, BAMBOOZLED, JUSTUS, TROPICAL JOHNSON, BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL, THE PRESS and HAPPY VAN GOGH repute.

The MOLLY HATCHET "three-guitar army" returned in 2005 with the addition of GROUP THERAPY guitarist Jimbo Manion, who graduated to the third guitarist position after being the band's guitar tech. Manion replaced keyboard player Richie DelFavero.

Original MOLLY HATCHET guitarist Duane Roland passed away on June 20th 2006.

Cleopatra Records put out the 'Flirtin' With Disaster - Live' concert recording in June 2007. The group then tackled a whole album of their favourite tracks by other artists with the 'Southern Rock Masters' set, delivered by Cleopatra in April 2008. Tracks re-worked included ZZ TOP's 'Sharp Dressed Man', the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND 'Melissa' and 'Dreams I'll Never See', GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS 'Bad To The Bone', MOUNTAIN's 'Mississippi Queen', THE EAGLES 'Desperado' and 'Tequila Sunrise', the ROLLING STONES 'Tumbling Dice' and 'Wild Horses' plus THIN LIZZY's 'Boys Are Back In Town'. The album closed with live renditions of three MOLLY HATCHET staples.