Rock Candy Records [Release date 24.04.20]

Musical blood brothers of Skynyrd and the Allmans, Molly Hatchet released their self titled debut in 1978, with the strikingly original “Death Dealer” artwork on the front cover. It’s one of many unique pieces by American artist, Frank Fazetta. More were to appear on subsequent MH albums.

The music was no less striking. Danny Joe Brown on vocals, and Dave Hlubek on guitar formed the same kind of creative, compelling, singer/guitarist collaboration as enjoyed by The Stones, Led Zeppelin and a handful of others during that fertile rock’n'roll period.

It opens with an explosive, celebratory “Hell Yeah!” from Brown. That yell was an affirmation of all they had worked for – the culmination of years of ambition… from their early struggle, thousands of road miles clocked up, personal issues, recognition, and ultimately, success. It’s all there in that opening moment.

It’s no surprise then that the songs are robust and thunderous, brimful of sturdy tunes and macho choruses. The stompin’ good ole’ boy romp, ‘Gator Country’ and the howling, animated ‘The Price You Pay’ are probably the picks. Though, that said, the verdict can change with each new listening.

Of particular note, the raw and raucous remasters of ‘Bounty Hunter’ and ‘The Creeper’ bubble and boil – you can almost taste the sweat as it drips from the studio ceiling. And the beefed up, muscle flexing live versions of ‘Big Apple’ and ‘Dreams I’ll Never See’, initially underwhelming, soon become sublimely exhilarating, giving the music a sense of liberation, of freedom, deliberate or otherwise.

Those two tracks are taken from the band’s 1981 “Molly Hatchet Live” album. And with three others from the same live recording, ‘Trust Your Old Friend’, ‘Bounty Hunter’ and ‘Gator Country’, make up the five bonuses on this remaster.

No question, with “Molly Hatchet” the debut, the band vigorously staked out their very own chunk of southern rock real estate.

Review by Brian McGowan

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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