Boogie No More (Live in Dallas 1985)

The Zoo Crew is cranking up the vibes at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the high-energy track "Boogie No More (Live in Dallas 1985)" by Molly Hatchet from their live album Double Trouble Live. This song, a Southern rock staple, captures the band’s raw, guitar-driven sound, recorded during their 1984 performances in Dallas, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida. According to posts on Reddit, fans love the track for its “astounding” live energy, with one user on the ClassicRock subreddit in 2024 calling it a “full-tilt” boogie effort that showcases Molly Hatchet’s ability to ignite a crowd. The song’s extended solos, as noted in a 2020 HardRock 80 review, make it a standout for fans of lengthy, electrifying guitar jams, perfectly suited for Zoo Freaks looking to kick their chairs out of the way and rock till the break of day.

Lyrically, "Boogie No More" is a call to action, urging listeners to get up and dance, as seen in lines like “Oh, People, baby, what's the matter with you? Your feet, they ain't leaving' the ground,” which are featured on Genius Lyrics. The track’s live version on Double Trouble Live amplifies its studio counterpart from the 1979 album Flirtin’ with Disaster, with Danny Joe Brown’s bourbon-soaked vocals and the dueling guitars of Dave Hlubek and Duane Roland pushing the energy to new heights. A 2017 blog post on Cun Cun Revival praises the authenticity of the live recording, noting minimal studio tinkering, which gives Zoo Freaks a front-row feel to Molly Hatchet’s 1980s live prowess. The song’s performance in Dallas, as part of the album’s tracklist, was recorded by Fanta Sound, adding to its gritty, unpolished charm.

Molly Hatchet was formed in 1971 in Jacksonville, Florida, by guitarist Dave Hlubek, who drew inspiration from the Southern rock scene and bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band. As detailed on Wikipedia, Hlubek, along with fellow guitarist Steve Holland and early member Bobby Maddox, initially played in local rock clubs before solidifying their lineup with vocalist Danny Joe Brown, guitarist Duane Roland, bassist Banner Thomas, and drummer Bruce Crump. The band’s name, pulled from a hat during a naming session, was inspired by a legendary 17th-century axe murderess, “Hatchet Molly,” as Hlubek shared in an interview with American Songwriter. Their big break came with their 1978 self-titled debut album, which went platinum, followed by the even more successful Flirtin’ with Disaster in 1979, cementing their place in Southern rock history.

The band’s early years were marked by relentless touring, sharing stages with giants like AC/DC, Aerosmith, and The Who, as noted on AXS TV. Their music blended hard rock, boogie, and blues, with iconic album covers featuring heroic fantasy art by painters like Frank Frazetta, which became a signature of their image. Despite lineup changes, including Brown’s departure in 1980 and return in 1982, Molly Hatchet maintained their gritty, blue-collar sincerity, connecting deeply with fans. Today, they continue to tour, led by longtime member Bobby Ingram, who took ownership of the band’s name in 2001, as mentioned on 97.1 The River.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Molly Hatchet through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and throwbacks to their Southern rock roots. Fans can also join discussions on the Molly Hatchet Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant community sharing memories and concert experiences. For deeper dives into the band’s legacy, fan-run sites like Get Ready to ROCK! offer retrospectives and reviews, keeping the spirit of Molly Hatchet alive for new and longtime listeners alike.