Bounty Hunter (Live 1985)

Yo, Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew’s cranking up Molly Hatchet’s “Bounty Hunter (Live 1985)” from the smokin’ Double Trouble Live album, and we’ve got some righteous trivia to share. This track, originally from their 1978 debut, is a Southern rock banger with a gritty edge, capturing the band’s raw energy. The live version from ’85, recorded in Dallas and Jacksonville, hits hard with Danny Joe Brown’s bourbon-soaked vocals and the dueling guitars of Dave Hlubek and Duane Roland. A fan on Amazon raved about a similar live set, Bounty Hunter Live ’78-’80, saying it’s “Molly Hatchet in all their raw, young, and hungry power,” complete with Hlubek’s occasional guitar flubs and Brown’s off-key moments, which just adds to the charm. The song’s lyrics, painting a lone rider chasing outlaws, vibe with the band’s outlaw spirit, and its proto-punk riffing, as noted by Phoenix New Times, gives it a unique edge in Southern rock.

Another cool tidbit comes from the HardRock 80 blog, which calls Double Trouble Live a “closure of a chapter” for Molly Hatchet. After this album, the band got dropped by Epic, and Hlubek split due to personal struggles, making this live cut a snapshot of their peak before the storm. Fans on Reddit have called “Bounty Hunter” underrated, praising its high-octane delivery. The Discogs page for the vinyl notes that the album’s gatefold sleeve came with a four-page bio sheet, a treat for collectors. This live version, with its extended jams and crowd energy, is a testament to why Molly Hatchet was a killer live act, even if they never got the same shine as Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Now, let’s rewind to how Molly Hatchet got rollin’. Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971 by guitarist Dave Hlubek, the band’s roots trace back to the late ’60s when Hlubek, Tim Lindsey, and Skip Lake were in a psychedelic outfit called Mind Garden. By ’71, Hlubek teamed up with Steve Holland, Bobby Maddox, and later Danny Joe Brown to form Molly Hatchet, named after a legendary prostitute who supposedly mutilated her clients, as per Wikipedia. The name was suggested by Maddox, who heard it at the University of Florida, according to Hlubek in an interview. They honed their sound in Jacksonville’s rock clubs, blending Southern boogie with hard rock. By 1978, they signed with Epic Records, and their debut album, featuring “Bounty Hunter,” went platinum, cementing their place in the Southern rock scene.

The band’s early days were all about grit and hustle, with Hlubek and Holland’s guitar interplay drawing comparisons to Thin Lizzy, as noted by Elsewhere. Their album covers, often painted by fantasy artists like Frank Frazetta, gave them a mythic vibe. Despite lineup changes and tragedies—sadly, all original members have passed, with Brown dying in 2005 and Hlubek in 2017—they’ve kept the flame alive with members like John Galvin and Bobby Ingram. You can catch up with them on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at spots like the Molly Hatchet Fan Club on Facebook and fan club pages on their site, keeping the Southern rock spirit alive for all you Zoo Freaks out there.