Guitar & Bass Tabs
Molly Hatchet
About Molly Hatchet
Molly Hatchet formed in 1971 in Jacksonville, Florida, rising from the local club scene to national recognition with a fearless blend of bluesy Southern rock and hard-edged guitar swagger. The lineup anchored by Dave Hlubek and Steve Holland on twin lead guitars, along with Duane Roland and a commanding frontman, built a sound defined by muscular riffs and soaring melodic leads. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1978, introduced a bold, riff-heavy approach that would become the band’s signature. The following year’s breakthrough, Flirtin’ with Disaster (1979), cemented their reputation as one of Southern rock’s most combustible acts.
🎸 Want to know what gear Molly Hatchet used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Whiskey Man
Molly Hatchet
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Flirtin' With Disaster
Molly Hatchet
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Bounty Hunter
Molly Hatchet
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Molly Hatchet’s hallmark is a fearless twin-lead guitar approach, weaving interlocking melodies with muscular, riff-driven rhythm parts. Their playing draws on blues-inflected scales, pentatonic and mixolydian patterns, and a heavy emphasis on power chords and palm muting to drive the crunch. Lead lines often feature expressive bends and vibrato, while the rhythm section locks in tight, giving the songs their iconic, chantable groove. The band’s sound is uniquely bold due to the call-and-response harmony between two guitars and a dominant, down-to-earth rock attack.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
The band’s tone relies on solid-body electrics delivering a thick, midrange-heavy crunch through loud tube amps, with plenty of drive and natural room ambiance. Their classic sound is built around a two-guitar setup that fills the space with complementary leads, complemented by tasteful use of delay, chorus, and reverb to widen the guitar texture. In short, expect big, guitar-forward tones that sit firmly in the realm of hard-edged Southern rock.
Why Learn Molly Hatchet Songs?
Learning Molly Hatchet tunes builds real-world rock skills: rock-solid rhythmic precision, confident power-chord work, and the artful integration of lead fills with a driving groove. The three available lessons—Bounty Hunter, Flirtin’ With Disaster, and Whiskey Man—offer a range of tempos and riffing styles, from rugged, shoulder-to-shoulder chug to soaring dual-lead melodies. Difficulty sits at late-beginner to intermediate, making these tracks excellent stepping stones for players ready to deepen groove, timing, and lead phrasing while building stamina for faster, more intricate rock parts.
Did You Know?
- 1Formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1971, Molly Hatchet helped define Southern hard rock with a fierce twin-guitar attack.
- 2Their 1979 album Flirtin’ with Disaster became a cornerstone of Southern rock and boosted the band’s national profile.
- 3The band became famous for high-energy live performances and a powerful rhythm section that drove their iconic riffs.
- 4Lead guitarist Dave Hlubek’s blazing riffs and the group’s signature chord progressions influenced many hard rock players who followed.
3 Molly Hatchet lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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