Molly Hatchet's latest studio effort Justice hit stores yesterday and the band will hit the road later this week. To Bobby Ingram, brain, guitarist and main songwriter of American Southern rock act Molly Hatchet, the term 'Justice' is more than just a word. To him, this basic concept expresses his whole philosophy of life. Justice, fairness, trust between friends, family members, parents and their children: what could be more important?
Molly Hatchet live this maxim, to them this solemn promise applies not only within the international Southern Rock community, but also to their music and its impact on their fans.
Yet Ingram saves himself any kind of self-assessment, leaving the verdict on Molly Hatchet's latest offering, Justice, to his audience. "Have we evolved as a band? Have we become better? Stronger? These are questions that everybody should answer for themselves when they have listened to our new album. I'm sure that the clarification of this matter will turn out in our favor."
Ingram's confidence, his joy and his pride in the new material on Justice are well warranted. A dozen rock numbers prove that Molly Hatchet are justly considered to be on par with legends such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers. Justice is marked by hot Southern Rock that is exceptionally powerful and diverse. Almost every single track signals its musical and thematic direction. As front man Phil McCormack unmistakably sings on 'American Pride': "Got that American pride with that southern style, born and bred something deep inside." And the title track is pretty much representative of the whole album: "We need some Justice to make the wrong into right."
6/5 - Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater/Pocono Raceway Festival
6/26 - Hampton, VA @ Hampton Block Party/Queensway Street
7/9 - Sheridan, WY @ Sheridan WYO Rodeo
7/15 - Springfield, MA @ Bike Night at Stearns Square
7/16 - Grants, NM @ Fire & Ice Rally
7/17 - Erie, Pennsylvania @ Roar on the Shore Motorcycle Rally
7/24 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Dakota Rock Fest/Sioux Empire Festival Grounds
7/30 - Springfield, MO @ Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
8/5 - Horseheads, NY @ Chemung County Fair
8/7 - Front Royal, VA @ Warren County Fair
8/8 - Watertown, WI @ Watertown Riverfest
8/12 - West Allis, WI @ Cousins Int'l Amphitheater/Wisconsin State Fair
9/4 - Rutland, VT @ Vermont State Fair
9/29 - Doswell, VA @ State Fair of Virginia
10/30 - Manistee, MI @ Little River Casino Resort