Pantha, like Pirana (another Sydney group in the early 1970’s), was influenced by Santana’s preference for rock over Latin. Their music featured unusual combinations of jazz, Latin American and West Indian sounds, as well as Zappa-like songs. They were clearly channeling Osibisa/Santana, but they had a lot of fun doing it. Paul Curtis, the exuberant frontman, was a great vocalist and flamboyant drummer. Other members included Roger Pell (ex–Kush), Danny Bourne (who later joined Mick Fettes and Thank God You’re Here’s Shane Bourne [brother]?). in Bandicoot), and later, Barry Cram, who went on to play drums with the hard rock bands Avalanche (and Contraband). Peter Lee, a conga player who later switched to drums, was not the same Peter Lee who was drummer for Stylus. One line-up change occurred during their time together: Barry Cram replaced Adriane Paine on drums, and Jose McLaughlin replaced Dannie Bourne at keyboards. Pantha was a support act for the Doobie Brothers during their 1976 “Stampede Across Australia Tour” at Festival Hall, Melbourne. Pantha released only three singles and an album (on Wizzard) in their short lives. They were recorded live at the DoubleJay concert on April 12, 1977 with a track called “Rushcutter Bay Heartbeat Reggae”. Their album was recorded at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney, and was produced and mixed by Roger Pell, John Sayers, and John Sayers. from https://streetrockrecords.wordpress.com
