(c’76-81) – David Raphael (keyboards / harmonica), Malcolm Dewhurst (drums), Ian Steward (bass), Al Dick (vocal / harmonica) and Steve Baker (lead & rhythm guitar).

Panther at the bar of their regular practice venue. Picture courtesy of William de Kock

In ’76, Dewhurst banded together with vocalist Paul Neal, later adding Jane Pethick (lead guitar) and Erik Gibbons (guitar) and Ruth Gibbons (bass). By ’78, the original line-up included Ian Smith on bass and Dick. Smith was replaced by Steward and after Neal left Jim Homersham of Dr JJ’s Blues Band stepped up for a few months replacing Dick on vocals who’s stepped away, until he left and Dick returned. Steve Busby (guitar) joined the band at around this time. Dick was responsible for pulling ex-Squire guitarist Baker into the mix. When Raphael, who’s been introduced to Panther by Homersham as a harmonica and keyboard player, auditioned for Panther, there was Ruth and Erik Gibbons, Dewhurst, Pethick and Homersham. Raphael would eventually replace Dick on vocals / harmonica. At some point Pete Steadman, also joined the band but eventually the band locked down to Raphael, Dewhurst, Steward, Dick, and Baker. Peter Cripps picked up the roadie / manager duties securing gigs at topflight venues, and when Busby didn’t return to the band after his vacation stood in on guitar for about 3 months.

The band entered Chestnut Studios, Churt for their first studio recording session, with Cripps undertaking production, in ’79. Cripps was still on guitar when Upstairs at Ronnie Scotts’, London hosted Panther on 28th August ’79, with a number of fans receiving tickets for free entry. This was the year that they came third in a Melody Maker talent contest. Their tape made it to Polydor, who turned them down ‘as only signing mod bands’ according to a Jon Harlow’s piece in Soundscene.

On 31 May ’80, the band teamed up with M.I.5., Hailey’s Vomit and other, reportedly, for an anti-nuclear armament benefit party held at the Church Hall, Woodham. A few months later, on 29 November ’80 the band were the solitary rock band at Woking’s Music Festival, held at the Centre Halls, Woking. Oft seen playing live at The Cricketers, Westfield, they were invited by Rick Buckler to support The Jam at The Civic Hall, Guildford on 11 December ’80 – which they did. Paul Weller asked Baker, who was an old school mate, if he could play Dewhurst’s kit in the soundcheck – of course he could!

Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.

Jon Harlow’s Tapeworm project’s first release was of Panther live at The Cricketer’s on 11 February ’81. Ray Mitchell’s Ebony Mobile Studio rolled up to the pub and run the wires through the bay window and recorded almost 50 minutes of live performance on their four-track system, putting 8 songs on each side. We also know that Panther supported The Alligators at The Junction, on the top floor of Bunters, Guildford on 10 July ’81. Coming back from a booking in South London, Dick fell out the back of the band’s van and landed on the bonnet of the car behind. The inebriated Dick, unscathed and still clutching his beer, brushed himself down and carried on.

Original Panther members Raphael, Dewhurst, and Busby along with Nigel Turner played a reunion gig at the Apulstock Festival, Bosham on 19 July 2014.

At some point Raphael and Dewhurst signed a recording contract and Panther were on to lay down some tracks at studios near Marble Arch. This was probably Pye Studios, but the other band members vetoed the session and the contract as they ‘didn’t trust record companies’. By ’81, most of them resided in the same house where they’d gather, load the band van, head up to London for a gig, and then back in the early morning. Non-payment by one of those London venues led the beer loving band members to confiscate a keg in lieu of cash. A tough life when you are trying to hold down a day job on very few hours sleep. Eventually the band members went their own ways.

Dewhurst and Steward reportedly teamed up with Brian ? of The Fix after Panther folded in October ’81. Dick, Baker and Rapheal formed Cutting Edge with Nick Hudson (drums), Keith Renton (bass) in ’81. By ’85 Dewhurst was in China Heart with fellow Panther Raphael along with Brian Hanlon (vocals / guitar), and Nigel Turner (bass). Smith recalls, after leaving Panther, seeing and responding to an advert in the NME looking for a bassist, and Zero Time were formed.

Original members Raphael, and Dewhurst, along with Busby and Turner played a reunion gig at the Apulstock Festival, Bosham on 19th July 2014. Horsell resident Baker, who’d been in Squire prior to Panther, emigrated to Australia and played in The Beatlegs, regrettably died on New Years Day 2019. Steward and Homersham are also no longer with us. Dick, who may have changed his last name to Grant, has disappeared.

Front cover of 2025’s ‘Made to Measure’ CD compilation on Different Class Records

In 2025, Different Class Records, issued a 20-track CD compilation of Panther’s demo recording and tracks captured live at The Cricketers, all remastered by Peter Woodley of Kidz Next Door, on 11 February ’81.

Tracks:

Gallery:

Panther c ’77/78 L-R: David Raphael, Ian Smith , Erik Gibbons, Steve Busby, Malcolm Dewhurst, and Al Dick. Picture Courtesy of Malcolm Dewhurst
Free ticket for Upstairs at Ronnie’s to see Panther on 28th August 1979. Picture courtesy of Keith Knowles
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker.
The cover of Jon Harlow’s Tapeworm project’s first release: Panther live at The Cricketers, Westfield 11 February ’81. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker.
Jon Harlow reviews the Panther Tapeworm for the 20 February ’81 Soundscene. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker.
10 July 1981: The Alligators supported by Panther played Junction (top floor of Bunters), Guildford. Picture courtesy of John Hudson
A little piece on post-Panther developments from Soundscene, 1 October 1981
Jim Homersham and Al Dick of Panther. Picture courtesy of Malcolm Dewhurst
Back cover of 2025’s ‘Made to Measure’ CD compilation on Different Class Records