Horace Panter Ska'd For Life

Ska'd For Life
Horace Panter
30 Aug 1953

Better known as Sir Horace Gentleman, is the bassist for the British Ska revival band , The Coventry Automatics , The Special A.K.A more popularly known as simply " The Specials "that comes to prominence in the late 70's and early 80's.
After the birth of the second wave Ska, or the 2Tone era that started a movement/ scene. The "two-tone" sound was a combination of influences from ska, reggae and rocksteady with elements of punk rock and new wave
The Specials spearheaded the movement and had the most significant success in mainstream music, that has inspired a lot of bands (around the world) that came after them, and cult following up to this very day
Other notable band which considered as purveyors of the movement includes, The Selecter, The English Beat, The Bad Manners, Madness, The Body Snatchers: altogether created a unique sound, character, and ideology that has been embraced by the "Skinheads" and "Rudies" around the world

2Tone also references a desire to transcend and defuse racial tensions in Thatcher-era Britain:
And its legacy inspired generations of musicians, scene and musical evolution.

Sir Horace would collaborate with other bands, most notable with former General Public formed by fellow 2Tone artists, The Beat's Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger .

The Specials would take a short hiatus , but would reemerge in 1993. And has been a constant member of different incarnations of the band up to this day

in 2007 , shared his musical journey with the Specials via paperback "Ska'd For Life"

 

 



Aside from music Horace is a busy Visual artist , his works has found home i different Galleries not only in the UK but in the US. and is available as well on his social media pages.

                                                                                          

"BASH STREET KIDS"

                                                                                    

"CASETTES"

Horace is one of the primary reason i love playing Bass Guitar. Having discovered The Specials at the best time, when i was starting to hold the low end in 1994, and has Considered the bass as my go to instrument that totally changed my perspective of listening to music as a whole.

I think Ska (punk) music was just perfect for me to explore the instrument. As most bass lines were edgy, and very lively (and challanging).

and of course understanding the bass line as an integral part of the music was like unlocking a different dimension.and the process of learning the musical instrument was a great journey for someone who don't have a formal musical background.

Horace was one of the first who opened my ears of discernment.. and appreciate the music creativity to a much higher degree since.

Tracks like "Niteclub" , "Too Much Too Young" "Dawning Of A New Era", "Concrete Jungle" "Do the Dog" and "Little Bitch" listening for the first , there was an undeniable energy, contagiously overtaken me, shortly became my go to Specials songs because of Panter's intricate Bass lines.. it was just compelling.

The Specials is just one of the bands that has been constantly on my playlist since i first heard them in 1995..

And looking back It was just a magical time, as the local Ska Scene was born shortly, after Ska Legends Put3Ska came into prominence, after "Manila Girl" became a massive success.

It created a place for Ska headed people back then

And became a small community, which has remained loyal to the music up to this very day .

. I was fortunate to be a small.part of that scene as a fan and as a trying hard musician, playing in a shortlived Ska punk band wannabes and those would sweat it out on evry Ska shows possible and would hop from bar and to places just to get do some skankin'

Just f*** great time..