Pantera & The Pot: The Half Baked History

Pantera and pot go together like peanut butter & jelly. Since the band’s origin in Arlington, Texas back in 1981, Pantera wrote lyrics about it (“Your trust is in whiskey, weed and Black Sabbath” from “Goddamn Electric”), incorporated spotlights shining pot leaves onto their live performance backdrops, and even smoked it on stage.

Big deal, you ask? Well in the 80’s and 90’s, it actually was! Keep in mind that this was when marijuana was not only illegal everywhere, but it was also taboo too. So yeah, this was LONG before you could purchase CBD Oil from a gym, or get a prescription filled at your local pharmacy. It was a DRUG, and Pantera promoted the shit out of it!

Pantera’s obsession with pot leaves was also unique in the heavy metal world. During this time period, their metal peers were more focused on a darker, evil and/or “satanic” image, and Pantera’s musical and vocal aggressiveness sure didn’t fit their “hesher” imagery. But that’s what made Pantera the Pantera we all know and love. They just didn’t give a fuck.

And then there was the merch. Oh…the merch.

The use of the pot leaf on Pantera T-shirts is just about as iconic as The Rolling Stones’ Tongue, the Black Flag Bars, or the Grateful Dead Bears at this point. Don’t take our word for it though. Here’s The Soporanos’ A.J. Soprano (played by Robert Iler) in an episode of one of the most critically acclaimed television series of all time:

Or what about Rhianna?

Like we said: peanut butter and jelly.

Now with 4/20 fast-approaching, we figured maybe it’s time we have some real fun. Sure, you’ve seen the Pantera Pot Leaf T-shirt just about everywhere now, but have you ever seen it on an actual (neon) GREEN shirt? Yeah, we didn’t think so. Because if there’s one thing that one of the notoriously craziest party bands ever needs, it’s the craziest color T-shirt we could think of. That’s why we’re thrilled to reveal the first ever, NEON GREEN Pantera Pot Leaf T-shirt:

It's exclusive to us here at Rockabilia, it's limited edition, and is available to purchase right now HERE: 

Thank you for attending today’s history lesson. In case you were stoned and not paying attention, here are your CliffsNotes: Pantera&Pot&PeanutButter&Jelly.

Happy 420,

-Rockabilia