Here & Now are an English
psychedelic/
space rock band formed in early 1974. They have close connections with the band
Gong and in 1977/1978 worked with Gong's
Daevid Allen and
Gilli Smyth under the name Planet Gong.
History
The first version of the group was co-founded in London by drummer/vocalist Keith Dobson, guitarist/keyboardist José Gross, bassist Franco and others in March 1974. By 1975 the line-up featured Dobson/Kif Kif Le Batteur (drums/vocals), Steffe Sharpstrings (guitar), Paul 'Twink' Noble (synths) and Keith Tha Missile (bass).
In 1977, Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth recruited the band to tour with them under the name Planet Gong, and this combination released a live album Live Floating Anarchy 1977 and a single "Opium for the People". The musicians who played on Live Floating Anarchy 1977 were:
Steffe Sharpstrings (Stephan Lewry) - guitar
Keith Tha Missile Bass (Keith Bailey) - bass
Kif Kif Le Batteur (Keith Dobson) - drums/vocals
Gavin Da Blitz (Gavin Allardyce) - synths
Suze Da Blooz (Susan Allport) & Ano Wombat (Ano Graver) - dancing/vocals
Gilli Smyth - vocals
Dingbat Alien (Daevid Allen) - guitar/vocals
Kif Kif, Suze and Ano left the band by January 1979; Graver to join
Alternative TV, Allport sang with The Androids of Mu, while Dobson fronted the cult 1980s
post-punk bands The 012 and
World Domination Enterprises. He was replaced initially by Rob Bougie. Here & Now continued into the 1980s around the nucleus of Keith and Gavin, with (following Steffe's departure) Dean Gaisburgh-Watkyn on guitar and Paul Rose on drums. Gavin left the band in the early 1990s but, following a 'Planet Gong' reunion tour, Steffe subsequently rejoined and brought in drummer Steve Cassidy (until 2007).
Steffe left Here & Now again in 2009. He has continued to work with Steve Cassidy on various fusion projects and contributed to Joie Hinton projects. He is now concentrating on solo work and his long-time involvement in Visitation Arena with Cher Newsam.[1][2][3]
Here & Now continues to tour as a loose collective under the leadership of Keith Tha Bass.
Band members
Kif Kif Le Batteur (Keith Dobson) – drums/vocals (1974–1978) + ~