Here & Now (band)

Here & Now are an English Psychedelic/progressive/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, which released one (live) album "Floating Anarchy 1977" and one single "Opium for the People".

Guitarist Steffy Sharpstrings' highly individual sound developed from many early influences including Steve Hackett of Genesis and former Gong lead-guitarist Steve Hillage. Both Steffy and bassist Keith the Bass have featured in later incarnations of Gong.

The first version of Here & Now, co-founded by drummer Kif Kif Le Batter (or Batteur, as it is sometimes punningly rendered, "batteur" being French for drummer) in 1974, were known for jamming (free musical improvisation), which they did exclusively, as they believed in the purity of creating music "in the moment" and didn't have rehearsals or songs. They would only play their music at free shows and free festivals. One other part of their manifesto was never to compromise the "in the moment" ethos by releasing, or even making, sound recordings. Consequently no recordings of the 1974 version of the band exist.

There have been many changes of personnel over the years, yet the defining moments in the formation of the band's musical character came with the 1975 - 1977 line up of Kif Kif (Drums and Vocals), Twink (Synthesiser, not the Pink Fairies Twink), Steffe (Guitar and Vocals) and Keith the Bass (Bass Guitar).

Keith the Bass and Steffe still perform as Here & Now with Joie Hinton from Ozric Tentacles/Eat Static on keyboards and Steve Cassidy on drums. A line-up featuring Kif Kif, Twink and Steffe currently perform improvised music, a la mid-seventies Here & Now, under the name "Ici Maintenants".

Discography

* "Planet Gong Live Floating Anarchy 1977" (as "Planet Gong")(1977)
* "Give and Take" 1978
* "Dog in Hell" (EP) 1978
* "All Over the Show"
* "Stolen Moments" (early 80's - cassette only)
* "Fantasy Shift"
* "Theatre"
* "Been & Gone"
* "Standing Forever" (EP)
* "UFOasis"
* "Gospel of Free" (1976 to 1978. Released in 1999)
* "Space and Time" (as "Ici Maintenants") (2001/2003)

External links

* [http://www.planetgong.co.uk Planet Gong website]
* [http://www.herenow.be BeHereNow website. Has lots of detail on the very early history of Here & Now, including photos and soundfiles. Also features current day band "Ici Maintenants". a reincarnation of mid-seventies Here & Now]
* [http://www.wellers.demon.co.uk/Here%20&%20Now.htm fantastic Here & Now site with full discography]
* [http://www.dreamworker.co.uk/here%20&%20now/here%20&%20now.html dreamworker's Here & Now page]