Here & Now (band)

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.

Guitarist Steffe Sharpstrings' highly individual sound was influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa. Both Steffy (Stephen Lewry) and bassist Keith the Bass (Keith Bailey) featured in 1990s incarnations of Gong.

The first version of the group was co-founded in London by drummer/vocalist Keith Dobson later known as "Kif Kif Le Batteur", guitarist/keyboardist José Gross, bassist Franco & others in March, 1974. They were known for jamming (free improvisation), which they did exclusively. The name was made up by Keith and Franco and inspired by the book Be Here Now by Baba Ram Dass. Keith, José, violinist Chris Kellaher & guitarist Jol Buchanan had been jamming together since 1973 in an apartment at 30 Hedgegate Court, Powys Terrace off Portobello Road, London. Their unpopularity with other residents in the block who had a habit of throwing mattresses and bricks at their window meant that they could not stay so they moved to a squat in for the first time in Norburn Street, W10 off Ladbroke Grove in early 1974 when they teamed up with Franco. They believed in the purity of creating music "in the moment" and didn't have rehearsals or songs. No-one ever paid to see or hear them either, as they would only play their music at free shows and free festivals.

One other part of their manifesto was to never to release, or even make, recordings of their music. Consequently, no recordings at all of the 1974 version of Here & Now are thought to exist. Other members of the original band included Franco (Bass), Marguerita (Vocals), Chris Kelleher (Violin), Joleon (Lead Guitar) and Jose Gross (Keyboards & Guitar).

The band had a residency at the Albion Free State's 'Meat Roxy' in Lancaster Road off Ladbroke Grove, a squatted old cinema to which José helped bring over an old brass bed, and made their last performance at the August, 1974 Windsor Free Festival. The band reformed as a 3-piece in November, 1974, with Kif Kif, Jose (temporarily on Bass then Keyboards), and Joleon Buchanan and moved to another squat at 373 Latimer Road, W10.

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