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 Steffy Sharpstrings' highly individual sound was influenced by Jimi Hendrix , Frank Zappa, Both Steffy and bassist Keith the Bass have featured in later incarnations of Gong.
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The band formed in the West London Ladbroke Grove squatter community in 1974. They were known for jamming.
Synth player Paul Noble aka Twink (not the same Twink from the Pink Fairies) and drummer Keith "Kif-kif" Dobson formed the foundation of the band. When guitarist Stephan Lewry and Keith Bailey the bass player joined them to perform at the Watchfield free festival of August 1975, it led to what is considered to be the definitive Here & Now line-up. They were often joined by two female singers Ano and Suze de Blooze. Another essential member was soundman Grant Showbiz who went on to work with The Fall, The Smiths, and Billy Bragg. Twink was replaced on synthesizer by Gavin da Blitz in 1977.
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 Floating Anarchy 1977 and a single "Opium for the People".
The band also forged a strong relationshp with punk pundit Mark P.'s group Alternative TV, touring together and, in 1978, releasing a joint live album What You See Is What You Are.
In 1980 Kif Kif left, starting his own recording studio Street Level and forming a cassette label Fuck Off Records that is a recognized pioneer in the DIY lo-fi movement. He also formed a new trio World Domination Enterprises.
The band toured extensively in 1980 and 1981 living on their converted bus. This included the free summer festivals of Deeply Vale, Stonehenge and Glastonbury. The hallmark of the gigs was a that they were always free entrance and funds were helped with a collection.
In 1981 Steffe left due to dissatisfaction with the direction and vibe of the band, he became deeply involved in reggae/world music and played with Inner Force, formed Nomadiks and also worked with Addis rockers, The band continued under the leadership of Keith the Bass with Dino Ferrari ( a long time roadie with the band ) and a variety of drummers, recording albums: Fantasy Shift; Coaxed out from Oxford; Theatre and Been and Gone amongst others. This incarnation split in 1986 due to record company troubles and the Stonehenge Free festival getting trashed by police. They reformed a year later in 1987 with Keith on bass, Gavin on keyboards, guitarist Dino Ferrari, saxophonist Jonathan 'JC' Lambert and ex-UK Subs[1] drummer Pete Davis. Gavin left Here & Now finally in 1990 to be replaced by Andy Roid. Steffe returned along with Drummer Steve Cassidy in 1990 after playing with Keith in a televised performance of Gong for central t.v. . This line-up recorded the UFOasis album.
In the early 2000's Keith the Bass and Steffe continued the band, with Joie Hinton from Ozric Tentacles/Eat Static on keyboards and Steve Cassidy on drums.
In the late 2000s a line-up featuring Kif Kif, Twink and Steffe occasionally performed improvised music, a la mid-seventies Here & Now, under the name "Ici Maintenants". Steffe left Here and Now in early summer of 2009 after concluding he could no long work with Keith. 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 http://Visitation-Arena.soundawesome.com/ , http://soundcloud.com/visitation-arena , http://www.myspace.com/visitationarena , In September 2009 a new line-up was announced: Gwyo ZePix (ex Zorch[2] and Gong); Slim Verhoef (ex Giant Eyes[3]); Nik Nimbus[4]); Drumbiz (ex Mandragora, Giant Eyes[3]); and Keith the Bass.
September 2010 sees Esoteric Recordings release remastered versions of both Give & Take and All Over The Show.[5]
In 2011 Mark Robson of Kangaroo Moon and Magick Brothers took the helm of Keyboard Meister and Vocals.