Bodast (psych rock, psych pop / England)

Bodast (also known as Canto) was a prog-psych band from London, England that formed in May 1968. The name of the band was derived from the first two letters of each of the three founding band members' first names: Bobby Clarke (drums), Dave Curtis (bass, vocals) and prior Tomorrow and future Yes star Steve Howe (guitar). Clive Skinner (vocals, guitar) was also an original member of the group. 

The group recorded an album for Tetragrammaton Records in 1968. The label had success in the United States with Deep Purple, but went out of business just before the scheduled release date for the Bodast album.

A portion of a song from the Bodast album titled "Nether Street" was renamed "Würm" and was re-used as part of the song "Starship Trooper" from The Yes Album in 1971.

The 1968 Bodast recordings were eventually released in 1981, and most recently by RPM Records in 2000. Bassist Dave Curtiss later formed a folk duo with Clive Maldoon (born Clive Skinner) called Curtiss Maldoon in 1971. They have recorded two albums, the first simply called Curtiss Maldoon in October 1971 and Steve Howe played on two songs on that one, and the second Maldoon in November 1973.

Years active: May 1968 - July 1969

Members: 

Steve Howe - lead guitar, acoustic guitar

Clive Skinner (Maldoon) - vocals, acoustic guitar  RIP

Bobby Clarke - drums  RIP

Dave Curtis - bass, vocals

(Keith West - producer)

Discography:

- The Bodast Tapes - Featuring Steve Howe (1981 Cherry Red – BRED 12)

- The Early Years (Steve Howe with Bodast - printed in France, 1988 & 1990)

- Spectral Nether Street: The Complete Collection (RPM Records, 2000)

- Towards Utopia Esoteric Recordings – ECLEC 2593

Nether Street: https://youtu.be/6g6Y8d0FycM : 

Canto (pre Bodast) :

Canto, pre-Bodast - Power Of Music:   https://youtu.be/kwRCi7ad7Wg : 

This track is from the  Bodast ‎– Spectral Nether Street comp, from the original mixes by Keith West and released on RPM Records label, 2000.  This album contains the songs that are the missing link between Tomorrow and Yes. This is an unreleased 1968 song by pre-Bodast Canto, who were the trio of Steve Howe, Bobby Clarke, and Dave Curtiss.

Sources: Wikipedia, YouTube