Spontaneous Combustion (English band)
| Company type | Group or band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Poole, Dorset , England |
| Products | Progressive rock music, albums, singles |
Spontaneous Combustion was a progressive rock group originating from Poole, Dorset, England, established in 1968. The lineup featured brothers Gary Margetts (guitar, Mellotron, lead vocals) and Tris Margetts (bass, VCS3, vocals), along with Tony Brock (drums, piano, vocals). Over their career, they produced three albums and released four singles, working with notable producers such as Greg Lake, Robert Fripp, Robert Kirby, and Conny Plank. The band ceased activity in 1981 when Tris Margetts became a member of the Greg Lake Band alongside Gary Moore.
In 2012, their catalog was revisited with remastered deluxe editions of their albums and singles, which included original artwork and previously unreleased tracks. These original pressings and associated artwork are still sought-after by collectors.
History
The ensemble initially formed under the name Transit Sound in 1968 through the collaboration of Gary Margetts and Steve Evans. Subsequently, Tris Margetts and Tony Brock joined the group. They began by performing cover songs at clubs around Dorset before incorporating original compositions into their sets. After Steve Evans departed in 1970, the band continued as a trio.
In that same year, Greg Lake—then part of King Crimson and newly involved with Emerson, Lake & Palmer—offered to produce the band and assisted them in securing a contract with EMI Records. It was also on his recommendation that they adopted the name Spontaneous Combustion.
Between 1971 and 1972, they served as the opening act for Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1972 under Lake’s production. The single "Sabre Dance," a rendition of Aram Khachaturian’s piece, featured guest musician Robert Fripp. Also released in 1972 was their second album Triad, which they promoted by headlining EMI's Harvest Mobile Tour.
In 1973, drummer Tony Brock departed to establish The Babys. The Margetts brothers then recruited Jode Leigh and Alec Johnson to continue the band’s efforts, culminating in the release of Time in 1975.
The group disbanded in 1977; however, their song "Spaceship" was included on the 2007 Harvest Records compilation Picnic – A Breath of Fresh Air.
Following this period, Tris Margetts joined the Greg Lake Band from 1981 to 1983, collaborating with Gary Moore among others. This lineup produced two studio albums along with a live recording broadcast on the King Biscuit Flower Hour. This live album has been reissued multiple times under different titles.
Interest in Spontaneous Combustion resurged in 2012 when their track "Just a Dream," produced by Greg Lake during sessions for Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Tarkus album, was erroneously included as an ELP bonus track labeled "Unknown Ballad." Upon discovery of the mistake, the release was withdrawn. In 2016, Lake oversaw a corrected reissue featuring the song alongside an explanatory note.
In 2020, rock historian Brett Milano highlighted their debut album as one of "Classic Albums By Young Musicians: 25 Age-Defying Greats."
Discography
- Spontaneous Combustion (1972)
- Triad (1972)
- Time (1975)