Spontaneous Combustion

Spontaneous Combustion were an English progressive rock band formed in 1968 in Poole, Dorset, with brothers Gary Margetts (guitar, Mellotron, lead vocals) and Tris Margetts (bass, VCS3, vocals), and Tony Brock (drums, piano, vocals). The band released three albums and four singles working with producers Greg Lake, Robert Fripp, Robert Kirby, and Conny Plank before ending in 1981 when Tris Margetts became bassist in the Greg Lake Band with Gary Moore. In 2012 their albums and singles were remastered and released as deluxe reissues with reproductions of artwork, and singles that weren't previously on albums; additional deluxe reissues have released in the decade since. Their original records and artwork are collector's items. History The band was originally formed as Transit Sound in 1968 by friends Gary Margetts and Steve Evans, joined by Tris Margetts and Tony Brock. Initially they played cover songs in local Dorset clubs but began adding their original music. In August 1970 Evans left and the band continued as a trio. In 1970 Greg Lake, who lived in the same town, and at the time had achieved success as a member of King Crimson and had recently formed Emerson, Lake & Palmer, offered to produce the band and encouraged EMI Records to sign them. Lake also suggested a name change to Spontaneous Combustion. The band opened for Emerson, Lake & Palmer several times in 1971-72. Their first album, Spontaneous Combustion, which was produced by Lake, was released in 1972. Their single "Sabre Dance", covering the classical composition by Aram Khachaturian, featured a guest appearance by Robert Fripp. The band's second album Triad was released later in 1972, and they supported the album with a headline appearance at the Harvest Mobile Tour Fall '72 promoted by EMI.