Spontaneous Combustion
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1971-73)\ - Tony Brock -- drums, percussion - Gary Margetts -- vocals, lead guitar - Tristan "Tris" Magetts -- bass, backing vocals
line up 2 (1973) as Time NEW - Alex Johnson -- vocals, guitar NEW - Jody Leigh -- drums, percussion (replaced Tony Brock) - Gary Margetts -- vocals, lead guitar - Tristan "Tris' Margetts -- bass, backing vocal - Mike Udell -- vocals
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- The Babys (Tony Brock) - Greg Lake (Tristan "Tris' Magetts) - Strider (Tony Brock) - Time (Gary and Tristan Margetts)
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Genre: progressive Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Spontaneous Combustion Company: Harvest Catalog: SHVL
801 Country/State: Poole, UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: UK pressing; gatefold sleeve; textured cover Available: SOLD Catalog ID: SOLD 109 Price: SOLD $140.00
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Here's one of those talented early 1970s UK rock/progressive outfits that deserved wider recognition, but had the misfortune of recording during a period when the market was literally drowning with similarly talented bands. Needless to say, these guys were relegated to 'also ran' category, though they've attracted posthumous attention from collectors.
left to right: Tony Brock - Tris Margetts - Gary Margetts
Still in their teens, Tony Brock and brothers Gary and Tristan Margetts (vocals/lead guitar and bass respectively) decided to form a band after meeting at a local boys club and discovering a shared passion in rock.. Originally known as Transient Sand (great name), the three began writing material, rehearsing and playing local clubs. Their efforts attracted the attention of John House who signed on as their manager. House brought the band to the attention of his buddy (and Poole native) Greg Lake. Already a mega-star. Lake was interested in signing some local talent and quickly took an interest in the trio. After a name change, Lake helped the band sign with Harvest and stepped in to produce their 1971 debut single:
- 'Lonely Singer' b/w '200 Lives' (Harvest catalog number HAR 5046)
While the single didn't do much commercially, Harvest agreed to finance an album - 1972's Greg Lake produced "Spontaneous Combustion". Recorded over a six week period with all three members contributing to the writing chores, the album found the band trying to navigate a path between conventional rock and a more progressive attack. The results weren't perfect, but on tracks like 'Speed of Light' and 'Listen' they actually came up with some impressive results. Gary was a more than competent singer and once you got over his initial solo, a surprisingly accomplished lead guitarist while the Brock-Margetts rhythm section had more than enough power to keep even the most experimental efforts ('Reminder') on track. To be totally honest, the first couple of spins this one simply didn't make much of an impression on me, but the more I listened to it, the more I enjoyed the collection. The results are even more impressive when you realized these guys were still in their teens, yet managed to hold their own against heavy hitters like Lake.
"Spontaneous
Combustion" track listing: 1.) Speed of Light (Gary Margetts) - 5:27 'Speed of Light' was a pretty good representation of the trio's mixture of conventional rock and progressive moves. The song moved between an entertaining and melodic opening and a more progressive-oriented jam oriented mid-section. Jumping, but still catchy, for anyone who cared, though it was largely buried in the mix, Tristan's hyperactive bass provided the song's secret weapon. In contrast, Gary's lead guitar solo sounded tentative and kind of clunky and the ELP-styled synthesizer at the end of the song were simply unnecessary rating: *** stars 2.) Listen To the Wind (Gary Margetts) - 7:49 A pretty ballad that showcased some tasty multi-tiered vocals, if there were any doubts with respect to Gary's guitar chops, the opening segment (recalling something out of Robin Trower's catalog) and West-Coast flavored solo on 'Listen To the Wind' should have served to eradicate those concerns. rating: *** stars 3.) Leaving (Gary Margetts) - 5:18 Opening up as a 12 string acoustic powered ballad, the first segment of 'Leaving' did little for me. The song was pretty enough, but coming on the heels of the previous song, it simply didn't have a lot of energy going for it. Luckily the song started to pick up more and more energy as it went along (kudos to Brock who turned in some of his best work on the song - you should listen to this one on a quality pair of headphones), and the second half of the composition saw the emphasis shift to Gary's electric guitar. I'm not sure what effects he used, but the results recalled something off of a Mike Oldfield song (think about the guitar solo on 'Tubular Bells'). rating: **** stars
(side
2) Previously released as the 'B' side on their debut single, '200 Lives' was probably the album's most straight forward and commercial number. Kicked along by a harmony rich melody that sounded more 1967 than 1971, the song also showcased Gary's best guitar work. One of my favorites tracks ... rating: **** stars 2.) Down with the Moon (Gary Margetts - Tony Brock - Tristan Margetts) - 7:07 'Down with the Moon' found the band retaining a firm group on commerciality, but opening up the experimental quotient. All three members stretch out on this one with Brock showcasing his chips throughout while Gary got to demonstrate the breadth of his influences - there was even a segment that sounded like psychedelic era Byrds. rating: *** stars 3.) Reminder (Gary Margetts - Tony Brock - Tristan Margetts) - 10:30 Usually a song with a ten minute running time is a cause for concern, so I approached the album closer 'Reminder' with caution. Musically this one was all over the place, including dollops of classical, country (seriously), pop, progressives excesses, rock, and plenty of guitar god moves. I have no idea they did it, but the funny thing is they somehow managed to stitch it together in an entertaining hodgepodge, rating: **** stars
Capitol catalog number ST-11021
Lake's involvement was probably a factor in the band getting an American distribution deal with Capitol. For some bizarre reason, Capitol elected to slap a new cover on the LP though they didn't mess with the track listing or running order. I've always loved the original Paul May designed sleeve, so my advise would be to look for a UK pressing.
In support of the album the band toured England opening for Emerson, Lake and Palmer which served to generate considerable publicity, though minimal sales. In the States the LP did even less.
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Genre: progressive Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Triad Company: Harvest Catalog: SW
11095 Country/State: Poole, UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: die cut UK pressing; still in shrink wrap with poster insert Available: 1 Catalog ID: 1634 Price: $90.00
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Released less than a year after their debut, 1972's "Triad" found Spontaneous Combustion opting to produce themselves. Musically the album found the band tinkering around the edges of their sound. Judging by original tunes like '' and '' they remained engrossed by progressive music, but this time around they seem to have shifted some of their focus to creating a heavier, more conventional rock sound. You certainly weren't going to confuse this trio with Deep Purple, but 'Brainstorm', 'Pan' and '' were quite enjoyable rock tunes. Elsewhere 'Rainy Day' and 'Child Life ' were lovely power ballads with plenty of radio potential. Technically these guys were excellent. Gary Margetts had a wonderful voice and as lead guitarist, usually fell into the less-is-more school, limiting his time in the spotlight. Brother Tristan was a strong bassist with a knack for formulating melodic bass lines, while Brock was a true powerhouse drummer. Lots of highlights and it made for an album that grew on you the more you played it. Perhaps even stronger than their debut.
"Triad"
track listing: 1.) Love and Laughter (Gary Margetts - Tony Brock - Tris Margetts) The album's most commercial and radio friendly, 'Love and Laughter' had a lovely melody and some wonderful vocals. Probably would have made a nice single for the band. rating: **** stars 2.) Brainstorm (Gary Margetts - Tony Brock - Tris Margetts) 'Brainstorm' opened up with a nifty groove between Brock's percussion and Tristan's tuneful bass with Gary adding a bit of Robert Fripp-styled experimental guitar over the top. About a minute into the tune the vocals kicked in, giving the album a much more conventional, but likeable progressive-rock structure. Interesting, the extended solo on this one featured Tristan on fuzz bass. rating: *** stars 3.) Child Life (Gary Margetts - Tony Brock - Tris Margetts) Pretty, atypical piano powered ballad that's always reminded me a little of Badfinger. The song had some surprisingly intimate lyrics for a band that were barely out of their teens. rating: *** stars 4.) Spaceship (Gary Margetts - Tony Brock - Tris Margetts) Okay, the lyrics were definitely a bit on the clunky side, but 'Spaceship' was easily the album's toughest rocker. with a blazing Gary Margetts performance. Not sure what happened at the end of the tune with the speeded up tape and odd sound effects. Perhaps that was the aliens landing ? The tune also reappeared as the flip side to the non-LP 'Gay Time Night' single. rating: **** stars
(side
2) The herky-jerky opening section of this one has always reminded me of a good Rush tune - not meant as a criticism. Yeah, it was clearly a progressive tune, but this one spotlighted the band's nice vocals and one of the album's best melodies. rating: *** stars 2.) Rainy Day (Gary Margetts - Tony Brock - Tris Margetts) - 3:15 'Rainy Day' was a surprisingly mainstream and attractive ballad which happened to sport one of Gary Margetts' prettiest guitar solos. rating: **** stars. 3.) Monolith (Parts 1,2 & 3) (Gary Margetts - Tony Brock - Tris Margetts) - 9:12 The album's longest and most complex tune, 'Monolith (Parts 1,2 & 3)' opened up with Brock given a shot at the spotlight in a hard rock opening segment. Part 2 saw the trio trotting out their jazz credentials with the focus shifting over to Gary's tuneful guitar flights. Competent, but to my ears it has always sounded out of place. Part 3 returned to a more pop-rock oriented tune. rating: *** stars
The trio also released a pair of non-LP singles:
- 1972's 'Gay Time Night' b/w 'Spaceship' (Harvest catalog number HAR 5060) - 1973's 'Sabre Dance (Part 1)' b/w An Now For Something Completely Different 'Sabre Dance (Part 1)' (Harvest catalog number HAR 5066)
At that point drummer Brock left. Tied up in litigation and unable to use the Spontaneous Combustion name, the Margetts recruited drummer Jode Leigh, guitarist Alex Johnson and singer Mike Udell and went into the studio recording an album for the London based BASF subsidiary Buk Records under the name Time. The line up lasted long enough to see the release of 1975's "Time".
Brock reappeared in the band Strider and then briefly hit commercial pay dirt as a member of The Babys. When The Babys ran out of commercial steam he joined Rod Stewart's recording and touring band.
Tristan cast his lot with Greg Lake, touring as a member of The Greg Lake Band and playing on Lake's two 1980s solo albums - 1981's "Greg Lake" and 1983's "Manouvers". He also spent several years playing in an outfit called Wishful Thinking who specialized in playing corporate events, parties and weddings. Here's a link to the band's website: http://www.keyents.co.uk/wishful.html Someone on a web posting site mentioned he'd also had a career working as a realtor.
Brother Gary seems to have vanished. I'm not sure if it's the same guy, but there's a Gary Margretts living in Key West working as a photographer, web designer, and artist. He's apparently English and writes songs, but I have no idea if it's the same guy: http://www.garymargetts.com/
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