The Instant Automatons flourished between 1977 and 1982. Founded by Mark Automaton (Mark Lancaster) and Protag (Martin Neish), they later added Mic Woods to the line-up. Their guiding principle was that artistic expression should be free from the bonds of profit and big business. In a bid to take control of the means of production of their music, they embraced the growing cassette culture in the early 80s, and inspired many others to do the same.