The Austrian five-piece band, Kombinat M, was founded in 1987 by Walter Hollinetz, Andreas Leikauf, and Erwin Redl. The group's members, all of whom are trained in music or visual arts, share an interest in rock- and jazz-based music, classical minimalism, and fine arts.

Guitarist Andreas Heidu studied composition at the Vienna Music Academy. From 1988 to 1990 he was the choir conductor at a church in his hometown of Leoben, Austria. He is the musical director of his own band, the Rocco Granata Anniversary Orchestra. Walter Hollinetz (reeds) has an engineering degree, and has studied architecture, ethnology, and Chinese culture at the University of Vienna. While living in Taiwan (1981-1983), he worked with Chinese artists and toured with the ensemble of Li Taishan.

Violinist Andreas Leikauf received a Master of Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna in 1989, and continues to study sculpture. Drummer Lukas Ligeti is the son of composer Gyorgy Ligeti. The younger Ligeti studied composition and jazz drums at the Vienna Music Academy. He has worked with Henry Kaiser, Anthony Coleman, Roy Nathanson, and Tom Constanten. Guitarist Erwin Redl studied music education and classical guitar at the Music Academy in Vienna. ~ Jim Dorsch, Rovi