 By late 1972 , Genesis had stabilised around Peter Gabriel , Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford , Steve Hackett and Phil Collins . The group had been regularly touring , achieved commercial success with their previous album Foxtrot , and were starting to gig in the U.S. , particularly in New York City , where they had a positive response . However , journalists were still criticising the band and comparing them to other progressive rock bands such as ELP , Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd . The group were too busy touring to write new material , so after coming off the road in spring 1973 they set aside time to create new songs . The group 's record company , Charisma Records insisted they had three months to come up with a new album , which Rutherford considered " the kiss of death " . Collins formed a pick up band with former Yes guitarist Peter Banks for a few gigs , and Rutherford revealed in an interview to Sounds in 1976 that " there had been worries that Phil might want to leave the group " . 
