Minimal Compact were a new wave band, formed in 1981 in Israel by the artists Sami Birnbach (lyrics and vocals), Berry Sakharoff (guitar), and Malka Spiegel (who learned to play bass guitar after joining the band). At first the band operated under the name S.O.B, and later (joined by Rami Fortis and Max Franken) become one of the very first artists signed to the Belgian Crammed label. the band gained fame in the Indie Rock scene, releasing several albums (some produced by Colin Newman of Wire, Speigel's husband). their song "When I Go" appears on the "Wings of Desire" soundtrack by Wim Wenders.

After the group disbanded in 1988, Fortis and Sakharoff came back to Israel, releasing several albums (some together, some solo) and became main figures in the Israeli rock scene.