The United States of America (band)

Not to be confused with The Presidents of the United States of America (band).
The United States of America
Back (l-r): Byrd, Moskowitz, Marron. Front (l-r): Bogas, Woodson, Forbes
Back (l-r): Byrd, Moskowitz, Marron.
Front (l-r): Bogas, Woodson, Forbes
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1967–1968
LabelsColumbia
Past members

The United States of America was an American experimental rock band founded in Los Angeles in 1967 by composer Joseph Byrd and vocalist Dorothy Moskowitz, with electric violinist Gordon Marron, bassist Rand Forbes and drummer Craig Woodson. Their 1968 self-titled album, often cited as an early showcase for the use of electronic devices in rock music, was met with critical acclaim and minor chart success.[2] They disbanded shortly after its release.

The group’s sound was grounded in both psychedelia and the avant-garde. Unusually, the band had no guitar player; instead, they used strings, keyboards and electronics, including primitive synthesizers, and various audio processors, including the ring modulator. Many of the songs' lyrics reflected Byrd's leftist political views. AllMusic described them as "among the most revolutionary bands of the late '60s."[2]

  1. ^ Martin, Bill (1998). Listening to the Future: The Time of Progressive Rock, 1968–1978. Open Court. ISBN 0-8126-9368-X.
  2. ^ a b c d "The United States of America | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  3. ^ Reynolds, Simon. "King of the Cosmos". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  4. ^ Greene, Doyle (2016). Rock, Counterculture and the Avant-Garde, 1966–1970: How the Beatles, Frank Zappa and the Velvet Underground Defined an Era. McFarland. p. 182. ISBN 978-1-4766-2403-7.