RIP Joseph Hunter Byrd Jr. (born December 19, 1937) is an American composer, musician and academic.
The band was formed in 1967 in Los Angeles, California.
The members in the photo are (from left to right): Gordon Marron, Rand Forbes, Joseph Byrd, Dorothy Moskowitz, and Craig Woodson.
They are known for their blend of psychedelic music with elements of electronic and experimental music.
The band's only self-titled album was released in 1968.
A politically engaged band that critically discussed the political and social contradictions of the USA, Joseph Byrd had been a student of the avant-garde composer John Cage when he decided, in 1967, to found an unconventional band.
Their sound carried a set of influences from psychedelia, electronic music, and the avant-garde and progressive rock. Unlike the emphasis given to the electric guitar by their contemporaries of the late 60s, The U.S.A. had no guitars.
Instead, they made extensive use of keyboards and synthesizers, as well as other stringed instruments.
In 1968, the band, which had started the previous year, released their only album, "The United States of America." The album sold very poorly, despite critical acclaim, which contributed to the group's premature end.
The band attributed the failure to the record label's lack of attention to promoting the album, in the words of Joseph Byrd: "There wasn't much enthusiasm from the executives for a band whose name they hated, whose music they didn't understand, and whose political convictions they considered treasonous."
But time has proven that it is a very interesting and surprising album even today, and that it needs to be listened to several times; in some parts it is enchanting and in others even frightening.
The cover is very beautiful and the vinyl version comes with a cardboard slipcover.
Joseph Byrd : acoustic and electronic keyboards, synthesizers
Dorothy Moskowitz: vocals
Gordon Marron: electric violin, wave modulator
Rand Forbes: electric bass
Craig Woodson: electric drums and percussion
Ed Bogas: occasional organ and piano
