United States Of America

:(This page concerns the rock band. For the indie rock band of the acronym, see USA(2) and the country of the same name, see America).
The United States of America was an American experimental rock band whose works, recorded in late 1967, are an early example of the use of electronic devices in rock music. The short-lived band was founded in Los Angeles by experimental composer Joseph Byrd and singer and lyricist Dorothy Moskowitz, with musicians Gordon Marron, Rand Forbes and Craig Woodson, but split up shortly after the release of their only album in 1968. Their sound blended a range of musical genres, including avant-garde, psychedelic, and art rock, with many of the songs' lyrics reflecting Byrd's leftist political views. 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. (Read more at Wikipedia)
== Links To Peel ==
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In the late 1960's, Peel was curious about artists with avant-garde and psychedelic backgrounds, such as the United States of America. Their LP received a glowing review from Barry Miles in International Times ("one of the four essential records to own") and Peel refers to it briefly ("very good") in one of his own IT columns. A track was included on CBS's popular budget-priced sampler LP of 1968, The Rock Machine Turns You On. The DJ played tracks from the band's album on Night Ride, and may have featured others on Top Gear, but many playlists from the era are unavailable. The band's career was short-lived and they split up soon after recording the LP. 
The best known members of the band, Joseph Byrd and Dorothy Moskowitz, both collaborated with artists who were Peel favourites in the 1970s. Byrd recorded several albums for John Fahey's Takoma label and arranged and produced Ry Cooder's 1978 album Jazz, while Moskowitz performed for a time in Country Joe McDonald's All Star Band. Eventually the United States of America's pioneering work in the use of electronics was recognised and their album was reissued on CD in 1997, but Peel does not seem to have revisited it in later years.
== Shows Played ==
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;1968
*01 May 1968: The Cloud Song (album - The United States Of America) CBS 63340
*15 May 1968: The Garden Of Earthly Delights (album - The United States Of America) CBS 63340
*12 June 1968: The American Metaphysical Circus (LP - The United States Of America) Columbia
== See Also ==
*Record Collection: U
*Record Collection: V&A LPs
*Electronic Music
*International Times: Perfumed Garden Column
== External Links ==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
Category:Artists