The United States of America
USA, 1967–1968
Los Angeles group led by Joseph Byrd, which made one album in 1968 using ring modulation, electronic drones and no guitar, an unusually early application of avant-garde technique to pop.
MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced The United States of America and 1 artist The United States of America influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced The United States of America?
- John Cage — Joseph Byrd came out of the New York avant-garde around Cage — his Fluxus-era work and the band's electronic theory descend from Cage's aesthetics.
- Morton Feldman — Byrd moved to New York in 1960 to study with Morton Feldman; his early Fluxus works show, in his own account, the influence of his teacher Feldman's sparse, pinpointed textures.
- La Monte Young — La Monte Young organised the first concert of Byrd's music in Yoko Ono's loft in 1961; Byrd was part of the proto-Fluxus drone scene around Young.
Which artists did The United States of America influence?
- Broadcast — Broadcast's whole sound was built on The United States of America — Keenan called their 1968 album the band's foundational text.