The United States of America was an American psychedelic and experimental rock band which existed from 1967–1968 in Los Angeles. Their recordings are an example of early use of electronic music in rock and roll. A registered Communist starts a band called The United States of America and lands a major label record deal before playing a single live gig? Only in the Sixties. After studying with avant-garde legend John Cage in New York City, composer Joseph Byrd moved to Los Angeles in 1967 and decided to form a psychedelic rock band.