The project was started by guitarist-vocalist Joe Baiza after his previous group Saccharine Trust went on hiatus.
The new ensemble continued to develop the fusion of free jazz and punk rock that Saccharine Trust began to explore.
Congress' approach to free jazz has earned them comparisons to Ornette Coleman[1] and James Blood Ulmer,[1][2] while the group themselves have pointed to Albert Ayler as a primary source of inspiration.
"[4] The original line-up consisted of Baiza, Ralph Gorodetsky (bass), Jason Kahn (drums), Steve Moss (saxophone).
[4] In an issue of Mountain Bike, bassist Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine spoke of his admiration of the band's funky and jazz tinged style.