U.S.I. was originally formed in late 1986 by dumped SAXON bassist Steve 'Dobby' Dawson with ex-HERITAGE and STATETROOPER vocalist / guitarist Steve Johnson and former MONROE drummer Nigel Durham. Dawson soon departed, leaving the band to soldier on. Energetic performances from this Stoke on Trent trio garnered the band much press in the late 80's, but little else. Drummer Rob Francis left in mid 1988 to be temporarily replaced by former MAGNUM and UFO drummer Jim Simpson. The drummer would shortly after join BUDGIE.

In mid 1989 Stratton was replaced by another ex-SAXON and HERITAGE bassist Paul 'Fasker' Johnson.

Frequently tipped for a major label signing U.S.I. eventually split, having released no product excepting demos and some of the biggest grins ever to grace a publicity photograph. Dawson hooked up with his erstwhile SAXON guitar partner GRAHAM OLIVER to (re) create SON OF A BITCH in the late 90's, this act evolving into OLIVER DAWSON SAXON. Durham joined tribute act ALCATRAZ in 1996.

Subsequently, Johnson worked with GILLAM. Both 'Fasker' Johnson and Dawson would contribute to GRAHAM OLIVER's 2001 solo album 'End Of An Era'. Johnson would also turn up in BAILEY'S COMET.