Tag: John “Sean” Byrne

Another song that I found while listening to an oldies channel in the 1980s. This song reminds me of the Yardbirds in texture and feel. 

This band was a true one-hit wonder in 1966. When the singer-guitarist John Byrne was a freshman in college, his friend told him Psychotic Reaction would be a great name for a song. John had a melody in his head that day and wrote the song, but all of The Count Five contributed.

It was released in the summer of 1966 on the tiny Double Shot label. The single started getting airplay in California and then went national, climbing up the charts. Suddenly, these kids were lip-syncing on American Bandstand and touring with the Beach Boys and The Hollies, off-the-wall stuff for a bunch of guys who had barely been out of San Jose.

As fast as it blew up, it was over. The follow-up singles didn’t chart, the album (also called Psychotic Reaction) was rushed out and padded with covers, and by 1969, the band had quietly dissolved. Byrne went back to civilian life, and the rest scattered into day jobs. You know what, though? Of all the years I played, I would have gladly taken the role of a one-hit wonder. 

It peaked at #5 on the Billboard 100 and #3 in Canada in 1966. It is garage rock, psychedelic with some punk thrown in. The songwriting credits were Kenn Ellner, Roy Chaney, Craig “Butch” Atkinson, John “Sean” Byrne, and John “Mouse” Michalski. 

Psychotic Reaction

I feel depressed, I feel so bad
‘Cause you’re the best girl that I ever had
I can’t get your love, I can’t get a fraction
Uh-oh, little girl, psychotic reaction
(Shouted) And it feels like this!

I feel so lonely night and day
I can’t get your love, I must stay away
I need you girl, by my side
Uh-oh, little girl, would you like to take a ride, now
I can’t get your love, I can’t get satisfaction
Uh-oh, little girl, psychotic reaction