They're Gonna Get You... The Count Five Story and Show # 213

Coming out of San Jose, California, The Count Five went through several line up and name changes before settling on the name The Count Five. Previously known as The Renegades and The Squires, The Count Five were born when their previous drummer Skip Cordell and their organist Phil Evans quit The Squires. Drummer Craig "Butch" Atkinson joined future band members John "Sean" Byrne (vocals/rhythm guitar), John "Mouse" Michalski (lead guitar), Roy Chaney (bass), and Kenn Ellner (harmonica/vocals) in 1964. The band around this time would begin working on a song that would later be known as "Psychotic Reaction" during their live shows. They also were known for performing live with Count Dracula styled capes. The band went to various record labels and were turned down. After reworking the song Byrne brought to the group "Psychotic Reaction", the band got a record deal with an LA label, Double Shot Records.

Their full length album Psychotic Reaction was released in 1966. The album contained elements of bands such as The Yardbirds, Bo Diddley, and The Standells; They were known as a garage rock band and would not last very long. The single "Psychotic Reaction" is their best known song, it reached # 5 on the US single charts when originally released. While their album featured several garage rockin' originals such as "Double Decker Bus", "Pretty Big Mouth", and "They're Gonna Get You", it would not live up to the success of their hit single "Psychotic Reaction". The album would also feature two Who cover songs ("My Generation", and "Out in the Street") they were one of the first US bands to cover The Who. The band continued for a short while finally breaking up in 1969. The members of the group went back to College to get their degrees.

In 1972, Lenny Kaye released a compilation of 60's garage rock/psychedelic songs titled Nuggets. The compilation album would feature The Count Five's hit "Psychotic Reaction" re-introducing them to a new audience. The Nuggets compilation was re-released as and extended four CD set in 2004. The band reunited 1987, this was released as Psychotic Reaction Live. The band has since had numerous compilations released. Since they have spilt the band has been cited as an influence on the genre of punk that was to come in the late 70's. In the 90's bassist Roy Chaney formed a group called The Count (with former Count Five band member John Byrne) and released a CD titled Can't Sleep in 2002. In 1999, the Count Five drummer Craig Atkinson passed away. The Count Five will forever be known for their wonderfully executed garage rock hit single, "Psychotic Reaction".

On another note, my show Revolution Rock will be moving time slots from Wednesday night to Tuesday mornings. On September 23rd, 2008 my show will air at 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. My last show at it's current time slot (9PM) will air next Wednesday September 17th.

Songs Played This Week:

1. The Standells - Dirty Water
2. The Express - Wastin' My Time
3. The Wailers - Out of Our Tree
4. The Munks - Long Time Waiting
5. The Haunted - Eight O'Clock This Morning
6. The Secrets - Cryin' Over Her
7. Painted Ship - And She Said yes
8. The Litter - Action Woman
9. The Brogues - I Ain't No Miracle Worker
10. The Seeds - Can't Seem To Make You Mine
11. The Kinks - You Can't Win
12. Young Rival - Your Island
13. The Sonics - Psycho
14. Ugly Ducklings - Just in Case You Wonder
15. Gruesomes - Leave My Kitten Alone
16. The Collectors - Eight Hour Day
17. Count Five - They're Gonna Get You
18. Count Five - Teeny Bopper, Teeny Bopper
19. Mojomatics - Miss Me When I'm Gone
20. The Weirdies - Let's Get Hot
21. Compulsive Gamblers - Way I Feel About You
22. Lou Reed - Nowhere At All
23. The Smugglers - That is Rock N' Roll
24. The Outsiders - Time Won't Let Me
25. Hentchmen - Yesterday's Trash
26. Young Rival - Too Hip
27. White Stripes - Black Math
28. The Strokes - When it Started
29. Rolling Stones - Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadows? (Live 1966)

Videos:

Psychotic Reaction
Peace of Mind