Garage Rock
Breakups can certainly make you crazy. The song was written by band member Irish-born guitarist John “Sean” Byrne with a little help from the other members. They were in High School health class and were learning about neuroses and psychoses and thought it could be incorporated into a song they were working on. (A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.) Count Five released the single twice, once in 1965 and then in 1966. The second time was the charm, and it went to #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. They also had the song on their 1966 album titled Psychotic Reaction.
Count Five formed in San Jose, California. They were Byrne (vocals, rhythm guitar), John “Mouse” Michalski (fuzz guitar), Craig “Butch” Atkinson (drums), Kenn Ellner (Harmonica), and Roy Chaney (fender bass). They were influential as a garage rock band. “Psychotic Reaction” was featured in the films Less Than Zero, Drugstore Cowboy, Auto Focus, and CBGB. It is popular on Classic Rock radio stations.