#thecountfive

BROKE POINT-N-SHOOT COMMUNE 

One of the most endearing qualities about the Count Five was their inability to write a song that differed significantly from anything they or The Yardbirds had done before. And why would you?

25/05/15

I first caught light of this epic journey of a song at the legendary ‘Bomp’ nights hosted by The Cryptics at the Q Bar in my home town of St Helier, Jersey in the Channel Islands around 2002. From the opening bars you’ll feel a distinctiveness displayed in the that fuzz guitar and the bass drum! Kenn Ellner’s harmonica sounds like Canned Heat and kicks so fast the rhythm section struggles to keep up, yet it’s one of the tightest compositions known to man! Whilst the lyrics are belted out “I can't get your love, I can't get a fraction.. uh-oh, little girl, psychotic reaction”, the breakdowns and speed ups will have you dancing like a maniac leaving you exhausted and craving a full bottle of Sapphire Blue in the aftermath! Pure 60′s garage punk debauchery beyond perfect for events such as ‘Born Bad’, one of the most renowned club nights in Brighton. Mojo Magazine’s ‘Instant Garage’ Volume 1 CD was unleashed into the known world during Bomp’s period featuring greats like ‘7 And 7 Is’ by Arthur Lee With Love, and ‘She’s Cracked’ by The Modern Lovers. A massive explosion of bands came along in the early noughties that were more than integral to the UK garage revival such as The Parkinsons, Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Buff Medways, Libertines, Beatings.. et al. Also in the States there was The Von Bondies, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, White Stripes, B.R.M.C. Though peering from Sweden were The Hives; whom had been treading the boards for some time before gaining any proper recognition the same as Pulp. Sometimes it’s just down to good timing! The Counts originated from San Jose, California and rivaled the L.A beat scene in the mid 60′s with groups such as The Music Machine, though what they boasted more than their contemporaries was their songwriting ability and musicianship. ‘Psychotic Reaction’ is one of the greatest songs of all time, and I bet it still sounds just as fresh as it did upon release some 50 odd years ago!

By Gavin Tate