Artist description Psychotic Reaction is a punk band based in West Haven, Connecticut. They have been described in various ways as "street punk/oi", "old school', "80's influenced punk", " '77 English punk", etc., etc... Their sound had been compared to bands such as The Sex Pistols, Black Flag, The Exploited, Nobodys, The Damned, The Stooges, The Clash, Blanks 77, Violent Society, etc. The band made its debut in 1997 and has been going strong ever since. To date, they have had several releases including an ep, 2 albums, a live recording from CBGB's and a 7" vinyl. They've made appearances on several punk compilations including the Yoohoo Warped Speed Compilation, Mepos Melodies, 18 More Reasons to Hate Asbestos Records , Got Spunk? put out by Little Band Records and The Internation Punk Rock Box Set, a 10 disc box set (the first of its kind) put out by Meathead Records. Some accomplishments made in their three year history include: One of the 10 best unsigned punk/ska bands in the U.S. which landed them on the YooHoo Warped Speed comp. , winners of the New Haven Advocate's Grand Band Slam 2000 in the punk category. Top ten best albums of 1999 New Haven Register.

Music Style Punk

Musical Influences Exploited, Blanks 77, Rancid, Misfits, Dead Kennedys, Sex Pistols, The Clash

Similar Artists Rancid, Casualities

Artist History In the Beginning....there were four punk rockersDennis Reaction Ace Dr. J Psychotic Robb who came together in 1997. They started with a common interest in The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Misfits, The Replacements, etc., etc, you get the picture. Anyway, things went well. We got along (with a few bumps in the road here and there) and then we played our first show together in December '97 at a birthday party for our friend Sal (Cykoside). Well, the show was less than impressive but it was a start. We started practicing more, and more, and more and then we starting writing songs. And they were good.... Next came the road test. We started booking shows. Hanover House (which became our home for a while), the Tune Inn, local shows which we put together, you know you've been there (literally) or to something similar in your life. Anyhow, the shows were fun and we had a blast. People liked us and our songs. So, in 1998 we decided to put something down on tape which became "The Adventures of Slyvester and Tweety" ep Recorded at White Elephant Studios in West Haven, the ep featured four songs, "I Hate You", "Slyvester and Tweety", "Party" and "Revolution". We we're pretty happy with the results and our fans were as well. What next? More shows, poor turnouts, frustration, low morale, etc., etc. then came a break with Yoohoo Warped Speed Compilation One of our songs, "Slyvester and Tweety" was picked for this compilation and the contest. We were supposedly "one of the 10 best unsigned punk/ska bands in the United States". WOW! Pretty cool. Well, that wore off fast and then it was on to more shows including our first Toad's Place show which was cool. We started getting our shit together finally. Mailing lists, websites, t-shirts, cds, tapes, etc, etc, etc. Everything was cool except for poor turnouts. No matter how much promoting we did we could never get enough people to our shows to get us really excited about playing. (Mind you we are really grateful for the people who do come, we just want more people to hear us and see us). So what do we do. We release our debut album in 1999. Self-titled, it is our first album which features songs that you've heard if you've been to any of our shows (and some surprises, if you heard it you know what I mean). The album was recorded and produced by the band at their rehearsal space in West Haven. It came out pretty well. It got some pretty good reviews in the New Haven Register (one of the best of 1999) and in local/national zines/ websites. Psychotic Reaction finally gains some notoriety in its hometown being voted the #1 punk band in the New Haven Advocates Grand Band Slam 2000! Well it's 2001 and we see the release of Psychotic Reaction's first 7" release "Red Alert" and the release of their second album "Last Train to Nowhere". Both were recorded at Trod Nossel Studios in the Winter of 2000/2001. After 3 years, 8 months Ace, our original drummer and Psychotic Reaction have gone their separate ways. For mutual reasons they've parted company and now the search is on for the new drummer for Psychotic Reaction.... And the search was over in December 2001 with recruitiing of Mike "Dirty" Sanchez. Mike was picked after one audition and has proven himself a worthy addition to the band bringing the goods Psychotic Reaction needs for their future endeavors......

Group Members Psychotic Robb: guitar,backing vocals Dennis Reaction: guitar, lead/backing vocals Dr. J: bass,lead/backing vocals Mike "Dirty" Sanchez: drums,percussion

Instruments Guitar, bass, drums, microphones

Albums Self-titled (1999), "Last Train To Nowhere" (2001)

Press Reviews If you know of a review that is published but not listed here, please email us at jay.pernaselci@snet.net. Psychotic Reaction • Last Train to Nowhere -"This Connecticut quartet take the time machine back to early ‘80s NYC, as their spiked hair melodics and safety pinned rhythms are as retro as it gets. Sneering like it’s 1977 and playing with a disposition that reflexively throws the middle finger in the air without concern ("I Could Care Less"), these guys aren’t reinventing the wheel, but instead their trying to take the power back and remind the people what punk is really about, which is basically bitching about things as loudly and obnoxiously as possible ("Trust"). It’s here where PR succeeds, and they’ve got the attitude and the songs (18 in all!) to back up their claims. Viva the real deal!!" Geoff Wilbur's Renegade Newsletter Psychotic Reaction - "Last Train To Nowhere" "Ever feel like you need a soundtrack to your weekends of drinking, rocking out to the Pistols or spending two hours charging your hawk? Well, this CD is it. Full on fast paced UK '82 styled with a shot of seventy-seven topped off with a whole bunch of Pogo. This 18 track CD is full of "Oi's" "Punks & Skins" and all the normal things you would expect from a band in this genre. Reading the Bio that came along with the CD, it seems that these boys from West Haven, CT; they know what they are doing, and they are doing it well. This is their 2nd full length released on the bands own Psycho Bubblegum Records; running your own label nowadays is a whole other respect-worthy job in its own. So props to the band for keeping the much-needed DIY ethic alive. When I put this CD in, the first thing that came into my mind was how close the singers voice is reminiscent of Dave from Clit 45. I would definitely recommend this disc to any fan of the Unseen, Total Chaos, the Casualties or anyone else who likes fast punk rock. I thought the CD layout which featured the lyrics safety pinned to plaid material was very creative, although kind of cliche. Some of the tracks I enjoyed the most were Riot, Punx & Drunx, I See Red, Rat Race, Red Alert (not an Agent51 cover), and Not Missing You. " J.J. from www.Sandiegopunk.com Psychotic Reaction - "Last Train To Nowhere" is Psychotic Reaction's follow up to their '99 s/t debut. Their new album features 18 tracks from these Connecticut street punkers, that are actually quite impressive. These punkers have been around since '97 and have created lyrics documenting life of the typical American punk rocker in today's society. Influences that can be heard are that of the 80's punk scene, 70's English punk, and band like Madcap, The Hunns, Dead Kennedys, and Exploited. The Psychotic Reaction are on the road to success after sharing the stage with such acts as The UK Subs, The Unseen, and F-Minus. You check out Psychotic Reaction at http://www.psychoticreaction.net/ Tim - Punkbands.com Psychotic Reaction - "Last Train To Nowhere" - "Another really good streetpunk band with a lot of catchy songs and lyrics. Some of the tracks aren't really that fast-paced, but in general they have a strong tempo and do a fine job. These kids really rip it up on eighteen songs on this disc." HitList Psychotic Reaction - "Red Alert" 7"- "This 7" features four anti-war protest songs. I reviewed and listened to it exactly one week after the terrorist attacks in New York and this release might make you think about what's going on now, even though they're singing about war with Russia. They also cover the U.K. Subs' "Warhead". Good political punk, if that's your bag. " HitList Psychotic Reaction - "Last Train To Nowhere"- "Uptempo, snotty punk rock that is played with a lot of conviction. I liked their "Red Alert" 7" from earlier this year, and I was definitely satisfied with this full length. (The title track from that four song EP resurfaces here). If you long for the days of speedy mid 80's punk to surface again, or like me you've worn out the GBH vinyl, definitely make this purchase. Head to their website for free mp3's as a teaser: www.psychoticreaction.net " Brad Mitchell- Caustic Truths Psychotic Reaction - self-titled - "With a name like Psychotic Reaction, there might be good cause to brace yourself. But it turns out that this group's bark is far worse than its bite. Psychotic Reaction's main problem isn't so much their material but the quality of their recordings. Most sound like they were taken from noisy jam sessions or live small club concerts, but something tells me that the kind of fans Psychotic Reaction is seeking wouldn't really care all that much. There are some worthwhile messages in Pychotic Reaction's music. You just have to be patient and persistent enough to hear them. Songs like the funny and timely "No Cable", to bluntly-put titles like, "I Hate You" and "I Shot Bambi's Mom" provide a few chuckles. "What a nice life" oddly enough starts off sounding like Cheap Trick's "I want you to want me", a comparison this band would probably loathe. And what defiant punk act would be complete without an anti-anthem full of anger and rebellion? Here that honor is bestowed to the song, "Psychotic Reaction (and we don't care)." Psychotic Reaction does have some wince -worthy moments where they attempt to hit notes in actual harmony. All in all though, this rock enterprise will still probably entertain the underground masses. " Janet Branagan- JerseyBeat Psychotic Reaction - Last Train To Nowhere (CD) "What we have here is some pop rockin' pogo punk. Psychotic Reaction come from Connecticut and are punx. Lots of Oi!s and things with spikes. No imagination to be found here, standard Casualties issued songs about riots, punx, and drunx. This sounds nothing like the Psychotic Reaction single I reviewed only a few months ago, I wonder if it's the same band. If it is, then quit using crappy computers to make your front covers. " Ken - World Wide Punk (Band comment: "What can I say..opinions are like assholes and everyone has one but hey thanks for the review!?! ") "From West Haven, CT comes Psychotic Reaction (http://www.psychoticreaction.net/). They've put together a decent site, with some mp3s of their stuff, all of their lyrics, photos, reasonably price merchandise, and the like. In other words, the usual band site. However, check it out because these guys have a heavy old-school sound, though sometimes I think their lyrics are a bit silly. " Netpunk Psychotic Reaction "Last Train To Nowhere" - "Safety Pins! Yeah, they’re really in right now. No kidding! Like, you can go to the mall and get a pocketbook with safety pins printed right on there; if yr lucky you might get some buttons on there too!!!!! I knooow!! Punks wear safety pins; they pin their patches on their leather jackets and pants and stuff. I've never had that problem cause I learned how to sow. So all of my Sham 69 and Teengenerate and Clash patches were securely stitched to my hoodie. I’m not fuckin’ with you anything… I’m serious about not being serious. So if you still have safety pins and Discharge patches on yr jacket you might wanna check out Psychotic Reaction. ’82 punk rock…the pits…throw in a little Minor Threat in there too… I don’t know what I’m talking about… All I know is, "Eskimo pussy is mighty cold." Joe Domino - Blank Generation Red Alert - "Here's a Connecticut band desperately trying to be old English punks. Not that there is anything wrong with that at all, because Psychotic Reaction actually pull it of on this above average EP. Hell, they not only show their roots in the style of music they play, but the last track on the EP is a cover of UK Subs' "Warhead". This band does it better than Rancid. Red vinyl. " Brad Mitchell - Caustic Truths Psychotic Reaction-Last Train To Nowhere "Barring the new Casualties disc, this is the best pure punk CD I've heard in months. This follows up their 1999 self-titled debut LP (which I liked) and raised the bar several notches. I guess it most reminds a lot of Oxymoron or maybe Major Accident, but it is pure Oi!/Street Punk. The album begins drunk and disorderly with tracks like "Riot", "Punx and Drunx" and "Don't Give Up The Fight". It follows that pattern, but starts to show shades of NYHC influence on tracks like "I See Red", "Trust" and "Two Faced". My personal favorite tracks come at the end (this disc is 18 songs/40 min long). "Empty Bottles" is toned down a tad in a Rancid, Bouncing Souls fashion, but still remains a great singalong with plenty of spirit. "Not Missing You" taps a rockabilly beat and mixes it with some strong lyrics for a great love song. I really can't say enough about this, if your a punk, you've got to hear this. Their patches will be all over your leather jackets if they ever decide to tour. I still can't believe they aren't signed. Take notice!" Marck- Sinkhole Zine Psychotic Reaction-Last Train To Nowhere- "Gobs o' punk graphics; cut & paste type (no "ransom note" lettering though), plaid bondage pants background, lots of safety pins and a band shot that screams leather, studs and bristles. In fact , Psychotic Reaction sounds like the Bristles, scrubbed up real nice and clean and put in a real studio but didn't wipe their noses. This disc includes 18 tracks of snotty vocals laid over some mid-80's Brit punk. Lyrics are so-so and at times it sounds like the band is trying just a little too hard. The tune "Out Tonight" has got decent girth in a Rancid type of way, and "Rat Race" clocks you with a real barker of a chorus. Psychotic Reaction fits perfectly on the bill at the Tune Inn on Oct. 21, when the band opens for the UK Subs." Craig Gilbert-New Haven Advocate Psychotic Reaction -s/t "Excusing any personal biases (since these guys are local) this rocks! The only complaint I have about this cd is the first track 'Johnny Domino', which was very poorly placed (in the future don't put your only bad song first on the album!). 12 tracks total, plus a bonus track. These guys play great '77 style old school punk without rehashing what's already been done. A twinge of a street punk influence too (which is a lot more evident in their new stuff). Totally D.I.Y may I mention as well. " Skank And Destroy (Band comment: "Johnny Domino is probably the best track on the album but opinions are like...you know the rest") "Red Alert" 7” EP "The first track is weird. It starts off sounding like one of those ‘80s English post-punk bands, then BOOM - thrash part, and then it alternates between the two for the remainder of the song. The same goes for the first track on side two. The other two tracks are a cover of the Subs’ “Warhead” and a song that sounds like it just climbed out of a time machine that just came back from a Los Angeles hardcore gig circa 1985. Weird, but pretty fucking good. " Razorcake.com-Jimmy Alvarado "Melodic '77 Style (Clash/Sex Pistols influenced) punk ...if you're into Violent Society or Casualties you'll like this. " Ponk 111 "This is the mid-tempo punk stuff that I never really got into. There are 4 songs on the 7", one is a live track, and one is a cover of the UK Subs "warhead." They have dirty vocals sounding like a fake British accent and politically aimed, but not extremely intelligent lyrics about the Russians invading or dying for the government. I'm not really sure what to compare it to besides the sex pistols, but I know they've played shows with bigger punk bands like Aus Rotten and UK Subs. " -adam atom@xadamx.com xadamx.com (Band comments: "Fake British accent !?!...the song is about a video game but i guess some people don't get it...guess you had to be there situation") "I don’t really know what to make of the Russian, Cold War, Communist Invasion song that starts this off. I think it is tongue in cheek. I mean, if they were seriously afraid of powerful communist nations, wouldn’t China be a more appropriate choice these days? That point aside, this is a pretty decent punk band, and this 4 song EP includes a well-done cover of UK Subs’ “Warhead.” It’s nothing to run into a burning building for, but also not something to throw at joggers as you pass them in your car." Rock N Roll Purgatory (Band comment: "Hey someone did get it....thanks!") "Psychotic Reaction is bar none the best street punk band I have ever heard come out of Connecticut...Their latest offering is a 4-song 7-inch which is their best work so far. The cover art is World War 2 era Communist propaganda, a tone that is set by the featured track- "Red Alert". Also included is a live version of "Run" and an awesome cover of "Warhead" by the UK Subs." Marck -Sinkhole Zine Psychotic Reaction • Red Alert 7" • PsychoBubblegum Records • For four years, PR has been tearing shit up with their early '80 influenced punk sound. Each song is a rapid fire assault with similarities to such bands as Black Flag and The Angry Samoans. There are four tracks on this release, including a cover of the UK Subs' "Warhead." It�'s not a new sound or a spectacular release, but it's a solid display of the band's punk abilities. Impactpress.com "Political punk from Connecticut. Four songs, all varying in style, but not necessarily in a bad way. All broad and with enough commercial appeal to be tolerated by punk listeners of many tastes. The title track `Red Alert' reminds me of the Styphnoids' song, `Afraid Of the Russians'. Who knows why. The song `Run' was recorded live at CBGB's, and the b-side closes off with a cover of `Warhead' by UK Subs. ". Ken from World Wide Punk (Band comment: "Political punk...not us although i can see how people would interpret Red Alert that way...I suggest to people to check out www.westwood.com for the true meaning of Red Alert" ) "This is the new 7" by Psychotic Reaction from CT. I have seen them a few times live and they are pretty good, one of the better CT bands. This record starts out with Red Alert which has sound clips from the computer game Red Alert. The song sounds very much like they are singing about the game. That is my favorite song on the record. There is also a live song and a cover of Warhead by the UK Subs. The band is influenced by such bands as The Clash, Sex Pistols and Misfits. They have a somewhat classic punk feel. Overall this is a good 7" by a good band. It was released on PsychoBubblegum Records." Eric from Political Cleavage "If you liked Anti Flag's last 2 albums you'll love this band" House of the Rising Punk "Street punk from Connecticut. Is that an oxymoron? Well, maybe so, but these guys pull it off. This is their first full length record, it was released on their own DIY label last year. I don't know why it took me so long to hear them, but this shows some real potential. The first track "Johnny Domino" is probably the best on the CD, but there are 11 more songs to listen to. All classic punk, 77 style, singalong choruses and power chords. Nice to see some decent music coming out of my old stomping grounds....If your label is putting together a comp, add a fresh voice and hook up with these guys." Marck from SinkholeZine "Psychotic Reaction - self-titled CD (PsychoBubblegum): Formed in 1997 in Connecticut, a beautiful state to drive through in the Fall and home to many who work in NYC but want to live in a world the complete opposite of that stinking hellhole... They have their own record label, nurture the scene around them, and mine a retro UK sound. While Rancid follows the arc of The Clash, Psychotic Reaction (at least on this 1999 CD) are torn between The Sex Pistols and the 2nd wave Street Punk groups like The Exploited. The 2 best songs, "Johnny Domino" and "I Hate You", are given an extra push by following the Dead Boys model as practiced by The Crumbs. The song structures and 4 chord guitar leads throughout the recordings are for the most part very good. On this CD I did find enough evidence of a band that can become huge if it follows the example of Rancid, who found a mature, fully developed sound and proved themselves within that framework. "No Cable" is a nod to Black Flag's "TV Party", a novelty song, which is funny and all that but not the basis for a career to be taken seriously (ex: Dead Milkmen). I suggest Psychotic Reaction listen to a lot of The Crumbs, who couldn't create more than one riff and were therefore unable to capitalize on their assimilation of The Dead Boys. " Old Punks Webzine "4 guys playing old school punk rawk with muscle, anger, pissed vocals, blaring guitars, tireless drumming, and even a British accent for good measure. Influences such as the Clash, the Pistols, and Misfits shine thru this band's music but they add quick and strong solos, resounding gang vocals. .... Good song writing, good tunes...good to pick up. " World Wide Punk "Psychotic Reaction were one of the early contributors to my site. Staunch supporters of the Connecticut punk rock scene from which they hail, this is their self titled debut release. Their style appears to be a combination of 70's influences, early 80's hardcore and Oi! Johnny Domino leads off the album and hits you like a ton of bricks.... At other times I wanted to yell out Oi! Oi! Oi! while listening to Exploited inspired slices of 80's Oi! This is a solid debut effort that gives hope for more great things to come." Punk Information Directory "... good straight up punk rock..with melodic vocals...if you're into stuff like Violent Society or Blanks 77 you'll get into this." House of the Rising Punk "Psychotic Reaction are two thirds like the Dead Boys but with a poppy edge and faster, and maybe one-third the Dickies. Perhaps a better analogy is that they play like they're drunk and not on drugs. Fast. Good." MAXIMUMROCKNROLL. "This disc is the ultimate in old-school punk! In addition to the obvious DIY attitude...the musical influences are obvious: The Misfits, Sex Pistols, and Black Flag are among some of the more obvious influences, though Psychotic Reaction doesn't limit themselves to any one style. This album rocks! "Johnny Domino" has a very UK old school sound, with a chorus that's punk to the core.."No Cable" is a "TV Party" for the new millenium. My personal favorite is "Secret Sam", a song for any of us that wish we carried a concealed weapon for those difficult moments in our lives. I also liked "Psychotic Reaction (and we don't care)" which had all the attitude of any of the old school bands..."Psychotic Reaction" is a fantastic album and one that I'll be listening to frequently in the future." Citizen 565 (punk webzine) "These boys are an accelerated, rude, good old 80's styled punk rock band. Think early Nobodys, but with more balls. I am especially fond of the DIY recording and pressing of this CDR. Psychotic Reaction is an angst-ridden group for the media generation. There are 12 tracks including, "I Hate You", "Secret Sam" and "I Shot Bambi's Mom". Joe Domino-Blank Generation Voted #1 punk band in the New Haven Advocate's Grand Band Slam 2000. "Psychotic Reaction is an industrious, organized, articulate yet genuine punk band...the Pistols/Clash/Damned axis of the mid-1970's and the band's American inspirations: the Ramones, Dolls and Stooges." Christopher Arnott-New Haven Advocate. Check out the July/August Edition of Fairfield County Magazine for an article on the band called "Punk Rocks" along with some other cool bands. 1999 Finalist YooHoo Warped Speed Battle of the Unsigned Bands (Top ten best unsigned punk/ska bands in the United States) One of the top six best local albums of 1999-New Haven Register "Very pissed off sounding '82 style punk, spitting venom at all and everyone...this band captures the "anarchy, fuck you and everyone else" feel, bondage pants and spiky mohawks serve to let you know exactly what you are getting-well worth getting hold of"- Smokin Troll (UK punk zine) "Loud, short (songs)...in a '77 English way" "Sharp riffs...snotty vocals" Fran Fried, New Haven Register "Early 80's, up-tempo pogo punk with...snotty, cartoonish humor" -Craig Gilbert

Location West Haven, Connecticut - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).