Robbins is a rebel without a cause

The idea of transforming Bob Roberts, the title character of Tim Robbins’ 1992 movie about a folk-singing right-wing politician, into a punk-influenced rebel-rocker has the makings of some strong election-year satire.

But that didn’t seem where Robbins was taking the notion at the Knitting Factory on Friday. Billing himself as Gob Roberts and backed by a four-piece band, Robbins -- his black T-shirt sporting a photo of Johnny Cash -- opened promisingly with Nick Lowe’s always-timely plea “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding?”

He then reworked some of the tongue-in-cheek songs he and his brother, David, wrote for the movie (“Wall Street Rap,” “Drugs Stink” and the ever-catchy liberal-baiter “Complain”) into reactionary ragers. But he seemed less interested in furthering the character than in simply kicking out his jams.

There was one transcendent moment that showed the possibilities and potential power of the Gob Roberts persona, should Robbins want to make something more of it. On “This World Turns,” a call to arms in a world that “turns its back on God,” the music took on a quality that gave the song a questioning, questing tone, a cross between harder Crosby, Still, Nash & Young and British band the Mekons (thanks especially to Lili Haydn’s violin) -- nice irony given both bands’ lefty legacies.

The mood was somewhat spoiled by following it with an over-arched take on L.A. punk band Fear’s classic “Let’s Have a War,” followed by spirited if ragged versions of such favorites as X’s “Los Angeles” (a duet with Haydn) and Bruce Springsteen’s “She’s the One.” Robbins’ voice was better suited to the movie’s folk than to live rock.

As an actor/activist, Robbins has set the bar pretty high. On Friday he just limboed under it.