(Review) Cobra Starship: Here to stay - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

(Review) Cobra Starship: Here to stay

Share via
Sentinel Staff Writer

Never did a snake bite sound so good.

Cobra Starship brought their fangs out at The Social, combining flirtatious humor with a unique sound to heat up the sold-out and rowdy crowd on Saturday night.

Known for its current mega-single, “Good Girls Go Bad,†the band shouldn’t be mistaken for a one-hit wonder if their Central Florida appearance is any indication. “Kiss My Sass†and “Guilty Pleasure†are just as worthy of the airwaves, although the personality of the group makes these songs better live.

Lead singer Gabe Saporta sported constant energy, from his hilarious one-liners to provocative acting during his songs, the man never seemed to get tired. His Las Vegas trucker hat was dripping in sweat only moments into the set, but he never let the lack of oxygen in the tiny venue detract, it seemed to energize him more.

Advertisement

He joked around the entire show, stating at one point, “I know how to spell sexy. I know what sexy is. I just look in the mirror.†He also danced around the stage with a “Neglected Superhero†sticker stuck to his plaid shirt.

Saporta was definitely the center of attention, but keytarist Victoria Asher is intriguing. Playing the keytar is unique and uncommon, but she also plays the beautiful “tough†girl on stage, rarely cracking a smile and taking most of the night very seriously. Basically, she is the opposite of Saporta.

They complete each other.

Both guitarists fought for the spotlight at different points in the night, including Alex Suarez (base) taking his act off stage and playing “Guilty Pleasure†while squeezing his way through hordes of fans stuck against the bar. Ryland Blackinton, somewhat awkward in nature, completely owns the guitar and stage with great solos, as well as being Saporta’s partner in comedy on stage, with the two feeding well off each other.

Advertisement

Cobra Starship has seen its stock rise since its tour with Fall Out Boy and seems to have caught on to giving back. The band brought three openers with them, including The Audition and Friday Night Boys, but it was DJ Skeet Skeet that was the one that got the crowd revved up.

Skeet Skeet’s 20-minute warm-up act was highlighted by a standout re-mix of the Ting Tings’ “That’s Not My Name,†introducing rapper Wale on the track. The re-mix stays true to the popularity of the song, but adds a rap twist that makes it easier for clubs to use it as a dance track.

But, on this Saturday, this small club on Orange Ave. belonged to Cobra Starship, and their venom is good for music.

Advertisement