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— CH. 1 · VISION QUEST IN THE DESERT —

Cobra Starship

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
5 sections

  • Gabe Saporta stood in the Arizona desert during 2005 and smoked peyote while spending time with Native American tribes. This vision quest became the foundation for a new musical direction that blended synthpop with hip-hop influences. He rented a house in the Catskill Mountains to begin writing what would become his debut album. The song Hollaback Boy appeared on Myspace as a parody response to Gwen Stefani's work. That track gained him internet notoriety before he signed to Decaydance Records. Pete Wentz, bassist of Fall Out Boy, owned the label and was Saporta's good friend.

  • The band recorded Snakes on a Plane Bring It for the soundtrack of the 2006 film. They joined members from The Academy Is..., Gym Class Heroes, and The Sounds to create this minor hit. The music video played during the closing credits of the movie earlier that summer. While the City Sleeps We Rule the Streets released the 10th of October 2006 and peaked at number 125 on the US Billboard 200. It topped the Heatseekers Albums chart instead. The group supported Thirty Seconds to Mars on their Welcome to the Universe Tour in October 2006. Victoria Asher replaced Elisa Jordana in December 2006 after Jordana brought random people onto the tour bus.

  • Good Girls Go Bad became Cobra Starship's first entry and top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at number seven and sold two million copies in the United States. Recording Industry Association of America certified it double platinum. Leighton Meester appeared on the track which Kevin Rudolf produced and co-wrote with Kara DioGuardi. The album Hot Mess debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 selling more than 42,000 copies its first week. The band launched CobraCam.tv where new episodes premiered every Monday until August 11 release date. They performed Good Girls Go Bad live with Nicole Scherzinger filling in for Meester at People's Choice Awards the 6th of January 2010.

  • You Make Me Feel... featuring Sabi reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming their second top ten single. The music video premiered on MTV the 28th of June 2011 and the song was certified triple platinum in the US. Night Shades released the 30th of August 2011 in the United States and the 28th of October 2011 in the United Kingdom. It peaked at number 50 on the Billboard 200 selling 9,000 copies its first week. Alex Suarez and Ryland Blackinton left the band the 21st of October 2014 to pursue separate careers. Eric Halvorsen from A Rocket to the Moon and Andy Barr replaced them before the group played a Halloween party the 30th of October 2014 at Saints and Sinner.

  • Cobra Starship officially announced dissolution the 10th of November 2015 through a statement on their website. Saporta said he would rather close this chapter than allow something that meant so much to stagnate. He announced on his Beats1 Radio show he would no longer perform or put out new music. The band came out of retirement in 2024 performing at When We Were Young festival in Las Vegas. They announced 2025 dates for Riot Fest in Chicago and Warped Tour festival in Long Beach. New songs Beautiful Life and Party With You released October 2021 and December 2021 as previously unreleased b-sides from Hot Mess.

Common questions

Who founded Cobra Starship and what influenced their musical direction?

Gabe Saporta founded Cobra Starship after a vision quest in the Arizona desert during 2005. This experience led him to blend synthpop with hip-hop influences for his debut album.

When did Cobra Starship release their first major album and how did it perform on charts?

While the City Sleeps We Rule the Streets released the 10th of October 2006 and peaked at number 125 on the US Billboard 200. It topped the Heatseekers Albums chart instead.

How many copies did Good Girls Go Bad sell and what certification did it receive from RIAA?

Good Girls Go Bad sold two million copies in the United States and received double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The track peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100.

What happened to Cobra Starship members Alex Suarez and Ryland Blackinton in 2014?

Alex Suarez and Ryland Blackinton left the band the 21st of October 2014 to pursue separate careers. Eric Halvorsen from A Rocket to the Moon and Andy Barr replaced them before the group played a Halloween party the 30th of October 2014 at Saints and Sinner.

Why did Cobra Starship officially dissolve and when was this announcement made?

Cobra Starship officially announced dissolution the 10th of November 2015 through a statement on their website. Saporta said he would rather close this chapter than allow something that meant so much to stagnate.

See all questions about Cobra Starship →

All sources

138 references cited across the entry

  1. 1magazineCobra Starship Break UpDaniel Kreps — 2015-11-11
  2. 2newsCobra Starship Reissues 'Hot Mess' With Two Unreleased TracksErin Coulehan — 2021-10-29
  3. 3newsBands Who Broke Up + Ones Who Reunited in 2024Chad Childers — 2025-01-18
  4. 4newsLive Review: When We Were Young Las Vegas Festival Grounds, Nevada 20th October 2024Cheri Faulkner — 2024-10-28
  5. 5webCobra Starship delivers a MySpace-style rager at Brooklyn Bowl Las VegasGabriela Rodriguez — 2024-11-18
  6. 6newsNews: Riot Fest Announces Daily Lineup Schedule – New Noise MagazineJustice Petersen — 2025-05-16
  7. 7newsFirst Headliner Announced for Returning Warped Tour 2025Stephen Andrew Galiher — 2025-01-31
  8. 8webFangs for the MemoriesBrendan Manley — Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. — 2008-06-03
  9. 9webCobra Starship Owe Success To Talking Snake From The FutureJames Montgomery — July 27, 2006
  10. 10webSnakes On A Soundtrack — Samuel L. Jackson Film Nabs Fall Out Boy, Panic!, Cee-LoJames Montgomery — July 26, 2006
  11. 11magazineWhile The City Sleeps, We Rule The Streets - Cobra Starship ReviewEmily Zemler — October 10, 2006
  12. 12magazineCobra Starship Chart History (Billboard 200)
  13. 13magazineCobra Starship Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)
  14. 14magazine'Snakes on a Plane': The folks behind its theme songClark Collis — August 8, 2006
  15. 15webTours: 30 Seconds to Mars / Head Automatica / Cobra StarshipAubin Paul — September 10, 2006
  16. 16webCobra Starship Flies Into DramaAbsolutePunk — January 25, 2007
  17. 17webCobra Starship's Gabe Saporta Speaks Out After Keytar KerfuffleJames Montgomery — Viacom — January 26, 2007
  18. 18webFall Out Boy took from other bands, and now gives backRicardo Baca — May 29, 2007
  19. 19av media notes¡Viva la Cobra!Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance — 2007
  20. 20webCobra Starship - Viva La Cobra!Mike Haydock — December 5, 2007
  21. 21webCobra Starship Take Aim At Their Sudden Fame With Viva La Cobra!James Montgomery — October 17, 2007
  22. 22webInterview with Cobra Starship: This Is How We Bring ItChristine DiPaolo — January 16, 2008
  23. 23webCobra Starship: 'The City is at War'Aubin Paul — 2 January 2008
  24. 24webThe City Is at War - Single by Cobra Starship
  25. 25webExclusive Video: Cobra Starship on the Set of Their Guilty Pleasure VideoApril 10, 2008
  26. 26webCobra Starship slithers into PittsburghScott Tady — March 1, 2008
  27. 27magazineWarped Tour 2008October 6, 2008
  28. 28webWeekend Roundup: Deerhoof, Diplo, Cobra Starship and morePatrick Michels — November 10, 2008
  29. 29webKiss My Sass - Single by Cobra Starship
  30. 30webNew Cobra Starship Video! 'Kiss My Sass'Tamar Anitai — December 5, 2008
  31. 31magazineCobra Starship's famous friendsSimon Vozick-Levinson — August 7, 2009
  32. 32magazineFall Out Boy Tease New Album 'Folie A Deux' On New MixtapeDaniel Kreps — August 25, 2008
  33. 33webCobra Starship interviewGina Ponce — 2009
  34. 34webEven Cobra Starship hate their own musicStaff — July 22, 2009
  35. 35magazineSpring Music PreviewStaff — March 20, 2009
  36. 36web'American Idol' Judge Kara DioGuardi Working With Cobra StarshipJames Montgomery — 2009-04-15
  37. 37magazineCobra Starship Gets Leighton Meester Into 'Hot Mess'Monica Herrera — July 13, 2009
  38. 38webFall Out Boy / All Time Low / Cobra Starship / Metro Station / Hey MondayAubin Paul — 15 January 2009
  39. 39webInterview with Cash CashJuly 20, 2010
  40. 40webChew Me Up and Spit Me Out - Song by Cobra Starship
  41. 41webCobra Starship, Leighton Meester Collaborating On New SongJames Montgomery — 2009-04-17
  42. 42magazineGossip Girl goes 'Good' with Cobra StarshipMay 8, 2009
  43. 43magazineBlack Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz Tie Records On Billboard Hot 100Ayala Ben-Yehuda — August 13, 2009
  44. 44magazineCobra Starship Party in Photo Booth in 'You Make Me Feel...' VideoJason Lipshutz — June 28, 2011
  45. 45webAlbum Sales: George Strait Dominates; Cobra Starship, Jessie James, Slaughterhouse FollowBrian Cantor — August 12, 2009
  46. 46webFMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!
  47. 47magazineCobra Starship – Chart history (Billboard Hot 100)
  48. 48magazineCobra Starship, 'Hot Mess': An EW exclusive stream!Leah Greenblatt — July 16, 2009
  49. 49magazineCobra Starship plan small-venue tour with the Friday Night BoysJune 30, 2009
  50. 50webCobra Starship Wants Their Pick
  51. 51webAbout the ShowMTV
  52. 52webMTV VMA nominations!August 4, 2009
  53. 53magazineWorlds Collide At Premios MTV LatinoamericaAyala Ben-Yehuda — October 17, 2009
  54. 54webVideo / Cobra Starship/Paulina Rubio - Good Girls Go Bad / Ni Rosas Ni JuguetesPremios MTV Latinoamérica
  55. 55webVideo Cobra Starship – Jimmy Kimmel Live! – Good Girls Go BadOctober 13, 2009
  56. 56webBoys Like Girls / Cobra Starship / The Maine / A Rocket to the Moon / VersaEmergeBrian Shultz — 23 August 2009
  57. 57webNicole Scherzinger Performs With Cobra Statship On The 2010 People's Choice AwardsJanuary 7, 2010
  58. 58webCobra Starship Biography by Matt CollarMatt Collar
  59. 59webIn conversation with Cobra StarshipMarleen — February 28, 2010
  60. 60webCobra Starship sell out Australian tourMarch 9, 2010
  61. 61webCobra Starship & I Heart Sharks 18.02.2010 Luxor, KölnMarleen — February 20, 2010
  62. 62webCobra Starship & 3OH!3 Co-headlining TourSarah Pittman — February 5, 2010
  63. 63magazine3OH!3, Cobra Starship, Travis McCoy to play Bamboozle ChicagoMarch 23, 2010
  64. 64webWhat Happens on the Dancefloor (feat. Cobra Starship) - Song by Alexandra Burke
  65. 65magazineIn The Studio: Cobra StarshipMay 18, 2011
  66. 66newsCobra Starship cancel Australian tourKill Your Stereo — February 17, 2011
  67. 67webCobra Starship: New SongMay 5, 2011
  68. 68tweetNight Shades, coming soon.May 9, 2011
  69. 69magazineCobra Starship release new song 'You Make Me Feel...'Tyler Common — May 9, 2011
  70. 70inlineBill Lamb. Cobra Starship - "You Make Me Feel..." featuring Sabi About.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  71. 71magazineCobra Starship to release "You Make Me Feel..." videoJune 28, 2011
  72. 72webCobra Starship feat. Sabi – You Make Me Feel...Top 40 Singles
  73. 73magazineCobra Starship release "Night Shades" tracklistingJuly 21, 2011
  74. 74magazineCobra Starship Looks to Clean Up With 'Night Shades'Megan Vick — August 26, 2011
  75. 75magazineCobra Starship to release live EPAugust 17, 2011
  76. 76magazineCobra Starship to perform at VMA pre-show, change album release dateAugust 20, 2011
  77. 77magazineCobra Starship offer free downloadAugust 31, 2011
  78. 78magazineMTV VMAs Boost Adele, Beyonce on Billboard 200; RHCP Scores Big DebutKeith Caulfield — September 7, 2011
  79. 79webDancing With the Stars: Who's Going to the Finals?!Bruna Nessif — November 15, 2011
  80. 80magazineCobra Starship to perform on The Tonight ShowSeptember 12, 2011
  81. 81magazine'90210': Cobra Starship to guestSandra Gonzalez — August 22, 2011
  82. 82webBuddy Holly At 75: A Tribute To An Unlikely StarSeptember 7, 2011
  83. 83magazineCobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes Party For Fueled By Ramen AnniversaryJon Blistein — September 12, 2011
  84. 84magazineCobra Starship post tour updateOctober 12, 2011
  85. 85webMac Miller, Cobra Starship: 'Middle Finger' ReleasedLatifah Muhammad — January 3, 2012
  86. 86magazineCobra Starship – Chart history (Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles)
  87. 87webCobra Starship Announce Soundwave 2012 SideshowsNicholas Jones — Tone Deaf — January 25, 2012
  88. 88webNew Song: Cobra Starship Featuring My Name Is Kay, '#1Nite'Jenna Hally Rubenstein — May 9, 2012
  89. 89magazineCobra Starship announce summer tour datesJune 25, 2012
  90. 90magazineCobra Starship's Gabe Saporta Talks New Single 'Never Been In Love,' Featuring Icona PopChris Payne — August 25, 2014
  91. 91magazineGabe Saporta Marries Erin Fetherston in Barbados!Zach Johnson — May 26, 2013
  92. 92magazineGabe Saporta Rewires Cobra Starship With 'Never Been in Love'James Montgomery — August 25, 2014
  93. 93magazineCobra Starship working on new musicApril 22, 2014
  94. 94magazineCobra Starship to release new single ft. Icona PopAugust 22, 2014
  95. 95magazineCobra Starship stream new single, "Never Been In Love" (ft. Icona Pop)August 25, 2014
  96. 96magazineCobra Starship part ways with guitarist and bassistOctober 22, 2014
  97. 97magazineCobra Starship tap former A Rocket To The Moon bassist to join bandOctober 29, 2014
  98. 98magazineCobra Starship Breaks UpBrie Hiramine — November 10, 2015
  99. 99webCobra Starship Perform 'Never Been in Love' with Iconca Pop on Jimmy Kimmel LiveNovember 7, 2014
  100. 100magazineCobra Starship break upNovember 10, 2015
  101. 101magazineCobra Starship have called it a day — Gabe Saporta takes a look backNovember 19, 2015
  102. 102webT∆G // THE ARTIST GROUP
  103. 103magazineCobra Starship Breaks Up; Gabe Saporta Explains What's NextChris Payne — November 10, 2015
  104. 104webGrammy Award-winning rock band America coming to Hershey. How to buy tickets.Deb Kiner — June 11, 2024
  105. 105webCobra Starship Return with Their First New Music in a DecadeOctober 29, 2021
  106. 106webCobra Starship Shares 'Party With You'Michael Major — December 6, 2021
  107. 107webCobra Starship Reissues 'Hot Mess' With Two Unreleased TracksErin Coulehan — 29 October 2021
  108. 108magazineLISTEN: Cobra Starship's Previously Unreleased Sentimental Party-Starter 'Beautiful Life' - NewsJack Rogers
  109. 109tweetI wanted to make a Hanukkah classic like Adam Sandler did, but I wanted one that could bump in the clubs… or at bar mitzvahs. Also I wanted to highlight one of the best parts of Jewish culture: raging. "Party With Jews" is out now on YT/Soundcloud/TikTok https://bit.ly/3oUBj9IGabe Saporta — 25 November 2021
  110. 110magazineMy Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy Will Headline 2024 When We Were Young FestivalLarisha Paul — November 13, 2023
  111. 111webCobra Starship Brings Out Tara Yummy for when We Were Young FestOctober 21, 2024
  112. 112webCobra Starship Joins Fall Out Boy Onstage To Perform 'Good Girls Go Bad'Paige Owens — March 5, 2024
  113. 113instagramOur first rehearsal in 10 years! ❤️❤️❤️ it's all happening guys!June 6, 2024
  114. 114webEmo Nite Day Announces Cobra Starship, 3OH!3, & More PerformancesPaige Owens — 2024-10-22
  115. 115webCobra Starship and More Join Warped Tour 2025 LineupPaige Owens — January 30, 2025
  116. 116webArchived: COBRA STARSHIP - WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS...2006-10-05
  117. 117webArchived: Cobra Starship website2007-06-16
  118. 118webArchived: Fueled By Ramen's new limited edition DVD is available now exclusively at Target! On copies of the latest albums from Cobra Starship, Cute Is What We Aim For and Gym Class Heroes, you can find the Love Songs And Beyond DVD.2007-02-08
  119. 119webArchived: Cobra Starship, Fueled By Ramen Webstore2009-12-26
  120. 120webArchived: Cobra Starship, Fueled By Ramen Webstore2007-06-09
  121. 121webArchived: Cobra Starship Merchandise 2024
  122. 122webCobra Starship, ready to partyJohn Benson — October 10, 2008
  123. 123magazine10 songs to reminisce on Cobra StarshipRachel Campbell — November 13, 2015
  124. 124magazineCobra Starship Rocks Tommy Hilfiger Runway Show: VideoGregory DelliCarpini Jr. — February 17, 2012
  125. 125newsNeon Disaster: Cobra Starship, 'Hot Mess'August 10, 2009
  126. 126magazineCobra Starship breaks upChristian Holub — November 10, 2015
  127. 127news15 forgotten neon pop-punk classics you need to knowJuly 23, 2018
  128. 128webAre Cobra Starship Making a Comeback?Jacklyn Krol — October 21, 2021
  129. 129webCD reviews: Lil' Wayne, Cobra Starship, The Sweet OnesTris McCall — September 2, 2011
  130. 130webCobra Starship Playing Respectable Street August 21Brett Gillin — July 7, 2009
  131. 131web15 MySpace bands you probably don’t remember2020-01-22
  132. 132webWarped Tour Darlings Cobra Starship Discusses Side ProjectsAnna Genoese, Ryan Wasoba — June 25, 2008
  133. 133webThe Midtown Reunion Is For The ChildrenArielle Gordon — April 13, 2022
  134. 134magazineMTV VMA nominations: Lady Gaga, Beyonce lead with nine eachChris Nashawaty — August 4, 2009
  135. 135webMTV Video Music Awards: The NominationsOli Simpson — August 4, 2009
  136. 136web2010 MMVAs Winners & Nominees
  137. 137web2010 People's Choice Awards Winners & NomineesPeople's Choice Awards
  138. 138webMarianas Trench leads with seven nominations at the 2012 MMVAsMay 15, 2012