Defining COBRA SKULLS is dichotomously quite simple and extremely difficult. The
simple approach would be to dub them one of the most genuine and meaningful punk
bands of the past ten years. The complex route would be to take into account the fact
that they have drawn comparisons to the likes of Against Me!, The Clash, the Misfits,
Chuck Berry, and One Man Army, and iterate the notion that COBRA SKULLS somehow
simultaneously encapsulate the diverse sound of each of those artists equally. It's an
equation that goes against the very laws of nature, but once you've heard them
somehow it all makes sense. Like some lab experiment gone horribly right. Beyond
their unique amalgam of musical styling, there is also the highly charged message
behind COBRA SKULLS music, both of which are on full display on their Fat Wreck
debut Bringing the War Home. Their disdain for the modern human condition far
surpasses the typical political targets of most punk bands; transcending class, creed,
and dogma, nothing is safe from their scope. All five songs that comprise Bringing the
War Home exemplify this, delivered on the crest of Devin’s soulful vocals, and driven
by COBRA SKULLS’ contagious invigorating music. Their passion for political musings is
authentic, not a paper mask to be simply donned like part of some ill-conceived
costume so many punk bands adorn themselves in. It was born from the wholly real
experience of working for the ACLU, being raised a first generation Argentinean-
American, gaining perspective while writing about social issues for a Spanish-speaking
newspaper in Nevada, and, of course, coming up in Reno. A pit of glittering neon
lights, greedy wanton desire, salacious underhanded dealings; essentially Pinocchio's
“Pleasure Island” for the modern western world. How could these guys not have
ended up in a punk band?
During their tenure as a band COBRA SKULLS have proven their live show to be every
bit as exhilarating as their albums. Fortunately for fans they have toured relentlessly
over the past few years and will continue to do so with the release of Bringing the
War Home. Seriously, these guys are road dogs in the truest sense of the word, not
only have they recently shared the stage with NOFX, Me First and the Gimme
Gimmes, Against Me!, The Loved Ones, Anti-Nowhere League (to name a few), but
they literally tour with a dog. No joke. Her name is Bella. What more can we say? Pick
up Bringing the War Home and get out to one of their shows.
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