Cobra Starship, whose band name originates from Gabe Saporta`s two "old vintage-style jackets," was formed in 2005. According to legend, Saporta sought out to discover his true purpose and meaning in the desert of Arizona. On one distinct night, a snake - more befittingly, a cobra - bit his neck, and upon waking up, told him of the eventual demise of the world and mankind. The mystifying cobra foretold the eventual frontman of his mission and point of existence - leading the human race into the end with "style." Even more, he must "[teach] hipsters to not take themselves so seriously and by telling emo kids to stop being pussies." [1][2] Thus, the legend continued, and Cobra Starship came together in New York City, with Ryland Blackington & Alex Suarez of The Ivy League, Nate Novarro (who previously worked as a drum tech for the bands Hidden in Plain View and Armor for Sleep), and Elisa Schwartz joining Gabe Saporta.

During the summer of 2006, the band released the song "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)," a song written mostly before the movie came out. Hence, the line "pop the cheap champagne, we`re goin` down in flames," ironically, was written even before the song was in the movie. Following the release of the single, the band surged in popularity and recognition, in part due to the film Snakes on a Plane`s success in the box office. Furthermore, in July of 2006, the group signed to Decaydance Records, an imprint of indie label Fueled By Ramen.[2] During that autumn, the band took part in touring with fellow Decaydance member, hip hop band Gym Class Heroes, who also happened to gain success & recognition at that time. While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets was then released in October, reaching number one on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart. Schwartz parted ways with the band in early 2007, and was subsequently replaced by keytarist Victoria Asher[3].

The band covered Lionel Richie`s "Three Times a Lady" for the TV show "The Girls Next Door", and additionally have made a new song, "Awww Dip," for the TMNT movie soundtrack, released on March 20, 2007[1]. The band is responsible for the phrase, "throw your fangs up," accompanied by the gesture of placing two bent fingers in one hand in front of the open palm of the other hand. Currently, the group is on the Honda Civic Tour with the headliners, Fall Out Boy, and other artists, including +44, Paul Wall and The Academy Is.... Moreover, in light of Travis McCoy`s absence on the tour, rapper Paul Wall raps McCoy`s lyrics on the tour.

Fall Out Boy vocalist and guitarist Patrick Stump makes a cameo appearance in the video for Send My Love to the Dance Floor, I`ll See You in Hell (Hey Mr. DJ). Stump will also produce the next Cobra Starship album.[4]

Cobra Starship has a wide following of fans. One of their main followings are the "Cobra Clan"[2], which is a small group of friends from Chicago that was formed after Cobra Starship`s second show in Chicago. The bassist Alex Suarez named them "the Cobra Clan" after sticking out from the crowd by knowing all the words. At every Chicago show Gabe Saporta dedicates the song "It`s Warmer in the Basement" to them. Most recently, at the last of the 3 Honda Civic Chicago shows, Gabe gave the Clan a shout out, saying Chicago is one of their favorite places to play because "some of our best fans live here". The other main following is The Cobra Crew. The Cobra Crew is based out of California and is also known as "OCC".

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