Cobra Man - Hi Tone, Gonerfest, Memphis TN - September 28, 2018


[from Los Angeles CA]: This band was when I knew… really knew that Eric Friedl and I were meant to be together forever and ever and ever. Studies show that shared favorite music genres is a top predictor of relationship success. And science is totally objective. Not only is his label the source of the best of my favorite genre, nihilistic garage punk, nay, the introduction to my favorite genre, but his festival is not stuck in any sort of rut. Or at least wanders in the ruts I love. But really, for the size of the festival, the music was diverse. I called them disco punk but they’re more classic new wave, with a dark bent, sometimes. A more cheerful New Order? Synth pop. The sax sometimes gave them a cheezy 80s vibe that was part of their shtick I think. "I've been living in hell with you" was their standout song. They were three band members: sax, keyboards, drums. I can’t quit No Ceremony and this band shared their clean-cut harmony-sharing vibe, or maybe their image of those things. The woman swished her clean fresh hair throughout. Cobra Man, though, is less serious, less vital, less electronic. Which is fine, just fine. Power-singing. Pumped. Weird LA enthusiasm for life… that I enjoy. Scissor Sisters too. I was in my eleventh hour of a dizzy day and was unfortunately situated, in a tight crowd, right next to a wasted 70 year old man who wouldn’t stop bending my ear with his inappropriately loud impressions of the band. Must stop feeling sorry for old men – mostly too tired to kick his knees & shift crowd position. The crowd loved them as much as I did – moshing and board jumpers. Their online presence is pleasantly weak - they’re new it seems.


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