Ever wonder what happened to the guys who convinced us all that "snakes on a plane" was a legitimate lifestyle choice? Cobra Starship wasn't just a band. It was a fever dream of neon hoodies, purple shutter shades, and the kind of synth-heavy hooks that defined the mid-2000s "scene" aesthetic.
One day, they’re opening for Fall Out Boy and ruling the airwaves with Leighton Meester. The next? Silence. Total radio silence.
Honestly, the story of the Cobra Starship band members is way more interesting than just a simple "where are they now" checklist. It’s a mix of skincare empires, high-level talent management, and a massive 2024 reunion that proved the "fangs up" mentality never actually died. It just went into hibernation.
Gabe Saporta: The Visionary Turned Venture Capitalist
Gabe Saporta is, was, and always will be the face of the operation. After his previous band Midtown broke up, he supposedly went on a peyote-fueled vision quest in the desert. He came back with the idea for a band that didn't take itself too seriously.
And man, did he succeed.
When Cobra Starship called it quits in 2015, Gabe didn't just fade into the background. He went full business mode. He founded The Artist Group, a talent management firm, and joined the Artist Advocacy Council at beatBread. He’s basically the guy behind the guys now, helping independent artists navigate the industry without getting screwed over.
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But here’s the kicker.
In 2024, Gabe finally caved to the nostalgia. Cobra Starship returned for the When We Were Young Festival, and he looked like he hadn't aged a day. Except now, he’s also a "skincare salesman." No joke—he launched a men's skincare line. It turns out that glowing skin is just as important as a catchy chorus when you’re pushing fifty and still rocking a stage.
Victoria Asher: The Keytar Queen’s Second Act
If Gabe was the voice, Victoria Asher (known to fans as Vicky-T) was the vibe. She joined after the "Keytar Kerfuffle" of 2007—a messy public split with original member Elisa Schwartz involving alleged stolen equipment and some very dramatic MySpace posts.
Victoria didn't just play keytar; she became the band’s secret weapon for visual branding.
Since the hiatus, she’s been everywhere. She’s directed music videos, worked on the title sequence for Orange Is the New Black, and released solo tracks like "Protect This Love." Interestingly, she was the primary driver behind the 2024 reunion. According to Gabe, she’s the one who poked and prodded until they finally agreed to put the hoodies back on.
She even acted as the Creative Director for their recent live sets, ensuring the "aviator theme" (a nod to the Night Shades era) was executed perfectly.
Ryland, Alex, and Nate: Life After the Party
The rest of the Cobra Starship band members have had equally diverse paths. It’s a weirdly wholesome transition from being "hot messes" to being established professionals.
- Ryland Blackinton (Guitar): Ryland has quietly become a sought-after songwriter and producer. He’s collaborated with artists like Goldroom and Thunder Jackson. He’s still that guy who can write a hook that stays in your head for three days straight.
- Alex Suarez (Bass): Alex moved to Brooklyn and reinvented himself in the house and techno scene under the name Lefty. He’s also the guy who stepped in for Gabe during Midtown’s reunion when Gabe broke his finger. Talk about loyalty.
- Nate Novarro (Drums): Nate has stayed active in the music scene, drumming for various projects and participating in the recent reunion shows. He’s still the heartbeat of the band, even if he’s doing it in front of 70,000 people at a festival instead of a sweaty club in Jersey.
Why Cobra Starship Matters in 2026
You might think a band that peaked in 2009 wouldn't matter much today. You’d be wrong.
The "scene" revival is real. Gen Z has discovered the absolute absurdity of "Good Girls Go Bad" and "You Make Me Feel," and they love it. The 2024 reunion wasn't just a cash grab; it was a victory lap. They brought out internet icons like Tara Yummy to perform with them, bridging the gap between millennial nostalgia and current digital culture.
There was a time when the "serious" music critics hated this band. They thought the neon was tacky and the lyrics were shallow. But looking back, Cobra Starship was ahead of the curve. They embraced the internet, the "meme-ification" of music, and the idea that being a rock star should actually be fun.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People think the band broke up because they hated each other.
In reality, Gabe just felt like he’d said everything he needed to say. He wanted to be a dad. He wanted to build something that wasn't dependent on his ability to jump around on stage every night. The breakup in 2015 was surprisingly mature—a rarity in a genre known for public meltdowns and Twitter feuds.
Actionable Steps for the "Fangs Up" Faithful
If you’re looking to reconnect with the Starship, here’s how to do it without getting lost in 2008-era Tumblr archives:
- Check out Vicky-T’s solo work: If you miss the synth-pop vibe, her solo EPs are the spiritual successor to the Cobra sound.
- Follow Gabe Saporta on LinkedIn: It sounds weird, but his insights on the music business and "DIY entrepreneurship" are actually top-tier for anyone trying to make it in the creative arts.
- Watch the 2024 Brooklyn Bowl footage: The energy during "The City Is at War" proves that the band still has the chemistry that made them massive in the first place.
- Support Alex Suarez's "Lefty" project: If you’ve traded your neon hoodies for black turtlenecks and techno, his Brooklyn-based sets are exactly what you need.
Cobra Starship was never meant to be a legacy act that played until they were eighty. They were a moment in time. The fact that they can step back into that moment a decade later—and still make it feel like the best party in town—is the real legacy of the Cobra Starship band members.
They taught us that you can grow up without actually becoming boring. And honestly? That’s more impressive than any Billboard hit.