Cobra (Japanese punk band)
Encyclopedia
Cobra is a Japanese Oi!
/punk
band based in the Osaka
area. They were one of the first bands in Japan to incorporate the style of Oi! in their sound and appearance. They have cited as their influences early British
Oi! bands such as Cockney Rejects
and Business.
The original incarnation of the band was formed in 1982 by two friends who had first met in their junior high school's folk music club: Yosu-ko (on vocals and bass guitar) and Naoki (currently of SA
, on guitar), and a mutual friend known as Mi-chan on drums. Their first recording was the EP Break Out, released from the independent label AA Records in 1984.
Cobra released several singles and EPs on AA Records, some of which were later collected on a CD entitled Indie Omnibus '82-'86. The band's debut LP, Stand the Pressure (1985) was also released on AA Records, and featured an eye-catching cover of a boot crushing a young man's face (and has since been reissued on CD at least twice). After Stand the Pressure, Cobra disbanded for several years.
In 1989, Yosu-ko happened to meet Naoki and bassist Pon, who at the time were both members of the punk band Laughin' Nose but thinking of leaving the band. The three decided to reform Cobra; drummer Ki-Yan completed this line-up. They were signed by a major record label, Pony Canyon, and released two full-length albums (Oi Oi Oi and Captain Nippon, both 1990) and a half-length album (Stand Strong Straight, 1991). Although this incarnation of Cobra was commercially quite successful (e.g. playing at Budokan
in January 1991), it disbanded in December 1991. After the breakup, Yosu-ko and Pon pursued their interest in house music
under the moniker Cow Cow, while Naoki formed a rock band called Dog Fight, with his younger brother Taisho on vocals, Ken (currently of SA) on bass guitar, and Ki-Yan on drums.
A Best Of Cobra CD, consisting of 18 cuts from the 1990/91 albums, was released in 1996. Cobra reformed and released a new album, simply entitled Cobra, in 1999. Yosu-ko and Naoki were the only members to return from the previous lineup; Yosu-ko handled the bass duties as well as vocals, and the duo were joined by drummer Yoshiro. This album represented a departure in the band's sound compared to their 80's/early 90's work, with generally quieter guitars, less of an emphasis on sing-along choruses, and more of an overall alt-rock feel than one might have expected from the group's earlier recordings.
Another album with the same lineup, OK Ride On, was released later that year on EMI Records
, and marked something of a return to form for the band; as did the follow-up, Voice, released in 2001. After Voice, Naoki left Cobra to become the guitarist for the resurgent Oi! Punk band SA
. Yoshiro departed as well, and Yosu-ko recruited yet another lineup—guitarist Kasuga, bassist Okamoto, and drummer Keigo—for the next album, On The Street (2002), which consisted largely of re-recorded versions of old Cobra songs, as well as a cover of the Clash
classic "White Riot
". Guitarist and drummer both left shortly thereafter. Reduced to a two-piece, Cobra atypically recorded their following album, Reality Check (2003), outside of Japan; it was laid down at West Side Punk Place in Los Angeles
, with a guest guitarist and bassplayer.
The band's most recent album, Hello! This is COBRA, (2009) finds Yosu-ko backed by an all-new lineup: Yuichi on bass, Ryu on drums, and Lina on guitar.
Like most Japanese punk bands, Cobra has retained an essentially insular audience; to date, they have not performed live in North America or Europe, nor have any of their albums been officially issued by non-Japanese labels or distributors (though occasional bootlegs
, particularly of Best of Cobra, have surfaced in the United States).
Oi Oi Oi (Pony Canyon, 1990, reissued in 2003)
Captain Nippon (Pony Canyon, 1990, reissued in 2003)
Stand! Strong! Straight! (Pony Canyon, 1991)
Cobra (Public Red, 1999)
O.K. Ride On (EMI/Chrysalis, 1999)
Voice (EMI/Chrysalis, 2001)
Reality Check (Measure Label, 2003)
Rock'N'Roll Homicide (Worst Music, 2008)
Hello! This Is COBRA (Daiki Sound, 2009)
Mission-X!! Split w/The Ryders (Bad Addiction, ???)
Punk 2 Stupid! Split w/The Ryders (Chaos & Anarchy, 2010)
On The Street (Daiki Sound, 2002)
COBRA is ALIVE 20TH ANNIVERSARY BEST (Pony Canyon, 2010)
...Is Back! (Joe Pogo, 2010)
Sing Along Together (CD + DVD) (Worst Music, 2008)
Hits Rarities & More! 82-91 (vinyl only, label name and release date unknown)
COBRA Kodo '82-'91 (Pony Canyon, 2008)
Sing Along Together (CD + DVD) (Worst, 2008)
Oi!
Oi! is a working class subgenre of punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The music and its associated subculture had the goal of bringing together punks, skinheads and other working-class youths ....
/punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band based in the Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
area. They were one of the first bands in Japan to incorporate the style of Oi! in their sound and appearance. They have cited as their influences early British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
Oi! bands such as Cockney Rejects
Cockney Rejects
Cockney Rejects are an English punk rock band that formed in the East End of London in 1978. Their 1980 song "Oi, Oi, Oi" was the inspiration for the name of the Oi! music genre...
and Business.
The original incarnation of the band was formed in 1982 by two friends who had first met in their junior high school's folk music club: Yosu-ko (on vocals and bass guitar) and Naoki (currently of SA
SA (Samurai Attack)
SA is a Japanese punk rock band. Their style of music has been described as Oi! Punk....
, on guitar), and a mutual friend known as Mi-chan on drums. Their first recording was the EP Break Out, released from the independent label AA Records in 1984.
Cobra released several singles and EPs on AA Records, some of which were later collected on a CD entitled Indie Omnibus '82-'86. The band's debut LP, Stand the Pressure (1985) was also released on AA Records, and featured an eye-catching cover of a boot crushing a young man's face (and has since been reissued on CD at least twice). After Stand the Pressure, Cobra disbanded for several years.
In 1989, Yosu-ko happened to meet Naoki and bassist Pon, who at the time were both members of the punk band Laughin' Nose but thinking of leaving the band. The three decided to reform Cobra; drummer Ki-Yan completed this line-up. They were signed by a major record label, Pony Canyon, and released two full-length albums (Oi Oi Oi and Captain Nippon, both 1990) and a half-length album (Stand Strong Straight, 1991). Although this incarnation of Cobra was commercially quite successful (e.g. playing at Budokan
Nippon Budokan
The , often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena in central Tokyo, Japan.This is the location where many "Live at the Budokan" albums were recorded...
in January 1991), it disbanded in December 1991. After the breakup, Yosu-ko and Pon pursued their interest in house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
under the moniker Cow Cow, while Naoki formed a rock band called Dog Fight, with his younger brother Taisho on vocals, Ken (currently of SA) on bass guitar, and Ki-Yan on drums.
A Best Of Cobra CD, consisting of 18 cuts from the 1990/91 albums, was released in 1996. Cobra reformed and released a new album, simply entitled Cobra, in 1999. Yosu-ko and Naoki were the only members to return from the previous lineup; Yosu-ko handled the bass duties as well as vocals, and the duo were joined by drummer Yoshiro. This album represented a departure in the band's sound compared to their 80's/early 90's work, with generally quieter guitars, less of an emphasis on sing-along choruses, and more of an overall alt-rock feel than one might have expected from the group's earlier recordings.
Another album with the same lineup, OK Ride On, was released later that year on EMI Records
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
, and marked something of a return to form for the band; as did the follow-up, Voice, released in 2001. After Voice, Naoki left Cobra to become the guitarist for the resurgent Oi! Punk band SA
SA (Samurai Attack)
SA is a Japanese punk rock band. Their style of music has been described as Oi! Punk....
. Yoshiro departed as well, and Yosu-ko recruited yet another lineup—guitarist Kasuga, bassist Okamoto, and drummer Keigo—for the next album, On The Street (2002), which consisted largely of re-recorded versions of old Cobra songs, as well as a cover of the Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
classic "White Riot
White Riot
"White Riot" is a song by English punk rock band The Clash, released as the band's first single in 1977 and also featured on their debut album. There are two versions: the single version , and a different version on the UK album...
". Guitarist and drummer both left shortly thereafter. Reduced to a two-piece, Cobra atypically recorded their following album, Reality Check (2003), outside of Japan; it was laid down at West Side Punk Place in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, with a guest guitarist and bassplayer.
The band's most recent album, Hello! This is COBRA, (2009) finds Yosu-ko backed by an all-new lineup: Yuichi on bass, Ryu on drums, and Lina on guitar.
Like most Japanese punk bands, Cobra has retained an essentially insular audience; to date, they have not performed live in North America or Europe, nor have any of their albums been officially issued by non-Japanese labels or distributors (though occasional bootlegs
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
, particularly of Best of Cobra, have surfaced in the United States).
Full-length Albums
Stand The Pressure (AA Records, 1985, reissued by Pony Canyon in 1991 and Daiki Sound in 2002)Oi Oi Oi (Pony Canyon, 1990, reissued in 2003)
Captain Nippon (Pony Canyon, 1990, reissued in 2003)
Stand! Strong! Straight! (Pony Canyon, 1991)
Cobra (Public Red, 1999)
O.K. Ride On (EMI/Chrysalis, 1999)
Voice (EMI/Chrysalis, 2001)
Reality Check (Measure Label, 2003)
Rock'N'Roll Homicide (Worst Music, 2008)
Hello! This Is COBRA (Daiki Sound, 2009)
EPs
Break Out (AA Records, 1984)Mission-X!! Split w/The Ryders (Bad Addiction, ???)
Punk 2 Stupid! Split w/The Ryders (Chaos & Anarchy, 2010)
Best-of Collections
Best Of Cobra (Pony Canyon, 1996)On The Street (Daiki Sound, 2002)
COBRA is ALIVE 20TH ANNIVERSARY BEST (Pony Canyon, 2010)
...Is Back! (Joe Pogo, 2010)
Live Albums
Live Innocent (Bad Addiction, ???)Sing Along Together (CD + DVD) (Worst Music, 2008)
Bootlegs
Greatest Hits (track list identical to Best Of Cobra, label name and release date unknown)Hits Rarities & More! 82-91 (vinyl only, label name and release date unknown)
DVDs
Captain Nippon Budokan (Pony Canyon, 2008)COBRA Kodo '82-'91 (Pony Canyon, 2008)
Sing Along Together (CD + DVD) (Worst, 2008)