History
Cobra Skulls were formed in 2005 by Devin Peralta (bass, vocals), Charlie Parker (guitar) and Chad Cleaveland (drums). They released an EP titled Draw Muhammad in 2006. The EP caught the attention of Red Scare Industries who signed the band and released their debut album "Sitting Army" in 2007.
To promote the album the band went on tour with Against Me!, Mad Caddies, and The Loved Ones, opening shows for them.[1] During the 2007 tour the band added a second guitarist Adam Beck.
After releasing the "Never Be a Machine/ Lost in Campaigns" 7" in time for the 2008 American elections, the band put out their second full length, "American Rubicon" in July 2009. This album was also promoted through an extensive tour schedule- this time with other Red Scare bands, including the Copyrights, the Sidekicks and the Menzingers.
Music style
Devin Peralta is half Argentinian and therefore writes and sings some songs in Spanish as can be heard with the tracks "¡Hasta Los Corba Skulls Siempre!" (from Draw Muhammad EP) and "Use Your Cobra Skulls" (from Sitting Army LP). While the first track is sung completely in Spanish, the latter track mixes both English and Spanish.
Discography
* Eat Your Babies (2005)
* Cobra Skulls/Beercan 7" split (Humaniterrorist, 2006)
* Draw Muhammad (EP) (Humaniterrorist, 2006)
* Sitting Army (Red Scare, 2007)
* Never Be a Machine (EP) (Red Scare, 2008)
* American Rubicon (Red Scare, 2009)
Don't Count Your Cobras Before They Hatch
Cobra Skulls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
are joined in holy union and that's all we need to know
millions with cancer, Parkinson's and hear disease
but protecting little stem cells puts your little mind at ease
It's just a blastocyst, 150 cells
a blastocyst, that's what you care about
never mind the help we could be giving
you won't protect a human quite like you will an egg
cultured in vitro for three to five days
millions with damage to the spinal cord and brain
but your priority's a stem cell as if it felt pain
The lyrics of Cobra Skulls's "Don't Count Your Cobras Before They Hatch" present a scathing criticism of the pro-life and anti-abortion movements that prioritize the preservation of embryonic stem cells over the welfare of living, suffering humans. The first lines of the song mock the simplistic and dogmatic view of conception held by those who argue against embryonic research, suggesting that they lack a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of biology and ethics. The lyrics then highlight the paradoxes and fallacies of this stance, pointing out that while human life is precious, so is the need to alleviate the countless diseases and conditions afflicting millions of people worldwide.
The song's chorus is a direct jab at the ludicrous notion that a cluster of cells, even before it becomes a viable fetus, possesses the same rights and protections as a fully-formed human being. The blastocyst, or the early-stage embryo, is the subject of much controversy because harvesting stem cells from it could potentially save lives, yet it still holds little to no legal value in the eyes of those who prioritize a conservative understanding of morality. The songwriters argue that this preoccupation with the cluster of cells that can only develop into human life under a very specific set of conditions ignores the thousands of people who are currently suffering and whose pain could be greatly alleviated by scientific research.
Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Count Your Cobras Before They Hatch" offer a poignant critique of the pro-life movement and its supporters, arguing that their ideological fixation with preserving the sanctity of life ignores the reality of human suffering and the potential for stem cell research to save lives.
Line by Line Meaning
At conception you say the zygote and the soul
From the time when an egg is fertilized, you believe that the zygote and the soul are united
are joined in holy union and that's all we need to know
This spiritual marriage is sufficient information for you
millions with cancer, Parkinson's and hear disease
There are many people suffering from diseases like cancer, Parkinson's, and heart disease
but protecting little stem cells puts your little mind at ease
Preserving stem cells is a source of comfort for you, even though there are so many other health problems that need to be addressed
It's just a blastocyst, 150 cells
The cells that make up a blastocyst are only one hundred and fifty
a blastocyst, that's what you care about
The thing that matters to you is only the blastocyst
never mind the help we could be giving
You overlook the assistance we could provide
never mind the suffering occurring in the living
You disregard the pain and agony faced by the living
you won't protect a human quite like you will an egg
You give more importance to safeguarding eggs than protecting humans
cultured in vitro for three to five days
The blastocyst is grown artificially in a laboratory for a few days
millions with damage to the spinal cord and brain
There are millions of people with injuries to their spinal cords and brains
but your priority's a stem cell as if it felt pain
Despite this critical state of emergency, you focus more on a stem cell that cannot even feel agony.
Contributed by Violet L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.