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Lead Singer Of Cobra Starship Blogs About Not Being A Great Lead Singer!
Filed under: Music Minute
Gabe Saporta, the lead singer of Cobra Starship, took to his blog to discuss the hate towards him and his band caused by their performance on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien earlier this week.
Though he does not address why Leighton Mester was a no-show, he does address his own vocals and admits to everyone that he knows his voice isn't stellar.
Says Gabe:
"My thoughts on Conan
The truth is, I thought it was awesome! We all did. And it was a huge accomplishment for us. Sure it wasn’t perfect, but it’s not about being perfect.
Here’s the (tl;dr) thing: I’ve never been a great singer, and I’ll never be a great singer. I was just a kid who loved music and had to figure it out. I wasn’t lucky to be born with talent and great pipes. But I was lucky to be born with something that I value more than natural ability: I’ve got heart, willpower, and an intuition that if I put my mind to something, I can accomplish anything. And guess what? I did.
I wanted to sing. Not because I could, but because I loved making music. Listen to the first Midtown record. My voice was HORRENDOUS. I really had no clue what I was doing. But along the way, it got better. I had to figure it out. And through the years I got better at it. Never great, but enough to get by. Because my point in being a singer was never to be a “singer,” but it was to be able to have a way to express my ideas and my emotions (often times shouting them at the top of my lungs). My voice is just a vehicle. A vehicle that just needs to get me from point A to point B. Some people are lucky to have BMWs to get them to point B. I have a Volkswagen. It’s not pretty, but it does what I need it to do.
But then my Volkswagen had to go into the shop this year because she got a cyst. And that put her out of commission for a bit, but I got her back up and running. She never ran great to begin with, and now she runs a little worse. But she still runs, and I love her. And if YOU love her too, you don’t love her because she’s the most perfect thing in the world. You love her because she’s real.
I will never sing perfectly. But I will always be awesome. Even when I fuck up. I’m awesome because I am not afraid to fall nor ashamed to stumble. Because I never wanted to be beautiful, and I never pretended to be.
Now, on to the less dramatic part:
Estelle: she was dope. She did the song her way. She changed it up and made it her own. It’s not gonna be like Leighton nor like Victoria. And I back her for that.
Notwithstanding all that shit I just said about my voice, I think I did a pretty damn good job. Especially compared to the last time we were on Conan (which I really was embarrassed about). Have you guys seen other bands perform on TV? It always sucks. It’s not the same as seeing them live and it doesn’t sound like it even sounds in the studio audience. It always sounds like shit. It’s compressed as fuck because it has to be broadcast through the air and sent to your tv speakers. Unless the artist is lip-synching and/or using auto-tune (which we don’t), it always sounds weird.
Again, it’s not about being perfect. The beauty of a live performance are the imperfections.
Conan was fucking awesome. We’re just a bunch of dudes who got a chance to play on a show we’ve been watching since we were kids. We had a blast and we were real. And it was a personal milestone for us. I couldn’t ask for anything more."
We give him props for being true to himself and knowing that his voice sucks. As long as you can admit it, you're alright in our book.
What do U think?
[Image via WENN.]
what's wrong with your site?
I love his voice though, its quirky and different. Hes a babe too!
I saw the performance on Conan and didn't see ANYTHING wrong with it! Estelle did a GREAT job with the song — and so did Gabe.
So WHAT is the issue?? Leighton wasn't there?? Her loss ….
Other than taking two thousand words to express what could have been said in two hundred, LOL, I'd say that's pretty darned cool what he said.
Know Thyself.
GABE SAPORTA IS GOD ON EARTH AND I LOVE HIM.
i love him (:
Gabe has been wonderful since "Save the World, Lose the Girl"
You have to love Gabe, you really do. That's a great message he'd sending out there.
I saw their performance, sure it wasn't like the studio version, but what live performance is? I like that he owned up to the fact that he's not an amazing vocalist. The vocals aren't all that makes a good song. I still like them
What's horrible about this video is actually not his voice, he has nice vibrato in the low notes — it's the clothes, and the way the whole band look like posers in their tight pants, jackets that don't fit and laughable "gangsta" hand movements to go with this bubble gum pop song. And even worse is the irony that he's singing about good GIRLS going bad when he's so obviously GAY.
Gabe is awesome, real, and a ball of fun live.
Gabe is one of the nicest persons I've ever met, I've met him a few times and seen him preform live like 6. He is not the greatest singer, but doesn't suck either. I loved him in Midtown and so proud that he isn't so full of himself.
Yeah I though they sounded horrible when I watched that performance. I like the song though
I have to say that I am greatly impressed by the way he expresses himself about his own talent of lack thereof. I am most impressed by the fact that he is so comfortable with in his own skin regardless of what ANYONE else may think. That is such a well rounded persona and if so many other people in the world had the same disposition……….wow, what a great place the world would be. That to me is someone who is untouchable and who will not allow the people around him to tear him down no matter what. He is a strong individual and soooooooo many other people are threatened by someone like him. Many other people would give their left you know what to have that kindo of self confidence. He is VERY happy to express himself with what God gave him and it isn't an issue for him to be some lame ideal of what the world considers "talent". That in istself is talent. He really reminds me of how I used to feel about a lot of stuff and I just remember how much other people couldn't handle that and wanted to destroy it. Unfortuneatly I let someone close to me get the better of me and it compromised a lot of my inner strength and it is really real and refreshing to hear someone out there still have that outlook on life. I know that one day I will be able to regain my former way of thinking and feeling, no matter how long it takes I will get back there. Kudos to him for being so dam real!!
He also has a way of being full of himself in a positive way. A humble way. It is ok to like who we are and to build ourselves up in a positive way without letting it get ugly and conceited. He is really tuned into that way of doing things obviously and I hope that he never looses that ability!! I really do think that his mindset is a gift that very few people have and if more people like him can rub off on the lessers of that kind of positive self image then we are working on a better place for everyone to be socially and mentally!!
aww love that hes honest atleast and hes doing what he does
straight up the most amazing man ever.
i love him so much. Yeah, so he's not the best live, but it just goes to show if you're persistent you can make your dreams come true. I love him (:
I think they did a great job.
i love gabe and give him mad props. he doesn't have to explain himself to anyone. that band worked their asses off to get where they are. they are staying true to themselves and not changing for anyone and that's what i love about them. to make it all the way from the bottom to performing on conan is an enormous accomplishment. real performers have the guts to sing live. the lip synching fakers are the ones who don't deserve anything unless for some special reason they have to do so. although i still think victoria should have sang leightons part rather than estelle.. this can be such an inspiring note to people trying to get into the industry. you obviously don't need to be a triple threat who is perfect at everything in order to succeed… love you perez
this makes me love him even more.
While I'm sick of hearing people who suck when they sing live, to be fair to this guy, Madonna doesn't have the greatest voice in the world, which she's admitted in the past I believe, but she makes up for it with her awesome entertaining. I think it's important to know where your strengths and weaknesses lie.
Love the honesty .. I like him even more
Re: ickylicky501 –
Yep! Exactly. Its so refreshing, especially compared to soooo many other artists out there.
Are you agreeing that his voice sucks, Perez? If you are, you are not ready for the "big time" with your record label. He has "it" and that's what it takes. You won't ever experience that personally so quit making digs…..until you got somethin' going for you. K?
Gabe Saporta is a role model. This just makes me like him even more, knowing thT he is an honest guy.
i actually love his voice its unique and not suckish at all
and he didnt suck in midtown either, but his voice is better in css
trust me, theres a lot of people you hear on the radio or wherever and their voice is shit and no ones says anything about it
gabe rules :3
I dont even know this band but I love them! What he said was cool unpretentious and inspiring. There are MANY MANY great singers who are not considered great singers as are there many truly great singers who kind of suck. Music is about the fire of passion that lies within the heart dont you agree?
word
Uh… I thought Cobra was brillz on Conan. Gabe's voice is wonderfully raspy, and unique. Lurve him and his skinny jeans.
I love Gabe.
gabe definetly doesn't suck
he has a wonderful voice and the fact that it may not be a 10 out 10 makes it even better
it makes me feel like less of a jackass singing at the top of my lungs to my favorite band
I agree, your vocal s****
I think he sounds fine. I am much more annoyed by all that weird bleeping and vocal distortion, and the general crummy cheesiness of the song. People are mad at him for sounding unprocessed and live? His fans?! They need to get a clue. People are supposed to sound HUMAN, everyone!!!! And there are vocal styles other than R&B or vocoder/autotuned ones. Voices should have character. I think it's strange that he apologized. Anyone who can't understand this simple reality doesn't deserve an explanation!
HEY ! i have a volkswagen & volkswagens are VERY nice soo stfu [=
If his voice was really that bad, he'd probably be on Mario's concert tour.
I thought it was actually very good. Estelle was the problem but it was only because she had her own take on her part, which didn't fit. It had nothing to do with bad vocals, just two different ideas. But I'm glad she didn't do the exact same thing as in the recording. And what's up with Leighton NEVER showing up to a live performance when she's supposed to? I'd say SHE'S the one who can't sing live.
its things like this that make me adore gabe saporta as much as i do.
he is intelligent, confident, and real.
he inspires people to be comfortable in their own skin and not give a fuck what anyone else thinks, and thats why cobra kids are the coolest people i know!
fangs up :]
people aren't used to bands playing pop music live, they expect it to be exactly like in the cd… but that rarely happens. some bands are better live, some are worst and just a few sound almost the same. it's pretty obvious when you listen to their songs that it has studio work on them - what makes me like them it's the fact that they go out there and perform them anyway. I'm tired of the playback shit going around. Gabe may not have a great voice but he's creative and has charisma and that's a lot. It's not just about being good, it's about being likeable and knowing how to put on a show and he knows how to do it. they sound fine and were probably nervous (which probably got worst with the blair chick not showing up and forcing them to do different from what they've planned. shame on her). go cobras!
the fact that he's Uruguayan just makes it all better haha
people that know when they do something wrong are the best
i am in LOVE with GABE SAPORTA and i've seen him live 4 times, and i'll be seeing him again in two weeks, i love his voice and i bet all time low will have the same tv show quality that cobra had tonight, but they're always amazing live live
Well at least he fessed up, vocal lessons wouldn't hurt!
The kids voice is bad, and no one's hopping on his ass because he's cute?
tha f*ck?
this makes me like him even more, being so bluntly honest.
It's true about all that compressing and stuff, anyways.
fang bang motherfucken street slang.
The only reason I made a profile on here was to comment this post.
Gabe is actually a really good singer.
He's just too hard on himself.
Thank you for being kind to him.
His voice is fantastic !
…AT LEAST WE KNOW HE WAS LIP SYNCHING.
I MEANT TO SAY WASN'T LOLZ.
i love gabe. but seriously, is this news? you're just posting this because you need a reason to post something about him because you're friends with him.
i love Gabe.
he's hoooooooot! and honest.
Gabe definitely sings a whole lot better live in concert than he did on Conan. And Estelle, Estelle was bad. Victoria sings that part better than everyone. Even your girl Leighton, sorry to say.
REAllY?! Lets just say this band honestly sucks. they know it! we all know it. in couple of years no one will seriously give a shit.
I SEEN THE PERFORMANCE, AND I LOVED IT.. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT… I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF BAD PERFORMANCES. AND THAT WAS ACTUALLY A GOOD ONE.. HE'S TOO HARD ON HIMSELF!! I STILL LOVED THEM. AND LOVE GABE
Honestly, his voice wasn't that bad. And no matter what, their performance was full of energy and electric and it just made it enjoyable to watch. I think he did great and I really loved the show. He shouldn't be embarassed or down, it was fabulous
you are not fbr_trash so don't try, bb.
:) aww
aww..:))
I saw the performance on Conan and thought Cobra did an amazing job. I mean, obviously it wasn't as great as it always is live, but it was great for a TV performance and better than most bands could ever do. I personally think Gabriel is a great singer, despite what he may think….and I love how Gabe, Vicky-T, Suarez, Nate and Ryland all continue to be real genuine amazing people despite their fame. Fangs Up!
People forgive everything in this business except when you are a ugly. That's why I love Susan Boyle. I mean, I don't even think "she's ugly", because I don't think like that. That information comes from others.
My gosh, what ever did musical artists do when there was no autotuning or Pro Tools in the studio?….oh yeah- they had to ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO PERFORM LIVE. Check out performances from before the 80's when bands actually sounded like their recordings, or atleast were entertaining and not cringe-worthy, on live television. Good for him being comfortable with the fact that he's not a singer, yet a singer in a band. I'll let all the starving TALENTED artists know all they have to do is have a shitload of money and be "comfortable in their skin" to succeed.
ow ow . love gabe
Re: SaraJeanQueen – wow. no need to criticize what they wear - that's their style, and they love it. and gabe doesn't even seem gay.. so… nice try.
Gabe sounds way better if you're actually standing
at one of their shows (i've seen them 3 times since '07, and never
been disappointed) and he's one of the nicest people you could
ever meet. He pretty much rocks (:
I've been listening to Cobra since '07, and have always had the utmost respect for ALL of them. Especially Gabe. I love that he admits that he doesn't have the best singing voice.
I've seen them live, and they don't suck live. They actually sound great.
&& Gabe is definitely not gay… I've met him in person, and you can just tell that he's not gay.
i just think he's hot.
Atleast they are real….unlike most musicians now
They are awesome, Gabe is awesome. Been going to their concerts the last 2 years and they are always amazing! He is a great front man, honest and freaking hilarious. People shouldnt hate until they have seen them live.
Arriba El Uru!!!
I LUV Gabe Saporta!! the whole band acctualy.
"And if YOU love her too, you don’t love her because she’s the most perfect thing in the world. You love her because she’s real."
Amen, Gabe. =] I love his voice, even if it isn't the best I've ever heard.
I still love Gabe anyways. Anyways, I've seen them live and they put on an amazing show. Entertainment isn't necessarily about performing great, it's the way you interact with the audience and have fun with it.
Saporta has a girlfriend so he's OBVIOUSLY not gay.
he's wack and so is his band, fuck this garbage
I saw that performance, and it was bad. So are most the performances on tv, like Gabe had said. But when I saw them live (twice) they did way better, oddly enough. So I don't think people should be giving him crap.
i think he's pretty cool!
i love gabe way more than i already did. what a great person.
wow perez. this shit is about fbr_trash. we were talking about his shitty ass singing. he doesn't give a fuck about what you think. he was just praying to the fbr_t gods.
I love him
i love gabe and his voice (:
knowing that his voice sucks?????? i'd like to see YOU sing like him. i left him a comment on his blog, but i'll say it again, if he thinks his voice is bad, he's delusional.
i love gabe, but seriously? how can you even agree with him? you're a fucktard.
i think that Gabe is the best. I love him! they did an alright job on conan. really with that leighton would have been there but whateve
I think if you're gonna sing on a record, you better have a voice to back that shit up.
It's nice to apologize, but that doesn't change the fact they suck vocally and they should at least TRY to take vocal lessons.
he's schmexy!
honestly perez gabe doesnt suck hes being modest i saw them live and they put on a great show it was halarious and he sounded great