A few months ago we profiled the Black and White Jacksons, who may have been our first Three Stars profile with a member from a former (and defunct) Three Stars subject. Now we bring you another DCist first: a band with members from not one, but three former Three Stars veterans. Cobra Collective may have only come into existence in late 2007, but if something about their sound is just a wee bit familiar, it’s because they’ve picked up a few members of The Bonapartes (including the distinctive voice), The Third Programme, and Death By Sexy.

Named for a mid-20th century art collective (not Cobra Commander, sadly), Cobra Collective takes a little bit of the European post-punk angle of the Bonapartes, but with a more straightforward down and dirty rock and roll approach. The lyrics are political, the riffs are strong and the mixture seems to be working very well, as they’ve already reached the stage of the 9:30 Club. We spoke with guitarist David Barker about the songwriting process, the stylistic shifts the band members made in forming a new unit, and why bands should watch out for their gear when touring in mid-sized cities.

Visit them online at: myspace.com/cobracollective

See them next: Fort Reno on August 4 with Exit Clov and The Console War.