Phone interview with John Cooper, lead singer of Skillet
November 16, 2004
 

If you aren't familiar with Skillet then you obviously dont know much about Christian music and it is time you learned.  This is an incredible band that was formed in 1997 in Memphis, Tennessee.  The fan base, known as Panheads, are growing daily! Recently signed with Lava Records and did a 30 date club tour with Saliva and Earshot, Skillet is now hitting the mainstream charts and radios all over the nation. We had the chance to talk with lead singer and founding member, John Cooper, about life, music and the industry.

Dennis: Hello.
John: Hello, this is John with Skillet.  Is this Dennis?
Dennis: What's going on man?
John: Not much, how are you?
Dennis: Man, I was gonna play a joke on you but since you were calling me I was afraid you might hang up and not call back.  I was going to explain to you I was with a Southern Gospel magazine and junk haha.
John: haha That would have been pretty funny.
Dennis: Yeah, but you might have hung up and that would have been the end.
John: haha No. haha
Dennis: So are you sitting at home doing interviews today?
John: Yeah, I am baby. It's going really good.  My wife is out buying groceries and I am sitting at home doing interviews watching my daughter.  That shouldn't be a problem unless she start screaming haha.

Dennis: First off, I have been a "pan head" since ’97.
John: Ah, alright, good man.
Dennis: haha I think was the first time I saw you guys perform in St. Louis about 3 months after I got saved. I had not been into Christian music since the days of Petra haha.
John: Cool.
Dennis: I even bought and still have the classic white t with back trim with the giant skillet on the front. Where did you guys come up with the name Skillet?
John: Oh yeah, well, we were all from different bands when we got started.  The idea was a super group (hears baby yelling while she is playing) from unknown bands haha.  We were in Memphis, I will just tell you the long story but it's kinda cool. We were all from different groups but our two bands of us played together, these Christian bands in town. I had been in a band for more than 6 or 7 years. At some point I decided to start, well at some point our pastor encouraged me to play in a side project with the guitarist from the other band.  Well anyway, it took off real quick and we called it Skillet cause it was like cooking and taking off these different ingredients from different bands and sounds and just threw it all together to see what happens basically.  Then you see what kind of omlet you cook up haha.

Dennis: Skillet has evolved so much over the past years. The first time I saw you guys you were a three piece hard rock band and then it seemed like you went through a lot of transition with different band members.  You did start as a 3 piece right?
John: Yeah we did.
Dennis: Now you are a 4 piece band with 2 girls, one your wife, and two guys.  Very unique for a hard rock band.  This seems to be the best gel from any lineup you guys have had.  How did you and Korey team up with Ben and Lori?
John: Well, I agree with what you are saying as well. Um, I think, well, I kind of feel like we got together so quickly.  We got together just to see what was going to happen and do some outreach for our church and what not.  We did our first album able being together for only 3 months.  We didn't even tell the label that cause we didn't want to make them nervous. And um, because of that, I think after being together for about a year and a half certain people were going to be quitting.  We were a three piece then my wife joined in '98.  Then basically our guitar player had a baby and then was going to have another on the way so it became hard.  So, Lori, our drummer, had played in a band with Korey years before Skillet was started.  They were from the same city in Wisconsin. So I knew Lori and at the time Tre was quitting.  We had tried out a few drummers and Lori asked if she could try out.  I was like aaahh, I dont know haha. I dont know about having another girl in the band or a girl drummer.  And plus, I can honestly say she wasn't that great when I heard her play but I didn't want to hurt her feelings. So anyway I said yeah and I was like talking to Korey saying, "Gosh, this sucks." Basically though with Lori, we know her and know where her life is at. We go to the same church.  Korey's dad pastors our church in Wisconsin and was her pastor also.  He kind of said yeah she is doing really good and would do great on the road as far as ministry goes. So that was really cool and basically with her and Ben, the decision came down to, well they aren't amazing right now but their talented and can get better.  But the most important thing was I knew them and knew their lifestyle so I knew what they would be like with ministry on the road. And plus I really had a since that if I worked with these guys they are gonna be really good.  The same thing with Ben and he was only 16 yrs old actually.  God just worked this whole thing out and it was amazing. I didn't have anybody so I called Ben.  He played in my sister-in-law worship team in St. Louis. I knew he wasn't near as good enough at the time. But I knew through Lori that his parents were in the St. Louis Symphony so I knew there was just something with this guy. With both of the, after working with them for a month or two they became really good.  I think the band gels well because we are good friends and we get along very well. We really dont have any big problems on the road and we are like a big family. That is showing itself to be true through our friendship.  
Dennis: That's awesome.  What church was it in St. Louis?
John: You know, I don't even remember.
Dennis: Well, the first time my wife saw you guys was in a suburb of St. Louis called Ferguson.
John: Yeah, the First Baptist Church there.

Dennis: Also another element of your evolving was musical styles.  Skillet was straight up hard rock and there were some industrial elements that started appearing.  You seem to now  be back very solid with your hardest hitting album yet, Collide.  Do you see the band continuing to follow this trend on your next album? 
John: Yeah, well, I dont really know.  The thing with Skillet is we keep it fresh and  we keep changing it.  We dont want to limit ourselves to one type of music. And uh, you know sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't haha. Sometimes people think we are like identityless haha. Uh, I think for me, our identity is going to be on our lyrics and my voice more than like a style.  I can say I love the hard rock sound we are doing right now but when we did Invincible and Alien Youth, I was all about the industrial sound.  I just wanted to keep us fresh.  I dont know what we are going to be doing next. I am writing a lot of music and at the time it is in the same hard rock sound similar to Collide.  But that isn't to say that it wont change in a year. 
Dennis: Yeah, your lyrics are amazing.
John, Well, thanks man.

Dennis: Skillet is proof that if you are solid musicians and performers that you don’t have to water down your lyrics to get a deal with a mainstream label.  Your biggest hit is the very in your face message of needing Jesus," Saviour," and you were still picked up by Lava Records, home of Kid Rock, Simple Plan, Smile Empty Soul and others.  How did that come about and does it seem your next album will also be with them? 
John: Sure, I know what you mean. Yeah people pretty get weird about certain things.  I try to answer questions like this very clear but sometimes I mess up.  Let's just start with about how it came about first.  Skillet has been working on getting a mainstream deal since our second record in '98.  In my life I have always felt called to do Christian music in the mainstream world.  God spoke that to me when I was younger about my lyrics and not compromising but still doing it in a secular environment. And when we signed to Ardent Records, I honestly wasn't looking to do Christian music.  It just kind of happened and I was like well that's cool and ardent has a Christian and secular company.  But after about 6 months with them, Ardent shut down their secular side. So it was like always in my mind that we would do both.  Then with our second label with "Locked in a Cage, " some labels started looking at us and we began doing some showcases. But the funny thing was all the doors shut and nothing worked out.  It seemed like for all these doors to shut that it must be God shutting them because it was really strange they would be shut.  But then we thought now God is not opening them, He is now shutting them. We put in on hold and did a few show cases now and then since '99.  Then when we finished Collide, someone sent it to seom labels and Lava Records became interested.  So then we started pursuing it very hard. We felt it was the right time and some of that is because Christian music is selling so well the last 3 or 4 years. Mainstream labels aren't as concerned about the Christian lyrics.  We know the list of bands like P.O.D. that have crossed over and done well.  But then the other thing comes in, so if all these Christian bands have crossed over, how many have really made a difference. I'm not trying to say anyone hasn't, that isn't my point. But for the fans that is what they get to, I mean what if you crossover and what's the point if you dont ever say anything from the stage or ever have a message in your music.  So that's why we felt really excited that our first release was "Saviour" because to me it is pretty obvious what that song is about. But you know what is funny, I have gotten so much flack from our fans and the Christian media saying it wasn't clear what the song was talking about and I watered it down for the mainstream.  In some interview I was getting really annoyed while this woman was grilling me and I said you know even if I had called the song "Savior: Jesus Christ" then someone would have told me they were mad cause it didn't say "Savior: Jesus Christ the only son of God born before eternity and will always be." There is always someone going to be mad.  I cant believe people aren't excited that they turn on the radio and hear Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Korn and then you hear Skillet's "Savior." I was like even if it doesn't say Jesus and some people think I am talking about a girl, man this is so needed and good.

Dennis: Well congratulations on being accepted mainstream! You guys just came off of a mainstream tour with Saliva.  What was it like being in the mainstream crowd rather than playing a Christian conference or church event? Where there any cool stories you would like to share with us on how maybe Skillet was able to witness to others?
John: Well, it was an interesting tour for us.  I have never been in that scene before and it was honestly refreshing for me.  I feel like for the first time in my life I got to really see where the world is really at. I had never really seen that before and only knew it in theory.  I think God really used that in my life.  I mean it wasn't glamorous in anyway. You know, we get treated so well at these churches and stuff.  I mean they (churches) they feed you and everything. We only got fed in that entire 30 city tour.  I mean we weren't getting food, water or even a dressing room. You know when you are touring clubs is pretty much you are on your own.  The Saliva guys were really cool with us and Earshot was super great guys. Everybody was nice and I only got to hang out with Josey, which is Saliva's singer, and their drummer, Paul, we hung out a bit.  The funny thing is, their lead singer Josey, he says he is a Christian and reads his bible with his wife at night.  Not because of us but came in after the first show  and started talking about his faith.  He said it was really good we are spreading the word to the world.  To most Christians seeing him and hearing what he sings about, they would be like 'what." I mean he is definitely in that world you know. But it was very cool to have that support and they all thought it was cool we were Christians and they liked our music.  I really felt like God was doing something in Josey's life, noting to do with Skillet cause we didn't get a load of time to hang with him.  You know what is really surprised me but in the mainstream world, I have only met a few bands here and there but seems like so many have Christian backgrounds.  It is like they were Christians as a teens or  became a Christian and dont know how to grow their walk.
Dennis: So was their much negative feedback from fans in the clubs you performed in?
John: No, honestly, it was really easy. I mean the large percentage were drinking and the thing I found, I have believed this for years but had never been on the secular scene, I mean it has only been an opinion since this last tour.  I kind of feel like as long you are passionate and loving about what you believe, people like that. The few times we would say something about our faith, people would raise their beers up and saying "f yeah" haha.  I mean it sounds ridiculous to Christians but once you have been in that scene you see that is just how they respond.  I mean it is like they are saying "here here" haha. I was doing one show and I was talking about a song I dedicated to September 11.  It was about hard times I have had but my faith in God has never let me down. All of the sudden beers were raised and everyone was yelling "hell yeah" and things like that haha.  I thought you know they are just having a good time and it is going to effect someone.  I mean people see us taking a stand and it will reach someone and God will use it.  Every once in awhile you would get someone that is super upset cause we said something.,  Not to be cliché but that is usually a sign God is tracking them down and they are just trying to make a scene but that really never happened. 

Dennis: So many artists feel the need to use offensive language and topics to get their points across in their lyrics. You mentioned Marilyn Manson and Korn and those guys dont think they are hurting anything. What are your thoughts on the influence of music with teens?
John: Well, it is really interesting you ask that.  I think Marilyn Manson, who thinks he is doing something good.  I mean for instance, I just saw a quote where he basically said to parents "If you dont start raising your kids, I will raise them for you." I mean he is trying to make a good point saying raise your kids.  On Bowling of Columbine he is asked what he would say to those in the shooting and he said he would have said nothing.  He said he would have just listened to them cause no one was doing that with them. There is no question that whether you know all the words or not, it affects you.  I mean go to school  and all the kids in gothic music all dress the same, all those in hip hop dress the same. You tend to hang with people and their is a message in music.  Music is incredibly powerful.  I mean when you are up on stage and you have people in your hands because they enjoy your music or you have touched them in a certain way, well you have a responsibility in what you say to lead them in certain ways.  I mean in the Saliva tour, you are right about language to make a point.  I mean people  love that at shows.  The more they would use the f bomb, the more rowdy the crowd would get because they felt the passion.  You know the truth is they want to be led by passionate people. 

Dennis: So many teens feel like they have been thrown to the side in a world where both parents work, divorce is on a rise and temptations are easily accessed.  How do you feel the ministry of Skillet can help teens loosing hope, regrasp their faith and what words of encouragement do you have for them? 
John: Well, it is really hard with Skillet. You know you see them at concerts and you may get to talk to them but you aren't going to see them again.  You want to just like talk sense into someone to help them and be there for them.  Sometimes that doesn't happen.  With Skillet, the best thing we can do is plant that seed of hope and seed of faith.  Maybe they will ask a question and then go to our site and maybe end up, whop knows finding more answers.  You know I have met many people that their only hope is in Skillet and I dont know how that is because we aren't ever there for them. That makes me really said they cant talk to anyone.  My encouragement is that I have talked to so many that our music has reached their lives.  I have met many people that were suicidal but didn't because they heard one of our songs. That really freaks me out.  You never really expect that your song will be that powerful and influential over someone.  That is really touching you know.

Dennis: So many Christians feel that often pressure is the way to reach non-believers. To those non-believers reading this interview write now, what would you say to them to convince them they should give into Jesus? 
John: That's really tough.  I mean just expounding on what you just said.  That is probably the reason so many Christian have a problem with Skillet because they were saying we were selling out.  At the same time we began doing less "pressure" evangelism.  You know sometimes I feel God is speaking to me that maybe we are doing this the wrong way.  I mean you bring a non-Christian to the concert and they pay their $10 and they start thinking about how cool it is.  Then in the middle they stop singing and start talking and threaten to call people down if they speak wile I am speaking. That was me for about 7 years.  I used to think that was being radical for Jesus and most my fans think that.  I started thinking, you know, what the crap, I wanted to have fun at the show, not tricked to going to church. It seems to them fake is all I am saying.  I know some people are reached like that but a lot of people get mad at the same time.  I'm not trying to say that means that everyone is supposed to do this ir that.  But I do think we often try to trick people in to getting saved and they dont even know what is going on.  I believe the gospel and Jesus are so real, I think Jesus will change your life but a lot of people just thinking they have to be like everyone else.  You know, Jesus loves you the way you are and yes he wants to change your life.  Yes it will make you look a different way but God loves you the same either way!

Dennis: Well, I know time is about up...so what's the word on your next album and tour?
John: Well, we have no plans for a next album at the moment. We are writing and recorded a 3 song demo.  We have no clue when the recording and I am assuming that it will happen next year.  We have a tour with Seventh Day Slumber and Kids in the Way in January.  That is going to be our first head lining Collide Tour even though the album has been out a year.  Hopefully it will refocus and be about 25-30 cities. 
Dennis: Thanks a ton for taking the time talking with us.  And thanks for getting me back into Christian music by seeing you when you first came out at a show in Arnold, MO.  It was a little show.
John: Yeah it was a weekend revival they had haha.
Dennis: Yeah, wow you have a memory.  Well hope to catch up with you guys soon.