SKILLET BAND
Quick facts about Skillet
CAREER
ACTIVE FROM
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
GENRE
PLACE OF ORIGIN
ALBUMS
Who are Skillet?
Skillet are a Christian rock band from Memphis, Tennessee.
While many people outside the Christian music scene may not know the band by name, they’ve probably heard some of the songs produced by the Skillet band members. If you’re one of those people, keep reading, and you may be surprised to find out when and where you’ve heard their songs.
Their music style is a mix of hard rock, Christian metal, Christian rock, symphonic metal, nu metal and alternative rock.
Some of their hit songs include: ‘Awake and Alive’, ‘Monster’ and ‘Feel Invincible’.
Skillet have a following of 813K on Instagram, 539.3K on Twitter, just under 5 million on Facebook, 2.46 million on YouTube and just under 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
The current members in Skillet are: John Cooper, Korey Cooper, Jen Ledger and Seth Morrison.
The past members of Skillet are: Ken Steorts, Kevin Haaland, Ben Kasica, Jonathan Salas, Trey McClurkin and Lori Peters.
How was Skillet formed? And who were their initial band members?
Skillet was formed in 1996 when John Cooper and Ken Sterort’s pastor encouraged them to form a band after their previous bands had separated. They then met Trey McClurkin, who joined the band as a temporary drummer.
Like many bands, in the Christian music scene, Their inception and starting point is usually their church under the encouragement and guidance of their local pastor. So it comes as no surprise that Skillet and its forming band members followed a similar path.
The group decided on the name ‘Skillet’ as their pastor had said they were like “southern cooking, where you just toss a bunch of different things into a big ol’ skillet and see what it turns out like” because the Christian musicians in the band were so different and had previously played different music styles. They went with it as a joke, but the name grew on them, so band frontman John Cooper and the rest decided to keep it.
In 1996, the group released their debut album ‘Skillet’. Their music was well-received, so the group decided to go on tours around the United States.
The group decided on the name 'Skillet' as their pastor had said they were like "southern cooking, where you just toss a bunch of different things into a big ol' skillet and see what it turns out like" because the Christian musicians in the band were so different and had previously played different music styles. They went with it as a joke, but the name grew on them, so band frontman John Cooper and the rest decided to keep it.
Career Achievements
Skillet’s most current work is their album ‘Victorious’, which was released in 2019. The album has charted incredibly well so far, peaking at No. 1 on Billboard’s ‘Top Christian Albums’ chart, No. 3 on the ‘Top Rock Albums’ chart and No. 17 on the ‘Billboard 200’ chart.
The Christian musicians of Skillet, still headed by the original band founder John Cooper, are also currently on their ‘Victorious Tour’.
If you like the songs produced by Skillet and want to see them live, then take a look at the current Skillet tour schedule.
Skillet have made 10 studio albums, 2 live albums and have 70 singles. Many of their songs and albums have been incredibly successful over the years, winning many awards and usually charting incredibly well.
In 2008, they won the GMA Dove Award for ‘Rock Song of the Year’ with ‘Comatose’. In 2011, ‘Awake’ won Billboard’s ‘Top Christian Album’ award; in 2013, ‘Sick of It’ won a GMA Dove Award for ‘Rock Song of the Year’; Skillet’s album ‘Rise’ also won ‘Rock Album of 2013’ at the Loudwire Music Awards and ‘Best Album’ at the HM Awards.
In 2013, Skillet also won ‘Best Band’ and ‘Best HM Cover’ at the HM Awards; in 2014, Skillet won ‘Rock Album of the Year’ with ‘Rise’ and ‘Rock Song of the Year’ with ‘Not Gonna Die’ at the GMA Dove Awards; in 2015, ‘Good to Be Alive’ won ‘Rock Song of the Year’ at the GMA Dove Awards.
Skillet have received RIAA: certification multiple times with their 2006 album ‘Comatose’ certified Platinum. Skillet’s 2009 album, ‘Awake’ received two RIAA: Platinum certifications; ‘Awake’ also peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s ‘Top Christian Albums’ chart, No. 2 on the ‘Billboard 200’ and the ‘Top Rock Albums’ chart.
2013’s ‘Rise’ and 2016’s ‘Unleased’ both received a RIAA: Gold certification. Both albums also peaked at No. 1 on the ‘Top Christian Albums’ and the ‘Top Hard Rock Albums’ charts. Both albums also peaked highly on the ‘Billboard 200’ chart.
Skillet started touring in the late 1990’s and have kept touring since. In 2010, Songkick.com named Skillet one of the Top 5 Hardest Working Bands. Some of Skillet’s more recent tours include: the ‘Unleased Tour’ of 2018, 2017’s ‘Air 1 Positive Hits Tour’ and ‘The Serenity of Summer Tour’.
They regularly participate in music festivals such as Pointfest, the Winter Jam Festival and the Lifest Festival. Skillet also holds concerts and often performs with other Christian musicians and bands.
In 2008, they won the GMA Dove Award for ‘Rock Song of the Year’ with ‘Comatose’. In 2011, ‘Awake’ won Billboard’s ‘Top Christian Album’ award; in 2013, ‘Sick of It’ won a GMA Dove Award for ‘Rock Song of the Year’; Skillet’s album ‘Rise’ also won ‘Rock Album of 2013’ at the Loudwire Music Awards and ‘Best Album’ at the HM Awards.
In 2013, Skillet also won ‘Best Band’ and ‘Best HM Cover’ at the HM Awards; in 2014, Skillet won ‘Rock Album of the Year’ with ‘Rise’ and ‘Rock Song of the Year’ with ‘Not Gonna Die’ at the GMA Dove Awards; in 2015, ‘Good to Be Alive’ won ‘Rock Song of the Year’ at the GMA Dove Awards.
Skillet have received RIAA: certification multiple times with their 2006 album ‘Comatose’ certified Platinum. Skillet’s 2009 album, ‘Awake’ received two RIAA: Platinum certifications; ‘Awake’ also peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s ‘Top Christian Albums’ chart, No. 2 on the ‘Billboard 200’ and the ‘Top Rock Albums’ chart.
2013’s ‘Rise’ and 2016’s ‘Unleased’ both received a RIAA: Gold certification. Both albums also peaked at No. 1 on the ‘Top Christian Albums’ and the ‘Top Hard Rock Albums’ charts. Both albums also peaked highly on the ‘Billboard 200’ chart.
Skillet started touring in the late 1990’s and have kept touring since. In 2010, Songkick.com named Skillet one of the Top 5 Hardest Working Bands. Some of Skillet’s more recent tours include: the ‘Unleased Tour’ of 2018, 2017’s ‘Air 1 Positive Hits Tour’ and ‘The Serenity of Summer Tour’.
They regularly participate in music festivals such as Pointfest, the Winter Jam Festival and the Lifest Festival. Skillet also holds concerts and often performs with other Christian musicians and bands.
Relationship with God
Skillet was formed in the Covenant Community Church in Memphis, where they were a worship band before going on to tour the United States. The group is open about their faith and that they are Christian musicians.
In an interview with John Cooper, he says that, “Skillet is not, what I would call, ‘Preachy’ I think that we just sing a lot about spirituality. I’m very open about my faith. I talk about my faith in interviews and on stage. I’m not in any way quiet about it but it’s more of a story telling. I’m telling my story, it’s my life.”
John says that even though he is in a band of Christian musicians, Skillet’s music is not just for Christian people. He continued to say that “You can come to a Skillet show and have a great time but be an atheist” and that he had several people come up to him who loved Skillet’s music despite not being Christians.
Although John Cooper is a man of faith, he isn’t without his own opinions about Christianity. In 2019, John posted on Facebook questioning the current state of Christianity. He asked, “What is happening in Christianity?”
John felt like people of faith, pastors, teachers, worship leaders and influencers were shaping the gospel into something that it wasn’t. He felt that the emotions and opinions of others were interfering with God’s truth and the truth of the Bible. John encouraged his fellow Christians to hold on to the Word of God.
John ended his emotional post with a Bible verse from Isaiah 40:8 –
‘The grass withers and the flowers fade away, but the word of our God stands forever.’
As a band, Skillet loves bringing people together through their music. Skillet tries to make music for everyone, regardless of what their audiences believes. As Christian musicians, Skillet love God and have faith that He will continue to guide them on their path.
Final Words On Skillet And Their Talents
While Skillet is a Christian rock music band, its music can be enjoyed by others who may not share that faith.
This has been proven since the early days in the late 90s, to the current members with John Cooper on lead vocals, wife Korey on rhythm guitar, Jen Ledger on drums, and Seth Morrison on lead guitar.
Through the musical talents of the Skillet band members, the biggest superpower they possess. Is their ability to connect with the non Christian faithful and break down barriers and stigmas brought about by those ignorant of the Christian music scene and the faith.
Contemporary Christian Rock Band Skillet 2019 Album Victorious
Contemporary Christian Rock Band 2019 Unleashed
Contemporary Christian Rock Band Skillet 2013 Rise
Christian Musician Skillet Monster
Christian Musician Skillet Hero
Christian Musician Skillet Awake and Alive
Christian Musician Skillet Feel Invincible
Christian Musician Skillet Not Gonna Die
Christian Musician Skillet Whispers in the Dark
Christian Musician Skillet Sick of It
Christian Musician Skillet Rebirthing
Christian Musician Skillet The Last Night
Christian Musician Skillet Back from the Dead