Skillet Biography - Artistopia Music

Skillet is a Christian Rock band from Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 1996. The band is comprised of John Cooper (lead vocalist, bassist), Korey Cooper (guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist), Ben Kasica (guitarist), and Jen Ledger (drummer). Skillet has released seven studio albums, and has received Grammy nominations for two of these, Collide and Comatose (2006).CCMMagazine.com: Skillet Closes Out 2007 With Grammy Nomination - Retrieved March 13, 2008 Over the past 12 years, Skillet has spanned many different genres, including Alternative, Industrial Rock, and Hard Rock.

Band history

Early years (1996-1999)

Skillet formed as a band in 1996 with two members: John Cooper, former bassist and vocalist for Seraph, and Ken Steorts, the guitarist for Urgent Cry


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. Befriending through touring together, they released a split EP with both bands contributing four songs each. Urgent Cry and Seraph disbanded soon after, and John and Ken's pastor encouraged them to start their own band.[1] Coming from different styles of rock music, the two decided to name the band Skillet, since it was like "throwing it all in a Skillet, and see what you come up with".
Skillet recorded their follow-up album throughout 1997, entitled Hey You, I Love Your Soul, which was released in April of 1998. Their second effort was a change in style from the band's first release. With this release, Skillet would abandon their post-grunge approach for a lighter alternative rock that was more dependent on John's keyboarding. His wife Korey was enlisted soon after to play keyboards live in order to alleviate John's live performance duties.

Invincible, Ardent Worship and Alien Youth (2000-2002)

Shortly before the band began recording for their third album, Invincible, Steorts left the band to be with his family
The band released their first worship album, and fourth album overall, Ardent Worship in fall of 2000. The band continued to use a sound similar to that on Invincible with their next album, Alien Youth. With little time between touring and recording, Skillet released Alien Youth in 2001, which was the first album that John Cooper took on production duties. Before the release of Alien Youth, Haaland left the band, and Ben Kasica took over on guitar. The first single, the title track, was a major hit in the Christian market and drove Skillet into their first headlining shows.

Collide (2003-2005)

In 2003, Collide was released by Ardent Records. It caught the attention of Andy Karp, the Head of A&R of Lava Records, and in 2004 the rights to Collide were bought by Lava Records, a division of Atlantic Records. On May 25, 2004, Collide was re-released under Lava Records, with an added track, "Open Wounds". Collide was yet another musical shift for the band.
Citing Linkin Park and P.O.D. as inspiration for the musical shift on Collide, Cooper said "Well I’m one of these song writers, everything I hear goes through my John Cooper filter of what I like and what I don’t like... all these things... have been an influence on me."

Comatose (2006-present)

Skillet's next album was titled Comatose and was released on October 3, 2006. The album spawned the singles "Rebirthing," "Whispers In The Dark," "The Older I Get," "Those Nights," and "The Last Night". John Cooper said on their official website, "As soon as my feet hit the stage, I know no matter how many people are there I'm going to give it everything I've got. I'm going to do the best show I can do; the wildest show. I'm gonna rock it. I think we captured that feeling on our record."

In January of 2008, Skillet announced that their drummer, Lori Peters, was retiring from the band, feeling that "it's time for her to come off of the road and start a new chapter in her life." Peters' last concert with Skillet was on December 31, 2007.Skillet News However, during the 2007 Christmas season, Lori took the time to train Skillet's new drummer, Jen Ledger.

Korey Cooper said in a recent interview that the band might be returning to the studio in May 2008 to start recording for a new album after they complete their headlining Comatose spring tour.Interview with Korey Cooper, Recoil Magazine; Retrieved March 19, 2008

Skillet has also created a new single to add to the Comatose Deluxe Edition called "Live Free or Let Me Die."

On the Skillet fan boards it has been officially announced that Skillet will be returning to the studio in the fall to start work on their new album which will be released in the Spring of 09.

Skillet will be releasing the Comatose Comes Alive CD/DVD Combo on October 21st of 2008 which is a Live recording of their May 9th 2008 show in Chattanooga Tenessee[2]

Tours

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In the middle of 2006, Korey Cooper took a break from performing, due to her pregnancy with their second child. Her back-up guitar and keyboard role was temporarily filled by two people: Drea Winchell (who would later become the Cooper's nanny) on keys, and Chris Marvin on guitar.

Skillet teamed up with Ron Luce & Teen Mania Ministries on their Acquire The Fire Tour across the United States & Canada in 2007. When they returned Skillet teamed up with Flyleaf to co-headline the Justice & Mercy Tour, Live Photos from That Tour. That tour was postponed/canceled after a number of shows due to Flyleaf's lead singer, Lacey Mosley's vocal problem. They will team up with Luce in his Global Expeditions program on a missions trip with teenage missionaries this summer on a trip to Mexico.

Decyfer Down joined Skillet for a March 31 through May 20 tour.

Performed at the California Mid State Fair on July 30th, 2008

Skillet joined Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Seether on the first half of their tour in fall 2007.

Skillet participated in the Winter Jam 2008 tour.

Skillet headlined their own Comatose Tour alongside Thousand Foot Krutch, and traveled to approximately 30 cities. The tour started on March 28th and ran through May 11th, 2008 - Live Photos from that Tour.

Skillet also frequents the Christian Music Festival entitled "Soulfest" where many other Christian Artists play alongside them.

Panheads

"Panheads" is a nickname given to fans of Skillet, since they are named after a pan. On the 2007-2008 WinterJam Tour, Skillet was quoted saying, "So you're probably wondering where the name comes from. We were named after a frying pan. No, no...here's the real story...we...were...named...after a frying pan." Former guitarist Ken Steorts once said "there are three levels in 'Skillethood': those who don't know, those who become 'Skilletfanz' through hearing our music, and then 'Panheads' - those who come to three or four shows traveling up to 10 hours, bringing skillets, banners, writing on their cars, and so forth. Of course, we love them all, but we have a special place in our hearts for 'Panheads'."

Band members

Current members

John Cooper - lead vocals, bass (1996-present)
Korey Cooper - guitar, keyboard, backing vocals (1999-present)
Ben Kasica - guitar (2001-present)
Jen Ledger - drums (2008-present)

Former members

Ken Steorts - guitar (1996 - 1999, founder of Visible School in Memphis, TN, a music and worship arts college)
Trey McClurkin - drums (1996 - 2000)
Kevin Haaland - guitar (1999 - 2001)
Faith Stern - keyboards, backing vocals (2002 - 2003, live shows only)
Chris Marvin - guitar, backing vocals (2002 - 2003, 2005 - 2006, live shows only)
Drea Winchell - keyboard (2005 - 2006, live shows only)
Lori Peters - drums (2000 - 2008)

Discography

Albums

Skillet (1996)
Hey You, I Love Your Soul (1998)
Invincible (2000)
Ardent Worship (2000)
Alien Youth (2001)
Collide (2003)
Comatose (2006)

Singles

Billboard-charting singles

TV

Skillet appeared on Mobile Home Disaster.

Nominations

Grammy Nominations

Skillet has received two Grammy nominations:

"Best Rock Gospel Album" in 2005 (Collide)
"Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album" in 2007 (Comatose).

GMA Dove Award wins

"Rock Recorded Song of the Year" for "Comatose" at the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards on April 23rd 2008.

Industry Music Artists

Skillet