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Skillet (band)
Encyclopedia
Skillet is an American Christian rock
band formed in Memphis, Tennessee
in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John
(lead vocals, bass) and Korey Cooper
(rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), along with Jen Ledger
(drums, vocals) and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy
nominations: Collide and Comatose
. Over the past 15 years, Skillet has undergone several lineup changes, leaving founder John Cooper as the only original member remaining in the band.
, and Ken Steorts, former guitarist for Urgent Cry. The two bands met through touring together, but those bands disbanded soon after, so John and Ken's pastor encouraged them to form their own band as a side-project. Coming from different styles of rock music, they decided to name the experiment Skillet. After Trey McClurkin joined the band as a temporary drummer. Skillet was only together for a month when they received interest from major Christian record label ForeFront Records
. In 1996 they released a self-titled debut Skillet
. It was well-received, and the trio continued to write new material as they toured the United States. One topic that comes up often among fans and the band itself, is the name 'Skillet'. John Cooper, the lead vocalist, explains that it was a joke at first. Each starting band member was already in a separate band, and all decided to start a side project. Since each other band had a different sound and style to it, the side project was said to be like putting all of those styles in a big skillet to come up with something unique. Hence the band name 'Skillet'. The band name is still somewhat of a joke between the band members, especially Cooper, who claims to still not like the title.
Skillet recorded their follow-up album throughout 1997, titled Hey You, I Love Your Soul
, which was released in April 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 and a style. His wife Korey was enlisted soon after to play keyboards live in order to alleviate John's live performance duties.
, Steorts left the band to be with his family, and Kevin Haaland joined the band as their new guitarist. Korey Cooper joined the band permanently and played keyboards for the recording of Invincible. Because of this change, the musical style on Invincible changed to a more electronic sound. Soon after the release of Invincible in early 2000, Trey McClurkin parted ways with Skillet, and Lori Peters
filled the drummer's position. Invincible would be Skillet's best selling record to date.
The band released their first worship album, and fourth album overall, Ardent Worship
in Fall 2000. The band kept much of their sound from Invincible on their next album Alien Youth
. With little time between touring and recording, Skillet released Alien Youth on August 28, 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.
. 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 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."
was released on October 3, 2006. It features the singles "Rebirthing," "Whispers in the Dark," "Comatose," "The Older I Get," "Those Nights," and "The Last Night". The album debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard 200
and No. 4 on the US Top Christian Albums chart.
In January 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. However, during the 2007 Christmas season, she took the time to train Skillet's next drummer, Jen Ledger.
On October 21, 2008, Comatose Comes Alive
was released; a CD/DVD combo featuring live recordings of the band's May 9, 2008 concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee
. It was shown on the Gospel Music Channel
on December 5, 2008. Skillet's Comatose Comes Alive CD also had a B-side with "Live Free or Let Me Die" as a single, also with five acoustic tracks which purchasers could download by inserting the CD in their computer.
The Comatose album was certified Gold in sales by the RIAA
on November 3, 2009.
. They added two songs ("Hero
" and "Monster") from the new record to their setlist on April 2, 2009 in Evansville, Indiana as part of their Comatose Tour 2009.
Skillet's most recent studio album is Awake
. The album contains twelve songs and was released on August 25, 2009. It charted at No. 2 on the Billboard top 200 selling around 68,000 units in its first week. "Monster" was released as a single on July 14, 2009. Contrary to popular belief, John Cooper stated that "Hero" was not the album's lead single. It was, however, released as a single in March 2010. They also released a deluxe version with the extra songs "Dead Inside" and "Would It Matter", along with the original, radio edit of "Monster" that does not have the distorted growl as in the single and in the CD. A remix on "Monster" was featured on one of their popular podcasts.The song "Hero" was used in the publicizing of the first football game of the 2009 NFL season between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans, and the song "Monster" was used in the episode "Jason: The Pretty-Boy Bully" on MTV
's Bully Beatdown
. "Monster" was the theme song for the WWE event WWE Hell in a Cell
while the song "Hero" was the theme song for WWE Tribute to the Troops and Royal Rumble 2010
, as well as both songs being included on the official soundtrack for the WWE video game WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
. It is also the opening theme song for the AHL
team the Lake Erie Monsters
in Cleveland, Ohio and serves as the opening theme of the Fresno Monsters
of Fresno, California. "Monster" was aired at the beginning of several ACC football games on Raycom Sports
during the 2009 season. In the first week of April 2010, it was released for the Rock band music store in Rock Band 2
It also tied the record for highest-charting Christian album on the Billboard 200 with Underoath
's 2006 release Define the Great Line
and Casting Crowns
' 2007 release The Altar and the Door
, as all three albums debuted at No. 2.
Skillet was nominated for six Dove Awards for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. Awake was certified gold July 2, 2010. Also in 2010, Ardent released The Early Years, a collection of their songs from 1996 to 2001. On November 12, Skillet released an iTunes sessions EP consisting of songs from Comatose and Awake. "Monster" was certified gold a day later.
On February 14, 2011, Skillet officially announced that long time lead guitarist Ben Kasica would be leaving the band. Kasica was with the band for 10 years, contributing to the albums Alien Youth, Collide, Comatose, and Awake as well as the live album Comatose Comes Alive. He played what was planned to be his last concert with the band on March 20. The band announced that they had chosen solo artist Jonathan Salas as their new guitarist, but Salas confirmed he had left the band on April 9 via Twitter. Kasica returned and continued touring until a new guitarist was trained. On April 16, Seth Morrison replaced Kasica as the lead guitarist, and now tours full-time with Skillet.
Skillet announced the release of Awake and Remixed EP
in early March 2011. The remixes were mainly done by Korey Cooper
and Ben Kasica
. On March 2, 2011, Skillet unveiled the album artwork for the album. John Cooper says the idea was conceived when Korey Cooper and Ben Kasica remixed the song Monster for their popular podcast. The four-song EP was released on March 22.
"Awake" was nominated for and won the "Top Christian Album" Award at the Billboard Music Awards 2011, and the song "Awake and Alive" was announced to be on the Transformers: Dark of the Moon Soundtrack in May 2011.
On June 21, 2011 John posted to his Twitter account that the band rehearsed new music for the first time and that they are getting ready for a new album. At a question and answer session before a concert, John Cooper said that they would be recording a new record in January/Feburary of 2012.
In the middle of 2006, Korey Cooper took a break from performing, due to her pregnancy with their second child. Her rhythm guitar and keyboard roles were temporarily filled by two people: Andrea Winchell (who would later become the Coopers' nanny) on keys and Chris Marvin on guitar.
Skillet toured with Ron Luce
and Teen Mania Ministries
on their Acquire The Fire Tour across the United States and Canada in 2007. When they returned, Skillet had plans to co-headline the Justice & Mercy Tour with Flyleaf
, but the tour was postponed and ultimately canceled after a number of shows due to Flyleaf lead vocalist Lacey Mosley
's vocal problems. They then toured with Luce's Global Expeditions program on a summer missions trip with teenagers to Mexico. In 2008 they joined Teen Mania Ministries
and toured with Acquire the Fire.
Skillet joined Breaking Benjamin
, Three Days Grace
, and Seether
on the first half of their tour in fall 2007. Then Skillet headlined their own Comatose Tour alongside Thousand Foot Krutch
and traveled to approximately 30 cities. The tour started on March 28 and ran through May 11, 2008. Skillet toured again from April 2009 through June 2009 with Decyfer Down
and Disciple
. This tour was called Comatose Tour 2009 (essentially a second branch of the 2008 Comatose Tour). In fall of 2009, Skillet began touring with Hawk Nelson
, Decyfer Down
, and The Letter Black
to promote Skillet's album Awake. The Awake & Alive Tour encompassed 52 cities from October through January. Skillet appeared at the 2009 Night of Joy
Christian Rock festival at Disney Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. This marked the band's first absence from Universal Studios Orlando's Rock the Universe
in five years due to conflicting schedules. However, they were able to perform the following year, in 2010. On September 26, 2009, Skillet appeared at Awakening Music Festival in Leesburg, Virginia, alongside Jeremy Camp
, Kutless
, Hawk Nelson
, Disciple
, Decyfer Down
, and others. Skillet also played at the Super Dome in New Orleans for the ELCA National Youth Gathering in 2009.
Skillet headlined two separate Rock the River tours, run by the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association, and hosted by Franklin Graham
. Those tours were Rock the River: Midwest in the summer of 2009 and Rock the River: West in the summer of 2010.
In January 2010 they toured with Puddle of Mudd
and Shinedown
through the East Coast of the United States. They also announced on their live chat with fans on December 5, 2009 that they would be touring with TobyMac
in March and April 2010. This was later expanded upon as the "Awake Tonight Tour" named after both artists' new albums. House of Heroes
joined them on the tour as the opening act.
In April and May the band continued on a second branch of their Awake and Alive tour with The Letter Black
and Red
. In April it was also announced that the band would be touring with Creed
and Theft in August and September 2010. In October the band will be co-headlining the "Monsters of Annihilation Tour" with Papa Roach
. Trapt
and My Darkest Days
will be supporting acts. They toured again with TobyMac in November and December as the 2010 version of the Winter Wonder Slam tour. On July 4, Skillet played at Creation Festival
East and John Cooper called it the best show of Skillet's career.
In January 2011, Skillet confirmed that they would be touring with Stone Sour
and Theory of a Deadman
in the Avalanche Tour. The tour began at the end of March 2011 and concluded on May 8 in Jacksonville, FL. Other supporting acts include Halestorm
and Art of Dying
. The band had a small international tour in January and February 2011 visiting Australia, New Zealand's Parachute Music Festival
, and Japan.
In October 2011, the band continued their Awake and Alive tour with Disciple
, We As Human
, and Manafest
.
Former
Touring
This is a list of major releases only. Additional releases including EPs, live albums, singles, compilation albums and videos may be found at the full discography
article.
nominations
GMA Dove Awards
Billboard Music Award
s
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band formed in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John
John Cooper (musician)
John Landrum Cooper , professionally credited as John L. Cooper, is an American musician. He has been the lead singer and bassist of the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band Skillet since 1996.-Seraph:...
(lead vocals, bass) and Korey Cooper
Korey Cooper
Korey Cooper is the keyboardist, guitarist, and backing vocalist for the Christian Rock band Skillet. Her husband, John Cooper, is the lead singer and bassist of the band, as well as one of the founding members...
(rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), along with Jen Ledger
Jen Ledger
Jennifer Carole "Jen" Ledger is the English drummer and backing vocalist for the Grammy Award-nominated Christian rock/hard rock band Skillet...
(drums, vocals) and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominations: Collide and Comatose
Comatose (album)
Comatose is the seventh full-length album released by the Christian rock band Skillet. Released October 3, 2006, this album continues their previous album's trend of downplaying the keyboard elements that were prominent in previous releases in favor of more orchestral elements and distorted guitars...
. Over the past 15 years, Skillet has undergone several lineup changes, leaving founder John Cooper as the only original member remaining in the band.
Early years (1996–99)
Skillet formed in 1996 with two members: John Cooper, former vocalist for Tennessee progressive rock band SeraphSeraph (band)
Seraph was a Christian rock band from the early 90's based in Memphis, Tennessee. The band was first formed around 1989, and played several shows around the Midsouth area. They were the opening act for several big name Christian rock bands of the era, like Guardian and Mortal. In 1994, they were...
, and Ken Steorts, former guitarist for Urgent Cry. The two bands met through touring together, but those bands disbanded soon after, so John and Ken's pastor encouraged them to form their own band as a side-project. Coming from different styles of rock music, they decided to name the experiment Skillet. After Trey McClurkin joined the band as a temporary drummer. Skillet was only together for a month when they received interest from major Christian record label ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records
ForeFront Records is a Christian Music record label founded in 1987 by Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Ron W. Griffin. It was purchased by EMI in 1996 from current owners Dan R. Brock and Eddie DeGarmo and is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group.In 1998, ForeFront released a 2-CD...
. In 1996 they released a self-titled debut Skillet
Skillet (album)
Skillet is the self-titled debut release from the Christian rock band Skillet. Released in 1996 as an enhanced CD and audio cassette from Forefront Records and Ardent Records, it showcases powerful Christian lyrics with a grunge rock sound...
. It was well-received, and the trio continued to write new material as they toured the United States. One topic that comes up often among fans and the band itself, is the name 'Skillet'. John Cooper, the lead vocalist, explains that it was a joke at first. Each starting band member was already in a separate band, and all decided to start a side project. Since each other band had a different sound and style to it, the side project was said to be like putting all of those styles in a big skillet to come up with something unique. Hence the band name 'Skillet'. The band name is still somewhat of a joke between the band members, especially Cooper, who claims to still not like the title.
Skillet recorded their follow-up album throughout 1997, titled Hey You, I Love Your Soul
Hey You, I Love Your Soul
Hey You, I Love Your Soul is the second full-length album from Christian rock band Skillet. It was released in 1998 as an enhanced CD from Forefront Records and Ardent Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*John L...
, which was released in April 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 and a style. 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 (2000–02)
Shortly before the band began recording for their third album, InvincibleInvincible (Skillet album)
Invincible is the third full-length album by Christian rock group Skillet. It was released in 2000 from Forefront Records and Ardent Records...
, Steorts left the band to be with his family, and Kevin Haaland joined the band as their new guitarist. Korey Cooper joined the band permanently and played keyboards for the recording of Invincible. Because of this change, the musical style on Invincible changed to a more electronic sound. Soon after the release of Invincible in early 2000, Trey McClurkin parted ways with Skillet, and Lori Peters
Lori Peters
Lori Peters is the former drummer for the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band Skillet, performing with them from 2000 to 2007. She recorded four albums with the band: Ardent Worship, Alien Youth, Collide, and Comatose...
filled the drummer's position. Invincible would be Skillet's best selling record to date.
The band released their first worship album, and fourth album overall, Ardent Worship
Ardent Worship
-Credits:*John L. Cooper – lead vocals, bass*Korey Cooper – keyboards, backing vocals*Kevin Haaland - guitar*Lori Peters - drums*Ken Steorts - guitar *Trey McClurkin - drums...
in Fall 2000. The band kept much of their sound from Invincible on their next album Alien Youth
Alien Youth
-Music video:The video for "Alien Youth" features the band in a futuristic city, wearing futuristic clothes much like those seen in the "Best Kept Secret" video. The opening shot is something coming down to earth. It then cuts to the futuristic city, circling around a tower with large screens at...
. With little time between touring and recording, Skillet released Alien Youth on August 28, 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
Ben Kasica
Benjamin Judah Kasica is the former lead guitarist for the Christian rock band Skillet. He joined the band in 2001 at the age of sixteen, and recorded the albums Collide, Comatose and Awake with them...
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 (2003–05)
In 2003, Collide was released by Ardent RecordsArdent Records
Ardent Records, often shortened to "Ardent," is a Memphis record label founded by John Fry in 1959. Ardent of the 1960s and 1970s featured pop music acts and was distributed by Stax Records from 1972 until 1975. It is best remembered today for Big Star, whose first two albums, released in 1972...
. 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
Lava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
, a division of Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. 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 P.O.D.
P.O.D.
Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
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 (2006–08)
Skillet's album ComatoseComatose (album)
Comatose is the seventh full-length album released by the Christian rock band Skillet. Released October 3, 2006, this album continues their previous album's trend of downplaying the keyboard elements that were prominent in previous releases in favor of more orchestral elements and distorted guitars...
was released on October 3, 2006. It features the singles "Rebirthing," "Whispers in the Dark," "Comatose," "The Older I Get," "Those Nights," and "The Last Night". The album debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and No. 4 on the US Top Christian Albums chart.
In January 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. However, during the 2007 Christmas season, she took the time to train Skillet's next drummer, Jen Ledger.
On October 21, 2008, Comatose Comes Alive
Comatose Comes Alive
Comatose Comes Alive DVD/CD is the second live album and second live DVD by the Christian rock band Skillet, which peaked at #164 on the Billboard 200. It is the band's first combination CD/DVD of live recording, as their first official live album was 2000's Ardent Worship, a worship album recorded...
was released; a CD/DVD combo featuring live recordings of the band's May 9, 2008 concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
. It was shown on the Gospel Music Channel
Gospel Music Channel
gmc is an American satellite and cable television channel, known from its 2004 launch until February 1, 2010 as Gospel Music Channel. It is also available in high-definition as a separate channel called gmcHD ....
on December 5, 2008. Skillet's Comatose Comes Alive CD also had a B-side with "Live Free or Let Me Die" as a single, also with five acoustic tracks which purchasers could download by inserting the CD in their computer.
The Comatose album was certified Gold in sales by the RIAA
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
on November 3, 2009.
Awake (2009–present)
Skillet announced that they went into the studio January 12 to finalize the new record with Grammy-nominated producer Howard BensonHoward Benson
Howard Benson is a two-time Grammy-nominated music producer and aerospace engineer.-Biography:Howard Benson has a degree in materials engineering from Drexel University and studied composition at the Philadelphia College for Performing Arts. Later he worked for Garrett AiResearch, where he worked...
. They added two songs ("Hero
Hero (Skillet song)
"Hero" is the first single of the 2009 album Awake by the Christian Rock band Skillet and is the first track on the album. The song talks about mankind's need for a Hero with the hero being Jesus Christ. It's the fourth single by Skillet to be released to physical media...
" and "Monster") from the new record to their setlist on April 2, 2009 in Evansville, Indiana as part of their Comatose Tour 2009.
Skillet's most recent studio album is Awake
Awake (Skillet album)
Awake is the eighth album by Christian rock band Skillet. It is the follow-up to their Grammy-nominated album Comatose. The album was released on August 25, 2009 by Lava Records and Ardent Records and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200...
. The album contains twelve songs and was released on August 25, 2009. It charted at No. 2 on the Billboard top 200 selling around 68,000 units in its first week. "Monster" was released as a single on July 14, 2009. Contrary to popular belief, John Cooper stated that "Hero" was not the album's lead single. It was, however, released as a single in March 2010. They also released a deluxe version with the extra songs "Dead Inside" and "Would It Matter", along with the original, radio edit of "Monster" that does not have the distorted growl as in the single and in the CD. A remix on "Monster" was featured on one of their popular podcasts.The song "Hero" was used in the publicizing of the first football game of the 2009 NFL season between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans, and the song "Monster" was used in the episode "Jason: The Pretty-Boy Bully" on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Bully Beatdown
Bully Beatdown
Bully Beatdown is an American reality television series created by Mark Burnett which airs on MTV. In each episode, show host Jason "Mayhem" Miller challenges bullies to fight against a professional mixed martial artist for a chance to win $10,000. The money they get depends on their performance...
. "Monster" was the theme song for the WWE event WWE Hell in a Cell
WWE Hell in a Cell
Hell in a Cell was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on October 4, 2009 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It was the first Hell in a Cell event and featured talent from the Raw and SmackDown brands...
while the song "Hero" was the theme song for WWE Tribute to the Troops and Royal Rumble 2010
Royal Rumble (2010)
Royal Rumble was the twenty-third annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 31, 2010 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands...
, as well as both songs being included on the official soundtrack for the WWE video game WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 , is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's, and published by THQ for the PlayStation 2 , PlayStation 3 , PlayStation Portable , Wii, Nintendo DS, and Xbox 360 systems. It is the eleventh video game in the WWE SmackDown vs...
. It is also the opening theme song for the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
team the Lake Erie Monsters
Lake Erie Monsters
The Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio...
in Cleveland, Ohio and serves as the opening theme of the Fresno Monsters
Fresno Monsters
The Fresno Monsters are a Junior A Tier II ice hockey team based out of Fresno, California. The team is currently a member of the North American Hockey League and play in the West Division. as well as continuing to field a WSHL team...
of Fresno, California. "Monster" was aired at the beginning of several ACC football games on Raycom Sports
Raycom Sports
Raycom Sports is an American syndicator of sports television programs. It is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and owned and operated by Raycom Media.-Founding:...
during the 2009 season. In the first week of April 2010, it was released for the Rock band music store in Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
It also tied the record for highest-charting Christian album on the Billboard 200 with Underoath
Underoath
Underoath is an American Christian metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded by Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton on November 30, 1997 in Ocala, Florida, subsequently its additional members were from Tampa, Florida...
's 2006 release Define the Great Line
Define the Great Line
Define the Great Line is the fifth album by American metalcore band Underoath. The album was released in the United States on June 20, 2006 along with a limited edition version containing exclusive artwork and DVD. For the recording of this album Underoath's usual producer, James Paul Wisner, was...
and Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns is a Grammy Award and Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock band. Casting Crowns was started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida as part of a youth group. He now serves as a lead vocalist...
' 2007 release The Altar and the Door
The Altar and the Door
The Altar and the Door is the third studio album by American band Casting Crowns. The album was released on August 28, 2007. It includes two cover songs, including Chandler's "I Know You're There" and Steve Fee's "All Because of Jesus." The album debuted at number-two on the United States...
, as all three albums debuted at No. 2.
Skillet was nominated for six Dove Awards for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. Awake was certified gold July 2, 2010. Also in 2010, Ardent released The Early Years, a collection of their songs from 1996 to 2001. On November 12, Skillet released an iTunes sessions EP consisting of songs from Comatose and Awake. "Monster" was certified gold a day later.
On February 14, 2011, Skillet officially announced that long time lead guitarist Ben Kasica would be leaving the band. Kasica was with the band for 10 years, contributing to the albums Alien Youth, Collide, Comatose, and Awake as well as the live album Comatose Comes Alive. He played what was planned to be his last concert with the band on March 20. The band announced that they had chosen solo artist Jonathan Salas as their new guitarist, but Salas confirmed he had left the band on April 9 via Twitter. Kasica returned and continued touring until a new guitarist was trained. On April 16, Seth Morrison replaced Kasica as the lead guitarist, and now tours full-time with Skillet.
Skillet announced the release of Awake and Remixed EP
Awake and Remixed EP
Awake and Remixed EP is the first remix album from the Christian rock band Skillet. All songs are remixed versions from their previous album, Awake. It was released on March 22, 2011 and debuted at No. 98 on the Billboard 200.-Track listing:-Credits:...
in early March 2011. The remixes were mainly done by Korey Cooper
Korey Cooper
Korey Cooper is the keyboardist, guitarist, and backing vocalist for the Christian Rock band Skillet. Her husband, John Cooper, is the lead singer and bassist of the band, as well as one of the founding members...
and Ben Kasica
Ben Kasica
Benjamin Judah Kasica is the former lead guitarist for the Christian rock band Skillet. He joined the band in 2001 at the age of sixteen, and recorded the albums Collide, Comatose and Awake with them...
. On March 2, 2011, Skillet unveiled the album artwork for the album. John Cooper says the idea was conceived when Korey Cooper and Ben Kasica remixed the song Monster for their popular podcast. The four-song EP was released on March 22.
"Awake" was nominated for and won the "Top Christian Album" Award at the Billboard Music Awards 2011, and the song "Awake and Alive" was announced to be on the Transformers: Dark of the Moon Soundtrack in May 2011.
On June 21, 2011 John posted to his Twitter account that the band rehearsed new music for the first time and that they are getting ready for a new album. At a question and answer session before a concert, John Cooper said that they would be recording a new record in January/Feburary of 2012.
Touring
Skillet toured with Ron Luce
Ron Luce
Ronald Allen “Ron” Luce is the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries located in Garden Valley, Texas. Together with his wife Katie, Ron founded Teen Mania in 1986 in his van. The ministry has expanded greatly and has become influential within today's Christian youth culture...
and Teen Mania Ministries
Teen Mania Ministries
Teen Mania Ministries is an Evangelical Christian youth organization located in Garden Valley, Texas. Teen Mania focuses primarily on four key programs, with a few additional smaller endeavours....
on their Acquire The Fire Tour across the United States and Canada in 2007. When they returned, Skillet had plans to co-headline the Justice & Mercy Tour with Flyleaf
Flyleaf
Flyleaf is an American alternative metal band, formed in the Belton and Temple, Texas regions in 2000. The band has charted on mainstream rock, Christian pop and Christian metal genres. They performed around the United States in 2003 until releasing their eponymous debut album, Flyleaf, in 2005....
, but the tour was postponed and ultimately canceled after a number of shows due to Flyleaf lead vocalist Lacey Mosley
Lacey Mosley
Lacey Nicole Sturm is an American singer-songwriter from Arlington, Texas. She is co-founder and lead vocalist of the alternative metal band Flyleaf....
's vocal problems. They then toured with Luce's Global Expeditions program on a summer missions trip with teenagers to Mexico. In 2008 they joined Teen Mania Ministries
Teen Mania Ministries
Teen Mania Ministries is an Evangelical Christian youth organization located in Garden Valley, Texas. Teen Mania focuses primarily on four key programs, with a few additional smaller endeavours....
and toured with Acquire the Fire.
Skillet joined Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently consisting of Benjamin Burnley and Chad Szeliga. The band has released four studio albums to date and a greatest hits album that was released on August 16, 2011. The group initially went on indefinite hiatus due...
, Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
, and Seether
Seether
Seether is a post-grunge/alternative metal band from Pretoria, South Africa, formed in 1999. The band is currently signed to Wind-up Records...
on the first half of their tour in fall 2007. Then Skillet headlined their own Comatose Tour alongside Thousand Foot Krutch
Thousand Foot Krutch
Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian Christian rock band formed in 1995. They have released five major studio albums: Set It Off , Phenomenon , The Art of Breaking , The Flame In All of Us , and Welcome to the Masquerade . They also have one live album, Live at the Masquerade...
and traveled to approximately 30 cities. The tour started on March 28 and ran through May 11, 2008. Skillet toured again from April 2009 through June 2009 with Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down is a Rock band formed in 1999 and based in Morehead City, North Carolina. Up until 2002–the year that Chris Clonts joined the band–they went by the moniker Allysonhymn . Following Clonts' arrival they switched to the current name, Decyfer Down...
and Disciple
Disciple (band)
Disciple is a Christian metal / rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee, formed in 1992.-History:Disciple was formed in 1992 by high school friends Kevin Young, Brad Noah, and Tim Barrett. The band released their first CD, What Was I Thinking in 1995...
. This tour was called Comatose Tour 2009 (essentially a second branch of the 2008 Comatose Tour). In fall of 2009, Skillet began touring with Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson is a Christian rock band from Peterborough, Ontario. The band has become very popular in the Christian music scene and was voted "Favorite New Artist" by CCM Magazine in their February 2006 Reader's Choice Awards. In 2006 Hawk Nelson won a No...
, Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down is a Rock band formed in 1999 and based in Morehead City, North Carolina. Up until 2002–the year that Chris Clonts joined the band–they went by the moniker Allysonhymn . Following Clonts' arrival they switched to the current name, Decyfer Down...
, and The Letter Black
The Letter Black
The Letter Black, formerly known as Breaking the Silence, is a Christian rock band that was formed in 2006 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The band consists of lead vocalist Sarah Anthony; her husband, lead guitarist and vocalist Mark Anthony; bassist Matt Beal; and drummer Taylor Carroll.-Early years...
to promote Skillet's album Awake. The Awake & Alive Tour encompassed 52 cities from October through January. Skillet appeared at the 2009 Night of Joy
Night of Joy (festival)
Night of Joy is an annual contemporary Christian music festival that takes place at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It started in 1983 and normally takes place in the first or second week of September. The event was held at the Magic Kingdom until 2008, when it was moved to Disney's Hollywood...
Christian Rock festival at Disney Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. This marked the band's first absence from Universal Studios Orlando's Rock the Universe
Rock the Universe
Rock the Universe is an annual Christian rock festival that takes place at Universal Studios Florida. It started in 1998, and it normally takes place in the first or second week of September.The festival has had three main stages over the years...
in five years due to conflicting schedules. However, they were able to perform the following year, in 2010. On September 26, 2009, Skillet appeared at Awakening Music Festival in Leesburg, Virginia, alongside Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Thomas Camp is a contemporary Christian musician from Lafayette, Indiana. Camp has released seven albums, four of them RIAA-certified as Gold and two are live albums, and 17 number-one hit songs...
, Kutless
Kutless
Kutless is a Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1999. Since their formation, they have released six studio albums including their latest, It Is Well. The band has also released a live album, Live from Portland. Currently, they have sold almost 2 million records.-Biography:Formed in...
, Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson is a Christian rock band from Peterborough, Ontario. The band has become very popular in the Christian music scene and was voted "Favorite New Artist" by CCM Magazine in their February 2006 Reader's Choice Awards. In 2006 Hawk Nelson won a No...
, Disciple
Disciple (band)
Disciple is a Christian metal / rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee, formed in 1992.-History:Disciple was formed in 1992 by high school friends Kevin Young, Brad Noah, and Tim Barrett. The band released their first CD, What Was I Thinking in 1995...
, Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down
Decyfer Down is a Rock band formed in 1999 and based in Morehead City, North Carolina. Up until 2002–the year that Chris Clonts joined the band–they went by the moniker Allysonhymn . Following Clonts' arrival they switched to the current name, Decyfer Down...
, and others. Skillet also played at the Super Dome in New Orleans for the ELCA National Youth Gathering in 2009.
Skillet headlined two separate Rock the River tours, run by the Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
Evangelistic Association, and hosted by Franklin Graham
Franklin Graham
William Franklin Graham III , known publicly as Franklin Graham, is an American Christian evangelist and missionary. He is the president and CEO of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse.He currently lives in Boone,...
. Those tours were Rock the River: Midwest in the summer of 2009 and Rock the River: West in the summer of 2010.
In January 2010 they toured with Puddle of Mudd
Puddle of Mudd
Puddle Of Mudd is an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, USA. To date the band has sold over 7 million albums, and have had a string of #1 mainstream rock singles in the United States. Their major-label debut Come Clean has sold over 5 million copies...
and Shinedown
Shinedown
Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith , Brad Stewart , Jasin Todd , and Barry Kerch . A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original...
through the East Coast of the United States. They also announced on their live chat with fans on December 5, 2009 that they would be touring with TobyMac
TobyMac
Toby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
in March and April 2010. This was later expanded upon as the "Awake Tonight Tour" named after both artists' new albums. House of Heroes
House of Heroes
House of Heroes is an alternative rock band from Columbus, Ohio. They were also known by the name No Tagbacks. They are generally considered to be Christian rock, though their lyrics are not always transparently Christian...
joined them on the tour as the opening act.
In April and May the band continued on a second branch of their Awake and Alive tour with The Letter Black
The Letter Black
The Letter Black, formerly known as Breaking the Silence, is a Christian rock band that was formed in 2006 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The band consists of lead vocalist Sarah Anthony; her husband, lead guitarist and vocalist Mark Anthony; bassist Matt Beal; and drummer Taylor Carroll.-Early years...
and Red
Red (band)
Red is an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band's lineup consists of singer Michael Barnes, guitarist Anthony Armstrong, bassist Randy Armstrong and drummer Joe Rickard. They are known for their Christian rock music which incorporates other sounds such as...
. In April it was also announced that the band would be touring with Creed
Creed (band)
Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
and Theft in August and September 2010. In October the band will be co-headlining the "Monsters of Annihilation Tour" with Papa Roach
Papa Roach
Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California. Their first major-label release was the triple-platinum album Infest . The group's success continued with their gold album Lovehatetragedy , their platinum album Getting Away with Murder , The Paramour Sessions , and Metamorphosis...
. Trapt
Trapt
Trapt is an American rock band that formed in Los Gatos, California in August 1997. The group is composed of lead singer Chris Taylor Brown, lead guitarist Robb Torres, bass guitarist Peter Charell, and drummer Aaron "Monty" Montgomery...
and My Darkest Days
My Darkest Days
My Darkest Days is a Canadian rock band based in Toronto, consisting of lead singer Matt Walst, lead guitarist Sal Costa, Bassist Brendan McMillan, Drummer Doug Oliver, and keyboardist Reid Henry...
will be supporting acts. They toured again with TobyMac in November and December as the 2010 version of the Winter Wonder Slam tour. On July 4, Skillet played at Creation Festival
Creation Festival
Creation Festival consists of two annual, four-day Christian music festivals held in the United States. According to www.Creationfest.com, the festivals have become the "Nation's Largest Christian Music Festivals." This is in reflection to Creation Northeast being known to attract 100,000...
East and John Cooper called it the best show of Skillet's career.
In January 2011, Skillet confirmed that they would be touring with Stone Sour
Stone Sour
Stone Sour is an American rock band from Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2006, the group has been composed of Corey Taylor , Jim Root , Josh Rand, , Shawn Economaki and Roy Mayorga . Original drummer Joel Ekman left the group in 2006...
and Theory of a Deadman
Theory of a Deadman
Theory of a Deadman is a Canadian rock band from Delta, British Columbia, formed in 2001. The band is currently signed to Roadrunner Records as well as Island Records. The band also includes traits of other music styles, such as country and acoustic, as well as their post-grunge and alternative...
in the Avalanche Tour. The tour began at the end of March 2011 and concluded on May 8 in Jacksonville, FL. Other supporting acts include Halestorm
Halestorm
Halestorm is an American rock band from Red Lion, Pennsylvania. The group's self-titled debut album was released on April 28, 2009 through Atlantic Records.-History:...
and Art of Dying
Art of Dying (band)
Art of Dying is a Canadian rock band fronted by Jonny Hetherington. The band has built an international following since 2006 touring with Seether and Disturbed as well as performing at international festivals such as Download and Virginfest alongside artists like Tool, Metallica and...
. The band had a small international tour in January and February 2011 visiting Australia, New Zealand's Parachute Music Festival
Parachute music festival
The Parachute Music Festival is a Christian music festival held annually at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand.The festival is run by Parachute Music and lasts for four days and three nights. 'Parachute' is the Southern Hemisphere's largest Christian music festival, primarily...
, and Japan.
In October 2011, the band continued their Awake and Alive tour with Disciple
Disciple (band)
Disciple is a Christian metal / rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee, formed in 1992.-History:Disciple was formed in 1992 by high school friends Kevin Young, Brad Noah, and Tim Barrett. The band released their first CD, What Was I Thinking in 1995...
, We As Human
We As Human
We As Human is an American Rock Band that was started in Sandpoint, Idaho by front-man Justin Cordle. In the summer of 2011 the band moved from Sandpoint, ID to Nashville, TN after signing their first major record deal with Atlantic Records...
, and Manafest
Manafest
Chris Greenwood better known by his stage name Manafest, is a Canadian Christian rapper and rock artist from Pickering, Ontario....
.
Band members
Current- John CooperJohn Cooper (musician)John Landrum Cooper , professionally credited as John L. Cooper, is an American musician. He has been the lead singer and bassist of the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band Skillet since 1996.-Seraph:...
– lead vocals, bass, acoustic guitar (1996–present) - Korey CooperKorey CooperKorey Cooper is the keyboardist, guitarist, and backing vocalist for the Christian Rock band Skillet. Her husband, John Cooper, is the lead singer and bassist of the band, as well as one of the founding members...
– backing vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, synthesizer (1999–present) - Jen LedgerJen LedgerJennifer Carole "Jen" Ledger is the English drummer and backing vocalist for the Grammy Award-nominated Christian rock/hard rock band Skillet...
– vocals, backing vocals, drums, percussion (2008–present) - Seth MorrisonSeth Morrison (musician)Jacob Seth Morrison is the lead guitarist for the Christian rock band Skillet. He joined the band in April 2011.-Career:...
– lead guitar (2011–present)
Former
- Kevin Haaland – lead guitar (1999–2001)
- Ben KasicaBen KasicaBenjamin Judah Kasica is the former lead guitarist for the Christian rock band Skillet. He joined the band in 2001 at the age of sixteen, and recorded the albums Collide, Comatose and Awake with them...
– lead guitar (2001–2011) - Trey McClurkin – drums, backing vocals (1996–2000)
- Lori PetersLori PetersLori Peters is the former drummer for the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band Skillet, performing with them from 2000 to 2007. She recorded four albums with the band: Ardent Worship, Alien Youth, Collide, and Comatose...
– drums (2000–2007) - Jonathan Salas – lead guitar (2011)
- Ken Steorts – lead guitar (1996–1999)
Touring
- Billy Dawson – rhythm guitar (2000)
- Faith Stern – keyboards, vocals (2002–2003)
- Chris Marvin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2002–2003, 2005–2006)
- Andrea Winchell – keyboards (2005–2006)
- Jonathan Chu – violin (2008–present)
- Tate Olsen – cello (2008–present)
- Scotty Rock – bass (2009–present)
Discography
- SkilletSkillet (album)Skillet is the self-titled debut release from the Christian rock band Skillet. Released in 1996 as an enhanced CD and audio cassette from Forefront Records and Ardent Records, it showcases powerful Christian lyrics with a grunge rock sound...
(1996) - Hey You, I Love Your SoulHey You, I Love Your SoulHey You, I Love Your Soul is the second full-length album from Christian rock band Skillet. It was released in 1998 as an enhanced CD from Forefront Records and Ardent Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*John L...
(1998) - InvincibleInvincible (Skillet album)Invincible is the third full-length album by Christian rock group Skillet. It was released in 2000 from Forefront Records and Ardent Records...
(2000) - Ardent WorshipArdent Worship-Credits:*John L. Cooper – lead vocals, bass*Korey Cooper – keyboards, backing vocals*Kevin Haaland - guitar*Lori Peters - drums*Ken Steorts - guitar *Trey McClurkin - drums...
(2000) - Alien YouthAlien Youth-Music video:The video for "Alien Youth" features the band in a futuristic city, wearing futuristic clothes much like those seen in the "Best Kept Secret" video. The opening shot is something coming down to earth. It then cuts to the futuristic city, circling around a tower with large screens at...
(2001) - Collide (2003)
- ComatoseComatose (album)Comatose is the seventh full-length album released by the Christian rock band Skillet. Released October 3, 2006, this album continues their previous album's trend of downplaying the keyboard elements that were prominent in previous releases in favor of more orchestral elements and distorted guitars...
(2006) - AwakeAwake (Skillet album)Awake is the eighth album by Christian rock band Skillet. It is the follow-up to their Grammy-nominated album Comatose. The album was released on August 25, 2009 by Lava Records and Ardent Records and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200...
(2009)
This is a list of major releases only. Additional releases including EPs, live albums, singles, compilation albums and videos may be found at the full discography
Skillet discography
The discography of the American Christian rock band Skillet consists of seven studio albums, three EPs, two live albums, one compilation album, and 48 radio singles.-Studio albums:-Live albums:-Compilation albums:-Extended plays:-Singles:...
article.
Awards and recognition
Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominations
- 2005 nominee, Best Rock Gospel Album: Collide
- 2007 nominee, Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album: Comatose
GMA Dove Awards
- 2008 Rock Recorded Song of the Year: "Comatose" at the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards on April 23, 2008.
Billboard Music Award
Billboard Music Award
The Billboard Music Award is an honor given by Billboard magazine, the preeminent publication covering the music business. The Billboard Music Awards show had been held annually in December until it went dormant in 2007, but it returned in May 2011...
s
- 2011 Top Christian Album: "Awake"