Skillet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skillet
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Skillet performing in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | Ledger, Fight the Fury |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Skillet is an American Christian rock band. They started in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996. The band members today are John Cooper (lead singer, bass) and his wife Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backup vocals). Also in the band are Jen Ledger (drums, co-lead vocals) and Seth Morrison (lead guitar).
Skillet has released twelve studio albums. Two of their albums, Collide and Comatose, were nominated for a Grammy Award. Comatose and Awake have sold millions of copies. This means they are certified Platinum and Double Platinum. Rise and Unleashed are certified Gold. Many of their songs, like "Monster" and "Hero", have also sold millions of copies.
The band's members have changed over the years. John Cooper is the only original member left. Skillet is also known for touring a lot. They were even called one of the "Hardest Working Bands" in 2010!
Contents
Skillet's Amazing Journey
How Skillet Started (1996–2001)
Skillet began in 1996 with just two members. These were John Cooper and Ken Steorts. Their pastor suggested they form a band. They jokingly named it "Skillet." This was because they mixed different music styles. It was like tossing different ingredients into a "big ol' skillet."
Just one month later, a record company called ForeFront Records noticed them. In 1996, they released their first album, Skillet. People liked it, and the band kept writing new music while touring.
In 1998, Skillet released their second album, Hey You, I Love Your Soul. This album sounded different. It moved towards a style called industrial alternative rock. John's wife, Korey Cooper, joined the band to play keyboards for live shows.
Before their third album, Invincible, Ken Steorts left the band. Kevin Haaland became the new guitarist. Korey Cooper then joined the band permanently. This made Invincible have a more electronic sound. Soon after, drummer Trey McClurkin left. Lori Peters took his place.
In 2000, they released Ardent Worship. This was their first worship album. Their next album, Alien Youth, came out in 2001. John Cooper produced this album himself. Before Alien Youth was released, Kevin Haaland left. Ben Kasica became the new guitarist.
Rising to Fame (2003–2011)
In 2003, Skillet released their fifth album, Collide. It was released through Ardent Records. This album included popular songs like "Savior". In 2004, Lava Records re-released Collide. The album was even nominated for a "Best Rock Gospel Album" Grammy in 2005.
John Cooper said the band P.O.D. inspired the new sound on Collide. He explained that he takes what he hears and makes it his own.
Skillet's album Comatose was released in 2006. It had hit songs like "Rebirthing" and "Whispers in the Dark". The album quickly became popular. It reached No. 55 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 2008, drummer Lori Peters decided to leave the band. She wanted to start a new part of her life. Jen Ledger became Skillet's new drummer. Lori even trained Jen during Christmas 2007.
Later in 2008, Skillet released Comatose Comes Alive. This was a CD/DVD set. It had live recordings from a concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Comatose album was certified Gold in 2009. It became Platinum in 2016.
Skillet's seventh album, Awake, came out in 2009. It started at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. It sold about 68,000 copies in its first week. Songs like "Monster" and "Hero" became huge hits. "Monster" was even used as a theme song for WWE events and sports teams.
Awake was nominated for six Dove Awards in 2010. It was certified Gold in July 2010. "Monster" also became Gold a day later.
In 2011, lead guitarist Ben Kasica announced he was leaving. He had been with the band for 10 years. Seth Morrison replaced him as the lead guitarist. Skillet also released Awake and Remixed EP in March 2011. This EP had remixes by Korey Cooper and Ben Kasica.
Awake won the "Top Christian Album" Award at the Billboard Music Awards 2011. The song "Awake and Alive" was on the Transformers: Dark of the Moon movie soundtrack.
Continued Achievements (2011–Present)
In 2011, John Cooper said the band was working on new music. They planned to record a new album in 2012. John described the new album as a "roller coaster ride." He said it would have strong songs, artistic songs, and classic Skillet sounds.
The new album, Rise, was released on June 25, 2013. The first song, "Sick of It", came out in April 2013. Rise started at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. It sold 60,000 copies in the US in its first week. Rise was certified Gold by the RIAA in 2016.
Skillet won a Dove Award for Rock Song of the Year for "Sick of It".
On May 20, 2016, Skillet announced their new album, Unleashed. It was released on August 5, 2016, through Atlantic Records. The song "Feel Invincible" became a theme song for TBS' E-League and WWE Battleground. In 2017, they released a softer, acoustic version of "Stars." This was for the film The Shack. They also released a special edition, Unleashed Beyond, with new songs and remixes.
In 2019, Billboard reported that Skillet had sold over 12 million music units worldwide. The band released "Legendary" on May 7, 2019. This was the first song from their tenth album, Victorious. They also released "Save Me" and "Anchor" in June. "You Ain't Ready" came out in July. The album was released on August 2, 2019. "Legendary" also became a theme song for WWE Raw.
A special edition of Victorious, called Victorious: The Aftermath, was released in September 2020.
In September 2021, Skillet released "Surviving the Game." This was their first new song in a year. They also announced their eleventh album, Dominion. It came out on January 14, 2022. Other songs from this album included "Standing in the Storm" and "Refuge". In December 2022, they released "Psycho In My Head." They also announced a special edition, Dominion: Day of Destiny. "Psycho In My Head" became the theme song for WWE's Elimination Chamber 2023.
On August 9, 2024, Skillet released the song "Unpopular". They also announced their twelfth album, Revolution. It was released on November 1, 2024.
Skillet's Music Style
Skillet's music has been described in many ways. It includes Christian rock, Christian metal, alternative rock, and hard rock. They also mix in nu metal, post-grunge, and even symphonic metal sounds.
Their first album, Skillet, had a grunge feel. Their second album, Hey You, I Love Your Soul, added more electronic and industrial elements.
John Cooper says Skillet's goal is to create music that brings people together. It aims to unite them both spiritually and socially. Music reviewer James Christopher Monger described their style as a mix of "alt-metal, hard rock, post-grunge, and soaring alternative rock."
Touring the World
Skillet is famous for touring a lot. In 2005, Korey Cooper took a break because she was pregnant. Other musicians played for her temporarily.
Skillet has toured with many different groups and events. They joined Ron Luce and Teen Mania Ministries on their Acquire The Fire Tour. They also toured with Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Seether.
In 2008, Skillet led their own Comatose Tour. They visited about 30 cities. They also toured with Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down, and The Letter Black to promote their Awake album. This tour, called the Awake & Alive Tour, covered 52 cities.
Skillet has performed at major Christian music festivals. These include Night of Joy and Creation Festival East. John Cooper once called their Creation Festival East show the best of Skillet's career.
In 2010, they toured with Puddle of Mudd and Shinedown. They also joined TobyMac on the "Awake Tonight Tour." Later, they toured with Creed. They also led the "Monsters of Annihilation Tour" with Papa Roach.
In 2011, Skillet toured internationally. They visited Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. They also joined the Avalanche Tour with Stone Sour and Theory of a Deadman.
Skillet led the Winter Jam Tour in 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2022. They have also toured Europe many times. They supported bands like Nickelback.
In 2013, Skillet toured with Shinedown, Papa Roach, and In This Moment. This was on the Carnival of Madness Tour. In 2014, they led the Roadshow with Third Day. They also joined TobyMac and Lecrae on the Summer Shed Tour.
In 2016, Skillet announced a European tour. They also announced a headlining Unleashed Tour in the US. They opened for Korn and Stone Sour in 2017. In 2018, they led the "joy. UNLEASHED" tour with For King & Country.
In 2019, Skillet toured with Sevendust and Alter Bridge. In 2021, they led the Drive-in Theater Tour. In 2023, they led the Rock Resurrection tour with Theory of a Deadman. They also went on the Day of Destiny Tour in Europe.
Other Exciting Projects
Some Skillet members have started their own side projects!
In 2018, Jen Ledger, Skillet's drummer, began her solo career. She teamed up with Korey Cooper. They formed a band called Ledger. They released an EP with a new song called "Not Dead Yet."
Also in 2018, John Cooper and Seth Morrison started a new project. It is called Fight the Fury. They released an EP titled Still Breathing. It included the song "My Demons."
Meet the Band Members
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Current Members
Former Members
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Current Touring Musicians
Former Touring Musicians
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Band Member Timeline
Skillet's Albums
- Skillet (1996)
- Hey You, I Love Your Soul (1998)
- Invincible (2000)
- Alien Youth (2001)
- Collide (2003)
- Comatose (2006)
- Awake (2009)
- Rise (2013)
- Unleashed (2016)
- Victorious (2019)
- Dominion (2022)
- Revolution (2024)
Awards and Achievements
Skillet has received many awards for their music.
On February 1, 2016, Skillet's song "Monster" was recognized as the biggest digital single in Christian music history. It had over 2.6 million sales. "Monster" was certified 2× Platinum. It was also the top streaming Christian song in 2015. By 2019, "Monster" was certified 3× Platinum. "Hero" was 2× Platinum. "Monster" had over 3 billion global audio streams. "Hero" had over 1 billion.
Skillet has been nominated for and won several GMA Dove Awards and Billboard Music Awards. They have also received Grammy Award nominations. Here are some of their notable wins:
- 2008: Won a GMA Dove Award for "Comatose" (Rock Song of the Year).
- 2011: Won a Billboard Music Award for Awake (Top Christian Album).
- 2012: Jen Ledger won a Drummies! Award for Rising Star.
- 2013: Won a GMA Dove Award for "Sick of It" (Rock Song of the Year).
- 2013: Won Loudwire Music Award for Rise (Rock Album of 2013).
- 2013: Won three HM Awards for Best Album, Best Band, and Best HM Cover.
- 2014: Won a GMA Dove Award for Rise (Rock Album of the Year).
- 2014: Won a GMA Dove Award for "Not Gonna Die" (Rock Song of the Year).
- 2015: Won a GMA Dove Award for "Good to Be Alive" (Rock Song of the Year).
- 2018: Won a GMA Dove Award for Unleashed Beyond (Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year).
- 2020: Won a GMA Dove Award for "Legendary" (Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year).
- 2020: Won a GMA Dove Award for Victorious (Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year).
See also
In Spanish: Sartén para niños
