-
10 Questions with ... Skillet
July 23, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I love Rock radio. Having a radio hit is the difference between living and dying for most bands. Skillet has a following that thankfully allows us to live without radio; however the difference in Skillet's career because of radio is palpable. We would not be around in the fashion that we are if radio didn't support us and continue to. I am very thankful for the Skillet believers at Rock stations all over the nation. They have made all of the difference for us
-
Band Members/Instruments:
- John Cooper - lead vocals/bass
- Korey Cooper- guitar/keys
- Seth Morrison- lead guitar
- Jen Ledger- drums/vocals
1) Where does this interview find you today? What's on the agenda besides this interview?
John: This has been the busiest season of my career. We are on a four-show weekend ... two of them fly dates. Played last night with Evanescence at Rockfest WI; playing tonight in Walker, MN at Moondance Jam. Today's agenda has been autographing photos for an album presale; approving a lyric video for an upcoming single; doing a live video answering fan's comments on YouTube for our "Legendary" video that was released three days ago, and lastly approving video treatments for live video content for our upcoming tour. Oh yeah, also we have to play a show tonight!
2) When did you start putting the band together and how did you guys all meet?
John: Band began with me and two other guys in Memphis, TN in 1996. We went to church together and thought it'd be cool to join forces and write some songs. Never thought it would be that serious because all the band members were actually in other bands that we had each been working hard in for several years
3) I've read various accounts on the origin of the band name Skillet, but I'd like to hear the official version from you.
John: Again, as I alluded to in the last question, all the band members were actually in other bands that we had each been working hard in for several years. That's why we called it Skillet. It was like taking ingredients from all sorts of bands and various genres and throwing it together in the skillet.
4) I read recently that besides over 12 million LPs sold, you recently joined Pandora's Billionaires club with over two billion streams. How does that stat resonate with you?
John: I'm continually stunned at the success and lasting success of the band. Never dreamed we would hit these numbers. Nor did I ever believe we would be around for so long. I feel honored that the fans are still listening. Humbled at the impact we have had. And I have an adoration for the beautiful fans we see every night.
5) Now let's talk about your latest single "Legendary," which is doing well at Rock radio. What was the inspiration for this song?
John: This song is about making the most of every day of your life. We will not live forever, and we will probably not even be remembered in 100 years from now. So I want to live my life the way I want to and be proud of who I am and what I believe. That is how you make your life legendary.
6) The band's 10th full-length LP "Victorious" is coming out on August 2nd. What can you share with us about your new LP?
John: I love the new album, Victorious! It's uplifting, it's heavy, it's arena rock, throw-your-fist-up-in-the-air anthems. Also this record has some great emotion to it. Partially perhaps because me and Korey produced the bulk of it ourselves. It was awesome to get to do what we wanted to. Experiment with new sounds. It made the album edgier and more exciting.
7) I've asked this question many times to Rock artists. There's a definite difference between making a record and going out and playing it live in front of an audience. Many feel that the real work is making the record, and the fun part is playing it live. What's your take on both of these processes?
John: I agree that the real work is making an album. The fun part is performing! I love seeing the fans. Getting to hear them sing the songs is the pinnacle of the day. Writing and recording is difficult because it's all on the line. The right songs, the right sounds, the right performances. That's a lot of pressure. And lastly, knowing that you are comfortable with the words that you are putting out into the world is sobering. But head-banging at a show with thousands of screaming fans is easy.
8) Speaking of playing live, what are the tour plans for Skillet for the rest of this year?
John: Amazing tour plans. One week after Victorious releases, we go on the Victorious War tour with Sevendust, Pop Evil, and Devour The Day. Directly following those 20 dates we go on another tour in U.S. with Alterbridge and special guest Dirty Honey. Directly following those 20 dates we jump in a plane and fly to Europe and the U.K. for a six-week headlining tour. We fly back home on December 16th and go buy a Christmas tree!
9) What's your take on Rock radio today and do you have any favorite on-air radio moments you can share with us?
John: I love Rock radio. Having a radio hit is the difference between living and dying for most bands. Skillet has a following that thankfully allows us to live without radio; however the difference in Skillet's career because of radio is palpable. We would not be around in the fashion that we are if radio didn't support us and continue to. I am very thankful for the Skillet believers at Rock stations all over the nation. They have made all of the difference for us.
10) Finally, if you had the opportunity to work with any act/artist from the past, present or future, who would it be and why? If you could spend the day with them, where would you go ... and what would you do?
John: Well, if I could spend the day with an artist it would probably be Bono or Bon Jovi! I'd ask a million questions to Bono about making a difference in the world -- ending extreme poverty, separation of church and state! Bon Jovi is like to have a burger and fries with and ask him about career longevity. Oh yeah, maybe Sting will join us.
-
-