John Cooper (Vocals, Bass), Korey Cooper (Keyboards, Piano, Drum Programming, Samples, String Arrangements), Ben Kasica (Guitars), Jen Ledger (Drums)Skillet was formed in Memphis, Tennessee in the mid-90s, with their first self-titled released through Forefront Records in 1996. The band's line-up remained the same until their third album 'Invincible', when John's wife Korey joined to play keyboards. Lori Peters joined on drums soon after the album's release. A third line-up change would happen after their fourth album, when Ben Kasica took over playing guitars. In late 2007, Lori Peters left and Jen Ledger took over on drums.The band's most dedicated fans are refered to as 'Panheads', and have been known to turn up to concerts with skillets, banners, writing on their cars, and so forth.
The project follows Skillet's 2004 Lava/Atlantic debut, Collide, which launched the group into the public eye with the single "Savior" (the #2 most added at CMJ's "Loud Rock and Crucial Spins" panel the first week out), and garnered the quartet a prestigious Grammy Award nomination. Collide went on to become their third best-selling project to date, with over 200,000 units sold, while the band played some 200 dates a year - including tours with the likes of Saliva, Shinedown, Finger Eleven, Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin - in the process becoming one of the most recognized bands in modern secular rock.
[Skillet.com/low] Band Bio
Skillet's musical style is hard rock, symphonic rock and occasional power ballads. The band formed in Memphis Tennessee in 1996 with three worship band members. The name 'Skillet' was chosen, as lead singer John Cooper said, because it was 'a mix of different styles of rock music coming together.' Cooper said the name originally was a joke, and to this day he still isn't fond of it. Cooper formed the band with Trey McClurkin (drums), and Ken Steorts (guitar).
Their first album, Skillet was released by Christian label ForeFront Records and received moderate success. A year later in 1997, they released their second album, Hey You, I Love Your Soul, which abandoned their original post-grunge style for a more moderate alternative rock. John Cooper's wife, Korey Cooper, soon joined the live performance crew to help her husband on-stage.
Kevin Steorts soon left the band and was replaced by Kevin Haaland. Korey Cooper also permanently joined the band, and they released their third album, Invincible[album]. McClurkin left the band shortly and was replaced by Lori Peters on drums. Soon after releasing their worship album Ardent Worship, Haaland left the band and was replaced by Ben Kasica. They released their fourth studio album, [album artist=Skillet]Alien Youth only a year later. The lead single, 'Alien Youth,' received much airplay on Christian radio stations and led to Skillet playing headlining shows.
Collide was released in 2003 by Ardent Records, then re-released in 2004 by Lava Records, a division of Atlantic Records.The album caught the attention of mainstream radio with the singles 'Savior' and 'Open Wounds.' It's musical style was Skillet's shift to hard rock; Cooper cited his style inspirations as P.O.D. and Linkin Park.
Comatose was released on October 3, 2006 featuring the singles "Rebirthing," "Whispers in the Dark," "Comatose," "The Older I Get," "Those Nights," and "The Last Night". The album debuted at #55 on the Billboard 200 chart. "Rebirthing" and "Whispers in the Dark" received major airplay on mainstream rock radio stations. Lori Peters soon left the band and was replaced by Jen Ledger. The band released their second live recording Comatose Comes Alive on October 21, 2008. Comatose was certified Gold in sales by the RIAA on November 3, 2009.
Their album Awake was released on August 25, 2009. It included the singles "Monster", "Hero", and "Awake and Alive" all of which received major airplay on mainstream radio. I charted at #2 on the Billboard 200 selling around 68,000 units in the first week. Skillet was nominated for 6 Dove Awards for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards On February 18. Awake was certified Gold July 2, 2010. The album received mixed sentiments, some criticized the band for copying songs by Three Days Grace. Ardent Records released The Early Years, a collection of songs from their 1996 to 2001 in 2010.
Skillet plays over 200 shows annually and is known for their highly energetic live stage performance. They toured with bands such as Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Red, Flyleaf, Thousand Foot Krutch and Shinedown. They use PRS Guitars. John Cooper said in 2009 that the band is not a Christian band, but many of the songs he has written are based on his Christian beliefs.
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)
Origin: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
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From Wikipedia:Skillet is a Grammy-nominated Christian hard rock band originally formed in Memphis, Tennessee. The band consists of John Cooper (lead vocalist, bassist), his wife Korey Cooper (rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist), Ben Kasica (lead guitarist), and Jen Ledger (drummer, vocalist). Skillet has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose.. Over the past 13 years, Skillet has spanned many different genres, including hard rock, industrial rock, and symphonic rock. As of March 2010 they have sold 1.6 million albums worldwide.