Skillet 'Alien Youth' album

“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.” –John Cooper

As soon as fans hear “COLLIDE”, the Lava Records debut from SKILLET, they will know that singer and bassist John Cooper is true to his word. From the scorching hard rock songs like “Forsaken”, “Savior”, “My Obsession” and “Cycle Down”, to the soaring ballad “A Little More”, Skillet is ready to bring their awesome energy to a whole new audience. The four-piece rock band, led by Cooper, has toured relentlessly since they formed in the late 90s. Fueled by a love of hard rock and pop melodies, Skillet released several albums independently, and driven by their faith in the music, began to make an impact drawing huge crowds across America.

The melodic and catchy hard rock sounds of Skillet come via Memphis, Tennessee natives John Cooper and his guitarist/keyboardist-wife Korey. Together, with guitarist Ben Kasica, and drummer Lori Peters (whom Cooper has referred to as “an animal on drums!”); they recorded “Collide”, with producer Paul Ebersold at the legendary Ardent Studios. Ebersold, (3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel), was a good fit, and helped bring out the sensational sound of their live act.

“A good producer should know how to make everything better. He did a little bit of co-writing (on the title track “Collide”) and worked with us on arrangements. Paul helped us see the fine line between what is songwriting and what is arranging. He brought us to a higher level, and I just feel really blessed to have worked with him. It really helps to have someone there, directing things. And that’s what a great album usually has… an unseen member, and a good friend; not just someone working the soundboard.”

The collaboration between Paul Ebersold and Skillet proved serendipitous. The eleven songs on “Collide” reflect the hard work Skillet and Paul Ebersold put in writing and arranging. The heavy riffs are hewed with beautiful melodies and often, uplifting lyrics. John Cooper’s enthusiasm meshed with Ebersold’s gentle touch is notably present in the poignant love-song, ‘A Little More”. It’s there in the thrilling grooves of songs like “Collide”, “My Obsession” and “Imperfection”. All accolades aside, Cooper insists that Skillet is a rock band through-and-through. “We just want to rock your face!” He laughs.

Cooper loves to perform live. “We play for our fans as much as we play for ourselves.” Skillet tours over 200 days a year, on the club and college circuit. “If you rock- people are just gonna love it!” So dedicated are the many fans of Skillet, they refer to themselves “Panheads”. “The best thing that we have going for us is our fans. The fans that we do have really love us a lot and it’s a blessing. They’ve helped us survive since the beginning; they’ve helped us to be able to make the music we believe in.”

A lot has been made of the fact that Skillet features two chicks in their lineup, which is pretty eclectic for a hard rock band. Cooper just shrugs it off. “Out fans love it,” he laughs, “but my wife and Lori, they’re real musicians. Korey plays guitar, keyboards and does all the program-ming; and Lori is insane! We played some concerts where the soundman told us that he had to turn down the drums after the last bands played ‘because the guys weren’t hitting as hard as your drummer!’ It’s so unique. Honestly, I just think it’s so cool!”

Drummer Lori Peters has been playing drums for 17 years. She is modest, but practical about her skills, laughing: “I wreck a lot of cymbals: but we’re playing rock here, you know? There’s a stigma about being a girl in a rock band, as well as being a female and a drummer. I started out hitting hard.” Korey Cooper, guitarist and keyboardist, agrees that while being a female in a rock band can be a burden, “You have to come at it with humility. You rise to the challenge by earning people’s respect, not being defensive. Then, when you rock their ears off on stage, it’s open and clear that you just want to play your heart out: and the judgment falls on your music, where it belongs.”

Skillet believes that part of the connection with their fans comes from being such fans themselves. Lori loves drummers such as Tommy Lee. Korey enjoys Sarah Mclachlan, U2 and hard rock. John Cooper grew up listening to a lot of rock: he openly loves 80’s metal and rock bands from Def Leppard and King’s X to The 77s. He also draws inspiration from such non-metal artists like Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Seal. “I like a lot of rock; but I enjoy a lot of pop, too. I suppose being in a rock band you’re not supposed to admit that; but I do. I like good catchy songs. I just prefer the ones that make me want to rock hard, you know?’

When asked how he would describe Skillet to people hearing him for the first time, Cooper responds. “We’re a rock band. But, if there was just one word that summed up how I feel about rock, and playing and recording music- it would have to be passion.”

That feeling penetrates “Collide” with searing energy. The glorious result of years of touring and playing and loving rock music is the frenetic joy of hearing Skillet. Such passion cannot be muted. It must be played, LOUD. Skillet rocks.

John Cooper – bass, lead vocals
Korey Cooper – guitar, keyboards
Ben Kasica – guitar
Lori Peters – drums

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Skillet - Alien Youth