Skillet’s John Cooper talked about the backlash he has faced for openly discussing his faith and views on social/political issues during a recent chat on ‘Real Talk With Zuby.’
“We’re, thank God, a successful band,” he said, “but, man, the intense backlash about standing up for what you believe, if you’re on the conservative side, or even just the libertarian side, or… they don’t even like [prominent former Democrats] Elon Musk anymore. They don’t like Tulsi Gabbard anymore. They hate RFK [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] with a passion now. I mean, it’s really insane. And I think that part of the not having the conversation thing is to do with this fake tolerance because they really believe if I even have a conversation with you, I’m legitimizing a Nazi.”
The singer then noted having friends with contrasting views, with whom he’s able to talk about controversial topics without conflict, but said the case wasn’t like this in the past. He recalled losing people for voting George Bush or getting trouble for speaking against bands like Rage Against the Machine.
“I remember I got in a lot of trouble in 2021 because I was, I think rightly, making fun of Rage Against the Machine,” he shared. “‘Cause Rage Against the Machine’s anti-government and they were doing these, like, vax-only shows. And I just was, like, ‘Well, it’s just crazy that me, the Christian rock star, that I’m the punk rock revolutionary now.’”
Cooper criticized RATM during a 2021 interview with Apologia Radio, where he suggested COVID-19 vaccines were being used for government control rather than public safety.
“A lot the bands, they just don’t know what to do,” he continued. “You’re in an entertainment industry that’s largely driven by social media and media at large. You’re not allowed to speak anything against… I mean, you’ve got Rage Against the Machine telling people that if they don’t get a vaccine… Rage Against the Machine has become the machine. It’s crazy. I’m, like, wait a minute – I’m the revolutionary here? I’m the revolutionary and Rage Against the Machine is just ‘government rock’ now.”
Guitarist Tom Morello denied earlier this year that his band’s concerts enforced mask or vaccine requirements, though. He clarified on social media that fans needed only a ticket to enter their shows during the pandemic.
Cooper addressed his thoughts about opposing views and today’s divisive social climate in Skillet’s latest record, ‘Revolution.’ The album saw release in November.
