John Cooper shared what rock meant to him with The Pulse of Rock at the Rockville 2024 backstage in May by comparing it to other genres like country.
Asked if he thought rock music evolved into a more niche genre over the years, Cooper said in the newly-released interview, “I wouldn’t say ‘niche.’ Now, certainly, in the ‘90s, rock music was certainly ubiquitous. I mean, it was crossing to pop, obviously. You had those bands on pop radio. So, that certainly has changed. I don’t say it’s ‘niche,’ though, because I think it’s far bigger than niche, but the thing is that the people that love rock music will never love anything else like they like it.”
“So, it’s sort of like, even as you grow, as I grow as somebody who listens to music – I’ve got kids, my kids are listening to music, and I hear stuff, I actually like that,” he continued. “Now, for instance, I didn’t like country music until about ten years ago. I got older. I’m like, ‘Oh, I get country, now.’ I love it. I actually love country music, now, but it’s not [Mötley] Crüe. It’s not the Crüe. It’s not Metallica, and it never can be because you grow up with it, and it gives you a certain feeling, and nothing can give you the sort of aggression, the adrenaline of rock. It just can’t.”
John Cooper formed Skillet with guitarist Ken Steorts and drummer Trey McClurkin in 1996 before replacing them with Seth Morrison and Jen Ledger. The band made Christian rock and metal songs since then.
While some listeners disagreed with the band’s religious views, Cooper said their authenticity allowed their music to connect with people for decades.
“Here’s the ironic thing, most of our fans don’t believe the same way I believe. I meet them every show. They’re like, they’ll say; ‘I didn’t even know you guys were a religious band, but your music makes me feel good,’ and I give them a fist bump,” he shared in a recent chat with EonMusic.
Skillet released their latest record, ‘Revolution,’ on November 1 following the singles ‘Unpopular,‘ ‘All That Matters,’ and ‘Ash In The Wind.’ The band took the album on a tour earlier this year and announced more dates planned for 2025, starting in Columbia, SC, on January 10.
