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Skillet was started in 1996 as a Christian band, formed in Memphis Tennessee. The band originally had three members –John Cooper, Trey McClurkin, and Ken Steorts, who recorded their first self-titled album together. The original members recorded a second CD, entitled “Hey You, I Love Your Soul.” Their third CD was titled “Invincible” and with the recording of this record, John’s wife Korey joined the band playing keyboards. Ken Steorts left the band, and Kevin Haaland replaced him. Soon after “Invincible” was released, Trey McClurkin also left, and Lori Peters became the band’s drummer. Kevin Haaland left the band before the fourth album, “Alien Youth,” and Ben Kasica took over guitar. Currently John Cooper is on lead vocals and bass guitar, Korey Cooper on background vocals, keyboards, and backup guitar, Ben Kasica on lead guitar, and Lori Peters on drums.

When the band was started, Ken was playing in a band called Urgent Cry, and John was in a band called Seraph. Their bands had toured together, and they had become friends. When their bands broke up their pastor suggested they start a new one. Ken liked older rock, John newer music, so their pastor suggested they name the band Skillet, saying they were going to “throw it all in and see what you come up with.”

Skillet was born. After only a month, the major Christian label, Forefront, was interested. Skillet quickly accepted and recorded their first album that year.



		SKILLET

Skillet was started in 1996 as a Christian band, formed in Memphis Tennessee. The band originally had three members –John Cooper, Trey McClurkin, and Ken Steorts, who recorded their first self-titled album together. The original members recorded a second CD, entitled “Hey You, I Love Your Soul.” Their third CD was titled “Invincible” and with the recording of this record, John’s wife Korey joined the band playing keyboards. Ken Steorts left the band, and Kevin Haaland replaced him. Soon after “Invincible” was released, Trey McClurkin also left, and Lori Peters became the band’s drummer. Kevin Haaland left the band before the fourth album, “Alien Youth,” and Ben Kasica took over guitar. Currently John Cooper is on lead vocals and bass guitar, Korey Cooper on background vocals, keyboards, and backup guitar, Ben Kasica on lead guitar, and Lori Peters on drums. When the band was started, Ken was playing in a band called Urgent Cry, and John was in a band called Seraph. Their bands had toured together, and they had become friends. When their bands broke up their pastor suggested they start a new one. Ken liked older rock, John newer music, so their pastor suggested they name the band Skillet, saying they were going to “throw it all in and see what you come up with.” Skillet was born. After only a month, the major Christian label, Forefront, was interested. Skillet quickly accepted and recorded their first album that year.
	Their first album had a straight-up rock sound, but with their second CD morphed into a lighter rock, dependant on John’s keyboarding. Skillet released their self-titled album in 1996, “Hey You, I Love Your Soul,” in 1998, and then waited a couple years before releasing “Invincible” In 2000. “Invincible” again changed Skillet’s sound, from electric rock to industrial rock. The record quickly became their best-selling so far. And so the band continued to use the industrial sounds on the next album. Later that year, the band released their first worship album, “Ardent Worship,” recorded live. In 2001, they released “Alien Youth.” The first single “Alien Youth” drove Skillet into their first headlining shows. In 2003, “Collide” was released on Ardent Records but Lava Records bought the rights in 2004. “Collide” was the band’s third shift musically, from their now trademark industrial sound to hard rock. Skillet possessed strings and beautiful guitar unlike any other hard rock band on the market. In 2005 they were headliners for the Edge Fest in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their latest album, “Comatose” was released October 3, 2006, and includes the singles, “Rebirthing,” “Whispers In The Dark,” and “The Last Night”.