Skillet’s John Cooper On Listening To Christ Over Celebrities

On The Babylon Bee Interview Show, Kyle and Ethan talk to John Cooper of Skillet. They talk about CCM fame, discovering Petra, and weird band names. John Cooper is the lead singer, bassist, and producer for Skillet. Skillet has become one of the best-selling bands with two Grammy award nominations and has gone platinum twelve times. He has recently written a book titled Awake and Alive to Truth, where he dives into the most asked questions in modern culture.
00:02:26 Start of interview
00:05:32 John's viral Facebook post
00:19:10 Growing up without Christian rock
00:31:08 Secret to naming a band in the 90s
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[@shannas7516]

I cared what you had to say! As a cop wife, I turned off the Christian radio station because they all went woke! You are what brought me back around!

[@brahtrumpwonbigly7309]

That's real sad. Praying for you guys.

[@mrblank-zh1xy]

woah. my prayers to you.

[@Ironica82]

Not sure if it is in your area but Truth network is a great radio station that has solid biblical teaching. www.truthnetwork.com/

[@megatron8490]

Went woke? How?

[@guitarplayer1434]

I took a friend ( woman) to a skillet concert, she asked me if I mind if she goes and talks to another male friend of hers and we were only friends (I thought), I said sure and as she walked away and I realized what if she had a boyfriend. I asked her that night to be my girlfriend.. 24yrs and 9 Kids ,was one of my finest decisions ever

[@njflyersfan74]

9 kids.....wow..God Bless!

[@AmyLeeJimSan]

As a christian who went through the emo phase as a teen and used a little too much eyeliner, while I listened to Skillet... I am very happy to see this brought to us by the Bee. Thank you all and God Bless you!

[@chwparker]

When I was a teen, John Cooper still had blonde surfer-dude hair.

[@hillsbillies21]

Wasn’t his hair great?!❤❤😂

[@vankhanhdu2614]

Catholic alt/emo kid here, I love Skillet, they’re one of the non-corrupted celebrities in the industry, mad respect!

[@chieflan5]

John Cooper is a man before his time. God bless him!!!!! His Petra and Stryper stories were me!!!!!

[@photonaut_8875]

Who says he is before his time? Perhaps this is the example future Christians should follow? Don’t admit defeat already.

[@kylewoodowens4488]

Thank you God for allowing some people to think for themselves.

[@jwhat20]

I’ve been a Skillet fan for about 20 years now, seen them live 5 times which is hard to do when living in a town in Montana that they have never been to. Currently reading Coop’s book and it rocks!! John is so real and transparent, he is not one of those stuffy Christians, he is a fun loving guy and lives life to the full, but he is completely sold out for Christ in the best of ways. This was an excellent interview and The Babylon Bee is awesome too, I’m glad they had him on

[@gwalchmai21]

Lots of respect for John & Kory, they are the real deal, and actually exemplify "being an example of the believers." Been listening to Skillet since the 90s, and really thought the found their sound when I first heard Rebirthing and it blew me away. My funny Skillet story is that I'm among the small crowd who saw their acoustic show inside the Walmart back in the day. Yes, in a Walmart, no stage, between the kids clothing and the electronics sections, just a courtesy rope to keep folks a few feet back. More fun than their big show at Six Flags the next day. Anyway, glad to see John still out here making a stand--thanks for interviewing him, Bee!

[@becklyn3]

Oooo yay, love John Cooper and have really been enjoying his podcasts. Was always a fan of his music and now I'm a fan of him promoting sound doctrine. 👍

[@nogame.metakethrone.3007]

You know you're a Skillet 🍳 fan when you get this... INVINCIBLE!

[@martypadilla3470]

I first heard Skillet in 2005. Comatose was my first song. Instantly hooked!

[@martypadilla3470]

But in the 80’s, I remember Stryper, Petra, snd Bloodgood!

[@Ironica82]

Invincible was my first time. Wonder what would happen if that wasn't the first album I heard as I was (and somewhat still am) really into techno and the synths on that album got me hooked.

[@martypadilla3470]

@@Ironica82 great album!

[@jonboy1981]

They were a 3 man band when they started. They had 2 albums, their debut, and, my personal favorite, "hey you, I love your soul". I think he was confused by the question about the 2 man band.

[@bigblack9819]

The thumbnail photo makes this guy look like one of the bosses in Far Cry 5.

[@Iamdroopy]

I saw Skillet a ton in the late 90's. I saw them in places like skating rinks and odd venues like that. It was amazing.

[@asherteez]

Cooper is such a great guy to listen to

[@JohnHenrysaysHi]

Looking forward to this. Lucy is one of my favorite songs. Wish it was on regular rotation on the radio. And "Hero" has made for plenty of great AMVs!

[@smartismarti4049]

So relieved to see that one of my top 5 bands is still on the side of good. Time to pull out my Skillet nostalgia I guess.

[@tanyafromjefferson5484]

The guy laughing in the back ground is GOLD!! 😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@cococrispys]

Skillet was so good I didn’t find out they were Christian until later

[@shannas7516]

The Bee and Jon!!!!!!!!! Be still my beating heart!!!!!

[@contextiscool7308]

Love the Cooper fam and the Skillet crew. Those guys got me through high school and college with their music. Thanks for having John on the Bee!

[@pyniarborlanglynshiang6254]

Ardent Worship was the first album that I heard from the band Skillet. It was back in the early 2000s I guess. I listened to John's vocals and I was like, he should be in a Rock Band with than kinda voice. Since then, I am a Skillet fan! Love from NE India.🙏

[@brahtrumpwonbigly7309]

As for the trolls who have hastily shown up to spew hate over Cooper, when the subject of the interview is blocking out worldy influences in your pursuit of Christ, your KZbin comments can reasonably be assumed as DOA.

[@kathymyers7279]

What’s your definition of “hate?” Sounds really relevant.

[@brahtrumpwonbigly7309]

@@kathymyers7279 The definition. I don't get to decide what hate means.

[@sean3280]

So excited for this! I love John!

[@Luke_Radiosmash]

I remember those charts in Christian bookstores! I was a sheltered, homeschooled kid and those charts introduced me to a lot of my favorite secular bands!

[@BS-hammer]

I remember listening to Geoff Moore & the Distance on the Bus to school, and how it got me through being bullied and targeted for not conforming to New England School Board curriculums of Cast-a-Spell and Transcendental Meditation. Glad the Christian music still lives on, even in eye liner. lol

[@jadesmith7872]

So many lol moments. Such a fun interview.. Great banter.

[@innovati]

Wonderful hosts, beautiful guest. Such an enriching interview, thank you!

[@definitelyreal.]

Aww, I'm going to be in school during this!

[@canadulce3697]

So am I, so am I (sigh) 👀

[@iesnesasa3879]

Same :(

[@ctreid87]

Watch it later?

[@sde9023]

I remember finding Skillet in the late 90's, didn't much care for their early stuff. They have definitely earned their keep.

[@andrewgrant2990]

This was funny & spiritually beneficial- thanks for doing this!

[@cmkimbrell67]

This was a great interview.

[@j.reesebradley4771]

Crawled out from under my rock and here your channel is! Subscribed. 😂

[@syracuse_]

This was very entertaining!

[@magersexcavation1915]

Really good interview.

[@indigos290]

I still listen to Big Tent Revival. They're really cool!

[@brandonstone9581]

SKILLET ROCKS!!! Been to 17 shows and have talked to him many times,great man ,he walks the walk. Love ya john. God bless you and God bless America. #betheman

[@BreakfastWithTheBible]

For me, it was being led to the cross with finally understanding that i needed Christ, but then the church left me there. I had to figure out where to go from there on my own. Needless to say it began in the wrong direction. I think we as a church up until recently did a decent job at getting people to the cross, but we struggled with helping them get rooted. And now with a generation with shallow roots, people are easily plucked out and replanted in another soil. You see the devil has always been the devil and his tricks are never new, its the church generally speaking that has dropped the ball and decided its more important to fill seats instead of filling hearts. 2 Timothy says to instruct those who oppose. Stop running from opposition. Christ faced the opposition and asked the hard questions. We are both afraid to ask the hard questions and we are generally unprepared to defend the questions we ask. God bless you guys and you John Cooper for holding fast to the truth.

[@syracuse_]

I had to watch this twice because it was so entertaining.

[@lindadeavours3327]

God, family & country God's word is our guide not celebrities .

[@canadulce3697]

Amen

[@Mel-gg3xg]

Amen

[@carlosmembreno7831]

Then don't watch

[@mchristr]

Love the Spinal Tap references. Hangin' with John over a coffee would be hilarious.

[@Billie_Marie_]

Love John Cooper!!! 👏

[@mggz71]

Love John Cooper he is the real thing

[@grandwizardnoticer8975]

That was a great intro.

[@frandriedger8450]

Love the Bee. Love John L Cooper.

[@BetterManufacturing]

Anybody else wondering what that scissor lift was about? 😂lol........ great video!

[@suprchickn7745]

Pray for John and Skillet. He is starting to step on some toes even though he is speaking real truth and with tons of grace!

[@themicdropprophet]

"We don't teach our kids to think deeply about these things." Bingo, so true. If we are to teach our kids, we'd have to think these things through for ourselves. Let's have an active faith. Let's not be lazy. Let's answer the questions others (and even ourselves) have. Let's NOT leave the ACTIVE FAITH to the scholars.

[@BOBlolema67]

I love Big Tent Revival, FFH, Caedmon's Call, Shaun Groves...

[@moviekris0426]

My first cd was the Prince of Egypt soundtrack 🤓🥰

[@hojirick]

The best soundtrack ever

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

I've seen Skillet a dozen times; mostly at Sonshine Festival in Wilmar, MN in the 2000's, but when I attended the first time it was with a community college Christian fellowship, and it was in 1988 and the headliner was Petra on their This Means War tour. Things go full circle. Also, on Stryper, I saw them on their In God We Trust tour and there were Christians protesting because the beat was evil. I asked the lead guy if the Battle Hymn Of The Republic was evil because it had drums and he didn't have an answer.

[@freestatehomestead]

Wow this intro is outstanding 🤣🤣🤣

[@dahelmang]

I watched Beat It once on youtube, so I got that reference!

[@kb-mt8vr]

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1648">27:28</a>, Carmen’s movie Champion had a skillet song on the opening scene I think

[@AmberRose823]

I love Skillet, Fight the Fury, and Cooper Stuff. Kory and John are a couple on fire for Jesus still in their lives!

[@AmberRose823]

The book is AWESOME, highly recommend it!

[@r.l.a1560]

Ha! I used to go to Skillet concerts with my kids.

[@chwparker]

I remember A LOT of people comparing Skillet to NiN and Marilyn Manson back in the day. I'm surprised John Cooper didn't bring that up, especially since he wrote a song that was sort of a response to Manson (Rippin' Me Off).

[@ProductBasement]

This was a great episode. You should have on Jake Luhrs and/or Matt Greiner, Christians in the secular-but-not-profane-or-anything metal band August Burns Red

[@ReformedSooner24]

I just found Skillet recently so this is awesome

[@noteworthy70]

Same for me with being taken to a Bill Gothard seminar, but it was about my attitude and arguing in defense of MWS "Rocketown" of all albums. 🤪

[@sethtate2079]

Late 90s was the best time for CCM!

[@cathywithac3793]

I didn't discover it until 2013ish, while driving the long 300 miles to take my daughter to her upstate NY college. It changed my world! I'm Greek Orthodox Christian btw.

[@ethancundiff6422]

I think 2000-2010 was pretty solid. That's what I grew up on

[@En_Marche]

Great guest.

[@pborkstrom]

My mom gave me the why and what for over my rock tapes many times

[@IndelibleSin317]

Please interview Andrew Schwab from Project 86.

[@cjichnol3024]

I'm here for the intro music

[@gerishcolesc5374]

BB I hope you can interview next, Alice Cooper

[@daughterofthekingofkings222]

John’s Cooper Stuff show is awesome on his channel on KZbin. Check it out if you haven’t seen it yet!

[@DobaDave]

I know you guys can't get everyone in studio for the interviews but it's not the same when they aren't.

[@joshuagroh7958]

Once again John copper is a man of God speaking truth to a truth less would. Also he has the best bread.

[@ianfranks541]

Agreed, I’d say my beard is a close second. 😂

[@kb-mt8vr]

Fight the Fury is a good band too 😎😁😉

[@SNH1305]

Man keep up the good work, love from Indonesia. I hate all this woke and ridiculous things most people being nodding to and people in power create and support. Most of people being obedient, but babylon bee keep rocking with all of your contents.

[@ladyesther]

I got his book! Love the eyeliner btw.

[@RedMcCarl]

In the wise words of the band demon hunter I thought about you I thought about the ones that I forget Oh please forgive me I hope that I've not pushed you to the edge Let me wash away the painful words I wrote We can smother out the flames within my soul No more standing by the way that I believe We can smother out the flames With gasoline You break around me You say that I should give my heart a rest Let me wash away the painful words I wrote We can smother out the flames within my soul No more standing by the way that I believe We can smother out the flames With gasoline We'll watch these flames Like a tower of dissent, choking out regret Devouring light An image of my soul, out of our control Let me wash away the painful words I wrote We can smother out the flames within my soul No more standing by the way that I believe We can smother out the flames With gasoline

[@grumpywolfgaming]

RIP Carmen, I can't believe they just kinda passed over the fact he passed away just a few months earlier.

[@wassup934]

This should be good 👍

[@themoon7903]

No it’s going to be terrible

[@brahtrumpwonbigly7309]

@@themoon7903 Nah, should be good.

[@ReformedSooner24]

@@themoon7903 nah it was great

[@themoon7903]

@@ReformedSooner24 no it won’t be good

[@STEVELOVEWOLF]

West side Story, dance fighting

[@josebatalla3900]

Nice

[@sean3280]

Crash Rickshaw? - Ethan @ <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="320">5:20</a>

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

On the topic of sounds like. If I think I'm hearing Skillet, but it's a secular song it's always Three Days Grace.

[@gerishcolesc5374]

They used Rock bands in 90's ToothNnail skillet, etc in Snowboarding/surfing... etc.. my children when Teens. Now they are 35 and 40's

[@themoelman]

Krockpot, it has rock in the name 😂

[@matthewpope6935]

“The single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians. Whom acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then deny him by their life style. This is what an unbelieving world finds unbelievable”

[@shannas7516]

What will people say when they find that I'm a Jesus Freak? Loved that album, too!

[@matthewpope6935]

@@shannas7516 DC Talk were really good 👍

[@Canlyn62]

My mom belongs to a very charismatic church, (my family are church of Christ), and my boys came into my mom's house singing Demonhunter music. All my mom could do was yell about how they were listening to "devil worship music!" 😳😉😁 (Yes, I know what a dichotomy coC and heavy Christian Rock!)

[@Canlyn62]

@Sovereign Grace Runner in what way? Because the boys liked the heavier music? ...... Yeah, like I say dichotomy...... To this day, they still listen to all their old music, and of course added new artists. Now my youngest son is a member of the Anglican Church, so talk about differing music styles.....😉😳🤣🤣🤣 We introduced them to MANY music styles, from show tunes, (We have done many local plays), to HEAVY metal. Barry Manilow, Ray Stevens, Enya, Acapella, Metallica, Pat Benatar..... Very differing music

[@Canlyn62]

@Sovereign Grace Runner Demonhunter is A VERY heavy metal Christian band. Give them a listen. Heavier than Skillet, but unrepentant Christians

[@Canlyn62]

That would be interesting! 🤣🤣

[@kb-mt8vr]

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="215">3:35</a>, same, I thought they were famous then

[@aworldapartfilms4972]

Can we talk about how leftist Lecrae is?

[@Mel-gg3xg]

I agree. I used to listen to some of his songs even though I never liked rap, but now I can't stand Lecrae. I never thought Lecrae would go astray, so sad.

[@Billie_Marie_]

Right? 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Pyryp2]

What has he been saying?

[@hatedbymanylovedbyfew3567]

Can we just listen to John Cooper and bring good vibes to John avoid to talk about politics fed up both right wing and left wing very irritating people do get political parties fighting against each other . We all Christians we need to focus on Christ Centered believers show in example to those non believers who we arre be talk and the walk.

[@Pyryp2]

@@hatedbymanylovedbyfew3567 But so many of the ideas espoused by the left are unbiblical.

[@scottmccracken8177]

Can we get some t shirts with some of the images from your intro? Trump (Moses/Laser Eyes) and Bernie (mustache). Please?!🙂

[@Hopeapotheke]

Is this why John didn’t release an episode yesterday?!

[@barabean777]

He did release an episode with his wife.

[@Hopeapotheke]

@@barabean777 I saw. Usually it’s on Monday.

[@davidfitzpatrick6535]

I know that two of the members of Korn are Christian. Brian Welch is and I think one of the other are as well.

[@Canlyn62]

Skillet, Metallica, Korn, POD, Demonhunter, these bands influenced my children. Now our youngest son, has his own band, Embrace the Machine...... Talk about weird band names! LOL.....BTW I have seen Skillet live once, and ALMOST got to see them when they came to do Winter Jam in San Angelo Texas.... But I had to "medic" for a band member that was injured in "the set" before them! So I missed them..... But I got to hear them...... Kinda.....

[@thearousedeunuch]

"Embrace the Machine" is an awesome band name.

[@Canlyn62]

@@thearousedeunuch you can find them on all the music platforms.....

[@kelamram]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1246">20:46</a> homeschool mom of 5 🤣🤣

[@heathervogler1664]

The Babylon Bee guys were into Tooth and Nail? This explains everything. And yes, 90% of those I knew from that scene are not serving the Lord anymore.

[@ryaandnice]

I feel this comment!!

[@TheoHawk316]

I'm still shocked people say he's lying about his faith, (yes people actually say that) but I'm pretty sure they're just doing it for clicks and likes.

[@dimtucas359]

👍

[@susiestogsdill5075]

"Guyliner!"

[@overtblowfish4439]

Does this guy know about all the naruto amv's of his music

[@leviticusprime4904]

The bee is like the onion mark 2

[@johnkennedy4023]

C.S. Lewis gives some basic approaches for thinking about these things. Easy reads, but profound

[@nickhueper2906]

Lol now you gotta bring on Dee Snyder

[@j.s.1816]

A Christian who is a self-appointed expert on everything. Wow. How innovative.

[@inquisitorlev8456]

To be Christian is to follow Christ, not just oppose secularism or woke culture. "If you love me, keep my commands... Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me." John 14

[@darrenswails]

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 KJV bible.com/bible/1/rom.12.2.KJV

[@bdklein28]

And John Cooper does that. So he's good. Thanks for caring, though.

[@indigos290]

"You ever use your metal voice on your kids?" Ever heard of Kirk Franklin? 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Joy-kl6fz]

🙌🏽😂😂😂😂😂

[@AmberRose823]

Imagine being his kid at like 8 years old and acting out and he uses the Monster voice growl?? 😂😂😂 sheer terror lol

[@Brutuscomedy]

"Why do you call me 'good'? No one is good but G-d." -Jesus

[@robbanta2979]

I live BB but you need to work on energy and interviewing skills. I almost fell asleep.