Skillet (band)

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From left to right: Ben Kasica, Korey Cooper, John Cooper, Lori Peters

Skillet is a Christian band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in the mid-90s. It is composed of John Cooper on vocals and bass, his wife Korey Cooper on keyboards, guitar and vocals, Ben Kasica on guitar, and Lori Peters on drums. They span the musical genres from grunge to techno, industrial to guitar-driven anthematic metal.

First hitting the CCM scene in 1996, Skillet originally had three members: John Cooper, Trey McClurkin (drums), and Ken Steorts (guitar). The line-up was the same on their second CD. With their third CD, John's wife Korey joined the band in the keyboards, Ken Steorts left the band and Kevin Haaland stepped in. Soon after the release of Invincible however, Trey McClurkin also left, and Lori Peters took his place on the drums. Kevin Haaland left the band before Alien Youth, and Ben Kasica took over on guitar.

Their next album is expected August 2006.

Panheads

"Uh, 'Panheads?'" Guitarist Ken Steorts explains. "You see, there are three levels in 'Skillethood.' Those who don't know, those who become 'Skilletfanz' through hearing our music, and then 'Panheads,' those who come to three or four shows traveling up to 10 hours, bringing skillets, banners, writing on their cars, and so forth. Of course, we love them all, but we have a special place in our hearts for 'Panheads.'"

Band members

Current Members

• John Cooper - vocals, bass (1996 - present)
• *The lead singer, he is married to keyboardist Korey Cooper and has recently taken up electric guitar as well. Although he doesn't usually play keyboard now, John was Skillet's original keyboardist. When he started the band, he played bass guitar, keyboards, and sang (usually only two at a time).
• *During Skillet concerts, in between songs, he frequently tells stories about his mother, who he says was a very devoted Christian, evangelizing people in the grocery store and such. He speaks about the events affectionately although he also admits some embarrassment at the time. Cooper has a daughter, Alexandria (b. 2002), and a son, Xavior (b. 2005).

• Korey Cooper - vocals, keyboards, and guitar (1999 - present)

• Ben Kasica - guitar (2001 - present)

• Lori Peters - drums (2000 - present)
• *Peters joined shortly after the release of Invincible (2000). She was born on November 29, 1973 in Waukegan, Illinois. In high school, she was involved the Jazz Band and Symphonic Band, and she continued her education for 3 years at Columbia College, Chicago. Before joining Skillet, she worked for a benefits consulting firm and was also in band named Alkeme with Korey Cooper.
• *Her kit is as follows: DW drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Roland octapad, LP Spike, Roland Drum Triggers.

Former members

• Trey McClurkin - drums (1996 - 2000)
• Ken Steorts - guitar (1996 - 1998)
• Kevin Haaland - guitar (1998 - 2001)

Discography

• Skillet (1996)
• Hey You, I Love Your Soul (1998)
• Surfonic Water Revival (1998)
• Invincible (2000)
• Ardent Worship (2001)
• Alien Youth (2001)
• Alien Youth - Unplugged Invasion DVD (2002)
• Collide (2003)
• Collide - Lava Records re-release (2004)

External links

• [Official site]
• [Panheads website]
• [Ardent Records]
• [Lava Records]
• [The Skillet Lounge]
• [J-Dogg and the crew]
• [Lori Peters biography video]

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