SKILLET's John Cooper on Political Divides in Rock: "We're Shut Out"

In a recent chat with the Rebellious Remarks podcast, John Cooper, frontman for SKILLET, took the opportunity to drop some of his usual truth bombs about being a Christian rock musician in today’s ultra-polarized world. If you know John, you know he’s not exactly shy about his views—whether it’s his faith or his stance on social and political matters. But, according to him, some folks in the music industry aren’t too keen on his outspoken nature. “We’re not even worth talking to for some people,” John remarked with his usual mix of blunt honesty and exasperation.

He didn’t stop there, though. He shared a lovely little anecdote about a famous DJ at one of their recent shows. “We’re on tour with SEETHER and a couple of other bands, and this DJ was there,” he said, adding how the DJ hugged everyone else but conveniently skipped him. The DJ even plastered photos with all the other bands on social media, pretending as if SKILLET didn’t exist. Subtle, right? John, ever the sharp observer, attributes this cold shoulder to his controversial (read: unapologetic) stances since 2020. And what do you know—apparently, some people can’t handle opinions that don’t align with their own.

As much as John loves talking about inclusivity, he makes it clear that the industry is taking its sweet time getting there. He’s quick to point out how the fans and most bands are a lot more open-minded, while certain industry folks are still, well, stuck. He even throws Sebastian Bach into the mix, calling out his reported line, “If you’re a Trump supporter, don’t come to my show.” Not exactly subtle. Pink and PARAMORE also get a mention for their own bold statements, with John shaking his head at their exclusionary attitudes.

According to John, the irony is glaring. He likens today’s secular puritans to the old-school Christian fundamentalists who wouldn’t associate with anyone sporting tattoos or rocking black makeup. Now, it’s the secular crowd who’s turning the tables, refusing to engage with anyone not towing the party line. “I refuse to talk to someone who didn’t post a black square,” he quipped, mocking the modern-day secular gatekeepers. It’s a full-circle moment of ridiculousness, in his eyes.

In another interview with Baptist News, John was, unsurprisingly, just as vocal about his faith and values. He’s never been one to sugarcoat things, proudly standing by his belief that Christ is the only way to heaven. But it’s not just about faith; he’s also a loud and proud advocate on issues like abortion, transgender theories in schools, and traditional biblical sexuality. His approach? Bold but compassionate, according to him—though it’s safe to say the compassion part doesn’t always land with everyone.

Earlier this year, John had some choice words for Demi Lovato’s pro-choice song, “Swine”, branding it as “pure evil” and accusing Americans of cheering on “baby murder.” Subtle, as ever. It’s a familiar tune for John, who has been more than willing to risk his career to stand for his beliefs. And with two books out—“Awake & Alive to Truth” and “Wimpy, Weak, And Woke”—he’s clearly not running out of things to say anytime soon.

For those wondering if there’s a musical angle to all of this, well, SKILLET’s new album, “Revolution”, is dropping on November 1 via their Hear It Loud imprint. So if you’re into hard-hitting rock with a side of unapologetic truth-telling, this might be right up your alley. If not, well, John probably couldn’t care less.