Skillet’s John Cooper on Music, Conviction, and Speaking His Mind After Nearly 30 Years in Rock

After nearly three decades in rock, Skillet frontman John Cooper isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Whether he’s talking about the band’s music, the messages behind it, or the conversations happening online, Cooper has built a career around standing firm in what he believes.

I caught up with Cooper at Louder Than Life 2026 for a conversation about the perspective that comes with years in the music business—and how that perspective can change what an artist is willing to say through their music.

One of the questions I put to him was this: What is he willing to say now that he might not have dared to say ten years ago? It’s an interesting question for an artist who has spent so much of his career navigating the intersection of rock music, personal conviction, and public opinion.

We also touched on the online conversations surrounding Skillet and the wider music world. In an era when artists’ words can quickly become part of a much bigger debate, it was an opportunity to hear directly from Cooper rather than rely on the noise surrounding the conversation.

Love Skillet, agree with Cooper, or simply appreciate hearing an artist speak candidly about his experiences, this interview offers a closer look at the man behind one of rock’s most recognizable bands.

Watch the full interview with John Cooper of Skillet below.

Interview recorded at Louder Than Life 2026.