Skillet’s Jon Cooper Reveals He Faced “Significant Backlash” After Rage Against The Machine’s 2021 Remarks.

Comments About Rage Against The Machine

Skillet’s John Cooper mentioned he “got into a lot of trouble” for his remarks concerning Rage Against The Machine in 2021 about coronavirus vaccines.

Cooper’s Views on Vaccines

In 2021, Cooper criticized the rap rock band, questioning the genuineness of their political stance. During an interview with Apology Radio, Cooper, who is unvaccinated, expounded on his belief that vaccines serve as a means of government control, arguing they are “more about tyranny than keeping people safe,” while taking a jab at RATM.

“You work in the entertainment industry, which is very much driven by social media and media in general,” he expressed. “You’re not allowed to say anything against… I mean, you have Rage Against The Machine telling people that if they don’t get the vaccine… Rage Against The Machine has become a machine.”

He further added: “It’s crazy. I’m like, wait a minute – I revolutionary here? I ‘Revolutionary’ and ‘Rage Against The Machine’ are just ‘government rock’ now.”

Response to Backlash

In a recent interview on Real talk with Zuby, Cooper reflected on the backlash he faced in 2021. “I remember I got in a lot of trouble in 2021 because I, rightly I think, made fun of Rage Against The Machine,” he stated.

“Because Rage Against The Machine was an anti-government band, and they only put on these shows for the waxers. And I just thought, “Well, it’s just crazy that I, a Christian rock star, am now a punk rock revolutionary.”

Earlier this year, Morello denied the allegations that the band mandated vaccinations for fans attending their recent concerts: “No Rage fan has EVER been required to show anything other than a ticket to see the band.”.

Rage Against The Machine first announced their second reunion back in 2019 and were supposed to kick off their tour in March 2020. However, the ongoing complications related to the pandemic led to multiple rescheduling of the shows; half of the US concert dates were shifted from April to July 2022, and the other half to 2023. Despite Cooper’s assertions, the band did not perform any concerts in 2021.

The 2023 concert dates were ultimately canceled due to a leg injury that Zach de la Rocha sustained while on tour. In January this year, the band’s future became uncertain when drummer Brad Wilk stated they would “no longer be touring or performing live,” and bassist Tim Commerford expressed uncertainty about the band’s continuing activity.

Recently, Morello criticized Rage Against The Machine fans who “weren’t smart enough to understand what the music you’ve been listening to all these years was about.”