In 1996 John Cooper’s and Ken Steort’s band each broke up. Befriending each other on  tour, they knew each other fairly well when they created the band, “Skillet”. The name “Skillet” comes from the meaning of throwing things in it and seeing what comes out because they came from different sounding bands. After the band formed, Trey McClurkin joined as a temporary drummer.

About one month after the band had formed, they got special interest from the major Christian record label, Forefront Records. So in the same year, they released a self-titled album from Forefront.

Today, Ken Steorts is no longer a member but still a close friend of Skillet.