Rock Feed

Skillet frontman John Cooper opens up about depression, betrayal and the fans Skillet lost over COVID.

On the Rock Feed Podcast, John Cooper talks about Skillet's new EP After the Storm, out October 9, 2026, the real meaning behind Monster, finally seeing a counselor, why Skillet is bigger in Europe than America, touring with Nickelback and Creed, Joe Rogan, and every track from Scream to Come and Find Me.

#Skillet #JohnCooper

0:00 Cold open

0:34 John Cooper on After the Storm

2:01 Depression, his mom and "the fuse"

4:05 Church turmoil and betrayal

7:07 "I feel like You let me down"

10:39 Praying every hour

12:40 Why he finally saw a counselor

18:31 22 million records, not a household name

21:59 Disturbed, COVID and free speech

26:14 Becoming a frontman

28:45 Why a Skillet show is a feeling

29:37 Chester Bennington's lyric secret

34:57 The pyro secret he kept from Jen

36:14 Being called hateful

40:50 Why Skillet fans are so loyal

45:39 How Creed and Nickelback opened Europe

50:58 Bigger in Europe than America

52:00 Individual freedom and surveillance

56:46 Losing up to 15% of fans in 2020

58:38 Joe Rogan and the rise of faith

1:01:10 How he handles the hate

1:05:54 After the Storm track by track: Scream

1:09:09 Lift Me Up

1:10:18 Grave Stomper

1:11:22 After the Storm (the double-wide)

1:13:10 Heaven Help Us

1:16:22 Come and Find Me and David Cowell

1:19:19 Going independent

Ronnie Radke opens up about Falling In Reverse’s new song “Joseph” featuring Corey Taylor and Serj Tankian—the sequel to “Ronald.” In this Rock Feed interview, Ronnie talks prison, fame, band feuds, Motionless In White, Spiritbox, MGK, and the controversy behind his rise.

00:00 Intro

00:57 Bringing Corey Taylor & Serj Tankian Together on 'Joseph'

05:40 Rise to Fame & How Brett Gurewitz Saved His Life

09:26 Making Falling In Reverse’s Music Videos

11:07 Would Ronnie Reunite With Escape the Fate?

12:37 Inspiration vs. Copying Other Artists

15:53 His Dad’s Reaction to His Success

16:16 What Happened With Chris Motionless

19:25 Andy Biersack’s Tour Confrontation

22:32 A Falling In Reverse, MIW & BVB Stadium Tour?

23:37 Fans Who Grew Up With Falling In Reverse

25:23 The Fan Who Rushed the Stage

26:49 Inside Falling In Reverse’s Lineup

30:29 Why Former Band Members Were Fired

31:23 Ronnie’s Honest Take on Yungblud

34:32 MGK

37:45 Spiritbox, Touring Backlash & Fan Pressure

42:46 Prison, Therapy & Finding Peace

45:44 TikTok Shop & the Business of Selling Merch

49:45 Friendship With Alex Terrible

51:38 Standing by Marilyn Manson

53:55 Ronnie Responds to Allegations About His Past

55:13 Marilyn Manson’s Rib Removal

57:49 Internet Haters & Parasocial Fans

59:58 Turning Off DMs & Growing Up Online

01:02:55 Being Hated vs. Being Ignored

01:03:33 Songwriting & Outlasting the Warped Tour Era

01:06:52 Sebastian Bach, Eddie Trunk & Backing Tracks

01:11:46 The State of Rock & Respect for Papa Roach

01:14:04 Ronnie’s Childhood Cat Story

01:17:10 Ronnie’s Message to His Critics

In this episode of the Rock Feed podcast, we sit down with a true icon of the music industry: Matt Pinfield. From his early days building a radio station in his basement to shaping global music culture at MTV, Matt’s journey is nothing short of legendary.Matt opens up about his "nine lives," sharing the visceral details of surviving a life-threatening aneurysm at 15, a horrific car accident in 2018, and his miraculous recovery from a massive stroke in 2025.

Brian Burkheiser breaks his silence. In his first sit-down interview since parting ways with I Prevail, Brian tells his story — from forming one of rock's biggest bands to the vocal injuries, the Eagle Syndrome diagnosis, the legal battle, a manic episode that landed him in a psych ward, and everything in between. Now he's back with his new band Scatterbrain and the debut single "Phases" out everywhere now.

Mark Tremonti joins the Rock Feed Podcast to discuss the massive success of the Creed comeback tour, the truth behind the rumored feud between Scott Stapp and Fred Durst, and the emotional experience of recording inside Eddie Van Halen’s legendary 5150 studio.We also dive deep into the brand new self-titled Alter Bridge album, the "survival mode" that saved the band during the Blackbird era, and Mark's heartfelt Frank Sinatra project dedicated to his daughter. Plus, hear the untold story of how Miles Kennedy really joined the band.

Andy Biersack is back, and he’s getting real about Black Veil Brides, the new single “Certainty,” and why people still misjudge the band years into their career. In this interview, Andy Biersack breaks down how “Certainty” became the “missing song” that completed the record, why Black Veil Brides chose to self-produce their new album, and what it’s like seeing these heavier songs surprise people who never gave BVB a real shot.

Tech N9ne breaks down how he crossed into the rock and metal world, from discovering Slipknot in the late ’90s to collaborating with Ronnie Radke and Falling In Reverse. In this Rock Feed Podcast episode, Tech explains the respect code of metal culture, how random DMs turned into real collaborations, and why rock artists embraced him as one of their own.

Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Zacky Vengeance joins the Rock Feed Podcast to break down the wild, untold story behind the band’s rise, from van tours and punk shows to MTV, TRL, and hearing “Bat Country” on KROQ for the first time. Zacky also reveals the deeply personal inspiration behind his new solo project Darkhorse, why he stopped caring about industry rules, and how creative risk saved Avenged Sevenfold.

SKILLET frontman John Cooper is responding after people online called the band’s new Christmas song “demonic” and even “satanic.” Cooper explains why the reaction didn’t make him angry, why he found it confusing, and how the criticism actually pushed the song even higher.In this interview, Cooper talks about why some people feel the band took something sacred and turned it into something evil, why he believes that criticism misses the entire message of the song, and how the internet often brings out the worst in people. He breaks down the meaning behind the track, the emotion in the video, and why it has resonated with thousands of people dealing with loss, hospital stays, grief, and real pain.

Wolfgang Van Halen joins the Rock Feed Podcast for his first-ever appearance to talk Mammoth’s new album “The End.” Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the 18-month album grind, why touring shuts off writing mode, and how recording every instrument is his way of proving this is 100% his vision.We also get into the real pressure of the Van Halen name, why Wolfgang Van Halen is determined to be his own person, the bands that shaped his sound, and the four-year fight to claim the Mammoth name. Listen now, then drop your favorite track from The End in the comments.

In this episode of the Rock Feed Podcast, Dayseeker frontman Rory Rodriguez sits down for an honest conversation about the band’s incredible rise, his personal journey through music, and the challenges that come with success.

Rory reflects on the bands that first inspired him, how he found his voice as a frontman, and the real-life lessons that shaped Dayseeker’s sound today. From early shows at Chain Reaction to the band’s evolution into one of rock’s most emotional and dynamic acts — this episode dives deep into what makes Dayseeker connect with so many fans.

Dayseeker returns with Creature In The Black Night, out everywhere now via Spinefarm Records. Stream here: https://dayseeker.lnk.to/CITBNPresave0:00 Dayseeker Singer Rory Rodriguez Joins Rock Feed0:49 Rory Rodriguez Names the Bands That Inspired Him3:15 Starting His Music Journey6:48 Dealing with Trust and Fame9:55 Earliest Concerts13:49 Evolving Dayseeker's Sound

In this exclusive Rock Feed interview, Josey Scott finally breaks his silence and responds to recent comments and tensions with Saliva. He opens up about his side of the story, the history with the band, and what really led to the fallout.00:00 Intro: Josey Scott joins Rock Feed 00:00:46 Memphis roots and church music 00:04:28 Early bands and the Black Bone years 00:06:22 Black Bone ends and Saliva begins 00:11:23 Building the classic Saliva lineup 00:19:29 Indie album and local radio success 00:23:27 Getting a manager and chasing a record deal 00:24:07 Losing his father before the big break 00:26:25 Def Jam showcase at the New Daisy 00:30:05 Recording the major label debut 00:41:48 Writing “Click Click Boom” overnight 00:46:49 “Always” becomes a massive hit 00:54:39 Recording “Hero” for Spider-Man 01:13:51 WWE theme songs and mainstream success 01:20:03 Leaving the band to focus on family 01:26:29 Blue Ridge reunion performance 01:31:03 Losing his son and finding purpose again

Today on Rock Feed, we’re joined by Dustin Bates, frontman of Starset, for a wide-ranging conversation ahead of the release of their brand new album Silos, out now.Dustin opens up about leaving behind a PhD program to chase his music dreams, how Starset was formed, and the intense creative process that went into this ambitious new record. We dive into his sci-fi storytelling, the evolution of Starset’s cinematic sound, and why this album started out as singles before transforming into a full-fledged project.0:00 — Dustin Bates Joins Rock Feed + “Silos” Release0:27 — From Singles to Full Album: Why “Silos”1:59 — Sci-Fi Roots & Engineering Background2:26 — Epic Records Deal… Then Dropped3:10 — “My Demons” Breaks Through3:34 — Walking Away from a PhD: No-Brainer Risk4:08 — “Everyone Thought I Was Crazy”4:27 — Early Influences: Phil Collins to Metallica6:03 — Building the Starset Sound: Zimmer, Sigur Rós, Orchestral + Electronic6:42 — Anthem Writing: Hooks that Stick7:06 — Solo vs Co-Writes, Interludes, 18-Hour Days7:43 — Writing on a Train: Lyric Lock-In8:34 — Where Inspiration Really Comes From9:20 — Work Ethic, Growing Up with Less10:00 — The All-In Loan: Recording Without a Label11:17 — Radio Games, Signing, and Recoupment Reality12:20 — “It’s Like an 800% Loan”: Label Economics12:41 — Keeping the Edge: Refusing the Comfort Blanket14:58 — What “Silos” Sounds Like + Next Album Already15:51 — No Tour Yet: Building a Bigger Return16:18 — The AI Video Backlash: What Really Happened17:27 — Tech Evolves: From Synths to AI18:00 — Covers, Not Composers: What AI Can (and Can’t) Do18:39 — Pro-Tech, Not Anti-Art: Using Tools, Hiring Artists21:58 — AI & Society: Jobs, Churn, and the Future23:47 — Closing Thoughts & Mutual Respect

Today on the Rock Feed Podcast, we’re joined by Will Ramos of Lorna Shore, one of the fastest-rising frontmen in heavy music. Lorna Shore’s brand new album I Feel the Ever Black Festering Within Me is out now, following up their critically acclaimed record Pain Remains.Will takes us through his journey from LimeWire playlists and skateboarding days to becoming one of the most powerful and unique voices in modern metal. We dive into his earliest influences (Eminem, classic rock, Lamb of God, Bullet for My Valentine), his first concerts, and how he developed his now-iconic vocal style.He also opens up about the band’s massive rise, the personal stories behind the new album, and the surreal moments of meeting his heroes like In Flames and Motionless in White. This is Lorna Shore like you’ve never heard before — raw, honest, and more human than ever.0:00 – Will Ramos joins Rock Feed: The Rise of Lorna Shore1:35 – From Eminem to Lamb of God: The Influences That Shaped Him6:00 – The Warped Tour Moment That Changed His Life Forever9:15 – Wild Teen Years: Skateboarding, Piercings & Chaos12:30 – First Concert as a Fan → Motionless in White14:25 – Finding His Scream: How Ramos Built His Iconic Voice20:50 – From Failed Bands to Joining Lorna Shore22:45 – Breaking Out With Pain Remains & Global Momentum25:15 – Life Offstage: Cars, Drifting & Adrenaline Addiction27:20 – New Album I Feel the Ever Black Festering Within Me OUT NOW29:10 – Meeting His Heroes: In Flames, Motionless in White & More31:20 – Why Passion Keeps Ramos Grounded in Metal

In this Rock Feed exclusive, Zakk Wylde opens up about the passing of his longtime friend and musical brother, Ozzy Osbourne. From sharing the stage for decades to carrying on Ozzy’s legacy through music, Zakk reflects on the loss, the memories that defined their bond, and what Ozzy’s influence will mean for generations to come.Along the way, Zakk also discusses the upcoming Zakk Sabbath “American Winter Tour 2025,” Black Label Society’s new music, and his experiences playing stadiums with Metallica as part of Pantera’s historic return.

Today on the Rock Feed Podcast, we’re joined by Pete Loeffler of CHEVELLE to talk about their brand-new album Bright as Blasphemy, the band’s 30+ year journey, the struggles and triumphs of their career, and what it takes to stay at the top of the rock world.Pete opens up about his Midwest roots, skateboarding and punk rock influences, the band’s early struggles with bad record deals, their breakout success with Wonder What’s Next, wild tour stories with Anthrax, Marilyn Manson, and Ozzfest, and how CHEVELLE continues to evolve with their latest heavy, raw, self-produced record.If you’re a CHEVELLE fan, or just love behind-the-scenes rock stories, this episode is packed with them.

Donnie Radke — son of Falling In Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke — gives his first interview ever on the Rock Feed Podcast… and it goes completely off the rails. From hosting the God Is a Weapon tour, to starring in the hilarious new music video All My Women (featuring Hardy), Donnie holds nothing back.In this chaotic, unfiltered conversation, Donnie dishes on his love life, beef with Kermit the Frog, puppet industry drama, and why other puppets are copying his style. He also opens up about fame, relationships, and finding his “soulmate” at the end of the video.🎟 The God Is a Weapon Tour kicks off soon — tickets and dates at fallinginreverse.com

Join me as Chad Gray from Mudvayne gives me his iconic LD50 face paint ahead of the band’s highly anticipated 25th anniversary tour. Watch as we dive into the legacy of Mudvayne, the story behind the LD50 era, and what fans can expect on this milestone tour. Don’t miss this exclusive look at Chad Gray’s legendary face paint transformation and all things Mudvayne!

0:00 – Chad Gray Paints My Face for LD500:21 – Shaving My Beard2:40 – Performing in the Heat7:09 – Chad on the Power of Metal Music8:06 – The Art of Mudvayne’s Prosthetics and Face Paint11:54 – Chad's Fitness Transformation14:56 – The Realities of Touring Life17:08 – How Backstage Has Changed in Rock18:56 – Creating Deep Connection Through Music24:46 – Mudvayne’s Influence29:23 – The Iconic “Dig” Video32:27 – Being on MTV36:15 – Heavy Metal in Small Towns38:34 – How Tour Routing Really Works41:03 – Painting Process: The Most Brutal Part49:51 – Jelly Roll Spitting in Chad's Face47:09 – Las Vegas Lifestyle49:00 - Chad Spits in My Face54:54 – Chad’s First Pantera Show58:48 – Powerful Story of Meeting Vinnie Paul1:03:03 – Face Paint Transformation1:07:52 – Meeting Shannon Gunz1:11:20 – New Mudvayne Music on the Way1:16:10 – Signing With Alchemy Recordings & Danny Wimmer1:19:37 – Chad’s Message to Rock Feed

Underoath vocalist Spencer Chamberlain joins Rock Feed for an in-depth conversation on the band's new album, collaborating with Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon, and the evolving heavy music landscape. Spencer opens up about shifting away from Underoath's Christian roots, handling fan reactions, and reveals his personal musical inspirations, including Deftones and Tool. Plus, hear how touring with bands like Papa Roach influenced Underoath's latest chapter and why Spencer believes great music should challenge listeners.0:00 – Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath) Interview0:28 – Underoath's New Album: Creative Process Revealed1:40 – Capturing Songwriting Magic2:47 – Why Underoath Brought Back a Producer4:05 – Underoath's Honest Take on Fan Feedback7:48 – Spencer's Vision for Heavy Music Today11:07 – Is Heavy Music Becoming Too Watered-Down?12:51 – Underoath on Bands Like Bring Me The Horizon15:29 – Friendship and Collab with Oli Sykes18:47 – Moving Away from Underoath's Christian Roots21:47 – Spencer on Controversial Bring Me Lyrics23:36 – Why Underoath Refuses to Play it Safe26:41 – Spencer’s Biggest Musical Influences29:14 – Discovering Deftones and Tool33:45 – Friendship with Chino Moreno (Deftones)35:56 – Why Heavy Music is Surging Again39:58 – The Lesson Spencer Learned from Def Leppard43:32 – Papa Roach’s Influence on Underoath46:40 – Why Great Music Should Challenge You

Five Finger Death Punch join the Rock Feed Podcast to celebrate their incredible 20-year journey, sharing never-before-heard stories about their wildest moments on tour, Zoltan Bathory’s inspiring journey from communism to international rockstar, Chris Kael’s hilarious first encounter with the band, and Andy James' unexpected call to join. They open up about touring alongside Metallica, controversial label drama over their masters, supporting Marilyn Manson's comeback, and what's next for the band—including a potential documentary.0:00 – Intro & 20 Years of Five Finger Death Punch1:04 – How the Band Formed2:06 – Zoltan’s Journey from Communism to America4:05 – Chris Kael’s Crazy Story About Joining Five Finger Death Punch5:59 – Touring with Metallica7:07 – How Andy Joined8:48 – Andy’s Path to Becoming the Band’s Guitarist11:44 – Zoltan Reflects on Achieving the Dream13:22 – Roles Within the Band15:45 – Chris Kael’s First Surreal Show Moment18:54 – The Breakout Song: “The Bleeding”21:36 – Label Sold Their Masters Without Telling Them23:43 – Why They Took Marilyn Manson on Tour27:50 – Upcoming Documentary Plans31:46 – Wildest Stories from the Road33:01 – Death Punch Fans35:48 – Chris Kael on His Kentucky Roots36:38 – Future of the Band & Big Live Plans38:20 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next