Skillet vocalist John Cooper stated in an appearance on Real Talk With Zuby ( via NME ) that he "had a lot of problems" after criticizing Rage Against The Machine and the band's stance on COVID-19 vaccination in 2021. Cooper also questioned the authenticity of the group's political positioning.
At the time, speaking to Apologia Radio , Cooper, who was not vaccinated and is critical of the vaccine, stated that "vaccines are a tool of the government to control tyranny more than to actually keep people safe." The vocalist also criticized the band, saying that they had become "the machine" after telling the population what would happen if they did not get vaccinated.
“You’re in the entertainment industry, which is largely driven by social media and the media in general,” he commented. “You’re not allowed to say anything against… I mean, you have Rage Against The Machine telling people that if they don’t get vaccinated… The band has become the machine.”
He continued his criticism, saying that he had become the "revolutionary," while the band was "government rock."
Comments have put him in a difficult position.
Now, the musician claims that his comments have put him in a bad situation, but says he was right when he "made fun" of the band.
"I remember getting into a lot of trouble in 2021 because I was, I think rightly so, making fun of Rage Against The Machine," he said.
"Because Rage Against The Machine is anti-government and they were doing these shows, like, only for people who were vaccinated. And I was like, 'Well, it's crazy that I, the Christian rock star, am the punk revolutionary now.'"
READ ALSO: Tom Morello observes similarities between Chris Cornell and Post Malone
