His wife Korey was enlisted soon after to play keyboards live in order to alleviate John's live performance duties. With this release, Skillet would abandon their post-grunge approach for a lighter alternative rock and a style. Their second effort was a change in style from the band's first release. Skillet recorded their follow-up album throughout 1997, titled Hey You, I Love Your Soul, which was released in April 1998. The band name is still somewhat of a joke between the band members, especially Cooper, who claims to still not like the title. Since each other band had a different sound and style to it, the side project was said to be like putting all of those styles in a big skillet to come up with something unique. Each starting band member was already in a separate band, and all decided to start a side project. John Cooper, the lead vocalist, explains that it was a joke at first. One topic that comes up often among fans and the band itself, is the name 'Skillet'. It was well-received, and the trio continued to write new material as they toured the United States. In 1996 they released a self-titled debut Skillet. Skillet was only together for a month when they received interest from major Christian record label ForeFront Records. After Trey McClurkin joined the band as a permanent drummer.

Coming from different styles of rock music, they decided to name the experiment Skillet. The two bands met through touring together, but those bands disbanded soon after, so John and Ken's pastor encouraged them to form their own band as a side-project. Skillet formed in 1996 with two members: John Cooper, former vocalist for Tennessee progressive rock band Seraph, and Ken Steorts, former guitarist for Urgent Cry. Skillet is an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, consisting of all Christian members.

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