John Cooke (musician)

John Cooke (born 4 June) is an English musician, best known as touring guitarist for Napalm Death. Before joining Napalm Death, he was a member of Corrupt Moral Altar, Venomous Concept, and Malevolent Creation. He is also known for his solo project, Lair of the White Worm.

Biography
Cooke grew up in Walsall, West Midlands, England. His first gig with an early band shared the bill with Ian Hill's (of Judas Priest) son's band, with an audience including Hill and K. K. Downing (also of Judas Priest).

Cooke first got into playing guitar by Listening to hard rock and metal acts like Guns 'N' Roses, AC/DC, and Iron Maiden. He later got into punk bands like Minor Threat and The Exploited, and then death metal bands Obituary and Deicide,  as well as Napalm Death. He is also influenced by Industrial bands like Killing Joke and Godflesh, as well as My Bloody Valentine.

Cooke first joined Napalm Death in 2006, as a merch seller and later as tour manager. Before than he had worked at a recording studio in Birmingham, and he would help transport members Danny Herrera and Shane Embury for their recording sessions. He first performed with them in 2010, when singer Barney Greenway was ill, singing on 5 or 6 songs, and later in 2012, when bassist Shane Embury was ill, learning their set in 24 hours, before flying to Germany. When Mitch Harris was forced to sit out touring in 2014, due to a family illness, Cooke re-joined as touring guitarist, playing with them on most tours since, except for North American shows. Harris never returned to touring, opting to spend his time with family instead. Although Harris has continued to play with the band in the studio. Cooke has also contributed in the studio, although only minimally.

Outside of Napalm Death, Cooke is a regular collaborator with Shane Embury, joining him in countless projects. Including War of the Second Dragon, Blood from the Soul  and Venomous Concept.

He also played bass with Malevolent Creation in 2011 and 2012.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cooke pursued his solo project, Lair of the White Worm, influenced by Godflesh, Ministry and Scorn. He recorded an eponymous six-track EP alongside Tom Dring (drums) and Chris Reese (vocals), also of Corrupt Moral Altar.

Personal life
Cooke used to live with Danny Herrera of Napalm Death, before their house got flooded in 2018.