Interview with guitarist and vocalist James Kottak, Kottak (October 20th 2006)

Most you might know James Kottak from drumming with Kingdom Come AND the Scorpions, now he’s ready to launch his own band along with drummer ATHENA simply titled KOTTAK. In KOTTAK, he performs under his alter ego, JIMMY RATCHITT.... He is the lead singer and guitarist! We’ve put together a few questions for him…

Hi, first off I just want to congratulate you on “Therupy”. How has the responds been so far?
Jimmy Ratchitt - THE RESPONSE TO KOTTAK 'THERUPY' HAS BEEN INSANE! WE ARE EXPLODING ON USA RADIO!

Why a solo-album at this stage – did you feel the time was right?
James/Jimmy Ratchitt – THIS IS NOT A SOLO CD. THIS A BAND THAT ATHENA (DRUMS) AND I FORMED IN 1997 UNDER THE NAME KRUNK. WE RELEASED A CD CALLED 'GREATIST HITS' IN 2000...WE TOURED THE WORLD...THEN, DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS, WE TOOK A FEW YEARS OFF. WE CHANGED THE BAND NAME TO KOTTAK UPON SIGNING WITH ESCAPI MUSIC LAST MARCH.

I know artists donąt like to put a label on their music - but a spaceship from outer space has just landed in your backyard, and is demanding an answer - so how would you describe your music to an alien from another galaxy?
Jimmy Ratchitt - WE ARE CHEAP TRICK MEETS GREEN DAY ON A BAD DAY.

If your music was an emotion, which one would it be?
Jimmy Ratchitt - THE REALITY OF PAIN!

Is this a collection of songs that you written throughout your career, or have they all been written specific to this album – or is it maybe a fine combination?
Jimmy Ratchitt/James Kottak -  ATHENA AND I ARE CONSTANTLY WRITING AND PRODUCING...THIS IS JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET

Who has produced and mixed the album? Are you pleased with the result?
Jimmy Ratchitt - ATHENA AND I PRODUCED 70 % OF IT. JIM MONTI (KORN) HAD A BIG PART IN THE EARLY PRODUCTION AS DID RICK PLESTER (BLACK SYMPHONY).

Tell us a bit about the very simple cover artwork? And how important do you feel it is to have a great cover?
Jimmy Ratchitt - WE SPENT HOURS PLANNING THE CD BOOKLET. IT'S NOT JUST A COVER, IT'S A CONCEPT...THERUPY! IN THIS DAY OF 'TAKE A PILL FOR THIS OR THAT', I'M SURE EVERYONE CAN RELATE.

Let’s speculate – you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your own choice – who would be your ideal touring partners?
Jimmy Ratchitt - I WOULD LOVE FOR KOTTAK TO OPEN FOR GREEN DAY, DIE TOTEN HOSEN, OR, THE SCORPIONS.

What do you consider to be the biggest accomplishment for you as a musician, not necessarily sales wise?
Jimmy Ratchitt - RECORDING WITH RONNIE MONTROSE WAS A DREAM COME TRUE!

I was wondering – could you name an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on your life - and why?
Jimmy Ratchitt – NORMAN VINCENT PEALE WROTE A BOOK (AND MANY OTHERS) CALLED 'THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING'. I FIRST READ IT WHEN I WAS 18. I READ IT EVERY YEAR FOR A MENTAL CHECK-UP...HE RULES!

Which album(s) have put a big smile on you face and has made you bang your head in 2006?
Jimmy Ratchitt – I LIKE: AVENGED SEVENFOLD, FOO FIGHTERS, GREEN DAY, DIRKS BENTLEY, BROOKES AND DUNNE, THE CRACK'N'UPS.

I thank you very much for participating in this interview and sharing this information and your thoughts with us - these last lines are entirely for you. Any final words you would like to round off with?

Jimmy Ratchitt – ATHENA AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK-YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW AND OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT KOTTAK.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW CD KOTTAK, 'THERUPY' ON ESCAPI MUSIC AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE!

TO CONTACT US AND MORE INFO: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/KOTTAK, WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ATHENA, WWW.KOTTAK.NET

CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!! JIMMY RATCHIIT/KOTTAK

Interviewed by Kenn Jensen

Kottak - Theruphy

Album available on Escapi Music.

For more info on Kottak - click on the album cover.