Kottak, formerly known as KrunK, was a
punk rock
Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...
/
pop punk
Pop-punk (also punk-pop, alternatively spelled without the hyphen) is a rock music fusion genre that combines elements of punk rock with power pop or pop music, pop. It is defined by its fast-paced, energetic tempos, and emphasis on classic pop s ...
group formed in Los Angeles in 1996 by
James Kottak
James Kottak (December 26, 1962 – January 9, 2024) was an American drummer, best known for his work with the German hard rock band Scorpions, which he joined in 1996. At the time of his firing from the band in 2016, he was their longest-serv ...
a.k.a. ''Jimmy Ratchitt'', ex-drummer for the hard rock band
Scorpions
Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the Order (biology), order Scorpiones. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by a pair of Chela (organ), grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward cur ...
, and his ex-wife
Athena Lee
Athena Lee (born Athena L. Bass; December 8, 1964) is an American drummer and actress. She is the younger sister of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee.
Career
Lee was born in Los Angeles County, California, the daughter of David Lee Thomas Bass ...
. The band's last lineup was:
*
James Kottak
James Kottak (December 26, 1962 – January 9, 2024) was an American drummer, best known for his work with the German hard rock band Scorpions, which he joined in 1996. At the time of his firing from the band in 2016, he was their longest-serv ...
/Jimmy Ratchitt – lead vocals and guitar
* Nils Wandrey – bass backing vocals
* Francis Ruiz – drums
The band describe themselves as "
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band formed in Rockford, Illinois in 1970 by guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, lead vocalist Robin Zander and drummer Bun E. Carlos. Their work bridged elements of '60s pop rock, guitar pop, '70s har ...
meets
Green Day
Green Day is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Rodeo, California, in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, with drummer Tré Cool joining in 1990. In 1994, their majo ...
, on a bad day" and their album ''Therupy'' certainly continues to build the band's infamy.
In early November 1997, KrunK walked away with two awards in the 2nd Annual Rock City News Awards for bands in Los Angeles. The band was named BEST PUNK BAND, and Athena won BEST FEMALE DRUMMER. In the 7th Annual L.A. Music Awards, Athena was nominated for BEST DRUMMER (Males & Females). She was the first female ever nominated in the history of the L.A. Music Awards.
In 2006, the band changed its name from KrunK to Kottak, citing the need for a more original name now that "
krunk" has become a general term.
Kottak died in January 2024 at the age of 61.
Discography
* ''Greatist Hits'' (1998)
* ''Therupy'' (2006)
* ''Rock & Roll Forever'' (2010)
* ''Attack'' (2011)
References
External links
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{{Authority control
Pop punk groups from California
Punk rock groups from California
Musical groups established in 1996
Musical groups from Los Angeles
1996 establishments in California