Wikipedia
Kottak, formerly known as KrunK, is a pop punk/ rock group formed in Los Angeles in 1996 by James Kottak aka Jimmy Ratchitt, drummer for the hard rock band Scorpions and his ex-wife Athena Lee. Current members are:
- James Kottak/Jimmy Ratchitt - lead vocals and guitar
- Stephanie Smith - lead guitars, backing vocals
- Nils Wandrey - bass backing vocals
- Francis Ruiz - drums
The band describe themselves as " Cheap Trick meets Green Day, 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.