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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 |
