By Mitch Lafon

Drummer James Kottak has plied his trade with many of rock’s notable names including WARRANT, KINGDOM COME, MONTROSE and even subbed for DIO, but since 1996 he’s been behind the kit of Germany’s greatest rock band the SCORPIONS. The band is currently on their farewell tour (that is expected to last through 2013) and have released a combination re-recorded greatest hits/covers album called Comeblack. James sat down with BraveWords.com to discuss his life with the Scorpions and his future plans without the band.

BraveWords.com: With Comeblack, you had a chance to put your drums on some of rock’s most iconic hits such as ‘No One Like You’ and ‘Blackout’...

James Kottak: “It was a privilege and honor to re-record such incredibly wonderful songs from the Scorpions and I was thrilled to do it. We’ve actually re-recorded ‘Winds Of Change’, ‘Still Lovin’ You’ and ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’ for TV shows over the years, but this was a little more official and I had complete freedom. They recorded these songs in Portland, Oregon. Then they sent the tracks over to me (with click track) and I had the freedom to add the drums on my own. I had years and years of preparation because we’d played those songs hundreds of times. It was a real thrill. I was so pleased and proud of how they came out. When I joined the band and I still feel this way - I need to honor these songs. I need to honor the way they were written, the vibe, the certain drum fills and the feeling, but I’ve been in the band sixteen years and I think we’ve evolved. I feel I’m as big of a part of the band as Herman (Rarebell) was and I feel I was able to make them my own.”

BraveWords.com: You’ve been with the band for sixteen years. How did the opportunity come along and how has it been being in the band for that long? After all, you’re still the ‘new guy’ even after all this time.

Kottak: “I was in Kingdom Come from 1987 through 1991. We had opened for the Scorpions in 1988 on the Monsters Of Rock Tour. It was Kingdom Come, METALLICA, DOKKEN, Scorpions and then VAN HALEN. We did 32 stadiums and it was amazing. Then we did an indoor arena tour with the Scorpions for about another twenty dates so, of course, you get to know the guys. Keith Olsen produced the second Kingdom Come album (In Your Face) and thereafter (in 1990) he produced the Scorpions album, Crazy World. I’d see the guy hanging out at the studios down here in L.A. and I played on MICHAEL SCHENKER’s album... The rock n’ roll community is pretty small. Then the ‘90s came along and I joined the Cult, played with Warrant and played on thirty different albums over the years. In 1995, I got a call from the Scorpions’ manager and he said, ‘the band would like to know if you’d like to come and play with them?’ I said ‘what made them think of me?’ And they said ‘they remembered that you were a nice guy. Plus, you’re a great drummer.’ That said it all right there. The Scorpions are class. They’ve never been dirtbags. That touched me in a heavy duty way. Rudolph and Klaus came to Los Angeles and we met. We were like friends. It just clicked. I have a very powerful bond with Rudolph and, of course, Klaus. The next thing you know... A dozen of recordings later and it’s almost 2012. I’ve been so honored and fortunate to be part of this organization.”

BraveWords.com: The band announced that they were on their farewell tour. Is that still the game plan or is the band having any second thoughts? Will there be one more studio album?

Kottak: “I’ve been asked this question many times. When the Scorpions announced their farewell tour; it meant it’s the farewell tour. It is time to say goodbye and call it a day. You don’t want to go out on a sour note. This band is going to go out on the top. Our normal tour lasts two and a half years, so this one will last three and a half. It really is our Farewell Tour and I don’t think there will be another studio album. I’m sure there will be plenty of live albums. We have our Live in 3D album and DVD coming out. There will be all kinds of archival things. We’re working on a documentary. That’ll satisfy the fans’ needs as well as our needs. We’re in the home stretch here, but the planet is big and to satisfy everyone is going to take a long time. We’ll really be done by 2013.”

BraveWords.com: What does that mean for you? Do you start your own band or look for another established band to join?

Kottak: “I have my own band, KOTTAK, and we’ve just released our fourth album Kottak - Attack in June. I’m very proud of that album. It came out worldwide and has had some pretty good success. We did a twenty-two city tour with Edguy back in September/October and that was successful. So, I’m in this transition period and I have more offers than I can fulfill (for festivals and tours), but the problem is I’m still doing Scorpions and as the Scorpions go away there will be more Kottak shows. In Kottak, I sing and play guitar, but the other thing I’m passionate about is drum clinics or master classes. I love teaching and I love getting in front of people. It’s fun. The audience gets a chance to ask me any question in the world. I’m really hands on and really accessible. I’m also working on a documentary with filmmaker Stephanie Smith about me and my life. She’s been filming over the last year and it’s a rags to riches back to rags back to riches story. I’ve also got offers from other bands to do this or that tour. There’s just not enough time, so I’m just enjoying the moment and enjoying being with the Scorpions. We’re on our tour and the shows are great. We’re on a break right now and in January I have some recording to do. It’s just endless. I’m supposed to be resting, but I get bored really fast and I like to keep busy. I’m also developing a drum DJ thing à la KORN meets Skrillex. I’m actually looking for a DJ if anyone is interested. I have a mile long list of things I want to do and achieve because I love music and rock n’ roll. I love creating.”

BraveWords.com: Will there be more North American dates on the Scorpions tour?

Kottak: “We’re definitely coming back to Canada. If not, in June/July maybe in September/ October. We’re definitely doing North America in September/October, but don’t hold me to that. It’s ‘rumored’, but I’ve heard stories that we’re coming back.”

BraveWords.com: As headliner or part of a package?

Kottak: “Definitely as a headliner, but who knows what’s going to go on. Maybe there will be special guests or this and that.”

BraveWords.com: Back to the Comeblack album - how were the covers chosen? You’ve covered THE ROLLING STONES, T-REX, SMALL FACES, GLORIA JONES, THE KINKS...

Kottak: “It shows how deep the history of this band is. Rudolph’s favorite band is The Kinks. He was so influenced by The Kinks. Klaus loved The Stones and he loved THE BEATLES which is why we did ‘Across The Universe’. These are songs that Rudolph and Klaus grew up on back in the ‘60s. That’s the honest to God real roots of where the Scorpions started. That’s going back to when they were young teenagers and they were sitting in their room listening to the radio. It was such a thrill to be part of that, but these songs were a challenge and very difficult for me to record. My roots are very different from theirs because I grew up in the ‘70s. I was a LED ZEPPELIN and GRAND FUNK RAILROAD kind of guy. Grand Funk were my heroes.”

BraveWords.com: You just mentioned that the songs were difficult for you to do. Why is that?

Kottak: “It was just The Kinks because it was a little before my time. I mean I know these songs, but not the names of them and it was a challenge because I’m supposed to put my drumming to these classic classic mega songs. You want to do them honor, but you also want to make them ‘my own’ and not just some generic cover. There are too many bad covers out there honestly and I don’t want to do that. The Scorpions did a great cover called ‘I Can’t Explain’ for a charity album. It’s a great version...”

BraveWords.com: I’ve enjoyed pretty much every cover the Scorpions have ever done. I think their version of Gloria Jones’ 'Tainted Love' is fantastic.

Kottak: “Dude, everyone knows that song as Soft Cell.”

BraveWords.com: I know and a lot of people don’t know that it’s from 1964.

Kottak: “Honestly, I did not know that. I thought it was Soft Cell, but what a great classic song. We ripped it. We killed it!”

BraveWords.com: You also did ‘Still Lovin’ You (Je T’aime Encore)’ with Amandine Bourgeois. What’s it strange to hear the song (partly) sung in French?

Kottak: “No, it was the number one song for like two years in France. For some reason we have a huge renaissance in France and it’s such a wonderful country to tour and play. So, the song makes total sense to me. It flows. It’s wonderful and I think there’s a version in Spanish with Klaus (or maybe that’s 'Winds Of Change').”

BraveWords.com: When the tour finally ends is there a finality to the Scorpions or will you play one off shows like the Super Bowl or the Hard Rock Café’s ‘X’ anniversary.

Kottak: “Knowing how restless Rudolph and Klaus are, I would think there will always be some kind of ‘special’ thing here and there, but that’s just my thought. At the same time though, it’s only fair to say to the fans that this is it - we’re done. Rudolph and Klaus want to go out on top. There are injuries... I’m a drummer and have been doing this since 1978 (my first tour). I’ve got some injuries and I’m in great shape. Rudolph Schenker is in better shape than most 25 year olds. The guy is a machine and Klaus Meine is the same thing. He’s phenomenal. The whole band is, but you can’t turn a blind eye to age. It eventually catches up to you and the very important point to make is - the Scorpions never stopped. Bands like MÖTLEY CRÜE and The Rolling Stones have big gaps in their career. Mötley Crüe weren’t together for five or six years and they didn’t do anything. The same thing for The Rolling Stones and many bands. The Scorpions never stopped. There has never been a gap. MOTÖRHEAD is one of the only bands that I can think of that has consistently put out album after album and toured and toured.”

BraveWords.com: People, in North America, seem to forget that the Scorpions are always working because a lot of it goes on in other markets such as Europe or Japan.

Kottak: “Exactly, it’s an out-of-sight/ out-of-mind mentality.”

BraveWords.com: You mentioned before the Live 3D DVD that’s coming out. It’s out now in some markets, but comes stateside in February. My first question has to be - why in 3D?

Kottak: “We were approached by the company (because 3D for the home is pretty new technology). They said we’d be the first band to do it in 3D with eleven cameras. It’s a world record! It’s in conjunction with the release of the first home 3D player/TV. Right now, it’s exclusive at Media Markt - it’s like the Best Buy of Europe. If you buy the TV or thing, you get the DVD for free.”

BraveWords.com: Where there any effects added into the show solely for the 3D filming?

Kottak: “Yeah, it’s funny you’d say that. We did some taping during the day and the director encouraged us to push our mic stand or drumsticks towards the camera. Anything you do towards the camera gives a really cool effect. It’s crazy. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s phenomenal.”

BraveWords.com: Media Markt also released an exclusive two CD set live album from the tour called Live 2011 - Get Your Sting & Blackout featuring eighteen songs. Any plans to release that in North America?

Kottak: “I really don’t know, but I hope so. I’d get Comeblack on iTunes first and I have to say that, I personally, am not that crazy about the title. It was meant to be a new word like Lovedrive or Blackout. It goes in the tradition of the Scorpions coming up with new words.”

BraveWords.com: I always want to say ‘comeback’ rather than ComeBlack.

Kottak: “That’s the thing and it’s so close to comeback that people are going to say, ‘but didn’t you just say farewell?’” They might take that the wrong way.”

BraveWords.com: I took it that way. I thought this was a comeback album after the farewell tour was already in swing then I noticed the ‘l’.

Kottak: “It is what it is.”

BraveWords.com: Will there be a Comeblack tour or live shows?

Kottak: “We played Tainted Love a few times and did it on German TV, but the for most part we’re still focusing on Sting In The Tail.”

BraveWords.com: With Sting In The Tail being the last proper Scorpions studio album - what are your thoughts about the album?

Kottak: “We had recorded (probably) sixteen songs for Sting In The Tail and nobody was happy with the way it was coming along (amazingly enough). Then Mikael Andersson and Martin Hansen (the two producers) took the songs and turned things upside down. All of a sudden we’re like ‘whoa’ and that’s the job of a producer. They have to take a diamond in the rough and turn it into something polished. They gave us new perspective and we went back and re-recorded everything. The album was done, but we went back and re-did it. They were able to get to the root of what the Scorpions are all about and I think it’s one of the best albums we’ve ever done - well, since I’ve been in the band. There’s four songs with the work ‘rock’ in it, so that’s perfect (laughs).”

BraveWords.com: Any other plans for 2012 (either with KOTTAK or solo)?

Kottak: “I’ll be doing a run in February with Uli Jon Roth. Leslie West will take part in about ten shows, but I’m not really sure about all the details. There’s talk that my band, KOTTAK, will tour with Uli, but again I’m supposed to be taking time off for health reasons and I have kids and I want to be home. I can’t stay away - rock n’ roll is the best drug ever invented.”