James Kottak (born December 26, 1962, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American drummer for the hard rock band Scorpions, which he joined in 1996. Prior to joining Scorpions, Kottak was a drummer for Nut House, Mister Charlie, Buster Brown, Montrose, Kingdom Come, Wild Horses, the McAuley Schenker Group, Warrant, and Ashba. He also gave drum lessons at Far-Out Music in Jeffersonville, Indiana, once having former Bride drummer, Jerry McBroom, as a student. He also played with guitarist Michael Lee Firkins. He also plays in his own band Kottak, formerly known as KrunK. He is married to Athena Kottak, rocker Tommy Lee's younger sister, who is also a drummer and fellow member of Kottak. The couple has three children; one girl, Tobi, and two boys, Miles and Matthew. James is one of the characters in the book Sex Tips from Rock Stars by Paul Miles to be published by Omnibus Press in July 2010.[1] James endorses Ddrum and Yamaha drums, Aquarian drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, Ahead drumsticks and accessories and Danmar percussion.