James Lilja

James Frederick Lilja (born May 1966), is an American gynecologic oncologist and a musician from the Los Angeles area, perhaps best known as the second drummer of the punk rock band The Offspring, replacing Jim Benton and performing with the band between 1984 and 1987.

Collegiate education and The Offspring

Lilja attended the University of California, Los Angeles between 1984 and 1988, and from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology.

In 1984, Lilja had joined the group Manic Subsidal, which eventually changed its name to The Offspring in 1986. Lilja played on the group's first demo tape in 1986, which earned them early exposure through a positive review in Maximumrocknroll magazine. Later that year, Lilja performed on the band's debut single, "I'll Be Waiting" released through Black Label Records. Lilja also helped write the song "Beheaded," later featured on the group's debut album, The Offspring (1989). Lilja was also present when the band changed names from Manic Subsidal to The Offspring in 1986. It's been rumored that Lilja himself proposed the new name after the band opted to retire the nonsensical 'Manic Subsidal' name.

Medical career and later musical career

Lilja amicably departed from The Offspring; The Offspring frontman Dexter Holland has said that Lilja was so focused on getting into medical school that the band let him go on friendly terms. Lilja gained admission to University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he graduated with an M.D. in 1993. Lilja's position in the band was filled by Ron Welty in 1987, who was only 16 years old at the time.

After completing medical school, Lilja undertook an internship and residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (1994–1997) and a fellowship at the University of Michigan Medical School (1998–2000). In 2001, he was board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology as an obstetrician and gynecologist. He finished fellowship at the University of Michigan in gynecologic oncology. In 2003, he was double board-certified as an obstetrician gynecologist and gynecologic oncologist.

Currently, Lilja is a full-time surgeon working in Los Gatos, California. He has particular interest in clinical trial medicine. He is primary investigator and author of a clinical trial utilizing regional hyperthermia ("HIPEC" or Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy). He formed a start-up company with several other scientists called ThermalCore (DBA Verthermia)that is developing a whole body hyperthermia treatment currently undergoing a human phase I trial.

Personal life

Lilja speaks Spanish.

Discography

With Manic Subsidal

• We Got Power Part II - Party Animal (1985)

With The Offspring

• 6 Songs Demo Tape (1986)
• I'll Be Waiting (1986)