James Lilja

James Frederick Lilja 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.