James Lilja

James Frederick Lilja (born May 7, 1966 ) is an American gynecologic oncologist and a drummer, best known as the first drummer of the punk rock band The Offspring, and performing with the band between 1984 and 1987.

Lilja attended the University of California, Los Angeles between 1984 and 1988, and from which he graduated with a B.S. degree 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's position in the Offspring was filled by Ron Welty in 1987, who was only 16 years old at the time.

Lilja also helped write the song "Beheaded," later featured on the group's debut album, The Offspring (1989).

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 the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he graduated with an M.D. degree in 1993.

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 his fellowship at the University of Michigan in gynecologic oncology.

In 2003, he was double board-certified as an obstetrician-gynecologist and gynecologic oncologist.

He has practices in both San Jose and Fremont.

In 2009, Lilja formed a band 11x.

Lilja retains an active interest in rock music between practicing medicine.

Lilja's latest band, Bunko was formed in 2016.

In 2018, while on trial in Oakland, California for medical malpractice Lilja saved the life of a potential juror who went into cardiac arrest during the jury selection.

Afterwards the judge ruled a mistrial to avoid biases from any of the potential jurors who saw him save a life, and rescheduled his trial for a later date.

The case went to arbitration and was dismissed.

During medical school, Lilja formed a band with other medical students called the Oral Groove.

Their debut EP, Thought Patrol was released on August 25, 2019.

On August 5, 2023, Lilja joined the Offspring on stage for the first time since 1987 to play perform the song "Beheaded" (which he had co-written with lead singer Dexter Holland).