Jim Korthe
Encyclopedia
Jim Korthe was an American heavy metal
musician
. He was a drummer
in the 1980s thrash metal
band Phantasm
and later fronted the nu metal
band 3rd Strike
.
. Something of a heavy metal supergroup
, the band also featured original Metallica
bassist Ron McGovney
, and singer Katon W. De Pena of Hirax
. Despite garnering local popularity, the band dissolved after a short career due to internal tensions stemming from age divides and alcohol abuse within the band. (Although the band never released an album, 2001's Wreckage album repackages their demo with live tracks from 1987 recorded during Korthe's tenure with the group.)
In 1988, Korthe began the Dimestore Hoods, a group interested in both hardcore
and rap musics. In the group, Korthe acted as lead vocalist and primary songwriter. Around this same time, Korthe also became heavily involved in Southern California gang
culture, leading to problems with drugs and the law. After spending several years deeply embroiled in "street" culture, Korthe made a conscious decision to step away from the lifestyle and focus on his music.
Dimestore Hoods released an album with MCA Records
in 1995, but disagreements with the label led the band to change their name and personnel, beginning anew under the moniker 3rd Strike
. The new group also underwent several personnel shifts and withstood several breakups before releasing their first album, 2002's Lost Angel, released on Hollywood Records
. The band toured with the Warped Tour
and Ozzfest
touring circuits in support of their dark and multi-disciplinary brand of heavy metal before disbanding in 2004. In 2007, they reformed and began work on new material, but a second record never materialized.
On January 13, 2010, Korthe was found dead in his home of natural causes. He was 39.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He was a drummer
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
in the 1980s thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Phantasm
Phantasm (band)
Phantasm was an American thrash metal band based in Los Angeles, California and active from 1986–1988. Something of a supergroup, the band is notable for including bassist Ron McGovney, the original bassist in the highly successful heavy metal band Metallica, as well as Hirax singer Katon W...
and later fronted the nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
band 3rd Strike
3rd Strike
3rd Strike was a nu metal group, started by Jim Korthe , Todd Deguchi , Erik Carlsson , PJ McMullan and Gabe Hammersmith . Their lyrics were primarily based upon the former lives of the group's members...
.
Life and musical career
Korthe grew up in San Pedro, California. After displaying interest in music early in his life, he became involved in local bands. In 1987, at the age of 16, he joined PhantasmPhantasm (band)
Phantasm was an American thrash metal band based in Los Angeles, California and active from 1986–1988. Something of a supergroup, the band is notable for including bassist Ron McGovney, the original bassist in the highly successful heavy metal band Metallica, as well as Hirax singer Katon W...
. Something of a heavy metal supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
, the band also featured original Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
bassist Ron McGovney
Ron McGovney
Ron McGovney is a former American musician, best known as the original bassist in the heavy metal band Metallica.-Leather Charm and Metallica:...
, and singer Katon W. De Pena of Hirax
Hirax
Hirax is an American thrash metal band from Cypress, California. Starting in 1984 under the leadership of vocalist Katon W. De Pena , the band played in Los Angeles and San Francisco with the other new thrash metal bands of the area such as Metallica, Exodus, and Slayer...
. Despite garnering local popularity, the band dissolved after a short career due to internal tensions stemming from age divides and alcohol abuse within the band. (Although the band never released an album, 2001's Wreckage album repackages their demo with live tracks from 1987 recorded during Korthe's tenure with the group.)
In 1988, Korthe began the Dimestore Hoods, a group interested in both hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and rap musics. In the group, Korthe acted as lead vocalist and primary songwriter. Around this same time, Korthe also became heavily involved in Southern California gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
culture, leading to problems with drugs and the law. After spending several years deeply embroiled in "street" culture, Korthe made a conscious decision to step away from the lifestyle and focus on his music.
Dimestore Hoods released an album with MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
in 1995, but disagreements with the label led the band to change their name and personnel, beginning anew under the moniker 3rd Strike
3rd Strike
3rd Strike was a nu metal group, started by Jim Korthe , Todd Deguchi , Erik Carlsson , PJ McMullan and Gabe Hammersmith . Their lyrics were primarily based upon the former lives of the group's members...
. The new group also underwent several personnel shifts and withstood several breakups before releasing their first album, 2002's Lost Angel, released on Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote...
. The band toured with the Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
and Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
touring circuits in support of their dark and multi-disciplinary brand of heavy metal before disbanding in 2004. In 2007, they reformed and began work on new material, but a second record never materialized.
On January 13, 2010, Korthe was found dead in his home of natural causes. He was 39.
External links
- Phantasm at the Encyclopedia Metallum
- 3rd Strike at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....