Jim Korthe, 39, San Pedro rock musician
Matthew Kruk
San Pedro rock musician Korthe dies at 39
By Larry Altman Staff Writer
Posted: 01/18/2010 05:47:08 PM PST
Jim Korthe, a reformed gang member who became the lead singer for the
rap-metal band 3rd Strike, has died at his San Pedro home. He was 39.
Korthe, who also toured with the bands Phantasm and Dimestore Hoods,
died Wednesday of undetermined causes as he prepared to see a doctor
treating him for a respiratory problem and fatigue, said his sister,
Lynda Walter.
"He was under a doctor's care. He had gotten really sick around
Christmas," Walter said. "They could not figure out what was wrong."
The Coroner's Office said his cause of death was deferred, pending
toxicology tests.
Korthe lived most of his life in San Pedro, attending Holy Trinity
School and San Pedro High School. As a young boy, he took up the drums.
"It became very clear he was extremely talented as a musician," Walter
said. "It just was like his passion, his calling."
Walter remembers her younger brother and other teens starting up bands
and playing in their garage.
At 16, Korthe became a drummer for Phantasm, his first touring band. The
heavy metal group played local clubs and toured on Korthe's high school
schedule, taking weekend jaunts to Oakland or Arizona for shows. They
toured during the summer.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Korthe and his friend Tom McNerney started
Dimestore Hoods, a rap metal band that earned a recording contract from
MCA records. They put out an album and performed at clubs including the
Whisky, the Troubadour, the Key Club and the Palladium.
McNerney had known Korthe since they were 4 years old.
"He had a big giantic heart," McNerney said. "He battled his own
demons - the best musician I've ever met. He was one of those guys born
with a gift of music."
It was also in those years from 1988 to 1995 that Korthe ran with a
gang.
"I got real streetwise," he said in a 2002 interview with KNAC, a former
heavy metal radio station in Los Angeles.
"The good thing was the brotherhood. The bad thing was losing and
burying five of my friends one summer in 1990. That, plus the senseless
loss of life. I, myself, doing time in jail."
Korthe said he realized he would go to prison or die, so he left the
gang and focused on his music.
"I wanted to share my experiences of my life and be able to tell stories
that could maybe reach some kids and have some people feel some emotion
when they listen to my songs, because they're all real stories and real
experiences," he said.
Korthe named his last band 3rd Strike, after the "three strikes, you're
out" law. He had seen several friends go to prison.
Korthe said he wanted to bring hope to young kids and show them they
"can actually follow a dream, and if you work hard enough you can attain
it. I think that all of us in the gang grew up and saw it for what it
was."
In 3rd Strike, Korthe sang lead vocals.
"Some of my songs deal with hope, some deal with loss and sadness, some
songs are angry. There is a song called `Breathe it Out' which talks
about the realities of gang life. Then we have a song called `Strung
Out,' which talks about my drug addiction growing up and getting through
it."
Korthe said he liked old heavy metal bands, but also was influenced by
Al Green, Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley.
His band's 2002 album "Lost Angel" reached No. 72 on the Billboard
charts. The band played the Ozzfest and Warped tours and toured in
Europe, but broke up in 2004.
"He had a very full life and he did the things he wanted to do,"
Korthe's sister said. "If you look on the Internet, he's just this big
tattooed, scary-looking guy. He was just the most gentle soul, kind and
generous."
Korthe is survived by his mother, Barbara Korthe; his father, Jim
Korthe; and four sisters, Karen Garcia, Julie Stewart and Lynda Walter.
A public viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at McNerney's
Mortuary in San Pedro. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at
Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Green Hills Memorial
Park, Rancho Palos Verdes.