Each year, critics at the Chicago Tribune name a "Chicagoan of the Year." The 2008 winner for music was Local H.
Local H started as hard-rock duo formed by Scott Lucas (vocals/guitar/bass) and Joe Daniels (drums). The two began in 1987 at their mainline high school in Zion. After failed attempts at recruiting a bassist, Lucas added bass pickups to his electric guitar.
Local H's 1995 debut Ham Fisted was released to lukewarm reception, but their 1996 follow-up As Good as Dead was certified gold and contained the hits "Bound for the Floor" and "Eddie Vedder." It was better received by critics, as was 1998's Pack Up the Cats, which spawned the single "All the Kids Are Right." Unfortunately, their label Polygram merged with Universal, and the album was all but forgotten in transition.
Daniels left in 1999. Lucas recruited recent Triplefastaction drummer Brian St. Clair later that year. St. Clair was a drum tech for Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick. Lucas and St. Clair released their first album together, Here Comes the Zoo, in 2002 on Palm Pictures. The No Fun EP came next in 2003, and Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles? followed in 2004 to favorable reviews, with the track "Everyone Alive" being featured in the 2004 video game Burnout 3. The break-up concept album 12 Angry Months followed in 2008, and to coincide with the 2012 presidential election the group issued Hallelujah! I'm a Bum that year, both albums receiving critical praise.
Brian St. Clair would amicably leave the band, playing his last show in November 2013, before Ryan Harding joined to fill in his spot. In 2015, the duo would issue their ninth studio album Hey, Killer through G&P Records, an independent label they operate that has also been utilized for smaller releases for the band in the past. In 2020, the duo iussued Lifers through AntiFragile Music.
Local H garnered good publicity for a cover of the Britney Spears hit "Toxic". The cover was available on the band's web site and is the last track on the otherwise live album Alive '05, issued in 2005. "Toxic" has been performed at recent concerts.
Local H is known for creativity in concerts. In 2003, the band auctioned off a concert on eBay, and in 2004, performed at Fritz's Corner in Zion. In 2005, the duo performed a series of set-list request shows, where the audience got to vote on what they wanted the band to play. Gabe Rodriguez often accompanied the band on tour and provided back-up vocals or kazoo playing.
Every Halloween, Local H plays in Ardmore, masquerading as a certain group. They have performed as Nirvana, Tom Petty, Oasis, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and Sex Pistols.
Blur
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I almost called you a name
Things are starting to blur
I almost made a mistake
Things are starting to blur
I almost called you a name
Things are starting to blur
I almost made a mistake
Things are starting to
Blur
What?
Blur
What?
Things are starting to blur
I almost tripped myself up
Things are starting to blur
I got up by myself
Things are starting to blur
I almost called you a name
Things are starting to blur
I almost made a mistake
Things are starting to blur (x7)
Things are starting to
Blur
What?
Blur
What?
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
Gotta keep it smart
Gotta keep it apart
The lyrics of Local H's song "Blur" are about a person in a relationship who feels like things are starting to blur together, and they almost make a mistake by calling their partner a name or tripping themselves up. The repetition of the phrase "things are starting to blur" emphasizes the feeling of confusion and uncertainty that the person is experiencing. The line "gotta keep it smart, gotta keep it apart" suggests that the person is trying to maintain some distance or boundaries in the relationship to prevent things from becoming too muddled. Overall, the song explores the struggle to maintain clarity and control in a relationship that may be losing its definition or structure.
The lyrics of the song are quite simple, using repetition and a catchy rhythm to create a feeling of urgency and anxiety. The use of the word "blur" is interesting because it describes both a visual distortion and a mental confusion, suggesting that the singer is experiencing a disorienting mix of emotions and thoughts. Some possible interpretations of the song could include the fear of losing oneself in a relationship, the struggle to maintain independence while also being emotionally invested, or the difficulty of communicating clearly with a partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Things are starting to blur
The singer is noticing that his thoughts and actions are becoming unclear or confusing.
I almost called you a name
He had an impulse to insult someone close to him, but caught himself before doing so.
I almost made a mistake
He almost messed something up due to his lack of focus and clarity.
I almost tripped myself up
He almost got himself into trouble by making a misstep or error.
I got up by myself
He managed to overcome a difficulty or obstacle without anyone's help.
Gotta keep it smart
He needs to stay sharp and focused in order to avoid making mistakes.
Gotta keep it apart
He needs to maintain his emotional distance and avoid getting too wrapped up in his feelings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brian St. Clair, David Lucas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
henryscutter
if he pulls that shit one more time he's fired
MavalocKing5050
Awesome song, awesome band!! Local H rocks!
Bryan Meade
Never die Local H!
Jacko Reaper
Local H rocks. i wanting to make a band like them
PsychoFreke
@ 1:40 it was about time that someone had the balls to take his ass on. I can't believe in an office full of workers that everyone just stood around terrified of him. I'm guessing the guys at the end taking him out were security or the cops?
spammajamma
I think we all feel this way sometimes.
Dallas Steinhoff
fuckk yeahhh!!
I have the need and want to freak out like that every minute of everyday.
Atlasstock
Note to self: do NOT keep a sledgehammer at the office
Zack_Magic
"Sorry Dave...that vacation you requested got denied"
Zack_Magic
I think this man is a genius...fuck going to work everyday when millions of people sit on their ass on access cards...this man finally got his moment of justice...I applaud him!!!!!!