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.
Bryn-Mawr Stomp
Local H Lyrics
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You feel dumb
You want to word it right
But you're dumb
You're still shakin' it
And not as young
You know you're blowin' it
So hold your tongue
Livin' on aches and pains
You're pullin' up stakes and leavin'
You're lookin' for somebody to blame
There's been an accident
But no one knows
Get off the little man
Holes in your nose
You're still shakin' it
The bars are closed
You know you're blowin' it
That's how it goes
Livin' on foolish notions
Livin' on aches and pains
You're pullin' up stakes and leavin'
You're lookin' for somebody to blame
Livin' on foolish notions
Livin' on aches and pains
Lookin' for a place to do it
Send a message to the brain
And I don't want what we've been given
Easy sex and easy livin'
See what's next and see who's taken
Don't want to check to see who's fakin'
You feel desensitized (x4)
Livin' on foolish notions
Livin' on aches and pains
You're pullin' up stakes and leavin'
You're lookin' for somebody to blame
Livin' on foolish notions
Livin' on aches and pains
Lookin' for a place to do it
Send a message to the brain
And I don't want what we've been given
A foolish notion (x3)
The lyrics of Local H's song Bryn-Mawr Stomp suggest a feeling of discomfort and dissatisfaction towards life. The first few lines express a sense of confusion and frustration, as the singer finds it hard to articulate their feelings. They feel desensitized and dumb, unable to make sense of their emotions. Despite this, they are still trying to cling on to their youth, shaking it off, but feeling the toll of age creeping up on them. The line "you're lookin' for somebody to blame" emphasizes their sense of helplessness and desire to point fingers instead of taking responsibility.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Livin' on foolish notions, livin' on aches and pains" which suggests that the singer is living a life based on unrealistic assumptions and expectations. They are experiencing pain and discomfort, and instead of trying to fix the problem, they are trying to run away from it by leaving everything behind. They are desperate to find something to fill the void, looking for a place to do it and sending a message to their brain to try and forget their problems. The final lines suggest that the singer is tired of the superficial and shallow lifestyle that they have been living, and wants something more meaningful and fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
You feel desensitized
You feel emotionally numb
You feel dumb
You feel unintelligent
You want to word it right
But you're dumb
You want to express yourself accurately but struggle to do so
You're still shakin' it
And not as young
You're still trying to have fun but are no longer as youthful
You know you're blowin' it
So hold your tongue
You're aware that you're messing up and should stop talking
Livin' on foolish notions
You're basing your life on misguided beliefs
Livin' on aches and pains
Your life is filled with physical and emotional discomfort
You're pullin' up stakes and leavin'
You're lookin' for somebody to blame
You're leaving your current situation and searching for someone to hold responsible for your problems
There's been an accident
But no one knows
Get off the little man
Holes in your nose
There was an incident but nobody is aware of it, and you need to stop abusing drugs (represented by holes in your nose)
The bars are closed
The bars are no longer open to provide entertainment
That's how it goes
This is the common outcome for this lifestyle
Lookin' for a place to do it
Send a message to the brain
You're searching for a location to engage in reckless behavior and send a signal to your brain
And I don't want what we've been given
Easy sex and easy livin'
I don't want the unearned privileges of a carefree lifestyle filled with casual sex
See what's next and see who's taken
Don't want to check to see who's fakin'
Look forward to the future and assess those who are committed. Don't bother with those who are insincere
A foolish notion (x3)
A misguided belief repeated three times for emphasis
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind