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.
Eddie Vedder
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rejected sacrifice
Cauterized at best
Failing your litmus test
I know it's dumb to say
But turnabout's fair play
Always knew that you
Were suffering a fool
Okay I understand
But I don't want to be your friend
I don't need another friend
I've got too many friends
If I was Eddie Vedder
Would you like me any better?
That's it I quit I don't give a shit
You go ahead, as good as dead
Coming to a head
Local H's song "Eddie Vedder" is a song about the frustration and bitterness of rejection. The song's title refers to the famous lead singer of the grunge band Pearl Jam, but the song is not really about him. The song leads with a reference to the old practice of putting quarters on someone's eyes to keep them closed after they die; this sets the tone for the song as a kind of burial of the subject's ego. The song is about someone who has been rejected and now seeks revenge against the one who rejected them.
The song's lyrics are full of wordplay and double-entendres. For example, the line "Failing your litmus test" can be read as referring to a scientific test, but it can also be read as a metaphor for failing to meet someone's expectations. Similarly, the line "You go ahead as good as dead" plays with the phrase "good as gold." The song's author recognizes that "turnabout's fair play," meaning that what goes around comes around, and although they know that it's "dumb to say," they relish the idea of the one who rejected them suffering the same pain they did.
The chorus of the song is both self-deprecating and confrontational. The author recognizes that they don't need any more friends, and they ask whether being Eddie Vedder would make them more acceptable to the person who rejected them. Ultimately, though, the author proclaims that they don't give a shit anymore and that the situation has come to a head.
Line by Line Meaning
Quarters on the eyes
Symbolic coins as a last tribute to someone who is dead.
Rejected sacrifice
Someone or something that was supposed to be offered or given up but was refused.
Cauterized at best
Sealed or sterilized with heat, but only barely acceptable or successful.
Failing your litmus test
Unable to meet a basic standard or measurement of success and suitability.
I know it's dumb to say
Acknowledgement that what is being expressed may not be rational or wise.
But turnabout's fair play
The idea that the situation has now become just or justified in response to prior actions.
Always knew that you
An understanding that has existed for some time.
Were suffering a fool
Enduring someone who is perceived as stupid or foolish.
You go ahead as good as dead
A prediction that someone's actions or choices will lead to negative consequences or failure.
Okay I understand
An acknowledgement of comprehension or agreement.
But I don't want to be your friend
A desire to distance oneself from someone.
I don't need another friend
A statement indicating that one has an ample number of friends already.
I've got too many friends
An exaggeration to emphasize that the desire for more friends is not present.
If I was Eddie Vedder
A hypothetical scenario that posits a different identity or situation.
Would you like me any better?
A question about whether one's actions or choices are dependent upon one's identity or success.
That's it I quit I don't give a shit
A statement of resignation and indifference.
You go ahead, as good as dead
A repeated prediction that someone's actions or choices will lead to negative consequences or failure.
Coming to a head
An issue or conflict that is reaching a critical point or climax.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID SCOTT LUCAS, JOSEPH DANILES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MusicAficionado
Underrated is an understatement of this band. They are indeed the most underrated alt rock band of the 90s hands down
cucamonga95
MusicAficionado what about Hum?
peach is subpar
Hell yeah
TylerHodelinVideos
@cucamonga95 Hum is the best band out of the 90s
FJP 124
I'd say Silverchair
Kiana Williams
I agree, i feel Bush is underated as well
donwantstobesedated
Saw them in concert recently. It's good to see a singer who's willing to get in fights with idiots in the crowd, and they played all their singles, a few covers, and a new song. A great set.
Brandon Davis
Lol, yeah the guy is a handful that's for sure. I'm still going to their shows 11 years after your post and wouldn't put it past him
caleb basile
Lol reminds me of when I saw them in a small venue in Oklahoma City, everyone was having fun there was a small little mosh going on, but there was this one big dude going way too crazy, at one point he swung his beer around and splashed everyone including Scott and Scott just had this look like “wtf” and then he said something like “okay guys everyone’s just trying to have a good time here take it easy”.. he was a good sport about it but that guy annoyed me too, he did keep handing me beers though which I guess is cool
Sheldon Montgomery
local h one of the most if not the most under appreciated band of the 90's