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.
Heavy Metal Bakesale
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How ya gonna live it down?
How ya gonna live at 40?
Whatcha gonna tell ya kids?
How ya gonna live at 40?
How ya gonna live it down?
How ya gonna live at 40?
Whatcha gonna tell ya mom?
How'd you do what you did?
How to make the best of nothing
Whatcha gonna tell ya kids?
Heavy Metal Bakesale
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
Heavy Metal Bakesale
Heavy Metal Bake
Heavy Metal Bakesale
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
Heavy Metal Bake
Heavy Metal Bakesale
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
Heavy Metal Bake
Heavy Metal Bakesale
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
Heavy Metal Bake
The lyrics to "Heavy Metal Bakesale" by Local H raise questions about the disconnection between youthful idealism and aging reality. The repetition of the question "How ya gonna live at 40?" underlines how the choices made in youth - often involving a rejection of societal norms - can create challenges in later life. The singer is grappling with how to justify their past actions to their kids and family, and also how to face themselves each morning. The questions offer no easy answers; instead, they invite introspection about personal values and priorities.
The title "Heavy Metal Bakesale" is a nod to the two seemingly disparate worlds of heavy metal and baking, which could also represent conflicting life stages. The song itself blends punk and grunge influences into a driving rhythm, with the catchy refrain "Heavy Metal Bakesale" serving to anchor the lyrical contemplation in a memorable chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
How ya gonna live at 40?
How will you sustain yourself at the age of 40?
How ya gonna live it down?
How can you possibly move past what you've done?
Whatcha gonna tell ya kids?
What explanations will you provide your children?
Whatcha gonna tell ya mom?
How do you justify your actions to your mom?
How you face your self in the morning?
How do you look at yourself in the mirror every morning?
How'd you do what you did?
How were you able to act the way you did?
How to make the best of nothing
How to move forward with nothing?
Whatcha gonna tell ya kids?
How will you explain your actions to your children?
Heavy Metal Bakesale
A place where music and baked goods are sold.
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
A place to get unique baked goods with a soundtrack.
Heavy Metal Bakesale
An event combining heavy metal music and baked goods.
Heavy Metal Bake
A reference to the baking process and the genre of music.
Heavy Metal Bakesale
A place where people can connect over their love of music and baked goods.
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
A place that provides a unique experience for music and dessert lovers.
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
A gathering where consumers can appreciate two things at once.
Heavy Metal Bake
An inventive term that combines baking with heavy metal music.
Heavy Metal Bakesale
A venue that celebrates both the culinary arts and musical creativity.
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
A place where individuals can discover new music and new flavors.
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
A location for people with diverse passions to come together.
Heavy Metal Bake
A reference to the cooking process and the related music genre.
Heavy Metal Bakesale
A unique and exciting combination of baking and heavy metal music.
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
An event that combines food and music to create an unforgettable experience.
Heavy Metal Bakesale,
A space that brings together people with a passion for both music and sweets.
Heavy Metal Bake
A creative and witty name for an event that melds music and baking.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN ST. CLAIR, DAVID SCOTT LUCAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind