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.
Hey Rita
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Rita, in a park bearing your name
I'd love to take you there
But no one really cares
And who's to blame?
Yeah, I've been patient
But patient is just another game
And if you never stay
Hey Rita, there's a statue with your face
Spread the word around
The queen is stepping down
Living with your mom and dad again
The houseboats have been sold
The cars have all been towed
It hasn't been this bad since who knows when
Hey Rita, we want to know where you have been
You can't believe it, you want to know where we were then
And if you never stay
Wouldn't matter what they say, it's ok
Hey Rita, there's a statue with your face
And if you never stay
Wouldn't matter anyway
Wouldn't matter anyway, 'cause who's to blame?
And if you never stay
Wouldn't matter what they say
Wouldn't matter what they say
It wouldn't matter what they say
Hey Rita, there's a statue with your face
The song "Hey Rita" by Local H is about an individual named Rita who seems to be a well-known figure in her town. The opening lines "Hey Rita, there's a statue with your face / Hey Rita, in a park bearing your name" suggest that there is a statue erected in her honor in the town she is from. However, as the song continues, the singer implies that Rita has been absent from the town and her absence has caused discontent among her community. Lines such as "Spread the word around / The queen is stepping down" indicate that Rita may have been someone notable in her community, with her leaving leaving residents feeling lost and unsupported.
The chorus line "And if you never stay / Wouldn't matter anyway, it's ok" reflects the singer's acceptance of Rita's absence and that the town has moved on despite the statue and the park in her honor. However, the overarching theme seems to suggest that fame and recognition can be fleeting, and those who receive it may not fully understand the impact they have on their community.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Rita, there's a statue with your face
The town honors you with a statue for your legacy
Hey Rita, in a park bearing your name
The park is named after you, Rita
I'd love to take you there
I wish to show you this amazing honor
But no one really cares
It's disappointing that nobody acknowledges the significance
And who's to blame?
Who is responsible for neglecting this homage?
Yeah, I've been patient
I have waited for recognition
But patient is just another game
Trying to be patient feels like a pointless game
And if you never stay
Even if you leave and never come back
It wouldn't matter anyway, it's ok
The statue and park will still stand for your legacy
Spread the word around
Let everyone know what's happening
The queen is stepping down
Something big and unexpected is happening
Living with your mom and dad again
You have come back to your hometown
The houseboats have been sold
Something valuable and meaningful has been lost
The cars have all been towed
Everything is being taken away, including our memories
It hasn't been this bad since who knows when
This situation is terrible, and we don't know when it will end
Hey Rita, we want to know where you have been
We missed you and want to hear about your journey
You can't believe it, you want to know where we were then
Rita is surprised or shocked by what has happened in her absence
And if you never stay
Even if you leave again
Wouldn't matter what they say, it's ok
The significance of the statue and park will remain unchanged
Wouldn't matter what they say
No matter what anyone says or thinks
It wouldn't matter what they say
The importance of Rita's legacy stands on its own
Hey Rita, there's a statue with your face
The town honors Rita's legacy with a statue
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sentric Music
Written by: BRIAN ST. CLAIR, DAVID SCOTT LUCAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BuckFu
They sound so good live, saw them once in St. Louis. I couldn’t hear a thing after the show but it was great.
@josevillarreal9920
A proper show.
@josevillarreal9920
This was his best drummer. Guy's a beast!
@user98xp
Hey, Grandma. We all miss you.