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.
Keep Your Girlfriend
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just advice I'm givin you for free
Want to have everything I see
So keep your girlfriend
Keep your girlfriend
Keep your girlfriend away from me
Got no sense of comradery
I've got a couple hits of ecstasy
I will
Here we go, yeah I know how to get it
I will
Got no code and I want to push the limits
I will
Get so low and I want to wallow in it
I will
So keep your girlfriend
Keep your girlfriend
Keep your girlfriend away from me
Keep your girlfriend away from me
Don't talk to me about honesty
Don't talk to me about loyalty
Don't talk to me about a goddamn thing
Just keep your girlfriend away from me
I will
Here we go, yeah I know how to get it
I will
Got no code and I want to push the limits
I will
Get so low and I want to wallow in it
I will
So keep your girlfriend
Keep your girlfriend
I will
Now you know, I've exposed my intention
I will
Got no soul, and I love my infection
I will
Want to know how it feels when she gives in
I will [Repeat x4]
Keep your girlfriend away from me
Keep your girlfriend away from me
Yeah, we're comin' to the time when we reach the bitter end
Everything is ripped and broken
Everything is cracked and bent
You won't ever know my mind
You won't ever comprehend
This is nothing to do with your girlfriend
I will [Repeat x16]
Keep your girlfriend away from me [Repeat x3]
Keep your girlfriend [Repeat x5]
I will [Repeat x4]
Keep your girlfriend away from me
The lyrics to Local H's song Keep Your Girlfriend seem to convey the attitudes and actions of someone who is not held back by conventional moral codes or values. The singer, who is perhaps a little too enamoured with the idea of instant gratification, warns someone else to keep their girlfriend away from him. This is a self-preservation tactic, perhaps, or a warning that the singer cannot be trusted around other people's partners, especially when there are drugs involved. Almost reveling in being as morally questionable as possible, he states that he's got "no code" and wants to push the limits of what he's capable of doing. He also admits to wanting everything he sees, which could be interpreted as a more generalised expression of his personality instead of something specific to the girlfriend in question. Ultimately, the singer is someone who operates on his own terms and isn't about to change or apologise for who he is.
One possible interpretation of the song is that it might be about trying to figure out who one is. The singer seems to be keenly aware of his own desires and wants, and he pursues them with abandon. His actions don't seem to be motivated by anything other than his own impulses, which could suggest an emptiness or lack of direction in his life. Another interpretation is that the song is a warning to others about the dangers of letting oneself go or indulging in reckless behaviour. By keeping his distance, the singer might be sparing other people from the consequences of his actions. Either way, the song is rich in imagery and emotion, and it makes for a powerful listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep your girlfriend away from me
I don't want to be responsible for any issues arising from your girlfriend's attraction to me, so please keep her away.
Just advice I'm givin you for free
I'm just trying to help you out, so take my advice without any obligations or charges.
Want to have everything I see
I have a strong desire and craving for everything that catches my attention or interest.
Got no sense of comradery
I don't really have any sense of brotherhood or friendship, especially when it comes to romantic interests.
I've got a couple hits of ecstasy
I have a few doses of ecstasy, which is a stimulant drug that can enhance feelings of euphoria and pleasure.
I will
I am determined and committed to acting on my desires and intentions, no matter the consequences.
Here we go, yeah I know how to get it
I am confident and experienced in getting what I want.
Got no code and I want to push the limits
I don't have any moral principles or boundaries, and I seek to go beyond what is socially acceptable or safe.
Get so low and I want to wallow in it
I enjoy sinking into negative emotions or behaviors, and I don't try to improve or change myself.
Don't talk to me about honesty
I don't value honesty or integrity, and I don't want to hear any lectures or advice about it.
Don't talk to me about loyalty
I don't care about loyalty or devotion, especially if it conflicts with my interests or desires.
Don't talk to me about a goddamn thing
I don't want to listen to anything you have to say or preach, especially if it doesn't align with my views or priorities.
Now you know, I've exposed my intention
I have revealed my true intention, even though it might not be favorable or acceptable to you.
Got no soul, and I love my infection
I don't have any emotional depth or conscience, and I enjoy spreading my negative influence or impact on others.
Want to know how it feels when she gives in
I want to experience the pleasure and excitement of having your girlfriend become attracted to me and give in to her desires.
Yeah, we're comin' to the time when we reach the bitter end
We are approaching a point of no return or inevitable downfall or ending.
Everything is ripped and broken
Everything is falling apart or damaged, both externally and internally.
Everything is cracked and bent
Everything is flawed or distorted, both physically and metaphorically.
You won't ever know my mind
You won't be able to understand or comprehend my thoughts, feelings, or intentions.
You won't ever comprehend
You won't be able to fully grasp or comprehend the extent or nature of my personality or behavior.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chippsy McStagger
I remember hearing a live version of this before the album came out and they played it much quicker than the album version. Was always dissapointed how slow it was on the album. If you play this video at 1.25 speed you'll get what I mean. Still like the album version though.
Noah Hambling
This hits like year 9 like a fucking nostalgia bomb🤩😭
Jody McDougle
Love it
Gummie Worm Productions
sounds vaguely like Sam Cooke's wonderful world
Gummie Worm Productions
@Carrie Norris not an insult or a compliment. There are just similarities between the songs
Carrie Norris
Sounding like sam Cooke is a compliment, right?
Kevin Winn
Fix the 2:18 skip plz. (If this is coming from Palm Records/Pictures, Shouldn't this not be a problem ????)
Jody McDougle
Ugh. I hear it too.
strblckwomam
It was like this on my mothers copy of this song on cd maybe palm pictures fucked it up
Lupe Mancillas
...and now the 3rd time, god damn the "clipping!"