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.
Manifest Density Pt. 1
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't believe it's all
That matters to you
A fool, who never seems happy
When things are great
It's too late before you can think
The thought has entered your mind
And it will be back soon
The song "Manifest Density" is a track by American rock band Local H from their 2007 album "Twelve Angry Months". The song starts off with the lyric "You're on to something good, but I can't believe it's all that matters to you," which can be seen as a commentary on how people can get caught up in their successes and passions to the point where they lose sight of what truly matters in life. The line "A fool, who never seems happy when things are great," further emphasizes this idea, suggesting that some people may never truly feel content with their achievements no matter how impressive they may seem to others.
The song then takes a more introspective turn, with the lyrics "It's too late before you can think, the thought has entered your mind, and it will be back soon." This could be interpreted as a warning against becoming too fixated on one's own success, as it can lead to a cycle of constantly chasing the next big thing without ever fully appreciating or enjoying what has already been accomplished.
Line by Line Meaning
You're on to something good
You have discovered and pursued something worthwhile
But I can't believe it's all
I cannot comprehend that this is the only thing you value
That matters to you
That this thing is the most important thing to you
A fool, who never seems happy
A person who appears foolish because they are never satisfied or content
When things are great
Even when everything is going well and there is no particular reason to be unhappy
It's too late before you can think
By the time you realize what you should have done differently, it is already too late to change it
The thought has entered your mind
The idea has occurred to you, but you did not act on it at the time
And it will be back soon
The same thought or regret will likely arise again in the future
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID SCOTT LUCAS, JOSEPH DANILES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind