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.
March: BMW Man
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And did you say you vote Republican
Can I get you another Sloe Gin Fizz?
Makin' no mistakes, no one's gonna fall for you
Ain't got what it takes, find another avenue
Throw us all a break, she can't really care for you
Just another fake, who drives a bmw
All this is crazy, I can't believe that you replaced me
You and your goons from your fraternity, at the bar glued to espn
Makin' no mistakes, no one's gonna fall for you
Ain't got what it takes, find another avenue
Throw us all a break, she can't be in love with you
Just another fake, who drives a bmw (Man!)
A bmw man
The lyrics to Local H's song March, specifically the lines "So you're the boyfriend, and nice to meet you, is it Dustin? And did you say you vote Republican Can I get you another Sloe Gin Fizz?" are full of condescension and judgment towards the titular "BMW Man." The singer is addressing the man who is dating the woman he used to be with and judging him for driving a fancy car, being a Republican, and generally being an undesirable partner for the woman in question.
The repetition of the lines "Makin' no mistakes, no one's gonna fall for you/ Ain't got what it takes, find another avenue/ Throw us all a break, she can't really care for you/ Just another fake, who drives a BMW" creates a sense of urgency and frustration. It seems like the singer is incredulous that this man could have replaced him in the woman's life and wants to warn her against him. They use the man's car as a symbol of his untrustworthiness and superficiality, suggesting that he is flaunting his wealth in an attempt to impress others.
The song as a whole deals with themes of jealousy, heartbreak, and bitterness. The singer is clearly still hurting from the end of their relationship and is lashing out at their ex's new partner as a way of coping. However, the lyrics ultimately reveal more about the singer than they do about the BMW Man. By fixating on his car and political beliefs, the singer comes across as petty and immature, unable to move on from the past and accept that their ex has found someone new.
Line by Line Meaning
So you're the boyfriend, and nice to meet you, is it Dustin?
Introduction to the subject, questioning the boyfriend's name and expressing a sarcasticly polite greeting.
And did you say you vote Republican
Questioning the boyfriend's political beliefs.
Can I get you another Sloe Gin Fizz?
Offer of another drink, possibly to make the boyfriend more tolerable.
Makin' no mistakes, no one's gonna fall for you
Expressing the fact that the subject's attempts to impress are in vain.
Ain't got what it takes, find another avenue
Subject is inadequate, suggesting they should try a different approach.
Throw us all a break, she can't really care for you
Asking for a break from the subject, suggesting that they are not actually cared for.
Just another fake, who drives a bmw
Subject is seen as superficial and unauthentic, identified by the car they drive.
All this is crazy, I can't believe that you replaced me
Expressing disbelief and frustration over being replaced.
You and your goons from your fraternity, at the bar glued to espn
Describing the boyfriend and his friends as unintelligent and uninteresting, stuck watching sports at a bar.
Throw us all a break, she can't be in love with you
Asking for a break from the subject, suggesting that their relationship is not genuine.
Just another fake, who drives a bmw (Man!)
Reiteration of the subject's superficiality, emphasizing the notion that they are unimpressive.
Contributed by Isaac H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.