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.
No Problem
Local H Lyrics
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When you blow into town maybe twice a year
To check on me see if I'm still here
And you make me think that it's my idea
You've never felt a sense of need
Everything in the world for free
It comes to you so easily
It's never been that way for me
You had me but it's over now
It's no problem
And I'm not really sure why I let you win
Or even why I let it begin
I've always been an easy in
And easy out the door again
And I know it's only because you're down
That you'd ever want to come around
Just a little secret in a little town
You had me but it's over now
You'll get my attention again somehow
It's no problem
In the song "No Problem" by Local H, the lyrics speak of someone who comes into town only a few times a year to check up on the singer. It may seem like the singer is in control and making the decisions, but it is suggested that this person is in control and is only present out of fear. The singer makes it clear that everything comes easily to this person and they have never experienced struggle or a sense of need. In contrast, the singer has had to work hard for everything they have. The line "it's no problem" seems like a facade, and the repetition of "you had me but it's over now" shows that there may have been something between the two in the past, but it's in the past now.
It is possible that the song speaks to a toxic relationship or one that is based on power dynamics. The singer seems to be aware that they are not in control and yet still keep the other person around. The lyrics also suggest that there may be a sense of guilt or shame that keeps the singer in the relationship. The line "you'll get my attention again somehow" suggests that the cycle will repeat itself and the other person will again have power over the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
And I'd like to think that it's out of fear
Perhaps you come to see me twice a year out of fear
When you blow into town maybe twice a year
You come into my town two times a year
To check on me see if I'm still here
You come to check if I'm still alive
And you make me think that it's my idea
You try to make me believe it's my decision
You've never felt a sense of need
You never felt like you needed help
Everything in the world for free
Everything you have comes easy and without cost
It comes to you so easily
Your life is easy, things come naturally to you
It's never been that way for me
I've never had it easy like you
You had me but it's over now
We used to be together, but not anymore
And I'm not really sure why I let you win
I'm not sure why I let you have your way
Or even why I let it begin
I don't know why I started a relationship with you
I've always been an easy in
I'm an easy target for people to use
And easy out the door again
I'm easy to leave behind and forget
And I know it's only because you're down
I know you're only here because you're struggling
That you'd ever want to come around
You only visit because you need help
Just a little secret in a little town
Our relationship is a small secret in this town
You'll get my attention again somehow
You'll find a way to get my attention again
It's no problem
It doesn't matter to me
Lyrics © Sentric Music
Written by: DAVID SCOTT LUCAS, JOSEPH DANILES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind