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.
Paddy Considine
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(x2)
I ain't of the mind that Paddy Considine
Is one to take guff from no conspiracy of toughs
In my mind I talk to Paddy Considine
And it always goes something like this
The kids in my hood, they're up to no good
Tell me, Paddy, what to do in an age of no pity?
From that young Irish face to that dude who plays bass
They're bringing baseball bats down to stroller city
(x2)
I ain't of the mind that Paddy Considine
Is one to take guff from no conspiracy of toughs
The bums and punks and drunks sift through my junk
I hear stories about last night's meat train
I never thought I'd see the day when the white man has no say
Tell me, Paddy, how do we get our country out of the crapper?
That fat, pink fuck is crying on TV again
He's got the persecution complex of a coked up rapper
I ain't of the mind (x4)
Well, it's a hot summer, someone could get hurt
And it's a hot summer and people get hurt
Well, it's a hot summer, hot, hot
And it's a hot summer, people get hurt
I'll take you out first (x2)
Well, it's a hot summer, someone could get hurt
And it's a hot summer, people get hurt
Well, it's a hot summer, hot, hot
And it's a hot summer, people get hurt
I'll take you out first
There's blood for your thirst
And, Paddy, it's all just a matter of time before you get your ass kicked
When you're walking a straight line from the bar to your goddamn house
But living's just not worth it when you live like a mouse
Am I right, Paddy?
I, I ain't of the mind that Paddy Considine
Is one to take guff from no conspiracy of toughs
I ain't of the mind that Paddy Considine
Is one to take guff from no conspiracy of toughs
Much less some pussy like you
The lyrics to Local H's song Paddy Considine discusses the state of the world and the singer's frustration with the people and their actions. The singer believes that Paddy Considine, known for his tough roles in movies, would not take any nonsense from the conspiracy of toughs in the singer's neighborhood. From the kids up to no good to the people wielding baseball bats in stroller city, the singer feels helpless and is seeking guidance from Paddy on how to deal with it. The singer also expresses his disgust towards the persecution complex of a "coked-up rapper" and a "fat, pink fuck" crying on TV.
As the song progresses, the tone changes and becomes more violent. The singer states that it's a hot summer, and someone could get hurt before repeating the same line, but replacing someone with people. The singer then says that he will take Paddy out first, and there's blood for his thirst. The ending of the song concludes with a rhetorical question, asking Paddy if living life like a mouse is worth it, and reiterating that he is not of the mind that Paddy Considine would tolerate any behavior from those conspiring toughs.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't of the mind that Paddy Considine
Is one to take guff from no conspiracy of toughs
I don't believe that Paddy Considine would tolerate being bullied by anyone or any group.
In my mind I talk to Paddy Considine
And it always goes something like this
In my imagination, I have conversations with Paddy Considine about the problems in my community.
The kids in my hood, they're up to no good
Tell me, Paddy, what to do in an age of no pity?
From that young Irish face to that dude who plays bass
They're bringing baseball bats down to stroller city
The youth in my neighborhood are causing trouble and violence. I wonder how to fix this without any empathy or assistance. Even those who seem harmless are joining in on the violent behavior.
The bums and punks and drunks sift through my junk
I hear stories about last night's meat train
I never thought I'd see the day when the white man has no say
Tell me, Paddy, how do we get our country out of the crapper?
Homeless people, delinquents, and drunkards go through my belongings. I hear rumors about horrific events. I feel like the white man is losing his influence. I ask Paddy for help on improving our nation's situation.
That fat, pink fuck is crying on TV again
He's got the persecution complex of a coked up rapper
A certain person is repeatedly crying on TV and always feels like a victim, even though they are privileged. They remind me of a rapper on cocaine who is always paranoid.
Well, it's a hot summer, someone could get hurt
And it's a hot summer and people get hurt
Well, it's a hot summer, hot, hot
And it's a hot summer, people get hurt
I'll take you out first (x2)
Summer is a dangerous time that often results in injuries. I am willing to resort to violence and harm others if it means protecting myself.
There's blood for your thirst
And, Paddy, it's all just a matter of time before you get your ass kicked
When you're walking a straight line from the bar to your goddamn house
But living's just not worth it when you live like a mouse
Am I right, Paddy?
I offer my help to satisfy your violent desires. I believe that even Paddy will eventually get beaten up just by walking straight home from the bar. It's not fulfilling to live in constant fear like a coward. Do you agree, Paddy?
I, I ain't of the mind that Paddy Considine
Is one to take guff from no conspiracy of toughs
I ain't of the mind that Paddy Considine
Is one to take guff from no conspiracy of toughs
Much less some pussy like you
I'm still convinced that Paddy wouldn't let himself be threatened by anyone, especially not by someone as weak as you.
Contributed by Dylan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.