Local H is an alternative rock band which formed in 1987 in Zion, Illinois,… Read Full Bio ↴Local H is an alternative rock band which formed in 1987 in Zion, Illinois, United States. The band originally consisted of Scott Lucas (vocals, guitar, bass) and Joe Daniels (drums). Daniels left in 1999 and was replaced by Brian St. Clair who was the band's drummer until he left in late 2013. Ryan Harding would replace him, and is the current drummer for the duo. They are perhaps best known for their 1996 hit single "Bound for the Floor".

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.

Rock & Roll Professionals
Local H Lyrics

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One, two, one, two
One, two, three, four
When the rock & roll professionals roll into town you know they're well paid
You got it
They'll meet you and they'll greet you and then after the show someone will get laid
You got it
Press the flesh and maybe they will make nice
You got it

Press the flesh, but only for the right price

Rock & roll professionals
Rockin' for dollars, baby
Rock & roll professionals
Rockin' for real estate
Rock & roll professionals
Rockin' for lawyers, baby
Rock & roll professionals
Am I doin' great?
Yeah! (You got it)
Yeah! (You got it)
Yeah! (You got it)

The rebellion that they're sellin' would do better sellin' on the TV
You got it
Gone from flippin' burgers to just rockin' and rollin' for the Burger King
You got it
Check the charts and see how you are doin'
You got it
Check the charts and see who you are foolin'

Rock & roll professionals
Rockin' for dollars, baby
Rock & roll professionals
Rockin' for real estate
Rock & roll professionals
Rockin' for lawyers, baby
Rock & roll professionals
Am I doin' great?
Yeah! (You got it)
Yeah! (You got it)
Yeah! (You got it)
Yeah, you know (You got it)
And who the fuck you foolin'?

No song is too sacred and that's what makes em so professional
You got it
It's all about the Benjamins so come on, let's hear it for the rock & roll
You got it
For the rock & roll
One, two, three, four (For the rock & roll)
You got it
For the rock & roll (You got it)
For the rock & roll (You got it)
For the rock & roll (Yeah, yeah)

For the rock & roll
You got it

Overall Meaning

Local H's song "Rock & Roll Professionals" is a scathing critique of the music industry and the commercialization of rock and roll. The lyrics describe the titular professionals as being in it solely for the money, willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead, including sleeping around and schmoozing with the right people. The rebellion they sell, the song argues, would be better suited to advertisements on TV, and they've gone from flipping burgers to simply being another cog in the corporate machine. The "rockin' for dollars" refrain emphasizes this, as does the list of things they're rocking for, including real estate and lawyers.

The second verse takes a more direct jab at the professionals, suggesting that they're fooling themselves and others by pretending to care about their music and artistry when really it's all about the charts and the money. The bridge ("No song is too sacred...") continues the criticism, asserting that the professionals will do whatever it takes to get ahead, even if that means selling out their own artistic integrity.

Overall, "Rock & Roll Professionals" is a blistering attack on the commercialization of rock and roll, with Local H arguing that the people at the top are in it solely for the money and are willing to sacrifice anything, even their artistry, to get ahead.

Line by Line Meaning

When the rock & roll professionals roll into town you know they're well paid
The experienced rock & roll performers are paid well for their services.

They'll meet you and they'll greet you and then after the show someone will get laid
These performers show their fans a good time and may even hook up with some after the show.

Press the flesh and maybe they will make nice
They'll be friendly with their fans and maybe gain something out of it.

Press the flesh, but only for the right price
They'll only be friendly with those who pay them properly.

The rebellion that they're sellin' would do better sellin' on the TV
The message of rebellion that they are trying to convey would be more successful if presented through television.

Gone from flippin' burgers to just rockin' and rollin' for the Burger King
They've elevated themselves from flipping burgers to performing at corporate events like for Burger King.

Check the charts and see how you are doin'
See how popular and successful you are in the music industry.

Check the charts and see who you are foolin'
See who you are trying to deceive by being in the music industry.

No song is too sacred and that's what makes em so professional
They'll perform any song if the price is right, and that's what makes them professional.

It's all about the Benjamins so come on, let's hear it for the rock & roll
The money is what motivates them, so let's give them a cheer for doing what they do.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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