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.
Sad History
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are gonna go and get the best of us in the end
And maybe wait and see is the right way to be
To see if all this evil is just another fucking trend?
Hey, hello, where'd you go?
You disappear from time to time
And I've been known to change my mind
You take here up and fly her blind
And God knows I can't change your mind
Maybe I should see that you'll never show me mercy
And I should just cut the rope and let my body down
Hey, hello, where'd you go?
You disappear from time to time
And I've been known to change my mind
Hey, hello, where'd you go?
We'll take her up and fly her blind
And fall asleep to the engine whine
Hey, hello, where'd you go?
I can't seem to walk away
The debt grows deeper every day
Maybe you and me and our sad history
Could mean nothing
Or we could be something
We could be something that's worth every
Penny that we ate
Every little penny that's dragging us to
The bottom of the sea
Maybe you and me are over now forever
But maybe I just need you too much for that to ever be
Hey, hello, where'd you go?
You disappear from time to time
And I've been known to change my mind
Hey, hello, where'd you go?
We'll take her up and fly her blind
And fall asleep to the engine whine
Attention (x4)
I know you're tired
I know you're scared
I know all this is getting old
Attention (x4)
But believe it when I say
That there's another story left untold
In "Sad History," Local H is exploring the complexities of a failing relationship that is haunted by their shared difficult past. The singer ponders whether their history together will ultimately ruin any potential for a future, and wonders whether they should just cut ties and let go. Despite their doubts and fears, the singer cannot seem to fully let go of their partner and the possibility of a renewed connection, despite acknowledging that they may be too invested in the other person for their own good.
The chorus of "Hey, hello, where'd you go?" indicates a sense of confusion and uncertainty in the relationship, with the singer feeling lost and unsure about the direction they are headed. They recognize their own tendencies to change their minds and their partner's propensity to disappear, further exacerbating the instability of the relationship.
In the final verse, despite recognizing the potential for their shared history and challenges to weigh heavily on their future, the singer can't help but hold onto the possibility that they could still be something together. The repeated use of "Attention" can be interpreted as a desperate plea for connection and understanding, as the singer contends with their own internal struggle over whether to hold on or let go.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe you and me and our sad history
Perhaps the shared difficult experiences we have had together are impacting our present relationship
Are gonna go and get the best of us in the end
These experiences may ultimately ruin us
And maybe wait and see is the right way to be
Perhaps taking a step back and allowing things to unfold naturally is the best course of action
To see if all this evil is just another fucking trend?
To inquire if these negative events are merely a temporary occurrence or if they will persist
Hey, hello, where'd you go?
Addressing the person's sudden absence or avoidance
You disappear from time to time
You are not always present or reliable
And I've been known to change my mind
I too am prone to indecisiveness
You take here up and fly her blind
You make decisions without considering the consequences or without proper guidance
And God knows I can't change your mind
Recognizing the other person's stubbornness or unwillingness to consider alternative perspectives
Maybe I should see that you'll never show me mercy
It may be necessary to acknowledge that the other person will never treat me with kindness or forgiveness
And I should just cut the rope and let my body down
It may be best to sever ties with this person and move on
We'll take her up and fly her blind
Together, we will make impulsive and potentially dangerous decisions
And fall asleep to the engine whine
We are willing to ignore any warning signs and continue recklessly forward
I can't seem to walk away
Despite any rational reasons to leave, I find myself unable to let go of this person and relationship
The debt grows deeper every day
The negative impact of our shared past continues to accumulate and affect our present and future
Maybe you and me and our sad history could mean nothing
It's possible that our past does not have to define our current or future relationship
Or we could be something
Alternatively, our shared history could lead to a deeper and more meaningful relationship
We could be something that's worth every penny that we ate
Our relationship could be worth all the sacrifices and struggles we have endured
Every little penny that's dragging us to the bottom of the sea
These struggles may have been heavy and difficult to bear
Maybe you and me are over now forever
It's possible that our relationship has reached its end
But maybe I just need you too much for that to ever be
However, I may be too attached to this person to truly let go and move on
Attention (x4)
Repeatedly calling for the other person's focus and concentration
I know you're tired
Recognizing the other person's exhaustion and weariness
I know you're scared
Acknowledging the other person's fear and apprehension
I know all this is getting old
I understand that these issues and difficulties have become repetitive and tiresome
But believe it when I say that there's another story left untold
Suggesting that there is more to our shared history and relationship that has not yet been revealed or fully understood
Contributed by Caroline A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tanya P
I have been anticipating the release of this album for a very long time and I can say that I was not at all disappointed. This entire album really speaks to me. Scott is an amazing artist and his energy is just... really something else.
Pete Pren
Great song! Love it! Adding to my play list... glad I found it!
Pat L.
The new album is killer, make sure you go out and buy it.
trreedog
Would you mind posting some more songs from it? I'm buying the album next week, and I saw them live in Orlando a few months ago. Thanks
Bucky Brown
I bet you could find them on here somewhere, I don't want to post anymore, but the whole thing is a very diverse album and worth buying if you like the band. Its a bit on the long side, but pretty enjoyable.
Eric Smith
Bad ass song.. Totally badass.
Kurdt Kobain
This is a fantastic song. Local H - The best band that not enough people know about.
Luca D'Alessandro
why are the songs in this channel so good?
abed alhamwe
From Syria
Your songs are great
Anthony Bailey
That poor dog in the snow