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.
They Saved Reagan's Brain
Local H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh (x30)
Now I ain't lose my nerve 'cause I don't want to burn
And I wouldn't say my missionary zeal is gone
There's a high wind up ahead, we've left our old for dead
Our dancing days are numbered, yeah, they ain't got long
You can move up through the corporate ranks
No use running with the Chinese coming
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more
It's dog versus master in this ruling class of gangsters
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more
Woo
Ooh (x30)
Georgie wrote a book and Sarah's naming names
Obama's on the hook and O'Reilly's laying blame
They saved Reagan's brain and there's bodies on the plane
Our dancing days are numbered, yeah, we're going up in flames
Yeah, it's alright, yeah, it's okay
No one penetrates the Wall Street ranks
No use running with the Chinese coming
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more
It's dog versus master in this ruling class of gangsters
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more
I'll see you in the slip
There's houses left to flip
No sense bumming with the payback coming
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more, yeah
Ooh (x30)
Ah (x11)
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ooh
There's no use running with the Chinese coming
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more
It's dog versus master in this ruling class of gangsters
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more
Ooh (x30)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
There's no use running with the Chinese coming
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
It's dog versus master in this ruling class of gangsters
Ooh (x15)
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x15)
Burn no more
Ooh (x30)
The song "They Saved Reagan's Brain" by Local H is a commentary on the political and economic state of America. The lyrics are critical of the ruling class and the dominant political ideology of the time, which the singer suggests is misguided and potentially dangerous. The song begins with the assertion that the singer has not lost his nerve and his "missionary zeal" remains intact. However, he warns that there is a "high wind up ahead" and the "dancing days are numbered." This refers to the idea that things are coming to a head and a big change is approaching.
The next verse is about the problems of global politics and the perceived threat from China. The singer says "no use running with the Chinese coming" and he does not want to see the world burn any more. The song then returns to the idea of the ruling class, which is described as a "ruling class of gangsters." The famous figures of George W. Bush, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, and Bill O'Reilly are mentioned in the verse as if to suggest that all politicians are part of the same problem. The song concludes with the singer saying he doesn't want to see the world burn and he signs off by repeating the phrase "burn no more."
Line by Line Meaning
Now I ain't lose my nerve 'cause I don't want to burn
I haven't lost my determination because I don't want to fail or fall behind.
And I wouldn't say my missionary zeal is gone
My passionate drive to achieve my goals is still present, but not as forceful.
There's a high wind up ahead, we've left our old for dead
There are difficult challenges ahead, and we must move on from what we used to rely on.
Our dancing days are numbered, yeah, they ain't got long
We have limited time left to enjoy ourselves before we face serious consequences.
Yeah, it's alright, yeah, it's okay
Everything is acceptable, no need to worry or panic.
You can move up through the corporate ranks
You have the opportunity to advance within the business world, if you work hard enough.
No use running with the Chinese coming
There's no point in attempting to escape the inevitable impact of China's growing influence.
And I don't wanna see this world burn no more
I don't want the world to fall into chaos, destruction, or decay.
It's dog versus master in this ruling class of gangsters
The ordinary people are in a power struggle against the corrupt and oppressive ruling class.
Georgie wrote a book and Sarah's naming names
People in the public eye are exposing secrets and airing dirty laundry.
Obama's on the hook and O'Reilly's laying blame
Political figures are being held accountable for their actions, and others are pointing fingers and placing responsibility.
They saved Reagan's brain and there's bodies on the plane
Controversial, secretive, and possibly unethical actions have been taken and people have been harmed.
Our dancing days are numbered, yeah, we're going up in flames
Our chances to live freely and happily are running out, and we are headed towards a disastrous end.
No one penetrates the Wall Street ranks
No outsider can break into or challenge the established power structure on Wall Street.
I'll see you in the slip
I'll meet you in a private, hidden location.
There's houses left to flip
There are still real estate opportunities to exploit for financial gain.
No sense bumming with the payback coming
There's no reason to be lazy or unproductive when there will be consequences for inaction.
Ooh (x30)
Musical interlude
Burn no more
We must prevent any more destruction or devastation from occurring.
Contributed by Chloe J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.