Local H

Chicago band Local H is known for their face-melting, gut-quaking live shows and for creating a catalogue of consistently clever concept albums and compelling cover songs over the past two decades. The pioneering, two-man band -- frontman Scott Lucas covers both guitar and bass through an extra pick up in his guitar while drummer Ryan Harding pounds out the rest of the sound -- has released seven studio albums, a live album, and a bunch of EPs. Harding joined Local H in November 2013 and fit right in. The re-vamped line-up has written several new songs, which they’ve been testing out live to great response from the band’s incredibly loyal fans. In between stints on the road this year, they are recording a string of singles, a move that breaks away from their usual concept album approach. They are currently touring in support of Harding’s first recording with the band: a heavy, rocking reinterpretation of Lorde’s “Team,” the first track from their forthcoming EP, Local H’s Awesome Mixtape #2. The band’s most recent album, Hallelujah! I’m a Bum (Slimstyle 2012), an epic double-album about the deeply divided political climate that exists in the U.S., has a dog theme running throughout, making it a fitting companion to the band’s widely praised 1998 concept album Pack Up the Cats, which earned a spot in SPIN magazine’s top 20 albums of that year. Local H was named “Chicagoans of the Year” by the Chicago Tribune for their 2008 break-up album, 12 Angry Months, more that a decade after their breakthrough hit “Bound for the Floor” ruled the Modern Rock charts.