High Speed Cakes…

It’s the unexpected that keeps things fresh. This past week two things I wouldn’t have thought would transpire did exactly that: Happen. First, I became rather loaded, or struggled to remain coherent after enjoying Chicago and Local H, and left my rather costly phone in a cab. But about 48 hours later, it was found; then after many days, successfully retrieved — major financial fiasco averted.

My musical catalog consists of many artists who put out only one, or if I was lucky, two unstoppable, timeless records. Perhaps blame these short lifespans on major labels — realistically the factors and variables are endless for why acts only craft a record. Previously highly coveted quartet the Cupcakes were ones who crumbled due to their major label Dreamworks and released a record; then disappeared into Chicago rock oblivion. Until a few days ago. I went about 12 years enjoying, playing louder than most, what I thought was their one and only record. A long player consisting of crunch, spaced out techno rhythms, and enough power pop to appease me for about 1/3 of my life. And now, I can bask in more of this exemplary formula with 15 new tracks care of their true debut and five b-sides.

Most likely one of the top finds of 2012:

Cupcakes untitled debut record & five b-sides

Rock N Roll Professionals…

Six albums, an EP, and an awesome mixtape is a respectable output for a duo 16 plus years in the making. On top of that productivity, a greatest hits record — one dubbed as part of an Icon series — spanning the first half of Local H‘s career. Local H was comprised of Scott and Joe in the 90s, with Scott taking vocal and guitar duties, while Joe kept time on the drums. After three albums, Joe decided to pursue other endeavors. Scott, a man who is more comfortable on stage than you are in your chair right now, wouldn’t let this unique act come to its demise. The 21st (’99-now) century Local H is made up of ex-Triple Fast Action drummer Brian St. Clair and still the driving force behind the act, Scott Lucas.

After the break-up of Scott and Joe, rumors ran rampant, and oddly enough, Joe Daniels never made any public statements/comments, that I was ever aware of. For the first time, in over 12 year’s time, the original drummer for Local H spoke his mind about Scott, this greatest first half of their career hits record, and his passion for retributions.

“He wasn’t involved because I don’t really talk to Joe,” Lucas said. “Whenever I talk to Joe it’s about how he wants to sue me – he acts like I ruined his life or something.”

Local H Looks Back at the Good…And the Bad

Off of Ham Fisted, the ’95 record constructed by the original lineup…

Local H :: Skid Marks

Taken from Here Comes the Zoo, the record where new, and current time-keeper Brian St. Clair, debuted on…

Local H :: What Would You Have Me Do?

Top Five Tracks of ’10…

2010 started with endless potential. The first quarter alone produced enough to begin compiling best of lists. Favorite artists of mine played a slight variation of the boy who cries wolf – with the wolf being a record. Gizmodgery will get its follow-up. With the quantity of quality that was being thrown at us faster than this blog went from something to nothing, the year was inevitably going to produce strong tracks. Some, like my favorite of this year, were songs I couldn’t get enough of numerous times a day. I hope you never pulled up to me at a red light when that song was on blast….

As I peruse this list, and you know where I stand musically, it’s almost predictable. But really, not one you’re seeing anywhere else…

#5  Robyn :: None of Dem featuring Royksöpp

Robyn, the pop princess, teams with the Norwegian duo Royksöpp to bring bounce, bass, and beats to make me shake.

#4 Hawksley Workman :: The Sweetest Thing

I never dug myself out of that rut Hawksley put me in. Care to share another track done on the minimal this sincere and beautiful from ’10?

#3 Local H :: Wolf Like Me (TV on the Radio cover)

Is it coincidence things Scott Lucas touches continue to end up on my best-of lists? A dedication to the craft of rock is what continues to have him top my charts. A monster. And to hear it live, with only an acoustic, makes him look and sound even better than on record plugged in.

#2 sElf :: Could You Love Me Now

Classic Matt Mahaffey right here. It took a few spins to seep into my system, but after it did, this one clicked. Matt doing what he does best: composing pop with sweet simplicity.

#1 Harvey Danger :: The Show Must Not Go On

The definitive break-up track? Who knows. Hits harder than anything else I heard this year. Truly, I can’t stop playing this. And live, too.

We’re All So Sick of California Songs…

No, not true. A ‘lil bit. But realistically, this state, full of velvet ropes and a fierce attitude, spawns infinite musical inspiration for many artists in my catalog. Luckily for us, the music fan ,who enjoy an upbeat number, either in sweet, surf-inspired concise form, or in stoner meets jock rock form, California is always in. Take the former, Wax, a band I only know for writing a number under two minutes and 30 seconds, birthed California – a song that deserves the attention its video generated from at the time, a young, creative, and always up for a good time, Spike Jonze.  The latter, a stomper from a MiS favorite, Local H, angrily protest their dislike for songs about the West. Scott may sing, The message is the same; it’s gettin’ pretty lame; but for me, this state generates love, in music form, of course…

Wax :: California

The real burning man (video)

Local H :: California Songs

Local H’s 68 Angry Minutes…

The main influence for that song was Naughty Girl…by Beyonce.

Verbalized by Scott Lucas, the front man for the hard-hitting Chicago duo Local H, when asked about last year’s stunna White Belt Boys. 12 Angry Months by Local H was without question my favorite record of last year. And up until today, it still receives consistent spins. A very real break-up record that birthed seven consecutive nights of the act re-creating all of their albums in true start to finish fashion. Absolute nostalgia aside, Scott Lucas, Brian St. Clair, and a host of blasts from the past, showed why they survived the post 90s Chicago boom: sincere passion and a true love for the art we all cherish and follow fervently.

As anxiously mentioned before, their momentous live occasion was being filmed for a DVD. 12 plus months later, the final product is available for consumption. The tracklisting and bonus material consists of the following:

Track Listing-

1. JANUARY: the one with ‘kid’

2. FEBRUARY: michelle (again)

3. MARCH: bmw man

4. APRIL: white belt boys

5. MAY: the summer of boats

6. JUNE: taxi-cabs

7. JULY: 24 hour break-up session

8. AUGUST: jesus christ! did you see the SIZE of that sperm whale?

9. SEPTEMBER: simple pleas

10. OCTOBER: machine shed wrestling

11. NOVEMBER: blur

12. DECEMBER: hand to mouth

Bonus: Fritz’s Corner, Cynic, Heavy Metal Bake Sale, Half Life, Wolf Like Me, and All The Kids Are Right

Bonus Commentary from Scott and Brian with insight into the recording of 12 Angry Months and more!

 

If their record and love for rock hasn’t persuaded you, check two trailers…

 

 

 

And the Chicagoans of the Year…

Obviously, I wasn’t the only own who held Local H’s Beat Kitchen residency to high praise.  The Chicago Tribune too?  Check out Greg Kot’s article on the Chicagoans of the year…

Local H are the Chicagoans of the Year.

2008 In LP Form…

If there was a central theme/trend this year in music, it spun right past me.  But by no means do I feel outta the loop this time around – but I’ve realized in the past few weeks how many albums I entirely missed.  Obviously, it’s not realistic to aspire to hear all the records on your favorite website’s end-of-year-list, right?  Back in January, I began to compile an Excel spreadsheet of new records I was listening to in 2008 – that lasted maybe a month, maybe even less.    To me, this year was full of an overabundance of full-length LPs at my disposal; at times, the queue was too deep to even bother with many records.  What lies after the jump, are the records that didn’t end up in my digital trash can and received a lost count of spins…

Am I Jeopardizing MiS’ Credibility?

It’s only mid-May, but I would like to think my favorite LP of this year has already surfaced and it won’t be winning me any hipster points. That’s OK with me though. It doesn’t even bother me that some fans of this record wear their hats backwards or could be angry frat boys, maybe even douchebags. Regardless of who’s banging ‘12 Angry Months’ (Shout! Factory) in their speakers, Local H continues to bring the rock in the form of another concept album – 98’s ‘Pack Up the Cats’ theme was shooting for the top of the charts. 2008’s record focuses on a past relationship that ended rather rough, apparently. Hit the jump for a small taste and my take on that 7-day stretch of H.