AS GOOD AS DEAD? NOT HARDLY.

04/04/2022- GRUNGE ROCK LEGENDS, LOCAL H, ARE BETTER THAN EVER AT LOCAL ROCK VENUE, JACK RABBITS, SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2022 IN JACKSONVILLE, FL.

FULL ARTICLE BELOW.

PHOTO BY BECCA BARLOW, JACKSONVILLE, FL 2022

It's been a wild time for everyone these last couple of years. The world came to a screeching halt in 2020 in wake of the pandemic. The tone was somber. The general feeling of exasperation and uncertainty gripped the globe as "two weeks to flatten the curve" turned into two years of absolute physical and emotional mayhem.

This sentiment is not lost on me as 2022 has seemingly become "the year of making up for lost music." Perhaps I'm the only one calling it that. So when Local H initially announced their tour in 2021, I was psyched out of my mind. I've listened to them since I was a kid. Saw them around 12 years ago for their '12 Angry Months' tour, and couldn't wait to see them again.

To be honest, I didn't know if the music would ever be back the way it once was. But all that changed when Local H announced their "Lifers Re-Re-Re-Retour 2021." There were adjustments, rescheduling's, postponements, but alas...Local H finally made it back to Jacksonville this last Sunday at well-known local music venue, Jack Rabbits.

Local H has been a mainstay staple in any grunge, post-grunge enthusiasts discography since their debut of 'Ham Fisted' in 1995. But along came certified gold 'As Good As Dead' (1996) which was my first exposure to the hard rocking 2-piece in the mid 90's. 'Bound For The Floor' was all over every alternative rock station at that time and to this day, remains an absolute classic in the rock world. It's a non-negotiable piece of work and even now, anytime I hear it, you can't help but sing alongside Lucas' vocals. Particularly the end when the vocals take a hard turn into screaming the infamous chorus.

"AND YOU JUST DON'T GET IT, YOU KEEP IT COPACETIC,

AND YOU LEARN TO ACCEPT IT, YOU KNOW YOU'RE SO PATHETIC..."

Fucking classic.

With this in mind, I couldn't wait to see them this past Sunday. The pandemic, personally, had me on full and total lockdown since March of 2020. I am one of the "immunocompromised" individuals you heard the CDC and the WHO talking about non-stop. And it's true. I suffer with severe autoimmune disease, a brain tumor, a severe heart condition. I take a lot of meds including an oral chemotherapy medication just to help me live. Live music and shows looked more like Petri dishes of infectious opportunity for people like myself. I was scared shitless to go to the show, but damn, I'm so glad I did.

As expected, Local H absolutely blew through and exceeded all expectations I could have had. In my opinion, they were even better this time around. Maybe it was the freedom of finally being front row again and in my element for the first time in over two years, but trust me when I say, this showed fucking rocked. Scott Lucas and Ryan Harding are absolutely unstoppable when it comes to putting on a show. You don't see and hear often, 2-member rock bands with that much depth and capability. And suffice it to say, I think they remain the best 2-piece band out there. I'll leave the jury out on that one, but I said what I said. And sure, there's been some member changes over the last couple decades. You wouldn't even notice if you closed your eyes. The cohesion and commitment to the Local H sound remains untouched.

Ryan Harding absolutely fucking RIPS on the drums. You could go into a near trance-like state watching him play his heart out, thrashing and bashing his Vic Firth sticks on his set. It's truly a sight to behold. His thunderous percussion punches you (in the best way possible) right in the chest. Every snare, bass, and crash from Harding makes your hair stand on end. I lucked out being in the front and managed to karate catch one of the beautifully battered sticks he tossed into the crowd. It's proudly displayed in front of me as I type this. So Ryan, if you ever read this, thank you for the memento.

RYAN HARDING, LOCAL H. PHOTO BY BECCA BARLOW, 2022

And where do I even start with Scott Lucas? The guy hasn't lost one bit of his musical fervor. As I shared above, I truly think he may be even better than ever. His voice is immaculate. Hitting all the high notes, perfectly timed wails into the mic usually paired with the most perfect smattering of guitar riffs and roars. It's absolute perfection. Not to mention, the way the bass notes are looped through his guitar. Just an absolute showmen and savant of his craft. His pedal boards are like finely curated works of art. I couldn't help but stare at them and appreciate the man-hours that have gone into his setup and all the cool places those pedals have been. He's full of energy and is always keeping his audience fully engaged at all times, frequently stopping to briefly talk or banter with folks in the crowd.

THE SCOTT LUCAS SETUP. PHOTO BY BECCA BARLOW, 2022

They played all the AGAD hits. Married in were tracks from most recent album "Lifers" and other albums from their extensive discography. 'Eddie Vedder', 'Bound For The Floor', 'California Songs', 'High Fiving MF' all filled the venue as Ryan and Scott wailed away.

It was perfect. I was so happy, I could have cried. It's been a hard time for a lot of people in wake of covid and all the losses that have taken place worldwide. I was unsure if I'd ever be back at it. But there I was. Fully medicated, up front and center with one of my favorite bands of all time, living life again. I swear, as cheesy as it sounds, music is literal life. I was finally me again. And Local H, was Local fucking H. All the pain and struggle of treatment and isolation, meds and more over the course of years suddenly drifted to the furthest place in my mind as some of my favorite songs played out in front of me and I sang my heart out.

SCOTT LUCAS, LOCAL H. JACKSONVILLE, FL 2022. PHOTO BY BECCA BARLOW

One of the coolest things about Scott and Ryan is following their shows, you can usually find them at their own merch tables chatting with fans. Signing autographs. Taking pictures. And just like the show from 12 years back, this time was no different. I talked to Scott Lucas for a few minutes as I grabbed my obligatory tee and thanked them for such a kick ass show. Thanked Ryan for the drumstick. I walked out of there with a smile on my face. Eardrums deafened from the speakers, exhausted but happier than I can remember being in a long, long time.

I'll say it now, and I'll say it forever: Local H is one of the most iconic forces in the grunge/post-grunge music scene. In my opinion, they don't get nearly as much credit as they should for the level of skill they've possessed over the years and then convey and translate in their shows. It really is something special. I tell people all the time "you have to see them live. It's unreal." The humility of these guys is unmatched and the true-to-Local H-sound remains just as heavy, yet as timeless as ever.

My gratitude abounds for their stop in Jax and for always being so damn good, in a musical sense, but always so down-to-earth off stage as well.

This will be the show I talk about for years to come as the one that brought me back to the music. And for that, I am forever thankful.

Wishing them safe travels and more killer shows as they round out their 2022 tour.

Till we meet again.

-Becca B.

LOCAL H, JACKSONVILLE, FL 2022. PHOTO BY BECCA BARLOW