Local H in Worcester

About Local H

Local H is Scott Lucas and whatever bassist he's got this week, which has been the whole joke and point of the band since 1996. They emerged from the post-grunge wasteland with "Bound for the Floor," a song so catchy it almost distracted from how genuinely strange it was—a two-piece playing stadium rock with maximum aggression and minimal bodies on stage. Lucas writes with a real sense of humor about loneliness, relationships, and the general absurdity of being in a rock band, which keeps their songs from ever getting too precious. They've released albums steadily over three decades without ever becoming precious or trying too hard, which is maybe the most rock and roll thing you can do. The novelty of a two-piece wore off fast because the songs are actually good.

Lucas plays guitar and sings while moving constantly, like he's personally responsible for everyone's fun. The sound is somehow bigger than two people should produce. Crowds get loud during "Bound for the Floor" but also pay attention to the deeper cuts. No phones out, mostly. People actually watch.

Known for Bound for the Floor, All the Things You Do, Hands on the Bible, How to Fall in Love, Eddie Vedder

Local H + Worcester

Local H's last Worcester stop was May 5, 2017 at Ralph's Rock Diner, where they ran through twenty songs that spanned their entire catalog. They opened with "Nothing Special" and methodically worked through the deep cuts—"Fritz's Corner," "The Misanthrope," "Buffalo Trace"—before hitting the obvious ones. "Bound for the Floor" closed out the night, which meant they saved it for last, letting that song sit with the crowd after everything else had landed. It's the kind of setlist that suggests they weren't just phoning it in for a small-room gig.

Local H in Worcester News

• In post-Soviet Russia, Local H's Scott Lucas gets choked, knocked out, and robbed AV Club · Jun 5, 2018
• Nothing More Unleash 'Let 'Em Burn' Lyric Video, Plus News on Mastodon + More Loudwire · Aug 1, 2017

Live Music in Worcester

Worcester's rock scene has always been scrappy and unpretentious, which suits Local H down to the ground. The city's music venues tend to book artists who prioritize authenticity over polish, and Local H—a two-piece that proves you don't need a full band to sound massive—fits that ethos perfectly. Worcester crowds appreciate musicians who show up and play, and Local H has never been about anything else.

Worcester road trip to see Local H?

Stay in the Elm Hill neighborhood — it's got actual character with tree-lined streets and the best local dining concentration. Book a table at Elm Tavern for elevated comfort food, then spend an afternoon at the Worcester Art Museum, which has a surprisingly strong collection that rewards a couple hours. If you want something quieter before the show, The Hanover Theatre is worth checking even if you're not catching a play — the building itself is an ornate 1904 gem. The walk from Elm Hill to the venue area is doable and keeps you off the highway entirely.