Scott Lucas (Local H)

Caropop

When the young Zion, Ill., band Local H shrunk from four members to two, leader Scott Lucas decided he liked the guitar-and-drums attack and has stuck with it for more than 30 years. Local H has had its moments of popularity (the 1996 album As Good As Dead and single “Bound for the Floor”), critical triumphs that fell short commercially (1998’s dazzling concept album Pack Up the Cats) and subsequent albums that showcase Lucas’ smart, melodic songwriting, his formidable vocal and guitar chops, and the duo's ferocious interplay. Local H is marking the 20th anniversary of Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?, the album that Lucas thinks best represents him, with deluxe rereleases and shows, including the tour finale Oct. 16 at Metro Chicago. The previous evening Lucas is premiering his hybrid Local H concert film Lifers at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. The ever-thoughtful Lucas has much to say about bands, labels, maintaining a vision and the meaning of success.