AMG Review of Ham Fisted

Eduardo Rivadavia
All Music Guide

Unable to find a bassist to complement the group, Zion, Illinois' Local H decided to go it as a duo (a rarity in hard rock circles) when vocalist/guitarist Scott Lucas devised a way to install bass pickups into his guitar. This original setup didn't translate to the music, however. Though their first album, 1995's Ham Fisted, possessed some catchy riffs and choruses, most of the material was way too close to Nirvana for comfort. Still, "Cynic," "Mayonnaise and Malaise," and "Manipulator" were very good songs, and the relatively original sounding "Strict-9" pointed the way toward the band's next, and perhaps best, album, As Good As Dead.