by Ed RivadaviaUnable to find a bassist to complement their lineup, Zion, IL's Local H decided to risk it as a duo instead (a rarity in hard rock circles) when vocalist/guitarist Scott Lucas devised a way to install bass pickups into his guitar. This very original setup didn't initially translate into the music, however, and though their first album, 1995's Ham Fisted, possessed some catchy riffs and choruses, most of the material stuck way too close to Nirvana for comfort (the rather interesting"Strict-9" being the only notable exception). Still, occasional highlights such as"Cynic,""Mayonnaise and Malaise," and"Manipulator" point the way toward the band's much more mature, and perhaps best album, As Good as Dead.