Local H was founded in 1990 by high school buddies Scott Lucas, Matt Garcia, John Sparkman, and Joe Daniels. Although Sparkman and Garcia left 1 and 3 years into the band, respectively, Local H continued as a two man act. In 1999, Brian St. Clair replaced Joe Daniels as the drummer, and in 2013, Ryan Harding became the new drummer.

Local H’s name comes from two R.E.M. songs; Oddfellows Local 151 and Swan Swan H.