The term “power-duo” is not a common expression in the world of music today, but Local H might give the term some familiarity when it brings its hard-edged rock to the Memorial Union Terrace tonight.

“We want to give people something original,” said Scott Lucas, vocalist and guitarist of the band. “People can leave our show and say, ‘I just saw a two-piece band tonight.'”

Local H, a relatively local band from Zion, Ill., formed back in 1988 as a four-piece. The lineup soon dwindled down to Lucas and drummer Joe Daniels, leaving the pair wondering what to do about the composition of the band.

“We couldn’t find another [bass player] that we could work with; we played with one guy, but it didn’t click,” Lucas said. This predicament brought about the unique instrumentation in the band’s music.

“We were playing a show with a label person in the audience, and we were without a bass player, so we rigged up the guitar in a new fashion,” Lucas said.

Lucas’ guitar features a bass pickup in his guitar that is fed through a bass amplifier. The pickup gives the lowest two guitar strings a bass sound, which in turn gives the band a full sound.

The band’s music has been compared to a wide variety of groups ranging from Nirvana, to the Beach Boys to Jane’s Addiction. “The huge range of comparisons is great,” Lucas said. “I would hate to be compared to only one band, which would be like painting ourselves in a corner.”

The Nirvana comparison is one that Lucas respects. “They were a great band,” he said. “They were one of the Sub Pop bands we listened to quite a bit.”

Lucas said that he was influenced by R.E.M. in the early going, with the bands from the Sub Pop label becoming prominent in Lucas’ listening later on. “We originally hoped to achieve a sound that combined some parts of those influences,” Lucas said.

Lucas said there wasn’t a “scene” in Zion for the band to fall into, as everybody listened to thrash and not much else, so it wasn’t forced to play a certain style.

The name of the band has no significant meaning, as Lucas revealed that the letter H is simply that. “It’s just a letter. We wanted to have a free-standing letter in the title.

“We wanted to have a name which we could play any type of music under,” Lucas continued. “If we wanted to be a country band tomorrow, we could do so with the same name.”

One particular concert was mentioned when asked about previous shows in the area. “We had our infamous set at Urbandale High School,” Lucas said. “We got three songs into the set, and the principal pulled the plug on us.”

Lucas divulged the reason for the abrupt halt. “We had been warned over and over, ‘Don’t say ‘fuck.’ Well, our opening song was full of that word, but I didn’t say it. The second song included the word ‘shit,’ which I went ahead and left in. They didn’t say not to say that one.”

By the third song, Lucas said the crowd was starting to get into the show, which led to the pulled plug.

Lucas said he enjoys the energetic crowds, especially the young ones. “All-ages shows are preferred,” Lucas said. “I don’t care where we are playing as long as the show is for all ages.

“The older crowd will sit back and drink their drinks, regardless if the younger crowd is allowed in or not,” Lucas said. “The kids will get right up in front and rock.”

The band released its second album, As Good As Dead, on Tuesday. Many people of all ages will get a great opportunity to experience these songs for the first time in a live setting.

Tonight’s show at the Memorial Union Terrace starts at 7 p.m., and is open to all ages. The cost is $2.