caught the attention of Joe Bosso

By 1994, record labels were trying to capitalize on the popularity of harder-edged alt-rock bands like Nirvana , Pearl Jam , Soundgarden , and Stone Temple Pilots , and the band caught the attention of Joe Bosso, an A&R rep for Polydor Records , which was then in the process of merging with Island Records . Island released Local H’s debut studio album, Ham Fisted , in January 1995, with the singles “Cynic” and “Mayonnaise and Malaise,” but the album failed to chart. Behind the scenes, Island pressured Bosso to drop the band; instead, Bosso pushed them into quickly recording a follow-up before Island could cancel their contract. Ahead of the release of As Good as Dead , Lucas was informed by Island that the album needed to sell at least 100,000 copies for the band to remain with the label. As Good as Dead achieved moderate commercial success behind the single ” Bound for the Floor “, which rose to No. 5 on the US Alternative Billboard Chart and No. 10 on the US Hot Mainstream Rock Billboard Chart. The songs ” Eddie Vedder ” and “Fritz’s Corner” additionally made Top 40 on the Alternative and Mainstream Rock Billboard Charts. The album ultimately sold over 300,000 copies.