Hell's Kitchen Radio #547: The Phil Zone

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Well crap, this was bound to happen, right? Everyone dies. When you're a kid and you discover your heroes you think they're going to live forever. You don't want to imagine a day when they won't be around to inspire and excite you.

I remember being in my 20s think that some day every member of the Grateful Dead will be dead and gone. That seemed like such a long way off. Jerry Garcia passed shortly before I turned 25. I got to see a good many shows between my first on December 30, 1985 and my final show on September 19, 1994.

Going to Dead shows were all about getting up near the front for all the spectacle. This was before I had the knowledge of finding the sweet spot. When I had the chance I preferred to situate myself it was was commonly called The Phil Zone; directly in front of bassist Phil Lesh. 

My finest memory was at the Earthquake Benefit Show on December 06, 1989. I was standing up at the stage railing with friends. We saw Phil and a few others standing back stage smoking a joint getting ready to come on stage. As Phil made his way forward, myself and a few others made the universal sign for smoking a joint. Phil responded by throwing that sign right back at us with a huge smile. That is something I will take my own grave.

Thanks for all the music, Phil. So many great memories. 

As for the music I shared tonight, it's a mixed bag of what Phil and the boys put forth over the year. Phil didn't sing much more than backup over the years, and not at all in the mid-70s into the mid-80s. He's known mostly for dropping bombs! Mad bombs. He was never your typical bassist, keeping the beat. He was a lead bassist. He weaves his way through the music as much as Jerry every did. And his style was more akin to neo-classical and the avant garde. 

Check out the Phil and Ned (aka: Seastones) sets from the summer and fall 1974 shows. You think you know the Grateful Dead? This ain't no Touch of Grey. 

There are two particular passages here tonight that I think are super tasty. The first is the Spanish Jam from January 22, 1968. What they do with this theme is really beyond compare. The second piece is a 35+ minute Other One from the Europe 72 tour: April 26, 1972. The song is all over the place and showcases the brilliance of Mr. Lesh and how he can drive the band as much as any other player. This is improvisation at its finest. Even you skeptics will agree this is fine art. 

There are also some lead vocals from Phil including his classic "Box of Rain" which was written in

memory of his father. There's an early 1966 tune "Cardboard Cowboy", which Phil explains. I took the passage from his audio book/memoir "Searching for the Sound". There are also some alternative mixes from the 50th anniversary Mars Hotel: "Unbroken Chain" (first performed live in 1995) and "Pride of Cucamonga", a song the Dead never performed live. I also throw in a Dylan cover: "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues", that I loved to hear Phil sing. 

His voice leaves a lot to love, and that's being polite. Being a Dead Freak we just kinda let that go. HA!

OK, enough for the lead up. Click on the link and enjoy the show.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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Box of Rain (Alternative Mix): Grateful Dead

Comments on Cardboard Cowboy/Cardboard Cowboy: Grateful Dead (1966)
Born Cross-Eyed->Feedback->Spanish Jam: Grateful Dead (January 22, 1968)

Unbroken Chain (Alternative Mix): Grateful Dead (Mars Hotel 50th)
Hard to Handle: Grateful Dead (August 6, 1971)
The Music Never Stopped: Grateful Dead (July 17, 1989)

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues: Grateful Dead (March 15, 1990)
Cryptical Envelopment->The Other One: Grateful Dead (April 26, 1972)

Easy Wind: Grateful Dead (May 15, 1970)
Pride of Cucamonga (Alternative Mix): Grateful Dead (Mars Hotel 50th)

Cosmic Charlie: Grateful Dead (Aoxomoxoa 50th)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #546: Who Is In Control?

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Well Hell, here we go again. There was a time, from the age of about 5 - 30 that I really thought I wanted to be a professional radio DJ. I loved the thought of playing my favorite music for a wide audience. If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, then you loved your local DJ, who you thought was programming their own shows. 

Silly me. And silly you if you thought they had total autonomy. I learned by the age of 18, when I was interning at KRQR that it was up to the Music Director, or Program Director what was going to be played. They also told you what you were going to say. 

DO. NOT. DEVIATE.

Damn.

Still, I wanted in on the game. The way I figured, it was more about me calling the shots after I'd been there 10-20 years. And I wanted to be there for life. By the time I left KRQR I knew I wasn't going to love all of the music being played, but I also thought I would have more say about programming once I was in the chair. 

I couldn't have been more wrong about that.

I ended up a button monkey (board op) at Alice-97.3 (KLLC). Coincidentally the same station that was once KRQR. This time I actually had a show. Still, here's what you play and here's what you say. And after the Telecommunications Act of 1996, companies began buying up the competition, so there was no need to take the risks they once had. 

Here's what you play. Here's what you say.

DO. NOT. DEVIATE.

This was in 2002. And this is when I decided to leave my dream of corporate radio dominance behind for the greener and much more poor pastures of non-commercial radio. I was actually still at KFJC when I was at KRQR. And I was hosting a show at the now-defunct pirate station San Francisco Liberation Radio when I was at Alice-FM. You can take the boy out of the subversive medium, you can't take the subversive medium out of the boy. 

Once I left KLLC I dove head first into SF non-comm/pirate culture, and I'm glad I did.

I may not host a daily radio show, but that also means I don't have to pretend to like the Eagles and AC/DC, or some pop crap. Can you even imagine?

My air name would probably be something like "Mike Alan". HA!

At least I can sleep peacefully knowing that all the Music and Program Directors have been replaced by Spotify and AI. 

I'm not bitter. I'm a DJ who programs their own show and you get to benefit from that. I guess I really am living the dream.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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Bad Indian: Dead Pioneers (2023)
The Rain: Eddie Gale (1968)

Gild the Lily: Billy Strings (2024)

Happiness is Drumming: Diga Rhythm Band (1976)

Song of the Lake: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2024)

Regiment: Brian Eno and David Byrne (1981)

Black Silk Stocking: Chrisma (1977)

I Got Rhythm: Django Reinhardt (1938)

Glossolalia: Dale Crover (2024)

Black Moon Spell: King Tuff (2014)

Grind: The Jesus Lizard (2024)
My Man: Shannon and the Clams (2015)

Did You Hear About Jerry: Harry Belafonte (1962)

Reasonable World: The Blind Shake (2016)

Cold Bear: The Gators (1970)

Gimme My Wife: Bruce Marshall (1970?)

One More Death: GOAT (2024)

Strange: Wire (1977)

Pigs (Three Different Ones): Pink Floyd (1977)

Dragonaut (live 1992): Sleep (1992)

Oh Allah: Alice Coltrane (1971)

White Bird: It's A Beautiful Day (1969)

In That Great Getting Up In The Morning: The New Gospel Keys

Hell's Kitchen Radio #545: INDECLINE and BLF

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Some interviews are just that much more special. Monday night was twice as nice. I was honored to have Jack Napier from the Billboard Liberation Front in house to talk about his history of "improving" billboards, laughing all the while. Jack was also kind enough to bring along a representative from the artist activist collective INDECLINE, who are currently celebrating their 24th year of upsetting the status quo. You may recall their life sized statues of a nude Donald Trump that were placed around the country in the lead up to the 2016 election. Yeah, that INDECLINE.

The conversation went from the history of this clandestine cabal, to how they recruit members, skirt thelaw (they don't always), find inspiration, explore the difference between art and graffiti, and what's coming up next. Even our old friend Jack is coming out of retirement; he's been so inspired. 

INDECLINE in San Francisco this week for a few nights in celebration of their art. 

You can catch them at The Roxie on Wednesday, October 9th, starting at 6pm, where there will be a double feature of their films "The Art of Protest" and "Side Hustles". A Q&A will follow, featuring members of INDECLINE, Jack Napier, Winston Smith, and moderator Broke-Ass Stuart.

Thursday INDECLINE will be celebrating the release of their new book "Control Alter Delete" at City Lights Bookstore in North Beach at 6pm. Jack Napier will also be in attendance. 

This event will be followed at 7:30 pm by an art installation at Studio Fall Out, 50-A Bannam Place, San Francisco.

Friday and Saturday there is more INDECLINE at Studio Fall Out.

First, on Friday night there is a "Control Alter Delete" film screening, that features behind-the-scenes footage of billboard liberation adventures from 2000-2024. This runs from 7-9pm.

And finally on Saturday night INDECLINE, in collaboration with Studio Fallout presents: “Liberation Vinyl” an intimate creative workshop giving guests the unique chance to create and take home their own custom art on liberated billboard vinyl. THERE ARE TICKETS NEEDED FOR THIS EVENT.

There is a lot of subversive and silly fun to be had this week in San Francisco. Go out and make your mark.

Thanks to Chick and Winston Smith for improving my show image at the top. I'm honored.

See you at the show.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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How To Ruin Your Life: False Flag
Christianity is Stupid: Negativland

Interview with Jack Napier - Billboard Liberation Front

Confluence: Slift

Interview with Jack Napier and rep from INDECLINE

Mountain: Meatbodies

Do You Like To Eat A Cow: Paul Leary

Interview with Jack Napier and rep from INDECLINE

Hide and Seek: The Jesus Lizard
Be My Enemy: The Bobby Lees

Interview with Jack Napier and rep from INDECLINE

Queen: Melvins

Leaning on a Travelin' Song: Billy Strings

Total Destruction of your Mind: Swamp Dogg

Roadrunner: Modern Lovers

Pressure Drop: Toots and the Maytals
Rudi, A Message to You: The Specials

Beer Drinking Woman: Memphis Slim

Hell's Kitchen Radio #544: No Reason Not To Celebrate

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Happy birthday to MEEEEEEEE!

It's my birthday, and here I am alone in the studio giving back to YOUUUUUUUUU. And why not? It's a real treat being able to do this every week. Two hours is never enough, and I never come with a plan. I start with a song and go from there. I let the music move me, and since I wasn't focusing on playing anything new tonight, I was digging into my vault to pull out some tunes that have moved me over the years. 

Take a look at the playlist and click the link to play the show.

And if you want to show me some birthday love, please consider donating to Radio Valencia. This is labor of love, and we all pay monthly dues to keep the lights on and the turntables spinning. We need help maintaining the equipment we have, and regularly replacing worn out parts. We also have a deep desire to update our website. If you know anyone that can donate items for a raffle please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Enjoy this birthday gift I made just for you.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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Metal Guru: T Rex
Powerman: The Kinks
Five Years: David Bowie

Poor Elijah/Tribute to Johnson: Delaney and Bonnie with Eric Clapton
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?: Derek and the Dominos

Can't You Hear Me Knocking?: The Rolling Stones
Sister Morphine: Marianne Faithfull
Slip Inside This House: 13th Floor Elevators

I Come From The Mountain: Thee Oh Sees
Licking Stick - Licking Stick: James Brown

Rise Up With Fists: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Only Son Of the Ladiesman: Father John Misty
Tiger Mountain Peasant Song: First Aid Kit

Lilac Wine: Jeff Buckley
The Pusher: Nina Simone

Southern Girls (Albini Recorded): Cheap Trick
I Wanna Be Your Dog: The Stooges
Rock and Roll: Velvet Underground

Red Right Hand: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Right On For The Darkness: Curtis Mayfield

Chocolate Jesus: Tom Waits
Rebel Girl: Bikini Kill

Hell's Kitchen Radio #543: See All The Colors

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This is one of those times when I really count my blessings. Everyone has their struggles, so don't let me start getting into my own. Does any of it really matter? No. None of it matters. Holding a grudge does nothing but take the time away from having a really good time. And isn't that what we want: to have a really good time?

Why suffer? What does it bring? What have we gained by our own suffering? Experience? Isn't there any other way to grow? I've learned more lessons than blah, blah, blah. Is this what life is all about: learning lessons so as not to repeat the same mistakes over and over again? What if I learned a lesson, put in my best effort, asked all the right questions, opened myself up to scrutiny and vulnerability, articulated my boundaries, and still tripped?!

What then?

Throw it all away? Remain alone for the sake of caring for my heart? Risk appearing aloof or uncaring just so I don't have to clean up a mess that I worked diligently to avoid happen in the first place? We're not a solitary species? But what's so bad about being alone? I have my music to keep my warm. Even the kids grow up to live their own lives.

Enjoy the moment. That's all we have. Meditate on that. You can do your best to make up for the past. Take accountability even when it feels impossible. Make amends. Speak your truth with the most compassionate head and heart. Be the best listener. Ask the deeper questions. Be vulnerable and available for the criticisms that will come your way (and they will come!).

Prepare for the future, knowing as hard as you do, life has a way of throwing a lot of curveballs at you. Be calm through the storm. Flow like water. Respond, don't react. Breathe. Always breathe. And know that everyone else is going through the shit too.

All we have in now. It's only now. It's always now. Bring your best now. Now. And do not beat yourself up if the best you have now is not the same as what others are bringing. Never compare yourself to others, ever. You'll lose that battle. So don't do it. Rise above that. You're not rising above others, you're rising above the idea that others are above you. No one is above anyone else. We're all treading water in our own way. Our job is to do it as calmly as possible. Don't fight the waves. Don't fight the tide.

Flow like water.

Forgive.

Love.

Be. Here. Now.

And listen to good music. 

There's some pretty good music here. New The Jesus Lizard, Ty Segall, Dale Crover, WAND, and a bunch of other stuff I think you're going to love. I love it, anyway.

And if you want to support what we're doing, please consider donating. This is labor of love, and we all pay monthly dues to keep the lights on and the turntables spinning. We need help maintaining the equipment we have, and regularly replacing worn out parts. We also have a deep desire to update our website. If you know anyone that can donate items for a raffle please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

Follow me on Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
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Kasalefkut-Hulu: Mulatu Astatke
Sevda Olmasaydi: Altin Gün

Theme de Yoyo: Art Ensemble of Chicago
Down Home Girl: The Coasters

Help Save The Youth of America: Billy Bragg
Youth of America: Melvins
Bang Bang: Nancy Sinatra
The Tide is High: The Paragons

High Time: WAND
Enemy Destruct: Thee Oh Sees

Teenie Weenie Boppie: Free Kitten
Purple: Ken Nordine
Golden Gate Park: The Catheads
2 Drunk 2 Fuck: Avenue D
Fuck the Police (edit): NWA
Rudy, a Message to You: Dandy Livingstone

Lord Godiva: The Jesus Lizard
Blood Like Cream: Red Fang

I Waited Forever: Dale Crover (ft. Ty Segall)
Killer: Alice Cooper
Gathering of the Ancient Tribes: GOAT

The Dance/Walk Home Pt.2/First Touch: Ty Segall
Rise: PIL