Hell's Kitchen Radio #628: Surviving The Fair

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This past weekend was one for the books.

Friday night found us under the big top at The Soiled Dove out on Alameda Point, to watch the acrobatic
burlesque show, featuring Sgt. Splendor and Joan Baez. It's always a pleasure hanging with Eric and Kate, but this time we got to dance with a living legend too!

Sunday DJ Copper Stripper...or whatever we're calling him this week, and I survived the Haight Street Fair, and we want to tell you all about it. 

Radio Valencia had a booth in front of the newly reopened Club Deluxe, near the corner of Haight and Ashbury. We were across from my dear friend Linda Kelly of Haight Street Voice. We found ourselves next door to Aviator Nation, who's manager Angela coincidentally reached out to Radio Valencia about hosting a show. 

Everywhere I turned I ran into friends, new and old. There were so many

fabulous people in the street, skaters, kids, families, awesome bands, small stores vending in the street, and local bars and clubs bringing people in with great food and music. 

If you've been to the fair before you know how great it can be. Honestly, it's my favorite SF street fair of the year. This year may have been the best I've been to, and you can thank the leadership of Katrina Zanotto for that. She really knows how to put an amazing team together.

As for this radio thing it's becoming more and more obvious that this show has lost its sanity.

I have strived for 30+ years NOT to host a show that stays away from roommate radio, but I think there is something to say about making you feel as if you're in the room while the conversations just flow. I mean the topics are so ADHD that it must feel uncomfortable listening from that vantage point. You're welcome.

I think the best part of the night was when our neighbor Eric McFadden dropped by. This guy thinks since
he's living in the hood, and our door being opened, he can just drop in any time he likes. 

He's right!

What a hoot. I strongly encourage you to listen to our impromptu Tuvan Throat Singing. I'm impressed. We may take this on the road. Then we got into a conversation about all the bands Eric has played in. Who knew he was in Creed? Train? 

The hits just keep on coming.

New music from The Darts and The Cramps!!!!!!

We also celebrate the 33 years of Houdini!

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

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In Frisco: Pop-O-Pies (7" - 1982)
Night Goat: Melvins (Houdini - 1993)

Korosu: Boris (Heavy Rocks - 2003)
Satori Part 2: Flower Travellin' Band (Satori - 1971)

My Heart is a Graveyard: The Darts (Nightmare Queens - 2026)
Is It Too Late?: Jenny Don't and the Spurs (Call of the Road - 2016)
Sugarfoot Rag: Mitch Polzak and the Kaw-Ligas (Down South Blues - 2024)
Neither Fish Nor Foul: Thee Headcoats (Headcoatitude - 1991)
Need Ya: Bob Seger (Seven - 1974)

Can't Find My Mind: The Cramps (Gravest Gravy - 2026)
Bullwinkle Pt. 2: Centurions (Surfer Pajama Party - 1963)
Last Orders: The Fall (Short Circus: Live At The Electric Circus - 1978)
What Love Is: Dead Boys (Young, Loud and Snotty - 1977)

Run Down: The Saints (Eternally Yours - 1978)
Need: Mudhoney (Superfuzz Bigmuff - 1988)
Me and My Woman: Shuggie Otis (Freedom Flight - 1971)

Jakey: Big John Patton (Let 'em Roll - 1965)

Forming: The Germs (Live At The Whiskey - 1977)

Head on the Curve: James Williamson (Re-Licked - 2014)

Honey Bucket: Melvins (Houdini - 1993)

The Angry Angakok: The Residents (Eskimo - 1979)
Wots Uh The Deal: Pink Floyd (Obscured By Clouds - 1972)

My Way: Elvis Presley 

Hell's Kitchen Radio #627: On The Road To Truth And Consequences

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When you know you know. You know? And I know that knowing creative people is like touching God. I'm not a religious man. My name is Hell. John Hell. But I do know that when I say God, I am talking about the road to perfection. The road to Truth. 

It's all about the road.

Gandhi know this. So did Socrates, King and Thoreau. 

This isn't about a light that burns twice as bright burns twice as fast. This is about sharing space with creatives who strive to share space with all; strive to thrive on collaboration and community. Grow their own worlds by merging with the world of other creatives.

This is what Radio Valencia is all about.

I keep the door open as way to show that we are open to all your creative forces. Let them come, one and all. How lucky are we to have this space to share? 

On this night, DJ Copper Stripper and I celebrated the life of Cheetah Chrome of Dead Boys who passed away this past week. 

The most exciting part of this show is when Muhammad and the band Madrona hung out studying, with a highlighter, for his class at UC Berkeley, and talking up his band's upcoming show at 924 Gilman Street. We dubbed him a name I will never be able to announce ever again, but I really hope he keeps.

DJ Comuhammanard!!! That's it!

Guitarist, friend and fellow creative Eric McFadden stopped in. He's living in the hood, close to the station, so he figures he can just do what he wants. And you know what? He can. We're all better for this.

We also have new music from San Francisco punks Surprise Privilege, new issue of early Cramps, dance punk from Snooper, and brand new Butthole Surfers. Have you seen the new documentary about them? I cried. Go see it. Now. Seriously. Ignore this show and go find it. Bootleg the damn thing. Just see it.

Then celebrate the fact that you are alive at a time where so many creative people are coming together like transformers when the all merge into one giant vehicle to shoot oil all over the face of fascists everywhere.

I have no idea where that came from. Just go with it.

The image above is from the ice cream field trip the Common Sense Advisory Committee took last weekend. That's lighting/soundman Christopher, myself, and Eric McFadden outside a gelato place in North Beach. Not pictured is Katrina, Daniel and the man-of-the-hour Ignacio. We know how to party. Party all the time.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

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In Frisco: Pop-O-Pies (7" - 1982)
Darkest Light: Lafayette Afro Rock Band (Malik - 1976)

Back To New Orleans: Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (Back To New Orleans - 1959)
Heroes: David Bowie ("Heroes" - 1977)
Wasps From Samoa: Surprise Privilege (Hard Listen - 2026)

So Cold: Rocket From The Tombs (The Day The Earth Met The Rocket From The Tombs - 2015) 
Ain't It Fun: Rocket From The Tombs (Peter Laughner Box Set - 2019)
Sonic Reducer: Dead Boys (Young, Loud and Snotty - 1977)
Too Much To Dream: Stiv Bators (Disconnected - 1980)
Leave Me Alone: Johnny Thunders (So Alone - 1978)

The Native's Are Restless: The Cramps (Gravest Gravy - 2026)
Flight Taken: Debris (Static Disposal - 1976)
Seven and Seven Is: Love (Da Capo - 1966)
Fire in the Western World: Dead Moon (Strange Pray Tell - 2012)

Hologram: Snooper (Worldwide - 2025)
Communist Eyes: Germs (Gi - 1979)
I Don't Want To Be Happy: The Contortions (Buy The Contortions - 1979)
The Sombrero: Neil Hamburger (Sick Spelled Backwards - 2025)
Babylonian Gorgon: The Bags (7" - 1978)
Babylonian: The Officials (7" - 1974)

Venus: Butthole Surfers (After the Astronaut - 2026)
I Came From The Mountain: Thee Oh Sees (Live in San Francisco - 2015)
On The Road: Divorce Bug (7" - 1978)
Mr. Big: The Dils (Dils Dils Dils  - 2001)

Johnny Hit and Run Pauline: X (Los Angeles - 1980)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #626: Sgt Splendor Gets Soiled In Hell's Kitchen

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I can't believe it's been over a year since I've had Kate and Eric of Sgt. Splendor in the studio! There once was a time that not six months would go by and they'd be in the cat bird seat. I guess they're getting too famous to stoop down to the depths of Hell's Kitchen Radio, deep in the dregs of the Mission District of San Francisco.

Nah.

I couldn't be more excited to watch the trajectory of this dynamic duo. Sgt. Splendor has been touring extensively the past few years, playing around the country to a growing and dedicated fanbase. The festival circuit has been good to them.

And now they are the musical force playing the annual Voir de Vire Society show: The Soiled Dove, taking place under the big top on Alameda Island through this November, featuring the one and only Joan Baez! 

I'll be attending next Friday night!

Kate and Eric hung out Monday night in the studio talking about this show, songwriting and recording, touring, and the music that brought them together. We play a lot of their great music and their influences during the show.

As always DJ Daniel "Whatever-He's-Going-By-Tonight" is with me. 

Oh, and I video streamed this show on TapIn. I haven't done this before, as I always felt that no one wants to watch a radio show. You can check out the finished product here. Let me know if I should do this again.

Enjoy and go see Soiled Dove.

jh

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

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In Frisco: Pop O Pies (7" - 1983)
Magick 8 Ball: Pancho and the Wizards (Sun In Splendor - 2026)

I Once Was a Contender: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour in The House of Lugosi - 2025)
Chocolate Jesus: Tom Waits (Mule Variation - 1999)

Blue and Her Strawberry Balloon: Sgt. Splendor (Death of the Hoochie Koo - 2023)
Goodbye Sober Day: Mr. Bungle (California - 1999)
California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel (Games Dames and Guitar Thangs - 1977)

Brave, Rough, and Ready To Go: Sgt. Splendor (Isotopia - 2025)
No More Mister Nice Guy: Alice Cooper (Million Dollar Babies - 1972)
Plastic Hamburgers: Fantastic Negrito (Please Don't Be Dead - 2018)
The Pusher: Nina Simone (It Is Finished - 1974)

White Riot: The Clash (S/T - 1977)
Friday Night August 14th: Funkadelic (Free Your Mind... - 1970)
Linoleum: NOFX (So Long and Thanks for the Shoes - 1997)
Stagger Lee: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Murder Ballads - 1996)

I Lit the Fire: Sgt. Splendor (Isotopia - 2025)
Scatterbrain: Jeff Beck (Blow By Blow - 1975)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #625: Cover Me Covering You

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So punk photographer Rob Coons (AKA: Rob Taco) gave me a ring asking if he could come in to co-host a Punk covers night. What was I supposed to say? I jumped at the chance to collaborate with Rob on such a fun show.

I've played a ton of covers in the past, but Rob's idea was to play both the cover and the original. He also wanted to make the point that many covers came from originals that were as far from Punk as one could get! He wasn't kidding.

I played along, but only played the covers. 

Daniel (AKA: DJ Copper Stripper (who knew there were at least three meanings to this moniker???)) was present but neglected to bring any vinyl along. WTH DJ CS????

I'm curious how many of you knew these were covers? 

We had so much fun we've decided to host a part two in the coming months.

Also, now that we're getting closer to fall, it's time to prepare for my 16th annual Annual Annual. I think we're going with 1967, unless Copper Stripper gets his way and we do 1933. I also like the idea of doing 1982, but I did 1981 last year, so probably not. 

If you're unaware of this special, I play at least two hours from one year. Last year I played four hours from 1981 and it was amazing. 

My 16th annual Annual Annual will be sometime in late November. Stay tuned.

Next Monday night I'm thrilled to have Kate Vargas and Eric McFadden of Sgt. Splendor in the studio playing tunes and talking up their residency at Soiled Dove in Alameda. Talking to Kate and Eric is always a treat.

Tune in and enjoy.

jh

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

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Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love: Minutemen
Eight Miles High: Husker Dü
Eve of Destruction: The Dickies

Wild in the Street: Circle Jerks
Wild in the Streets: Garland Jeffreys
Police on My Back: The Clash
Police on My Back: The Equals

Steppin' Stone: Minor Threat
I Will Always Love You: Me First and the Gimmee Gimmees
Louie Louie: Black Flag

Goo Goo Muck: The Cramps
Goo Goo Muck: Ronnie Cook and the Gaylads
Pills: New Your Dolls
Pills: Bo Diddley

I Don't Wanna Grow Up: The Ramones
I Don't Wanna Grow Up: Tom Waits
Looking at You: The Damned
Looking at You: MC5
Truckin': Pop-O-Pies

Ofortuna: Botch
Ofortuna: Karl Orff
Goin' Blind: Melvins
Goin' Blind: Kiss
Hurdy Gurdy Man: Butthole Surfers
Hurdy Gurdy Man: Donovan

12XU: Minor Threat
Gloria: Patti Smith

Son of a Gun: Nirvana
What A Wonderful World: Joey Ramone

Hell's Kitchen Radio #624: Reality Look What You're Allowing

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Nothing to see here. Apparently there is something to listen to, however. Listening to this show week to week has been shown to improve your musical intelligence and increase your ADHD!

I have to thank DJ Copper Stripper, or DJ Charlie Daniels Hologram...whatever Daniel is going by these days, for injecting the genre-bending goodness that he does so well, week after week. I come from the school of keep your listeners on their toes kind of radio. Daniel takes this to heart. He deserves a full throated thank you for that.

Monday night continues in this vein. We both have a lot to say on the turntables and on the mic. We were certainly in the zone on this show. It went off the rails a few times. Give it a spin.

New music from Death Valley Girls, False Flag, Angine de Poitrine, Poncho and the Wizards, and Ty Segall. Too much great music in two hours is good for your health.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

Follow me on Blue Sky
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
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In Frisco: Pop-O-Pies (7" - 1982)

Tommy in 7 Minutes: Various (7" - 1994)
Whiskey and Wimmen: John Lee Hooker (I'm John Lee Hooker - 1960)

Know Your Product: The Saints (Eternally Yours - 1978)
Roll 'em Pete: Jimmy Witherspoon (...at the Renaissance - 1959)
I'm Not Pretty: The Lewd (American Wino - 1982)

I Am A Wave: Death Valley Girls (7" - 2026)
I Was Cruel: Magic Dirt (10" - 1996)

Roomful of Mirrors: The Pretenders (Get Close - 1986)

Let's Make It Clear: Dickie Thompson (7" - ????)

Dropout Boogie: Captain Beefheart (Safe As Milk - 1967)
Johnny Too Bad: The Offs (7" - 1978)

Lust For Life: Bad Livers (7" - 1991)

Poppity Pop: Slim Gaillard (Slim's Jam - 1945)

Chrome: Ty Segall (Chrome - 2026)

Yor Zarad: Angine de Poitrine (Volume 2 - 2026)

Double Adapter: City Ram Waddy (Project X - 1979)

I Like Boys: Missing Persons (EP - 

Sure Shot: Beastie Boys (Ill Communication - 1994)

City of The Future: False Flag (Art School - 2026)

Be Here Now: Pancho and the Wizards (Sun Splendor - 2026)

Persuasion Architecture: Cory Hanson (Western Cum - 2023)

Snakes Crawl: Shannon and the Clams (Year of the Spider - 2021)

Right Thing To Do: Matt Cameron (Gory Scorch Cretins - 2023)