Hell's Kitchen Radio #622: You're Embarrassing Yourself

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Rock out, you fools!

That was the plan tonight. Don't have a plan. Just gather what you think you need and fly. That's a good strategy, dontcha think? It works for me most of the time.

The most planning I do for my show is pulling music I've purchased recently and coupling that with artists from my library that have been running through my head, or I feel will pair nicely with what I've already got ready to go.

I also know that Daniel is going to bring in his share of treats that will get a spin. He even surprised me with a 7" box set of noise that I didn't know I needed. Thanks Daniel!

There was one scheduled interview for Monday night. I had Kevin Seal coming in to talk about the upcoming Seal Party show at the Rickshaw Stop on Friday, August 14th.

Then the Icelanders walked by.

Daniel and I were talking about something nonsensical, and I made some comment about "fools" just as three people were walking by the open door (the Radio Valencia studios are street level). They looked at me and I waved them in. That's how we came to have three young Icelanders in the studio, and I put them on mic. 

Impromptu interviews happen, so I was just happy to gice these kids their first taste of being on the radio, and while they're visiting the states!!!

Music from six decades all packed into two hours. How do we do it?!?!?!?

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" - 1983)
Midnight Special: Harry Belafonte (The Midnight Special - 1962)
Whitey On The Moon: Gil Scott-Heron (The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - 1974)
Dancing In The Sun: Sun Ra (The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra - 1965)

Dye n Red: Lazy Cowgirls (Third Time's A Charm - 1987)
Country Death Song: Violent Femmes (Hallowed Ground - 1984)
No More Pushing: Daniel Johnston (Hi, How Are You? - 1983)

Spirits: Albert Ayler (Spirits - 1964)
Leave Us Alone: Mary Monday (In The City: SF Punk 1977 - 2021)
Trouble At The Cup: Black Randy and the Metro Squad (7" - 1977)

Gut The Quantifier: The Fall (This Nations Saving Grace - 1985)
Eventually: Ornette Coleman (The Shape of Jazz to Come - 1959)
My Boyfriend's Back: The BeeJays (7" - 1980)

Way Down We Go: Kaleo (A/B - 2016)
They Came In: Butthole Surfers (After the Astronaut - 2026)

Redacted: Seal Party (Circles Headed To The Sky - 2024)
Dark Days: Jolie Holland (Wine Dark Seas - 2014)
Blind Promise: White Heaven (Tokyo Flashback - 1991)
Self Hypnosis in Three Days: WAND (Golem - 2006)

Yor Zarad: Angine De Poitrine (Vol. 2 - 2026)
Desperation: The Avengers (S/T - 1978)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #621: Photographer Rob Coons

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Has this ever happened to you: you're in the pit, minding your own business, moving around and around, and across, and around, most likely in a counter-clockwise fashion (there's scientific studies that explain why), and every so often clockwise, elbows up (if you're in Fresno!), helping up your fallen brothers and sisters, and then a flash goes off in your face?!?!?!

What the hell was that?

More like WHO the hell was that?

More than likely it was Rob Coons, capturing you in all your pit-living glory. 

Indiana born Rob Coons made his way to San Francisco in the early 90s, involved in the music scene as contributor to Maximum Rock and Roll, including a few years on their radio show, which also ran on Radio Valencia! He started shooting live shows about ten years ago, first and foremost as a fan of music, especially hardcore punk; a card-carrying member of Gilman Street. 

His live pics of concert-goers is full of energy: many depicting crowd surfers and stage jumpers. I cannot get enough of Rob's content.

Neither will you.

Monday night Rob came on to share some really great stories and highlights of his own journey, as well as sharing the soundtrack he loves the most. 

Take a look at the playlist below and check out his incredible photography on his Instagram feed.

If you're not sweating after looking at his pictures then you weren't looking at his pictures!

He'll see you at the show!

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" - 1983)
1970: Mission of Burma (The Horrible Truth About... - 1985)
Boys Went South: Wuffy Dogs (7" - 1983)

Radio Youth: Wild Youth (1979)
Kill Yourself: The Lewd (Kill Yourself...Again - 1998)
Nothing For Me: Filth (Don't Hide Your Hate - 1978)
God Is Dead: Heart Attack (7" - 1981)
Death to the Sickoids: The Subhumans (Incorrect Thoughts - 1980)

Tears Won't Soften Steal: Wizard Rifle (Speak Loud Say Nothing 2012)
Bend Over Baby and Let Me Drive: Buck Naked and the Bare Bottom Boys (12" - 1993)

Knowledge: Operation Ivy (Energy - 1989)
Don't Leave Me: Green Day (7" - 1990) This may be the first time I have played Green Day on my show.
Summertime: Crimpshrine (Duct Tape Soup - 1986)
Fuk Shit Up: Blatz (The Shit Split - 1991)
Today's Lesson: The Filth (The Shit Split - 1991)

Police Brutality: Urban Waste (S/T 7" - 1982)
Boiling Point: SS Decontrol (American Hardcore - 1982)
Parasite: Cause for Alarm (S/T -1983)
Second Coming: Battalion of Saints (Second Coming - 1984)
Protester: Choke (???)

Talk To Much: False Flag (Art School - 2026)
Throw Yourself To The Sword: Die Spitz (Something to Consume - 2025)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #620: Lauson Loves Amy

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What an honor it was to have in my darling daughter, Lauson, who wanted to host a tribute to her fallen hero: Amy Winehouse, who passed away 15 years ago this week. Lauson has really come into her own as a show host. All these sets up to the L7 set are hers. For as long as I can remember, Lauson's favorite artist is Amy Winehouse. She has been inspired by her since she was a youngster, and I know a lot of the music she listens to has either inspired Winehouse or was inspired by her. I hope you're as impressed by these sets as I am.

Lauson is a natural on mic, having started with me 14 years ago when she was just a wee seven year old. Listen to her now! And stick around for her new airname!!!

Daniel, aka: DJ Charlie Daniels Hologram, was in the house, and contributed many a fine vocabulary term. 

We also take the last 30 minutes or so to remember Jennifer Finch of L7, who passed from brain cancer last Saturday.

Fuck cancer!

Next Monday night I have live concert photographer Rob Coons in the studio. You really must check out his photos. I know he's going to have a lot to talk about when he joins me in Hell's Kitchen. Tune in.

Check out all the many fine shows Lauson has co-hosted going back to when she was only 7 years old.

First show in 2012
Second show in 2014
Third show also in 2014
Fourth show in spring of 2015
Fifth show in the summer of 2015
Sixth show in summer 2016 along with Saucy!
Seventh show was also during summer 2016
Eight show was December 2016
Ninth show was July 2017
Tenth show was in August 2017
Eleventh show was July 2018
Twelfth show was April 2019
Lucky Thirteen was April 2020

Fourteenth Show from July 2021

Fifteenth show from January 2022

Sixeenth Show from December 2023

Seventeen show from January 2025

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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Tears Dry On Their Own: Amy Winehouse

That's Life: Frank Sinatra

Remember (Walking in the Sand): The Shangri-Las

'round Midnight: Thelonious Monk

In My Bed: Amy Winehouse
It Don't Mean A Thing: Sarah Vaughn

Unchain My Heart: Ray Charles

I Used to Love Him: Lauren Hill

Made You Look: Nas

Body and Soul: Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett

All of Me: Ella Fitzgerald

Monkey Man: The Specials

Girl From Ipanema: Amy Winehouse

You Got Me: The Roots ft. Erykah Badu

What Is It About Men: Amy Winehouse

Right As Rain: Adele

Mercy: Duffy

Get Free: Lana Del Rey

You Sent Me Flying: Amy Winehouse

Pretend Your Dead: L7

Shitlist: L7

Wargasm: L7

Shirley: L7

Hell's Kitchen Radio #619: Waymo Is A Snitch

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Mondays mean more music for your earholes. Ever since I co-produced the celebration of 50 years of Punk in San Francisco back in February, at the Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway, I've had club booker Daniel Haver join me each week, playing music he's found during the week. And let me tell you, Daniel, all of 23 years old, has the knowledge and taste of a person with ten times the experience. 

I spent nine glorious years at KFJC, considered one of the most eclectic and diverse collections anywhere. This is where I received the best music education. Daniel would have fit right in with that crew. He may even have educated a few of the more curmudgeonly ones, who are not quick to being inspired by those younger than them. IFYKYK

Since it was only Daniel and myself tonight (until sound man Christopher and lighting guru Ignacio showed up), it was all, or mostly, about the music. And then it was too much roommate radio. 

But I digress.

New music from Angine de Potrine, The Rinds, and False Flag. We celebrated the anniversary releases of Fun House and Double Nickels on the Dime. You get Daniel's weekly "what the hell is this and where did he find it?" selections. And let me tell you this one is a doozy! 

I personally think the final set of the night was the best set of all! See the playlist below for all the details.

I'm out this coming Monday, so I'll cue up something special for you all. 

In the meantime, Let's Blow San Francisco, and Waymo is a snitch!

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
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In Frisco: Pop-O-Pies (7" - 1983)
For the Love of Ivy: The Gun Club (Fire of Love - 1981)

Ababa Hotel: Angine de Poitrine (Volume 1 - 2026)
Our Group: Neil Hamburger (Sick Spelled Backwards - 2025)
Goin' Blind: Kiss (Hotter Than Hell - 1974)

TV Eye: The Stooges (Fun House - 1970)
A Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing: Minutemen (Double Nickels on the Dime - 1984)
Roll and Tumble: John Lee Hooker (The Chariot Sessions - 1969)
The World's a Mess and it's in My Kiss: X (Los Angeles - 1980)

We Own the Night: The Rinds (Everything Dimed - 2026)
Monster: False Flag (Art School - 2026)
Shortnin' Bread: Readymen (Desperate Rock and Roll Vol. 2 - 1987)
Marie Marie: The Blasters (S/T - 1981)

My Man: Shannon and the Clams (Gone By The Down - 2015)
Satori Part 2: Flower Travelin' Band (Satori - 1971)
Sticky Hulks: Thee Oh Sees (Mutilator Defeated At Last - 2015)

The Gift: Velvet Underground (White Light/White Heat - 1968)
The Powdermilk Biscuit Theme: Middlebury College Dissipated Eight (Very Special - 1984)
Leite: Daminhao Experienca (Adeusadolfhitler1945fim - 197?)
Rock and Roll McDonalds: Wesley Willis (Greatest Hits - 1995)
Armageddon: Bathory (s/t - 1984)
Pinecones: Ogden Edsl

Stagger Lee: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Murder Ballads - 1995)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #618: Photographer Jimmy Jocoy

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Monday night, Daniel and I hosted photographer Jimmy Jocoy, known for his fiercely intimate portraits of young punks in the West Coast scene in the 1970s and 1980s. There wasn't a show that Jimmy attended where his camera wasn't slung at his side. 

Jimmy's story is one of curiosity for his subjects, and some risk taking at times. It's also about what he chose not to shoot. I was surprised to learn that he published very few photos during the heyday of West Coast Punk, and it wasn't until 25 years after he took his last concert pics, and left them in a box in his home, that he was encouraged to pull them out for publishing consideration. And a huge thanks to Thurston Moore for having the sharp eye, noting these images must be seen by the world. 

We're all better for this.

In a world where we are hooked on the live, in your face, boot to the head concert pics, Jimmy's are much more intimate. He asks the subject if he can pull them aside, away from the frenetic energy of the mosh pit, to a less obtrusive and desaturated backdrop to frame them in the deep saturation, showcasing their style. 

Jimmy caught people in vulnerable moments that make me feel like I was in their bedroom while they were choosing what to wear to the FabMab that night.

Jimmy has published two books of his works: "We're Desperate" (2002), and "Order of Appearance" (2017). Both books showcase the images much more than offering the context, drawing you deeper into the experience. You can feel yourself in the room, soaking in with all senses what Jimmy felt and captured.

We're all desperate and satisfied that Jimmy captured and shared what he has.

Enjoy this interview and check out the music we played throughout the show, below.

jh

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

Follow me on Blue Sky
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In Frisco: Pop O Pies (7" - 1983)
Hate the Police: The Dicks (7" - 1980)

Holding Back: The Sleepers (7" - 1981)

Interview with Jimmy Jocoy

I Gave My Punk Jacket to Ricky: Mary Monday (7" - 1977)
Insect Lounge: The Mutants (7" - 1980)
Mercenaries: Negative Trend (Tooth and Nail Comp - 1979)

Car Crash: The Avengers (s/t - 1977)

Interview with Jimmy Jocoy

Savage Connection: Bump Fuzz (7" - 1982)
Radio Dies Screaming: Flesh Eaters (7" - 1979)

This is Your Leader: Pope Paul Pot (7" - 1981)

Baby Talk: The Urge (7" - 1980)

Looking For Laughs: Neil Hamburger (7" - 1994)

Sex Bomb: Flipper (7" - 1981)

Nazi Punks Fuck Off: Dead Kennedys (7" - 1980)

Double Garage: Voice Farm (7" - 

I Was A Teenage Werewolf: The Cramps (Songs The Lord Taught Us - 1980)

Atmosphere: Joy Division (7" - 1979 Sordide Sentimental)

We Must Bleed: Germs ((Gi) - 1979)

Who Stole The Keeshka: Polkacide (s/t - 1986)

Six Pack: Black Flag (The First Six Years - 1983)