Radio Valencia Celebrates 50 Years of Punk In San Francisco

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Leading up to our epc co-presents at the fabled Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway I hosted a rare Friday night special with two up and coming bands: False Flag and Bitchfit. Both bands played the evening showcase on Saturday night, upstairs at the On Broadway in support of Flipper and Friends and the 50th anniversary celebration of punk in San Francisco and the opening of the Fab Mab.

False Flag features sisters Pretty Sims (bass/vocals), Strong Sims (guitar/vocals) and Bayden Tubelle (drums). The will assault all manners of pretense once the curtain drops and they will not let up until they've been dragged from the stage, cables wrapped around their limbs like a junkie waiting for just one more aural fix. Lyrics born of urban decay and blight from a male-dominated culture, False Flag aren't just re-writing what the many-facetted  genre of punk looks like in 2026, they honestly don't care what you think about them. They don't do this for you. They do what every band that has ever been worth their weight has done: they do it for themselves, and you should thank your lucky stars they let you be along for the ride.

We played some songs and talked about music, their band, the record store I Hate Records that Pretty is also running (like they aren't busy enough), and setting the story straight on what exactly happened on that BART train.

Following False Flag the young start ups, Bitchfit from Oakland came through. They opened the show on Saturday night, and even though they don't have anything released yet, their reputation of fierce females on this scene proceeded itself. Full of charisma, confidence and hardcore ethos, Talulah (drums) and Ailish (bass/vocals) talked about bringing topics like body positivity, human rights politics and what we should be angry about today!

Witnessing both bands on stage Saturday night was a treat. The torch is firmly placed in the fists of both of these bands.

The image at the top is the poster created by the one and only Richie Goodtimes for the event. Thanks Richie. 

Check out the interviews here, along with music from False Flag and a bunch of other punks I love.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Glorious: Polkacide

Party!: The Mutants

Interview with False Flag

How To Ruin Your Life: False Flag

Ha Ha Ha: Flipper
California Uber Alles: Dead Kennedys

Interview with False Flag

Corpus Christi: Avengers

One Man War: False Flag

Interview with False Flag

The Midnight Show: The Freak Accident
Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop-O-Pies

Boris: Melvins

Business on Parade: MDC
The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave: Butthole Surfers

Put A Little Love In Your Heart: Circle Jerks

Police Truck: Dead Kennedys

Interview with Bitch Fit

Midnight Creep: The Darts

Hellfudge: Lard

Interview with Bitch Fit

Keith Moon: Mike Krol

Frock Block: OSees

X Offender: Blondie

Nothing In This World Stop Me Thinking About That Girl: The Kinks
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

My posts are never written using AI of any kind. This shitty writing is mine and mine alone.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #600: Freaky Mutant Crime

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What a delight it was celebrating my 600th show on Radio Valencia by hosting four musicians who helped shape the punk history in San Francisco. 

Who would have thought when I started my road in radio in the late 80s, that I would grow up to hosts legends of a music scene that was too young to enjoy when it was at its height, but came to love it deeply?

I have always followed my bliss. Music has always been my bliss. I'm not much of a fanboy...Ok, maybe for Ty Segall, but other than that I just really enjoy being around music and musicians, for the love of the art. I like talking music. I love reading about music. My favorite books about music are when the artist is talking about making the art. Keith Richard's book "Life" does this well.

37 years in radio (yikes!) has honored me with seeing some incredible live music, interviewing countless bands, and getting to know some of the finest people to grace a stage. I'm living the life! Monday night I was lucky to host four people who have made their mark on the San Francisco music scene, and will be doing so once again this coming Saturday at the newly reopened Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in North Beach.

Fritz and Brendan from The Mutants, Henry Rosenthal (Hank Rank) of Crime, and Ralph Spight of The Freak Accident spent the evening with me telling tales of the heyday of punk in the city, and the venue that sparked the magic. Music from these bands and other bands of the day are sprinkled throughout, all in preparation for a great night at the FabMab and On Broadway.

I am honored to be co-producing this show with Steve DePace of Flipper. Radio Valencia is co-presenting and will be spinning music throughout the night. And I'm your MC!!!

Tickets are almost gone for these two events, so please follow the links embedded in the posters to grab yours before they're gone.

Tune in Friday 8-10PM Pacific for a special on the upcoming live shows, featuring Steve DePace of Flipper, and members of BitchFit and False Flag.

Here's to 600 more shows on Radio Valencia!!!

jh

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

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The Catholics Are Attacking: Pop-O-Pies (The White EP - 1982)

Car Crash: Avengers (ST - 1983)

Wild: The Nuns (S/T - 1980)

White Punks on Dope: The Tubes (S/T - 1975)

B-Side: Sleepers (7" - 1980)
Plastic TV Land on Acid: Pope Paul Pot

San Francisco's Doomed: Crime (San Francisco's Doomed - 1978)
Rock 'N' Enemy No. 1: Crime (San Francisco's Doomed - 1978)

Murder By Guitar: Crime (Murder By Guitar 1976 - 1980)

Party!: The Mutants (Curse of the Easily Amused - Recorded in 1979, Released in 2026)
New Drug (Version 2): The Mutants ( Fun Terminal - 1979)

Noises and Numbers: The Mutants (Curse of the Easily Amused - Recorded in 1979, Released in 2026)

Fairytales: The Freak Accident (The Midnight Show - 2026)

Cat Bird Seat: The Freak Accident (The Midnight Show - 2026)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #599: Getting Ready For A Road Trip

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I found that I was drawn to jazz and soulful international music this past week. Someone recently asked me how I prepare for my shows. I've written about this before, but I think it bares repeating. I don't host a specialty show, or genre-specific show, so I play whatever feels good, week to week. It's true, I often default towards the punk or garage, but even that's more rare than one would think. I'm a huge Deadhead (more of a Dead fReAk) but you're not going to hear them too often on here, and I think that's because they're such a heavy in my everyday life, that I use this show to focus on the other music that turns me on.

And there's a lot that turns me on.

I also like to keep you guessing. I was driving home after my show listening to KALX, and the DJ was playing an excellent thrash punk track, and followed it up with something that was neo-classical. I swear I almost pulled over to call and thank him. I applauded in the car, while driving. True story.

I feel that it's the responsibility of DJs at independent stations (Radio Valencia, KFJC, KALX, WFMU, KEXP, etc) to push the limits of what we have become comfortable with; not just what the listener is used to hearing. I take pride in a lot of what I share with you. 

I do have my guilty pleasures, however. Even in this show I played a few tracks that I've shared over the years. It felt right at the time. And I will probably do it again. 

But now I'm inspired to keep taking the risks that I should. Next week prepare for thrash metal to be followed by folk, followed by electronica. I can do that. You can't stop me.

Speaking of next week, it's my 600th show at Radio Valencia!!! I think I want to have a party. Wanna come? You need to bring snacks.

And as if you didn't know this already, Radio Valencia is co-presenting a huge show on February 28th at the newly reformed Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in celebration of 50 years of punk in San Francisco. I'm co-producing this along with Steve DePace of Flipper. See the attached fliers for details, and click on the links (in the fliers) to get your tickets.

 

These shows will sell out, so get them now!!!

See you next Monday night for my 600th!

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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There Is Power in the Union: Billy Bragg
I Want To Marry A Lighthouse Keeper: Erika Eigen
The Hands of Time: The Perfect Circle (S/T - 1977)

California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel (Games, Dames, and Guitar Thangs - 1977)
Unfunky UFO: Parliament (Mothership Connection - 1975)

Kush: Dizzy Gillespie (Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac - 1967)

Baroona: Kourosh Yaghmaei (Back From The Brink - 1973 - 1979)
Last Bongo in Belgium: Incredible Bongo Band (40 Years of Incredible Bongo Band - 1973)

The Horse Song: Iggy Pop (Zombie Birdhouse - 1981)
Roforofo Fight: Fela Kuti (Roforofo Fight - 1972)

Ring the Alarm: Tenor Saw (7" - 1985)
Gatur Bait: The Gaturs (Wasted - 1971)
Boodle-De-Bum-Bum: Carolina Chocolate Drops (Leaving Eden- 2012)
Anti-Love Song: Betty Davis (Betty Davis - 1974)
Spinning Wheel (Take 2): James Brown (Live At Home With His Bad Self: The After Show - 1971)

Conception: Miles Davis (The New Sounds - 1951)
The Rain: Eddie Gale (Ghetto Music - 1968)

In The Great Gettin' Up In The Morning: The New Gospel Keys

Hell's Kitchen Radio #598: Nothing To See Here

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Well, isn't this special? It's not a special. There's a specialization in the ability to bring your something special. I was told once it takes 20 years to master anything truly special. That being said, this here is a special non-specialty specialized....er, um...show. 

Really.

I was really feeling it tonight. This was a show of segues and many genres. 

I'm sure you've heard by now that Radio Valencia is co-presenting a huge show, in association with SF Music Week on February 28th at the legendary venues Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in celebration of 50 years of punk in San Francisco. 

Come in the afternoon, starting at 2pm, to the Fab Mab, for a punk history presentation, followed by a panel featuring members of Flipper, Avengers and Crime, as well as V. Vale. I Hate Records will be selling records on site. The best pizza place in the country, Tony's Napoletana, is sponsoring and we'll have pizza available for those who show up early.

In the evening we're having a great show upstairs starting at 7:30, featuring Bitchfit, False Flag, The Freak Accident, Fang and Flipper. Members of Avengers and Dead Kennedys will be joining in the fun. Heaps Normal and Escape From New York Pizza are sponsoring. 

You are going to tell everyone you were at this show!

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Morning Has Broken: Cat Stevens (Teaser and the Firecat - 1971)

Space Ho's Coast to Coast: MF Doom and Madlib (Madvillian: Madvillainy Remixes - 2008)

Two Sevens Clash: Culture (Two Sevens Clash -1977)

Jungle Lion: The Upsetters (Double Seven - 1973)

Flying Hye: John Berberian and The Middle Eastern Ensemble (S/T - 1969)

Black Mountain Side: Led Zeppelin (1 - 1968)

Within You Without You: The Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1967)

Free Money: Patti Smith Group (Horses - 1975)

Sunderberry Dream: FUZZ (Fuzz's Fourth Dream - 2026)

If I Think: Mudhoney (Superfuzz Bigmuff - 1988)

Frenzy: Iggy Pop (Every Loser - 2023)

Roll Another Number: Neil Young and Crazy Horse (Tonight's The Night - 1975)

Since You've Been Gone: Aretha Franklin (Lady Soul - 1968)

Beaux J. Poo Boo: Les McCann (Invitation to Openness - 1972)

False Witness: False Flag (One Million Tons - 2024)

Black Sabbath: Michael Mills (Hidden And Satanic Messages In Rock Music -???)

Lord of This World: Black Sabbath (Master of Reality - 1971)

Freya: The Sword (Age of Winters - 2006)

American BB: The Jesus Lizard (Down - 1994)

Fast Cars: Buzzcocks (Another Music in a Different Kitchen - 1978)

Rowche Rumble: The Fall (Live at St. Helens Technical College - 1981)

No Time For The Blues: OBNIII's (Live in San Francisco - 2013)

No Place to Fall: Kevin Morby (7" - 2022)

Late Night: Shannon Lay (Geist - 2022)

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #597: Best of 2025

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What music caught your attention last year? Did you even pay attention? Of course you did. You have discerning taste. Only the best of the best attracts you. Nothing worth your time will slip past. 

Great minds...

I present to you my favorites from 2025. It's hard to conceive that we're a quarter of the way through this century. I remember the 80s and 90s, when 2000 seemed so close we could touch it. I was DJing at midnight on Y2K at Anon Salon for the monthly Burning Man parties in San Francisco. That was a great party we used to have. That night was off the hook. 

The host of those parties always wanted to pay me in coke. I don't do coke. I've never done coke. I've done many other things; never coke. I used to tell him that my landlord didn't take coke in payment. Someone ought to write about those parties. They were epic. A true who's-who in the early Burning Man scene, long before the term "burner" was ever used. Back then we were just a bunch of pranksters who liked to build big art, put on huge parties, and burn it all down. 

Good times. Then again there are always good times to be had. 

This show is nothing but good times too. Most of the show are releases from 2025, and I throw in some epic anniversary remastered reissues in the final hour. 

Are you coming to our SantaCon after party this Thursday night at Kilowatt? Talk about a good time! Radio Valencia DJs will be spinning throughout the night. Bring your piggy bank, this is also a fundraiser for the station. 

Go out and make some good times of your own.

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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Lonely Cosmos: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Phantom Island)
Company Culture: Lambrini Girls (Who Let The Dogs Out?)

Paranoid: Freckle (Freckle)
I Hunt, You Prey: LA Witch (DOGGOD)

Rakiya Su Katamam: Altin Gun (Ask)
Nimerudi: GOAT + MC Yallah (Single)
Sister of the Moon: Death Valley Girls (Single)

Total Reset: Frankie and the Witch Fingers (Trash Classic)

King of Rome: Melvins 1983 (Thunderball)

Mangetout: Wet Leg (Moisturizer)

Ageism: Public Enemy (Black Sky Over The Projects - Apartment 2025)

I Once Was A Contender: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour In The House of Lugosi)

First of the Gang To Die: Chrissie Hynde and Cat Power (Duets Special)

Evil People: MIEN (MIIEN)

Glue: OSees (Abomination Revealed At Last)

An L.A. Funeral: Orcutt, Shelly, Miller (S/T)
Albuquerque: Neil Young and Crazy Horse (Tonight's The Night 50th Anniversary Remaster)

Castles Made Of Sand: Jimi Hendrix (Axis: Bold As Love - 2025 Remaster)

Wish You Were Here (Take 1): Pink Floyd (Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary)

The Real Contra Band: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo)

Not of This World: Zig Zags (Deadbeat at Dawn)

Working Man (Vault Edition): Rush (Rush 50)