A Season in Hell #104: John Hell is a Super Hero!

...or maybe I'm a villain. Which is sexier?

My earliest memory of reading comic books was when I was about seven or eight years old, it was an Amazing Spiderman. I couldn't tell you the issue, but Dr. Octopus was the villain. That I remember. I read comic books semi-regularly until I was about 13. I collected baseball cards then too. I still have the baseball cards (I turn 42 this Sunday, so that gives you an idea of how long ago this was), I no longer have the comic books. This wasn't a situation of my mother throwing out my comic books. As much as I enjoyed reading them, I wasn't seriously hooked. I don't know what happened to them. I know some of you are just cringing thinking of that.

It wasn't until Red Son came out that I found myself wanting to read more comics, and especially, graphic novels. I began digging for darker stories. I found that as much as I loved a good novel, I ached for the stories and art of a good comic or graphic novel.

I've been enjoying the Dark Knight series, Walking Dead, Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, Transmetropolitan, and yes, even Before Watchmen (say what you will, I'm sort of enjoying it).

Living in San Francisco there are more comic book stores per-capita than anywhere else on the planet. I have my choice of some excellent stores, so where do I shop? I go to Comic Outpost, 2381 Ocean Avenue, in the Ingleside district of this fair city. It's a family store. Nothing fancy. They've got all the titles I want, and they can special order what I need. Gary and Roger are the owners, and you couldn't ask for two more friendly and knowledgeable guys. Gary joined me in the studio Monday night to talk about the world of comics, then and now.

If I was a superhero, what would my super powers be?

Would you like to hear this SUPER show?

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Stream this rare issue here.
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Do It: Rollins Band
Dr. Octopus: Stan Lee: Spiderman: Rock Reflections of a Superhero
Nice, Nice Very Nice: Ambrosia

Interview with Gary Buechler

Cissy Strut: The Meters
She's On It: Beastie Boys
Violent Pacification: DRI
400 Bucks: Supersuckers
Home Sweet Mobile Home: New Duncan Imperials

Interview with Gary Buechler

I Love You Peggy: Butthole Surfers
Who Stole the Keishka: Polkacide
Deseert Jewel: Jody Foster's Army
Citizens of the World: Dr. Know

Interview with Gary Buechler

Marvin's Groove: BW Souls
Cotati Funk: Quintessence
Something Different: Prepostions

Smokin' Cheeba-Cheeba: George Benson
The Hands of Time: Perfect Circle
Baba Hya: Lafayette Afro-Rock Band

A Season in Hell #103: Welcome Home

Tonight is my first show in our new home, deep in the heart of the Mission. We found a great spot on the top floor of an old brick building on the corner of Mission and 20th. I have to thank a great crew of DJs and staff for building the studio within our new space. We went from a 35 square foot (you read right) room, to about 650 sq. ft. WOW!

The opportunities are endless.

Today also marked the one year anniversary of the Occupy movement, so I through a set in there to celebrate. It's danceable. Enjoy.

I was all over the place in terms of genres tonight. From Bollywood to Thai Funk, from dub to prog-rock, you'll get your fill.

Download this epic experience here.
Stream it in all its glory here.
For all of my archived shows click here, or just scroll down.

Enjoy.

Do It: Rollins Band
Make it Known: Foxygen

Clock Strikes Twelve: Dethtrip Forever
Anthem: King Tuff
Last Desire: Coves

Concert Outlook (Jam by Sandy Nassan)
Cleopatra: Lace Curtains
Underground: Sundog Summit
Blue Jay Way: The Beatles
Lekar Ham Diwana Dil: RD Burman, featuring Asha Bhosle and Kishmore Kumar

OudTaLud Bump (Hurtle Bump): Soonthorn Sujaridchan/Krongthong Tussanaphan
Heart of the Dragon: Lee Perry
Bakrobber Dub: The Clash

Superfly: Curtis Mayfield
Your Man My Man: Betty Davis

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Gil Scott-Heron
Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved: James Brown
Too Young to Die: Jamiroquai

Organic Anti-Beatbox Band: Red Hot Chili Peppers
By Any Means Necessary: Steinski
The Art of Getting Jumped: Steinski

Step Right Up: Tom Waits
Heart of the Sunrise: Yes

A Season in Hell #102: Last Chance for Love

Well, here it is, the last night at Chez Poulet, our home for the first two years of Radio Valencia. Talk about punk rock! I'd like to thank Chicken John for his "hospitality". When he came to me two years asking if I would start a radio station here I told him as long as it didn't become "Radio Chicken". So, we're moving. I wonder why? Really though, we've just outgrown the space. All the best to Chicken and all of his endeavors. In the memorable words of the late, great Don Corleone "as long as your business doesn't conflict with mine".

For my last show until my next show next week at our new home, I thought I would do what I like to do best, play lots of new kick ass music in the first hour, and some slammin' tracks in the second, along with some priceless live cuts. Check out the playlist, below.

Here we go again for the last time.

Download this once-in-a-lifetime show here.
Stream this program to your heart's delight here.
Scroll down to read all of my witty comments and hear previous shows, or just click here if I sicken you.

Enjoy.

Follow me on twitter: @johnhell
I even have a Facebook page for my show.

jh

Do It: Rollins Band
Punk Prayer: Pussy Riot
Derek's Blues: Natural Child

Concert Outlook

Mexico: The Fearless Vampire Killers
Cheap Beer: FIDLAR
Sleepwalker: Moon Duo

Crushed Grass: Thee Oh Sees
The Righteous One: The Orwells
Pop Song: Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin

I'm Writing a Novel: Father John Misty
You Smell Like Fish: Nervous Eaters
Nobodies: TV Torso

I Am Not A Game: Ty Segall & White Fence

Summertime Blues: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (08-08-81)
Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury: The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy (06-12-92)

I Don't Want to Pray: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (05-29-12)
God of Thunder: The Melvins

Moving in Stereo: The Cars (08-19-78)
Space Station #5: Montrose

Whiskey River: Willie Nelson and Family (04-1978)
Stay All Night: Willie Nelson and Family (04-1978)
Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys: Willie Nelson and Family (04-1978)
The Race is On: George Jones (1979)

Loser: Grateful Dead (02-18-71)