Tune into Hell's Kitchen Radio, with John Hell, every Monday night 8-10PM (Pacific), on Radio Valencia (https://radiovalencia.fm) in San Francisco. You can find my playlists and links to the podcasts right here.
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
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via
Every year leading up to my Annual Annual, I suffer and strain to decide on a year I want to focus on. This year was no different. Do I want to reach back pre-1970? How about something a little more recent, like the lost year of 2020? I asked for suggestions, and a bunch flew my way, but the one that really stuck came from my buddy, and teaching colleague, Eric, who suggested 1978. The emergence of English post-punk, metal was evolving, funk was redefining itself against a backdrop of too much disco. There is a lot to choose from when it comes to 1978.
I took at least a week to pour over my options. In the end I sat with approximately four hours of music to fit into about an hour forty minutes, mixed with talk and highlights from the year. I tried to mix it up, and keep you on your toes. I really appreciate all of the many comments that kept coming during the show, and I'm sorry I didn't take any requests. Shows like these are pretty well mapped out by the time I flip the switch.
Take a look at the playlist below, and click the link up above to stream or download this bad boy.
If you're interested in the previous 10 editions of my Annual Annual, take a look below.
Radio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I'd like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
The Finkelstein Shit Kid/Up In Smoke: Cheech and Chong
On Top Of The World: Cheap Trick This Year's Girl: Elvis Costello and the Attractions
B-Movie Box Car Blues/Flip, Flop and Fly: Blues Brothers Every 1's A Winner: Hot Chocolate Baltimore: Nina Simone
Annalisa: PIL You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla): The Dickies What Do I Get? Buzzcocks Teenage Kicks: The Undertones Warrior in Woolworths: X-Ray Spex
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now: Ry Cooder That's The Way The World Goes 'Round: John Prine Snake Song: Townes Van Zandt Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis: Tom Waits
Radebe: Johnny Dyani Lanquidity: Sun Ra Hong Kong Garden: Siouxsie and the Banshees
One Nation Under A Groove: Funkadelic The Robots: Kraftwerk Ca Plane Pour Moi: Plastic Bertrand
The Green Manalishi: Judas Priest (My Baby Does) Good Sculptures: The Rezillos Time Will Tell: Bob Marley and the Wailers
Radio Valencia is co-presenting Flipper, December 30th and 31st at Bottom of the Hill. This is going to be two incredible shows. Yours truly is MCing December 30th, featuring comedian Neil Hamburger, and Mike Watt and the Missingmen. New Years Eve has Neil Hamburger and SF punk luminaries VKTMS!!! Go to the Bottom of the Hill website for tickets and more information. Radio Valencia will be in house with lots of freshly printed t-shirts just for you!
The first show tonight is from those boys from Dublin, Thin Lizzy. I was wondering for the longest time where their name came from, and I think it's based on the nickname for the Model-T, "Tin Lizzy". I could be wrong, but I'm too busy to look this up. Anyone? Anyone? Though Thin Lizzy still tours (pre-COVID), they just were never the same without frontman, bassist, vocalist, Phil Lynott. That's of course my opinion, the only one that counts...here. HA! Soundboard from this band are really hard to come by. I realized that I owned three copies of this great Detroit show from 1976. It's just so damn good. So that's the show I'm sharing tonight. Thin Lizzy live in Detroit, May 14, 1976.
Sometimes I just need some good ol' rock and roll. You know what I mean? Tonight let's rock out to two of the best 70s-era rock bands, hands down. Tonight's headliners, Chicago's Cheap Trick! "Can you honestly tell me you forgot? Forgot the magnetism of Robin Zander, or the charisma of Rick Nielsen?" Who can tell me where I stole that line from? Cheap Trick is ageless and just never slows down. I chose this stellar soundboard/FM master from The Roxy in Hollywood, April 27, 1998. I tell you, this band always fires on all cylinders. Pull out your air guitar, let your hair down, and give it up for this quartet of rockin' balladeers.
Stick around 8-10PM Pacific, Monday for my weekly music mix, Hell's Kitchen Radio. No special tonight, but I do have a lot of new music to share.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via
Hosting a special is always a treat. I like the work once I'm inspired. A few weeks ago this "Hello/Goodbye" idea popped into my head. It's not very original, but it's what you do with it that counts. How would you fill a two hour show of only songs that have the theme in the title, or are obviously about the theme?
I need to thank my buddy Michael for a few suggestions as well as many of the KALX staffers for throwing a few hundred titles my way. Wow! It's an embarrassment of riches. I only have two hours to fill, so I wanted hour one to be the "Hello" theme, and hour two to close it out with the "Goodbye" theme. I opened and closed with Cheap Trick: "Hello There" and Auf Wiedersehen". To segue from one to the other, I used the over-obvious Beatles tune "Hello/Goodbye".
During my research I discovered there are countless songs about goodbye. It makes for a more emotional tale, than a song featuring a greeting. That being said, I think I represented both salutations well. You be the judge.
Next week it'll be mostly new music, and we're getting closer to being in our new studio on 22nd Street in San Francisco. Let the excitement commence!
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
Well that was fun. Did you have fun too? No? Then you need to listen to this show again.
I may need to bring back the "set of the week". I am always interested in knowing what you're listening to? What should I be listening to? Turn me on! I don't use Spotify, but I am always happy to go in search of good music.
Are you an artist looking to get played? Send me your music and I'll give it a listen. mrjohnhell@gmail.com
This show has plenty of gems to entertain the most cynical of you all. Most of this recent show sits in the punk and blues genres, but I throw a few other nibblets in there for good measure. Is "nibblet" even a word? It's coming up with the red dashed lines under it, indicating that I have just made up a new word! Good for me!
At this point I'm just filling space. Go away now and enjoy two hours of music you didn't know you needed.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
1921: The Who Black Temptation: The Flesh Eaters TV Eye: Wylde Ratttz
Starship: MC5 Amphetamine: Rocket from the Tombs
Hare Krsna: Husker Du Dirt: Iggy and the Stooges My Generation: Patti Smith Group
Why Can't I Touch It: Buzzcocks Cherry Bomb: Bratmobile (You Must Fight To Live) On The Planet of the Apes: The Mummies Diddy Wah Diddy: Bo Diddley Evil: Howlin' Wolf
Right Right Hand: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Disaster (Is What We're After): Death Valley Girls Set It On Fire: The Scientists Devil Got My Woman: Jimmy "Duck" Holmes
Canopnr '74: Oh Sees Floating Head: Wand Returning: FUZZ Open Water: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Motorbike: Wooden Shjips Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite! (featuring Maynard James Keenan, Puscifer & Sunbears!): Flaming Lips Anaconda: Melvins
Auf Wiedersehen: Cheap Trick Goodnight Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk Singers
Download the Toe Tapping HERE! Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via
Some nights I just need to ROCK! And since we have no constraints on what we can or cannot play here at Radio Valencia, I felt obliged to feed my urge. Join me, will you?
WARNING: There is one, I repeat, one polka song. Then again it's by Polkacide, so I'm forgiven. If you have never witnessed Polkacide live I feel sorry for you. There a band that MUST be seen live to really understand the attraction. Their "final show" (of which I've seen more than my fair share) was just days after my son was born, October 8th, 2017. I look forward to their next final show, as I'm confident it will polka hard. Join my in the polka pit and you'll see what I mean.
Take a look at the playlist below and prepare for a quality neck ache, ala head banging for two sweet hours.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
California Man: Cheap Trick
King of the Night Time World: KISS
Deuce: Redd Kross
Goin' Blind: Melvins
The Wizard: Black Sabbath
Snowblind: Nashville Pussy
Snortin' Whiskey: Honky
Nurture My Pig: Reverend Horton Heat
In Heaven There Is No Beer: Polkacide
Master Race Rock: The Dictators
John Wayne Was A Nazi: MDC
Magic: Zig Zags
Uncle Powderbag: OBNIIIs
The Archer: Meatbodies
I Come From the Mountain: Thee Oh Sees
Reputation: CIA
Plum: WAND
Johanna: Iggy Pop
Pushing the Extreme: The Wipers
Concert Outlook
Bomber: Motorhead
Are You Ready: Boris
Dragonaut: Sleep
Celestial Crown/Barael's Blade: The Sword
How Many More Times: Led Zeppelin
Chain That Door: Mudhoney
Stream the End, HERE! Download this for posterity HERE! Listen into all my shows here, or just scroll down
From last Monday night: "This is it! My very last show. I'm having knee surgery on Wednesday and I may not make it back alive. This is your very last chance to hear my voice LIVE on the radio."
So it appears that I made it through the surgery, and I'm alive to tell the tale. Not much of a tale to tell. I have a new ACL, a cleaned up meniscus, and I'm laid up on the couch on lots of meds, healing, listening to music, reading books, watching movies, including the Zappa Roxy film. DAMN! I'm on lots of meds. Did I mention that? I can't recall. I also can't see very well because of said meds, so I don't know if there are any typos. I'm happy I know how to type when I'm not on meds. This may help the current situation. When I was in grocery I used to 10-key like a mo-fo! Seriously, I was the fastest one on the line. I was like a blur. I would talk to customers while I rang them up, and they would be all nervous that I would accidentally charge them the incorrect price for something. I assured them that everything would be spot on, and if it wasn't then I would purchase them a tin of Altoids. I was never off, ever!
The meds also make me stray off topic.
Since last Monday was going to possibly be my final radio show, I pulled out many, but not quite all the stops. Much of the playlist for the night was my typical favorite fair. There are some surprises within, that I didn't mark down. And the witty banter is worth the price of the free admission.
If you are ever in a place where you believe that you are soon going to pass away off this mortal coil, then I encourage you to pull out all (or most) of your favorite anything and enjoy it to the very end. Now that I'm healing, on my couch, on lots of meds (did I mention the meds), it's all about the music and films and books that I get to enjoy. It's about taking a breath, and realizing that we really only do live once, so we better live it up, or get busy dying. We don't often get the opportunity to sit on our asses as prescribed by our doctor. So, when you do have those rare moments, take full advantage of them. Enjoy the arts like you haven't done before, reach out to family and friends and let them know you care, meditate, stare out the window into the wild world, and look forward to eventually rejoining that space, but do it with your newly found appreciation of what it means to take that well-deserved, if not prescribed time off.
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via
Holy Hell it's hot in here. That's what we get for being above a hot yoga studio. DAMN! That must mean a HOT SHOW! And hot it appeared to be. This is one more of those lost shows where I neglected to share it following broadcast. It's like finding some gem at the bottom of the ocean!
And hot damn, check out that playlist. I think I'm going to dive right in right here, right now!
Enjoy.
jh
ell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Up in Smoke: Cheech and Chong
Rebel Girl: Bikini Kill
Heartbreaker: Motorhead
High Roller: Cheap Trick
Spear and Magic Helmet: The Gits
Working Man: Rush (Live 07-14-02)
Iron Swan: The Sword
Statement: Boris
Ragdoll: Glitter Wizard
The Man Who Sold the World: David Bowie
Queen Bitch: Green River
Back of the Car: Big Star
A Quick One (While He's Away): The Who
Chewin' George Lucas' Chocolate/Goofy's Concern: Butthole Surfers
Yoga is as Yoga Does: Elvis Presley
Sister Mary Motorcycle: Girl Trouble
Into the Open: Heartless Bastards
Muswell Hillbilly: The Kinks
El Paso: Marty Robbins
The Knealing Drunkards Plea: Johnny Cash
You Win Again: Jerry Lee Lewis
Run Devil, Run/Big Guns: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
More Than This: Nora Jones and Charlie Hunter
Oh, To Feel Your Arms Around Me: Father John Misty
By The Time I Get to Arizona: Public Enemy/Tijuana Brass
San Francisco doesn't need any full moon's to know it's a crazy town. Its rich history speaks for itself. From Mark Twain, to Emperor Norton; from Vincent Hallinan to Jim Jones, San Francisco has always been a place where creativity, social justice, underworld crime, psychedelia and the pHreAk scene meet to get neat, while pounding out a sublime beat.
I love that tonight is the Blood Moon lunar eclipse, and that it's too foggy in SF to actually see it. Oh, but don't you fret, for the savors of us all, those with the GLASS, will be certain to be looking at the skies telling GLASS to take it all down for posterity, for us weaker fools who cannot (read: will not) "rise" to their level of being in with the technology crowd.
I would rather miss the Blood Moon, than have blood on my hands for what is happening to my beloved town. I've officially called this city my home since February 1997, when I moved in with my former wife, but I've lived in the Bay Area since I moved here with my family in December 1982; spending most of my years in San Mateo, but trucking up to the City every chance I could get to hit shows at the I-Beam, the Nightbreak, Full Moon Saloon, The Stone, Paradise Lounge, DNA, you name it, I was probably there from 88-present. I love this city. I've loved this city. Is there still a way to love it some more?
Tonight's show rocks! Just look at the playlist and I think you will agree.
To stream this tasty morsel of history, go here.
To download this museum piece, go here.
To listen to my historical record, go here.
Enjoy.
jh
A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
I am so going to kick Ron Donovan's ass tonight! I can almost taste it. Er...the win, not his dirty, Hobbit ass. ew
For five years Ron and I have gone mano-a-mano in a battle royal of bootleg mayhem. We have so many live shows between us, that the only way we have a chance to listen to them is when we do this show.
Ron has generally sucked at this show. He always brings in lame 70s classic rock, or poor audience recordings, which he proceeds to do air guitar jerk-off leads to. Poor guy.
I, on the other hand, have stellar soundboards, of kick ass ROCK!, which will blow your earholes our, and pop your corneas off. Good stuff.
We have some bands come in, and always welcome listener interaction.
Local band, Illogistical Resource Dept. came by to share some of their amazing music. The interview was tip top notch. Check out their music and then go buy it.
Live Evil stopped by to talk about their Tuesday night show at the Knockout in SF. These guys are almost dirtier than I am.
Following all of this, Ron and I paid tribute to the 50th anniversaries of both the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.
Guitar: Prince (O2 Arena) RD
Remedy: Black Crowes w/Jimmy Page (10-18-99 - The Greek Theater, LA, CA) JH
Take Me: Kiss (07-27-2001 - Sau Paulo, Brazil) RD
The Trooper: Iron Maiden (05-26-1983 - Hammersmith Odeon - London) JH
Rock Block One: Ron Donovan
Renegade: Damn Yankees (01-20-1993 - Tokyo Japan) RD
Just What the Doctor Ordered: Ted Nugent (2010 - Sioux Falls, SD) RD
Southern Girls: Cheap Trick (Alt In Color recording with Producer Steve Albini) RD
Closet Queen: James Gang (07-15-1971 - Holland) JH
Shaking All Over: The Who (04-06-1968 - Fillmore East) JH
Hey Hey My My (Into the Black): Neil Young (02-06-1984 - Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA) JH
Ramble On: Led Zeppelin (12-10-2010 - O2 Arena, London) Both
Trade Off Set Two:
Stone Cold Bush: Red Hot Chili Peppers (04-28-1989 - Sundance Club, Bayshore, NY) JH
Running with the Devil: Van Halen (Gene Simmons Demo Tape) RD
Pink: Boris (12-05-2012 - Islington Mill, Salford, UK) JH
Been Away Too Long: Soundgarden (11-28-2012 - Phoenix Theater - Toronto, CN) RD
Rock Block Two: John Hell
Bad Reputation: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (08-08-1981 - Firemen's Memorial Park, Hempsted NJ) JH
Rebel Girl: Bikini Kill (09-21-1992 - Exit 99, Fargo, ND) JH
Done Got Old: Heartless Bastards (07-27-2012 - Wooly's, Des Moines, IA) JH
My Generation: Patti Smith w/Bruce Springsteen (11-26-1976 - The Bottom Line, NY, NY) JH
Rock Block Two: Ron Donovan
Long Live R&R: Dio (11-28-1984 - Tokyo, Japan) RD
Big Time: Peter Gabriel (10-08-2012 - Hollywood Bowl) RD
War Pigs: Black Sabbath (04-26-1970 - BBC - Peel Session) guest DJ - Noa "Oz" Appleton
TV Set: The Cramps (05-20-1982 - Astor Park, Seattle, Washington, USA) JH
Call Of The Wig Hat: The Cramps (05-20-1982 - Astor Park, Seattle, Washington, USA) JH
Memphis, Tennessee: Rolling Stones (09-23-63 - BBC) - JH
Not Fade Away: Rolling Stones (04-13-1964 - BBC) - JH
Fade to Black: Rolling Stones (12-15-2012 - New Jersey) RD
Gimme Shelter: Rolling Stones (11-09-69 - Oakland, CA) JH
In Another Land: Rolling Stones (Satanic Majesties Outtakes) RD
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad: Derek and the Dominos (11-20-1970 - Santa Monica) JH
Got To Get Better In A Little While: Eric Clapton (2009 - Tokyo, Japan) RD
Big River: The Beat Farmers (12-07-1985 - The Catalyst, Santa Cruz) JH
Tonight was my 100th show on Radio Valencia. There's something about that number. A one with two zeros following it. It's so....BIG! It's so solid, and right there in your face. I love things that are right there in your face.
I feel like Iron Mike Tyson. No, not really. He bit an ear off. I've never done that. I doubt I ever will. You never know though. I'm a lover, not a fighter. But I'm tough! I'm long-lasting. I'm reliable. Like. Mike. Tyson....Hmm... wait, let me think this over.
OK, I'm not like Mike Tyson, but my show will blow you away.
Sometimes you have to prepare like a fighter when you do a radio show. You have to know your opponent. In this case my opponent is the audience. I have to win you over. I have to get into your ear holes and make you beg for more. Don't worry, you'll get more. Ain't no Q-Tip gonna help you now.
Tonight it's all about the ROCK! There's so much rock in here, you'll be rolling all over the floor. In the second hour local guitar slinger and future porn star Eric "Snakey McSilver" McFadden dropped by. I've interviewed Eric a million times, but this has got to be the deepest, most hilarious interview with him yet. It's worth a listen. He tells road stories that go on for miles.
So much rock!
Stream this collectors edition right here.
Download this masterpiece of radio history here.
Do you want to listen to all of my previous 99 shows? I know you do. Click here, or scroll down.
Enjoy.
jh
Do It: Rollins Band
Ramblin' Rose: MC5
Search and Destroy: The Stooges
Ass, Gas or Grass: Men's Club
Watch Outside: Mono Men
The Big Three Killed My Baby: The White Stripes
Theme From "Cheers": Titus Andronicus
Intro/Frustrating Sound: Radio Moscow
High Roller: Cheap Trick
Freedom Tickler: Triclops
More Beer: Fear
Brenda: John Spencer Blues Explosion
Master Race Rock: The Dictators
Dreaming: The Cherubs
Surfin' Bird: The Ramones
From Your Girl: The Muffs
You Can't Get Away From Me: Reverend Horton Heat
Eric McFadden in the studio
Don't Pray For Me: Faraway Brothers
Eric McFadden in the studio
Mexican Car Chase: Faraway Brothers
Devil Doll: X
I'm Spun: Mudhoney
Interview with future porn star Snakey McSilver
I Pissed on a Tree: Victims Family
If All is Lost: Eric McFadden
Hooch: The Melvins
Thunderbird: ZZ Top
Listen to this show right here!!!
