Hell's Kitchen Radio #397: Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time

Download the Cleanse HERE! 

Listen into all my shows here!
Subscribe to my show, via 
Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!

I'll admit it, I have been guilty of purchasing an LP from time to time because of the cover. This doesn't mean I didn't want it for the music, it was the cover that pushed me into making the purchase. Recently, my daughter Little Lauson Hell asked me to show her my favorite LP covers. Talk about making her daddy proud! I took my time to consider the criteria: a great cover isn't just the art, it can also be the story behind the music, the artist, that time, etc. It can be a stark, minimalist cover, such as "Something Else", by Cannonball Adderley, or a robust cover like "Bitches Brew", by Miles Davis. 

As I was taking her through the journey, I had to pause and remember this wasn't about showing her my favorite albums, some of which have crap covers. This was about the covers themselves. I spoke to her about growing up buying vinyl, laying on my bed staring at the cover, and reading the liner notes. I get as excited today as I ever have purchasing new vinyl. 

So far her favorite covers were the three picture discs for Altamont (Dale Crover side project).

Which reminds me, even if we can't patronize our favorite local record shop, we can still purchase straight from the labels and the bands. And a reminder that Bandcamp will be hosting their first Friday again, July 3rd, when all proceeds go straight to the artist. They are also having a fundraiser on June 19th (Juneteenth), where all proceeds go to the NAACP. Buy great music, support the artists, and support a great cause. I know I will.

Many of you know that I am a social studies teacher in San Francisco. Specifically I teach Pre-Law, American Democracy, and Economics in a thematic pathway for the past 16 years. I have read and studied the US Constitution for longer than that, and I can attest that it is a comprehensive social contract, that cannot be mastered in one, two, or twenty readings. Before you read a political headline and think you know what the Constitution has to say on the matter, please take the time to do your research, including what the US Supreme Court has to say on the issue. 

In the meantime, take a gander at the playlist below. New music from my dream team Melvins/Mudhoney, a Ty Segall/Cory Hanson collaboration, some Afro-Funk, avant-Jazz, and many local bands. 

Click the link above, sit back, relax, and as always, enjoy.

jh

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

Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Twitter
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
Follow me on Instagram

My War: Mudhoney/Melvins

A.D.D.: System of a Down

All You Fascists: Billy Bragg and Wilco

The Mask (Part 2): Miles Davis

Get Up, Stand Up (Alternate Take): Bob Marley and the Wailers

Milk Bird Flyer: Ty Segall and Cory Hanson

Eggs at Night: Damaged Bug

Theme de Yoyo: Art Ensemble of Chicago

Live at PJs: Beastie Boys

The Great Conspirator: Illogistical Resources Dept.

Telephone Girl: Assagai

The American in Me: The Avengers

American Cars: Useless Eaters

Here She Comes Now: Curtis Harding

Everything I Say Just Goes Right Through Her Heart: Peter Laughner

Complicated Life: The Kinks

7 Inches: Kate Vargas

Mr. Slick: Ken Nordine

Devil Moon: Eric McFadden

Jesus Didn't Die For Me: Rube Waddell

House Hunter: Le Butcherettes

Yes We Can: Lee Dorsey

Supergirl: The Fugs

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

A Season in Hell #166: DOWN IN FRONT!!!

I love hosting local live bands in the studio. They're just so darn eager and flattering. On tonight's show, Julie and Japa of Down in Front are on to talk up their Tahoe Corridor Tour, and their new LP/CD The Donut Shop. I love these two so much, for so many reasons, not the least of which is their musical acumen. But really, their witty repartee is worth the price of admission.

Their raising funds to record their first full-length: Down in Front does the Donut Shop. Check out their Kickstarter page, and please consider throwing them some dough. HA, I said it!

Stream this cheese-whiz into your gullet, here.
Download this tasty custard-filled cruller, here.
Check out all of my shows here, or just scroll down.

Enjoy.

jh

A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Twitter
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook

Up In Smoke: Cheech and Chong
Since You've Been Gone: James Brown
Two Fools: Francine King

She Shook Me Cold: David Bowie
Theme de Yoyo: Art Ensemble of Chicago

Down in Front perform live!

In Heaven There is no Beer: Polkacide
They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore: Kinky Friedman
Clothes of the Dead: Bongos, Bass and Bob

New York: Sex Pistols
One of the Boys: Mott the Hoople
Other Stars: Wooden Shjips

Fearless: Pink Floyd
John Barleycorn: Traffic
Battle of Evermore: Led Zeppelin
Sploosh!: Ozric Tentacles

The Letter: The Box Tops

A Season in Hell #139: Bears! Attack!

Want to see some great music this weekend? You should go check out Bears! Bears! Bears! at Cafe duNord this Saturday night. They've been compared to a Pixes-meets-Joy Division, and I think that's OK. They've got some driving rhythms and excellent lyrics. Go have fun. Tell them John Hell sent you.

What is quality community radio if it isn't about interviewing and playing great local music? I love Radio Valencia more and more each day. You should too. Go check out the website and all the other great shows. You can thank me later.

I'm off next week so the boys in Eclectic Dyspepsia can celebrate their one year anniversary by broadcasting from 6-10. But I'll be back on July 1st with my bi-annual special Rock Fight #10!!!

Me and Rotten Ronnie Donovan will be doing the bootleg throw down that you crave. Special guests will be in the studio as well. You do not want to miss this.  July 1st, 6-10PM.

To get yourself warmed up, check out the last few Rock Fight's by going here.

See you in two weeks.

To get yourself all warm and fuzzy inside, stream here.
To find yourself consumed with the love that's all around you, download here.
To keep the feeling with you always, click here, or just scroll down.

Enjoy.

jh

Up in Smoke: Cheech and Chong
The Better Half: Junior Brown
Godspeed: Jenny Lewis

Daddy Frank the Guitar Man: Merle Haggard
Tonight I Think I'm Gonna go Downtown: Jimmy Dale Gilmore

Interview with Bears! Bears! Bears!

I Guess We're Both Lonely: Bears! Bears! Bears!
I Am Hand Drawn: Bears! Bears! Bears!

Interview with Bears! Bears! Bears!

Train To Memphis: Papa John Creach
Hi, I'm Troy McClure
Hot Chocolate: Bears! Bears! Bears!

Interview with Bears! Bears! Bears!

Lost in Space: OP8
Bullshit Summer: Lazy Cowgirls
Delivering the Groceries: Don Caballero

Theme de Yoyo: Art Ensemble of Chicago
Expensive Shit: Fela!

Goodbye Porkpie Hat: John McLaughlin
Rocked By Rape: Evolution Control Committee
Christianity is Stupid: Negativland
Tommy in 7 Minutes: Various Artists
Planet of the Apes: The Mummies

You're My Best Friend: The Melvins
John Wayne was a Nazi: Stains