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 #605: All Freaks No Accidents

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These days even when I have no guest the studio is hoppin'! I love the energy that's been flowing through the Radio Valencia studios these days. It fills me with a lot of pride for what we've been doing here over the past 15+ years. I often keep the door wide open to attract passers-by to come through and check us out. This has actually led to a few new shows that have been making us sound fresher than ever!

I've been hosting a lot of guests over the past few months and I really thought it would just be you and me on Monday night, other than having a new host shadow me for the evening. 

And then...

Daniel Haver of the FabMab came through with artist Dexter Hixon, who had been out "improving" the SF landscape and promoting some upcoming shows. Dexter designed the ceiling art at I Hate Records in the lower Haight, owned by Pretty Sims of False Flag and Cody of Surprise Privilege. He also makes some unique characters known as Siliclones. I played a song by his dad's 90s band Hive in the second hour.

I love having a radio station that doubles as a clubhouse for the local music scene. It's a dream come true.

As for the music tonight, it's as you would expect: many genres and eras. 

This Monday, April 6, starting at 8pm Pacific, I'm excited to host legendary drummer Prairie Prince from The Tubes, Journey and Todd Rundgren. He'll be in to talk about his first solo album "Colours and Passions" that feature an incredible lineup: Todd Rundgren, Ross Valory, Buckethead, Jello Biafra, Ralph Spight, Cyril Jordan, Neil Hamburger, and the late great Ralph Carney.

I'll also have the quintessential "I was there" guy for SF’s punk and underground scenes, Edwin Heaven. His memoir "The Night I Got David Bowie Laid, Sorta" isn't just a collection of stories; it's a frantic, non-linear love letter to a version of San Francisco that feels like it’s slipping away.

These two have been best friends for 50 years and I can guarantee the conversation will get take a few turns throughout the night.

You do not want to miss this show! 

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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Money: The Flying Lizards (S/T/ - 1979)
I Would Kill For Suzy: The Catheads (Hubba - 1987)

Don't Blame Me: The Freak Accident (The Midnight Show - 2026)
In Your Mind: The Terminals (Last Days of the Sun - 2008)

Mojo Navigator: Country Joe and the Fish (Together - 1967) 
Louie, Louie: The Sonics (The Best of Louie Louie - 1983)
Carmelita: Warren Zevon (S/T - 1976)
Love Rolled: Mitch Polzak (Down South Blues - 2023)
My Baby's Gone: Jenny Don't and the Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)

Muffin Man: Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and the Mothers of Invention (Bongo Fury - 1976)
Chartreuse: Ken Nordine (Colors - 1995)
Political Song For Michael Jackson to Sing: Minutemen (Double Nickels on the Dime - 1983)

Sunday Morning: Kelly Stoltz (The Velvet Underground and Nico...Castle Face - 2012)
The Ballad of El Goodo: Big Star (Number 1 - 1972)
I Swallowed A Dragonfly: Heatless Bastards (All This Time - 2006)
Live Loop: Butterscotch Tuna (Explosion in Texas Comp - 1994)

Cartographers: Linda Lindas (No Obligation - 2024)
Words of Advice/Kim Like the Great Gatsby: William S Burroughs (Smack My Crack - 1987)

I Once Was A Contender: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi - 2025)
Gold: Hive (S/T 1995)
There She Goes My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Abattoir Blues - 2004)

Volunteered Slavery: Roland Kirk (Volunteered Slavery - 1969)
Fairies Wear Boots: Brown Sabbath (Brounout - 2016)

Who Was In My Room Last Night: Butthole Surfers Independent Worm Saloon- 1993)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #595: Rickshaw Throwdown

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What a jolly fine night this was. My good buddy John Karr, who runs sound at Rickshaw Stop came by with his colleague, Carmen Caruso, to talk up the club and spin some tunes from some upcoming shows. What makes this a hoot is that the staff of Rickshaw Stop are the one's curating the shows. This doesn't happen often, and when it does the staff bring together some really strong showcases.

I love talking music with people who know music. And it's a real treat to talk cross industry: radio and nightclub. We're all linked, you know. Artist, radio, clubs, record stores, promoters, critics. When we get together it's like we're comparing notes; a mind meld.

Carmen is also the fierce leader of the band Agouti, who is playing one of the showcases. The set that features her band also includes the other two who are on the bill, the Thursday. John and Carmen put this showcase together.

The following set of bands, featuring Gumby's Junk, is for the showcase that John Karr has put together for Thursday, January 22nd. 

I love when people who know and love music as much as I do turn me on to really great stuff. Feel free to share what you love with me. It may just get a spin.

John and I also tease an event that Radio Valencia is co-presenting at the end of February. I am just popping at the seams to tell you about it, but you'll just have to wait until next week for the official announcement. Suffice it to say if you hunger for the deep Punk history of San Francisco then you are going to flip for this!

Check out the playlist below and click on the link above to listen in.

Go see live local music and support the artists by buying their records and merch!

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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Truckin': Pop O Pies (The White EP - 1982)

Linda Blair: Redd Kross

Music Never Stopped: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)

Dragons: Agouti (Nodes - 2019)

Friendo: Grooblen (EP - 2025)

Living In A Flood: Everyone is Dirty (Caramels for Grandpa - 2023)

Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees: Gumby's Junk (Business and Pleasure - 2025)

Discover What Your Monsters Are: Rip Room (Alight and Resound - 2022)

Goblin Gruel Part 1: Inner Ear Brigade (Perkunas - 2024)

The Light, The Sound: Flipper (Gone Fishin' - 1984)

Paint It Black: Avengers (S/T - 1983)

Frustration: Crime (San Francisco's Doomed - 1978)

Wild: The Nuns (S/T - 1980)

Holiday in Cambodia: Dead Kennedys (Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables - 1980)

Bar-B-Que Pope: Butthole Surfers (Brown Reason To Live - 1983)

Irony Man: The Freak Accident (Octopus Head - 2022)

Youth of America: Melvins (Electroretard - 2001)

Silver Machine: Hawkwind (Live at the BBC 1972 - 2010)

A Writhing Jar: Bill Orcutt (Odds Again Tomorrow

Hell's Kitchen Radio #588: Celebrate Naked

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We had a sweet celebration of the life of "Naked" Rob Gongora, who hosted Terrible Tuesdays on
Radio Valencia from 2010 - 2019. He passed away in October from brain cancer.

FUCK CANCER!

Rob was a really wonderful guy. He was always there with a quick quip. Witty to the end and super inclusive. I was honored to speak at his memorial on Saturday at Cypress Lawn in Colma. We followed that up with a celebration of his life at his favorite watering hole: Gold Cane, on Haight Street. The night ended with three bands at Bottom the Hill: Candy Whips, Golden Brain, and Terry Gross. 

Rob would have been there if he could.

I've lost too many friends in the past 20+ years to cancer and suicide. Too many. Knowing a lot of creative types means that the odds are many will go too soon. But cancer is just so unfair. I just heard of two more people in my circle, both of whom beat off cancer, now have it once again; one was told it's inoperable. 

FUCK CANCER!

I don't buy into the "you only live once" hype. I think I live every day. I only die once. Therefore I'm going to appreciate every moment I have. Have I told you lately that I love you?

Make that call, send that text. I could not be more serious. We need to stay connected, or we too will succumb sooner than we need to.

Having a pet helps too. I've got Chairman Meow Mau , AKA: Maui, our fabulous tortoiseshell, with a strong personality to let me know that she loves me and needs me, and if she was just a little bit bigger, would eat me.

I was interviewed for a podcast the other day (I'll post when it's available) and I was asked by the host, James Ferrigno (AKA: Vico from San Francisco Liberation Radio, where we met when I was on air there 2000 - 2003), about what keeps me going? My dad always said "there's no reward without risk". I took that seriously. I took some great risks starting in my teens. Many weren't very healthy, so I've amended his quote to add "health risk". That being said, some of my biggest growth over the years probably didn't include the word healthy. 

My dad also used to say "invite everyone to the party, let them decline the invitation". I'm a firm subscriber to the benefits of inclusion. I like to bring people together. And I like to see what we can do with all that energy.

When you bring creatives together there's always going to be some friction. I like to play with that and watch the magic happen. I don't often reminisce, so during the interview I really had to stop to recall many of the events I helped bring to light. There's been so much fun living over the years, that I don't often slow down to remember it all. There's nothing wrong with that, since I've always been about what's happening nest.

This is all to say that I miss my departed friends and family, especially my dad, but that's never slowed me down. As a matter of fact, if anything, it's made me keenly aware that I have a responsibility to keep living and producing. 

Here's a show I had fun producing for you.

I opened with the band that Naked Rob and I love the most: Melvins! From there it's anything goes. I did a but of record shopping on Sunday; a bunch of used records. I especially am excited about the Diz and Bird, Eugene Chadbourne, David Peel, and Ralph Karney/Kramer/Chris Hild records.

This is what non-commercial radio is all about!

I also play some requests! If you know me you know how rare this is. Maybe I need to do this more often?

I'm hosting music critic Dave Pehling next Monday night to promote the record swap that's happening at Make Out Room on November 22nd.

I'm hosting my 15th annual Annual Annual on Monday, November 24th. Two hours from one year, and this time around it's all about 1981. What an amazing year for punk, post-punk, N.O.W.T.H.M. (tune in to find out what that is), and so much more.

Take a look at the playlist below and click the link to listen in.

Enjoy and please share. And go out and play!

jh

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

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Honey Bucket: Melvins (Houdini - 1993)
Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac: Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie "Yardbird" Parker (Diz N' Bird In Concert - 1953 Paris)

Here Comes A Cop: David Peel and the Lower East Side (Have a Marijuana - 1967)
Three Stoned Men Chant/Hey Brother Roll A Joint: Three Stoned Men (Higher Than God - 1991)
Bo Diddley Was A Communist: Eugene Chadbourne (Vermin of the Blues - 1987)

Summertime Blues: The Who (Who's Next/Life House (1971) Super Deluxe - 2023)
Young Man's Blues: Altamont (Our Darling - 2001)

Shanty Town: Desmond Dekker and the Aces (Ska Madness! - 2010)

Somebody Have Mercy: Sam Cooke (The Harlem Square Club - 1963)

My Baby's Gone: Jenny Don't And The Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)

It's A Dark Day: Reverend Horton Heat (Smoke 'em if you Got 'em - 1990)

Clown: Carney/Hild/Kramer (Happiness Finally Came To Them - 1988)

The Words of Jamal: Pop-O-Pies (Joe's Second Record - 1984)

Who Stole The Keeshka?: Polkacide (S/T - 1986)

The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave (Live PCPPEP - 1984)

Stagolee: Jesse Fuller (Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals and Blues - 1958)

Spanish Castle Magic (Take 2): Jimi Hendrix Experience (Axis: Bold As Love Sessions - 2025)
You Know My Name (Look Up My Number): The Beatles (Anthology 2 - 1996)

Help On The Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah 50th Anniversary Deluxe - 2025)

Burbanks Dream: Golden Void (Berkana - 2015)

Looniversal: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)

Freaks to the Front: Amyl and the Sniffers (Comfort To Me - 2021)

I Can't Help Falling In Love With You: Chrissy Hynde and Mark Lanegan (Duets Special - 2025)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #533: I Got An Earworm

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Do you ever have days when you just can't get a song out of your head? I have many days like this. Oftentimes it's when my 6-year-old son, Bodhi is singing "The Wreck of the Old 97", but then there are days when I hear a phrase and it leads me right to a song. More often than not I like the song. I heard the best way to get these songs out of your head is to sing it, start to finish. That works when I know all the lyrics, obviously. I prefer my method: share it with you on my show.

I couldn't get "White Girl" from X out of my head all Monday, so it's only fitting that I started my show with it. As usual I did some record shopping recently, so I had to share some fun crate-digging scores. There's the new Shannon and the Clams, which is breathtaking. If you know, you know.

I also have some new Melvins and Oh Sees later in the show. As for new-to-me, I found the GOAT Levitation Sessions, which I'm quickly wearing out from so much play at home. Zig Zags put out a new album full of recently re-recorded classics. I also have some classic San Francisco Punk with Inflatable Boy Clams and Fuck-Ups. Not to be missed!

And continuing with my love for religion (blech) there's some Negativland and Butthole Surfers to bless you. 

You'll note you won't hear me doing an intro. It appears I neglected to click a button! Rotten Ronnie Donovan would joke about the DJ error.

Something for the entire family, every Monday 8-10PM Pacific.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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White Girl: X
My Dear Watson: The Headcoats
Ramblin' Man: Hank Williams

The Hourglass: Shannon and the Clams
Take a Letter, Maria: RB Greaves
Little Red Rooster: Big Mama Thornton

Under No Nation: GOAT
Islands in the Sky: Death Valley Girls
Blue Jay Way: The Beatles
Chifara: Mulatu Astatke

Marin: Inflatable Boy Clams
Christianity is Stupid: Negativland
Bar-B-Q Pope: Butthole Surfers

Brainded Warrior: Zig Zags
Nisaba in the Grass: Luna
Midnight Steamer: Jerusalem

Void: Ty Segall
Pain Equals Funny: Melvins
Powerman: the Kinks

Cassius, Brutus & Judus: Oh Sees
White Boy: Fuck-Ups

Hell's Kitchen Radio #518: 13th Annual Annual: 1991

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When I was considering what year I was going to play for you for my 13th annual Annual Annual, I was a bit stumped. Every year has something amazing to offer. Where do I go? Back to the 50s? I haven't done that decade yet. Something in the past decade? Too soon? I turned 21 in 1991 (you do the math). Sounded perfect to me.

I was living in my first apartment, in Redwood City, CA. I was on the air at KFJC, hosting a morning show. There was no such genre known as Alternative at that time, until Smells Like Teen Spirit hit the airwaves. Thanks Nirvana. Ah, the memories. 

And college radio was popping back in 1991. Hip Hop, metal, indie-rock, industrial, shoegaze. There was so much to play back then. So many bands went on to influence the generation that followed. I'm not one to live in the past, but a show like this one allows me to shine a light on a year that really set a standard for what would follow.

Sadly, this was, in my opinion, the last year that non-commercial and college radio would be on the forefront when it came to breaking new artists. The consolidation of radio, Napster, and then streaming took that power out the hands of programmers, those who live and breathe music, and placed it into the hands of the corporatocracy. I was interning at KRQR back then in San Fransisco. I recall the music director blindly putting the playlist together for the DJs, without a thought of what songs worked well together. She was pulling from national lists of songs in the AOR top 20. Now MDs just allow Spotify to dictate the playlists. It's insulting. I'll remind you all that I do not have a Spotify account.

That's why you tuned in tonight, and that's why I have this show to share with you, that will take you back to a time when the artists and the DJs teamed together to bring your something special on the regular. 

If you're interested in the previous 11 editions of my Annual Annual, take a look below.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

2011 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1971
2012 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1972
2013 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1973
2014 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1974
2015 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1975
2016 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 2006
2017 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1992
2018 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1983
2019 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1969
2020 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1980
2021 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1978
2022 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1968

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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Hog Leg: Melvins
Ring Ring Ring: De La Soul
Buck Whylin': Terminator X

By The Time I Get To Arizona: Public Enemy
Ace in the Hole: 3rd Bass

Scenario: A Tribe Called Quest

Housework: Fishbone

This Year in History Part One

Squeeze Me Macaroni: Mr. Bungle

Tommy the Cat: Primus
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile

Tunic (For Karen): Sonic Youth

This Year in History Part Two
Drain You (BBC Sessions): Nirvana
Emma: Urge Overkill

Little Fluffy Clouds: The Orb
Doctor Jeep: Sisters of Mercy
Rave Down: Swervedriver

The Power of Pussy (BBC Sessions): Bongwater

The Hurdy Gurdy Man: Butthole Surfers

The Wagon: Dinosaur Jr.

It's Shoved: Melvins

Hell's Kitchen Radio #489: This Time I've Got A Reason

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Here it is Saturday evening and I have yet to share my most recent show from last Monday. How is that possible?!?!?!? Oh right, I have job and a family. Yeah, that'll do it. I'm a high school teacher by day, and the weeks fly by, so no wonder it's already Saturday.

As for this show, hot damn, it's a good one. I mixed it up quite a bit as usual, but there are a few artists I don't think I have ever played on my show, including Otyken and Useless Eaters. Speaking of Useless Eaters, I took their track from a Live in San Francisco LP, produced by John Dwyer of the Oh Sees. He did a series of Live in San Francisco records for Castle Face Records. I own about eight of them and played a bunch in the second hour. If you are as Punk as me (and I know you are ;)) then you are really going to dig this!

The Kinks have released a 2022 remaster of Muswell Hillbillies, so there's some of that thrown in; Butthole Surfers cover Roky Erickson; Elvis Costello covers Neil Young; under appreciated Frank Sinatra; classic Mr. Bungle and so much more.

Sorry again for the delay. I think the wait was worth it. Let me know.

Enjoy and please share.

jh 

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

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Happiness is Drumming: Diga Rhythm Band
Placebo Effect: Siouxsie and the Banshees

Squeeze Me Macaroni: Mr. Bungle
Watertown: Frank Sinatra

20th Century Man: The Kinks
KGLW/Automation: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Just Coolin: Art Blakey and His Jazz Messengers

Earthquake: Butthole Surfers
Legend: Otyken

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere/Dance Dance Dance: Elvis Costello (Rusty)
Virgo: Harvey Sid Fisher
Iron Swan: The Sword

Sticky Hulks: Thee Oh Sees
Feel: Ty Segall Band

Chairs in the Dark: White Fence
No Time For The Blues: OBN IIIs
Garbage on Glue: The Blind Shake
Dungeon: Useless Eaters

This Time I've Got A Reason: FUZZ
Dancing Barefoot: Patti Smith

You Better Have A Gun: Fantastic Negrito
Earache My Eye: Henry Rollins Band

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday 6-8PM Pacific - Butthole Surfers (1986) & Melvins (2006)

 

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza

Monday's 6-8PM Pacific

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Sometimes  you just need to hold your breath and dive in. Maybe you need to hold your nose and close your eyes. It's possible you should wear knee pads. I strongly suggest a change of clothes, and perhaps a paper bag. You'll know when you'll need them.

I'm speaking of course seeing the Butthole Surfers live in concert. I was lucky to see them three times between 1993 - 2010, including attending the Independent Worm Saloon record release party outside of Austin in 1993, where I smacked vocalist Gibby Haynes' ass with a KFJC sticker. He loved it so much he jumped into my arms, wrapped his legs around me and licked my face. He was clad only in a gold lamé g-string. 

Seeing them live is like an amusement ride where unbeknownst to those in attendance, the park has actually been closed for a decade or so, but the carnies came back to open it without actually looking to see if the rides are ready to go. Oh, and they're all on LSD, all the time. 

As for this particular show, they put on a real fine show May 10, 1986, Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Honestly, you really need to have been there, but listening comes close. 

Lineage: VPRO-FM>FM(m)>FM(1)>CD>eac>flac(level 8)

Tonight The Melvins are headlining. I had a really hard time deciding which Melvins show I was going to share with you. I have many between 1985 - 2021. 

I've been seeing this great band almost twice a year since 1992. I can't think of a better Rock band. Really, I can't. There isn't one. Name one. I dare you. I love that line the late, great Gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson used to describe his love for the Grateful Dead, "If the Grateful Dead came to town, I'd beat my way in with a fucking tire iron, if necessary.". I can safely say I feel that way about The Melvins. I don't get FOMO, but missing a Melvins show hurts. It hurts like I need Oxy, hurt. The rock so damn hard. I saw them a few weeks following ACL surgery back in 2016 at Slims in SF. I was still on crutches. I kept creeping closer and closer to the pit. My buddy kept pulling me back, but it was just drawing me in. I didn't go in. I'm not stupid. I was actually on Oxy after that surgery and threw them all out after day five when I accidentally doubled my dose. That was too much fun. I knew I had to stop then and there. 

Enjoy this great show, featuring my favorite lineup including the Big Business boys, Jared and Cody on bass and drums respectively. What a quartet! This tour from 2006 was hard to beat, and this show from the 40 Watt in Athens, Georgia, October 28, 2006 is one of the best of the tour. Seeing them in SF for this tour was mind blowing. Hold onto your seats and get ready for a great time.

Also, being a huge concert poster collector for 35+ years, the Melvins have always held a soft spot in my heart. They really know how to support that scene as well, making certain that each show has a unique poster, created by a different artist. It's almost too much.

Lineage: [Neumann KM-184(DIN)> Lunatec V2> Nomad Jukebox 3]+[Soundboard> Nomad Jukebox 3]

See these bands the next time they come to your town. 

Take the time to read "Our Band Could Be Your Life", by Michael Azerrad. The Butthole Surfers chapter is worth the price of admission. I took my girlfriend (now my bride) to see these two bands play at the Regency Theater in San Francisco, August 20, 2011. The Melvins played a short opening set, wanting to give the Surfers a full two hour set. What my lady wasn't ready for was the video to go along with the trip. She had to take a break in the lounge. I don't recall if she ever came back for the rest of the show? I'll need to go ask her.

Support these bands. Buy their officially released music and merch, and never ever sell live bootlegs. These are for trade only.

Stick around Monday's 8-10PM Pacific for my weekly music mix, Hell's Kitchen Radio. Lots of new music to share with you every week.

Enjoy and pay it forward.

jh

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Hell's Kitchen Radio #444: To Death Do Us ROCK!

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I saw a meme the other day that made some comment about paying attention to those who are introducing new music into your life. Yes, please do. I also read something a while ago about once you reach the age of 30-something you stick with the music that made the most impact on you, sometime in your teens to 20s. Really? That's it? Some crappy, lowest-common-denominator non-offensive music that plays over and over on your favorite radio station, or Spotify playlist? What do you do when Spotify tries to suggest something new to you? Do you swipe left...or right? I wouldn't know; 

I don't have Spotify. Are you shocked by this new found knowledge? Did you think I got all of my musical inspiration from what Spotify suggests to me? I listen to radio. Non-commercial radio to be exact. KFJC, KALX, KPOO, KALW (on the weekends), WFMU, KPFA (especially Wednesdays 8-10pm). And I listen with Shazam close at hand. 

There are times I have stopped the car so I can Shazam a track. How much do you love this app? However there are times when it's stumped. That's mostly when I'm listening to KFJC, the station that stumps Shazam! HA! That's when I call them up and ask them what the hell that just was that blew my mind?!?!?!

I don't think I stumped Shazam tonight, but I gave it the old internet radio try. My buddy Eric came by the house today with his bass and we rocked out to GFY, along with some other Amyl, Stooges, Flat Earthers, Butthole Surfers and Oh Sees tunes. That was super fun. I really need to get loud like that more often. So let's start with some Amyl and the Sniffers, shall we? There's also new music from David McMurray, Paul Leary, Angel Bat Dawid, and Kate Vargas. Also, Mudhoney's 30th anniversary remaster of Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge arrived on Monday, so I threw that in for good measure. Or good fudge. 

There's something for everyone here, even you who still listen to the same music you've been listening to since high school. Don't be afraid. Dive right in. If you don't like what you hear, just wait 3-7 minutes and check out the next tune.

Enjoy.

jh

Have you tried out our iPhone or Android app yet? Get them where you get your phone apps. I love the iPhone app and use it every day.

Due to the recent attempted break in at our new studio, we are in need of funds beyond what our staff can afford. If you can throw a few dimes Radio Valencia's way, we will be forever in your debt. Thanks in advance. 

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

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GFY: Amyl and the Sniffers
Gimme MY Wife: Bruce Marshall
Dirty: Joy

Thin White Line: Avengers
Going Up The Country: Three Stoned Men
Take Me Higher and Groove Me: James Brown

The 11: David McMurray
Slates, Slags, Etc: The Fall
Room Service: Rap Rilplinger

Check Out Time: Mudhoney
Roadrunner: Modern Lovers

Gary Floyd Revisited: Paul Leary
Dum Dum: Butthole Surfers
Shit Storm/Youth Of America: Melvins

London: Angel Bat Dawid
Watch Out!: Wells Fargo

The Money Will Roll Right In (For Scott): Fang
Strangers: The Kinks
Raised Right Men: Tom Waits

Church of Misdirection: Kate Vargas
The Funny Bird: Mercury Rev

Apocalyptic Make Out: Love Jerks
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #406: For Mikl Em

Download My Tribute To Mikl Em HERE! 

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***I understand the first 10 minutes or so my skip. If so, please skip to the 10 minute mark.***

I've been dreading writing this post. If you're reading this, it means my dear dear friend Michael McElligot aka: Mikl-em has kicked this mortal coil.

He passed away from brain cancer on Sunday, August 30th. 2020. This has hit our community hard. I've known Mikl since 1996 or so, through our mutual admiration of everything SF Cacaphony Society had to offer. We hit every event we could find. It didn't take long until Mikl began producing  as many events as he attended.

Mikl was deeply involved in many stage performances at Dark Room Theater on Mission in SF, as well as SF Fringe Fest, Laughing Squid's Tentacle Sessions, Popcorn Anti-Theater, attended many Burning Man events, produced Speechless-SF, and the regular salons featured at Long Now Foundation at Fort Mason in SF.

So many of the best events I attended or were associated with over the past 25 years were partly or

mostly colored by Mikl Em. He was the epitome of inclusion. He was the essence of "let's put on a show".  He was love and light.

As a teacher I have been told that I teach to infinity, since I don't know where or when my teachings will end. Mikl entertained to infinity. He inspired so many of his friends, and even more who were in the audience.

We were super lucky Mikl chose to join Radio Valencia in our infancy. He started Can Haz DJ the second week we were on the air. He produced 50 shows, and I'm excited that we are currently re-running these shows Saturday's 8-10PM. Please tune in. Mikl was an exceptional DJ, who modeled himself after the legendary BBC-1 DJ, John Peel.

This show before you is a tribute to great musical mind. These are artists that Mikl loved, many of whom he turned me onto. We used to talk music in the most rambling and sensational way, often meandering in a tangential way across genres, and eras, always ending long before we wanted to. Our conversations were always ones for the ages. And now I guess they'll have to be.

He leaves behind his magnificent life-partner, Danielle, who I've known even longer than he. She's a vision of strength in life that has seen her share of challenges. If ever there is a person who is the model character, it is she. We love you, Danielle.

I miss you my dear friend. Thank you for shining such a beautiful light on all of us. I hope wherever
you may be that there are songs to fill the air.

KQED offered a beautiful memorial for him following his passing last week.

Your friend always,

jh

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

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Follow Radio Valencia on Twitter
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Observing Systems: Tied and Tickled Trio

Michael From The Mountains: Joni Mitchell

Pledging My Time: Bob Dylan

Redondo Beach: Patti Smith

Frisco Blues: John Lee Hooker

Politcal Song For Michael Jackson to Sing: Minutemen

Rouche Rumble: Sonic Youth

Messing With The Kid: The Saints

Fables of Faubus: Charles Mingus

Graveyard: Butthole Surfers

Whistlin' Past The Graveyard: Tom Waits

The Drama You've Been Craving: Sleater-Kinney

House of the Rising Sun: Sex Mob

Metal Postcard: Siouxsie and the Banshees

The Body of an American: The Pogues

Blue Jay Way: The Beatles

Peace Two: John McLaughlin

So What'cha Want (Butthouse Remix): Beastie Boys

No Expectations: Califone

Rip Off: T Rex

He Was A Friend of Mine: Cat Power

Eric B for President: Eric B and Rakim

Funky President: James Brown

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong