Hell's Kitchen Radio #594: How Bad Can It Be?

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I just read that for the first time since 2000 California is 100% drought free. For those who are 25 they have only known life either in a drought, going into a drought, or coming out of one. If that snow pack is deep then this might just be a good year for the Golden state! 

And it's a new year for Radio Valencia! We've had a lot of ups and downs over the year, especially since COVID, but 2025 was a banner year! I am thrilled about the many new shows we've added, and even more so about the people staffing them. The tech side is getting a huge boost from some folks on staff who come with the credentials to bring us into the 21st century. Stay tuned in!

In the next week I have huge news to announce about a show I'm co-producing out the wilds of North Beach, at a once legendary venue that has new life being breathed into it. I am so excited about this, but I will not jump the gun. This will be a Radio Valencia co-presents, and you are going to want to be there. This is the kind of event that more people will claim to have attended than the venue can actually hold.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

As for this here show, being the first of the new year, I felt the need for a bit of a refresh. Some classic psych, blues, Black Power, folk, spiritual jazz, garage, krautrock, chicha, and so much more. 

Take a look at the playlist below, and click that link to give it a listen.

This coming Monday night I'm excited to have San Francisco's top soundman, John Karr in the studio, playing music from the many shows he engineers around the city and talking up this upcoming show I spoke about above. Oooh boy, this is going to be fun.

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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Some Velvet Morning: Vanilla Fudge (Near the Beginning - 1968)

White Man's Got A God Complex: Last Poets (This is Madness - 1971)

Crawlin' King Snake: John Lee Hooker (I'm John Lee Hooker - 1960)

My Time After A While: Buddy Guy (Chess Masters - 1984)

Memory of a Free Festival: David Bowie (Conversation Piece 5 CD Box Set - 2019)

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues: Bob Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited - 1965)

Peace Frog/Blue Sunday: The Doors (Morrison Hotel - 1968)

There She Goes My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Abattoir Blues - 2004)

Looking for Your Door (Chrome): OSees (Levitation Sessions II - 2021)

21st Century Schizoid Man: King Crimson (In The Court of the Crimson King - 1969)

Hare Krishna: Alice Coltrane (Universal Consciousness - 1971)

What's In My Head (Demo): FUZZ (Fuzz's Fourth Dream - 2025)

Broken Hearted Blue: Jenny Don't and the Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)

Spray: Can (Future Days - 1973)
Footprints: Wayne Shorter (Adam's Apple - 1966)

King Solomon's Marbles: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)

Ojos Azure: Money Chicha (Chicha Summit - 2021)

Gaia: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Omnium Gatherum - 2022)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #562: No Good At All

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Sadly, because of DJ error (mine own, ugh), this show is not playable. Dang! This was a fine one as well. I almost feel like doing it all over again just so I can play these funs sets of music for you.

Oh well, next time I promise to click the right button...probably.

See what you missed below.

Sorry.

Tune in Monday 8-10PM Pacific when I actually do broadcast live!

jh

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

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Do You Like To Eat A Cow: Paul Leary
Rejoice Unto Yourself: JD Pinkus

Flyin' High: Jenny Don't and the Spurs

The Irish Rover: The Pogues

I've Been Working: Van Morrison

Walkin' The Streets of Love Alone: Mitch Polzak

The Streets of Baltimore: Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels

The Waitress Song: First Aid Kit

Parchman Fram: Mercury Rev ft Carice Van Houton

Wake Up The Sun: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Coconut: Ty Segall

Carletta's In Hats Again: Brigid Dawson and the Mother's Network

California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel

Somaliland Ani Adi: Sahar Halgan

Badi Sabah Olmadan: Altin Gun

Nimerudi (Salmagundi Remix): GOAT and MC Yallah
Empire: Frankie and the Witch Fingers

The Smokey God: Glitter Wizzard

Bring Me Coffee or Tea: Can

Verwanlung: Embryo

Monaka: Kikagaku Moyo

Hell's Kitchen Radio #367: Right Place, Wrong Lunch

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It's beginning to feel a lot like 2016 around here. too many fabulous musicians are passing away.

Tonight I offer my tribute to the great Malcolm John Rebennack Jr, better known as Dr. John, The Night Tripper, who passed away at the tender age of 77 on June 6, 2019. Considering he was born and raised in New Orleans with its amazing culture and rich cuisine, and had a heroin addiction until late 1989, it's a wonder he lived as long as he did. We're lucky just to have had him for the time we did.

I start my show with a 30 minute live tribute from a blazing hot show in 1987.

I welcome DJ Doug back into the studio with me tonight. He is starting a new show, Tuesday mornings, midnight-2AM on Radio Valencia. Be sure to tune in. He has excellent musical taste, if I say so myself. I always enjoy training new DJs. DJ Doug is a natural.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Dr John tribute:
Live November 07, 1987, Lone Star Cafe, NYC, NY

Iko Iko
Right Place, Wrong Time
Jambalaya

Big Chief
Wang Dang Doodle

Sugar Sweet/Got My Mojo Working (with Mick Taylor)
Final Solution: Pere Ubu
I'm Straight: Modern Lovers

Sonic Reducer: Dead Boys
Chicken Farm: Dead Kennedys
122 Hours of Fear: The Screamers (Live at Mabuhay Gardens)

Thief: Can
Monkey Man: Rolling Stones
Here Come the Warm Jets: Brian Eno
In and Out of Grace: Mudhoney

They'll Never Take Us Alive: Zig Zags
Love Whip: Reverend Horton Heat
Way of the World: Melvins
Sex Bomb: Flipper

Only Son of a Lady's Man: Father John Misty
Boogieman Sam: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #355: I'm A Glutton For Punishment

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I hate hate hate being behind in posting my show podcasts! So sorry for the delay. Life got in the way. I hope you can find it in heart to forgive old Hell here. Gee, just take a look at that amazing playlist, will ya?!?!?!?!

I missed my show last week and instead took my daughter, Little Lauson Hell, to her very first Melvins show! She loved them and the opener: Hepa.Titus, featuring former Melvins' bassist Kevin Rutmanis. She even added his band to her Spotify. Raisin' 'em right.

I've got something special in store for you all tonight. Tune in 8-10 and I'll whisper it in your ear.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Savior Machine: David Bowie

Some Velvet Morning: Vanilla Fudge

Toby Dammit's Last Act: Sex Mob

Stormy Monday: Allman Brothers Band

I Put A Spell On You: Leon Russell

Oh Yeah: Can

Divine Horseman: The Flesh Eaters

Lovely Butterfly: Melvins

Moving to Florida: Butthole Surfers

Fried Pies: Wes Montgomery

Warsawng: Glitter Wizard

By Any Means Necessary/Art of Getting Jumped: Steinski

Rattlesnake: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Dune Buggy: Os Mutantes

Concert Outlook (Zombie: Fela Kuti)

Super Heathen Child: Grinderman

Hell's Kitchen Radio #322: Crazy As It Seems

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Having spent almost 30 years in community radio, I've seen plenty of fresh young faces cross into the medium, where I have been asked to train them in the technical aspects of running the board, as well as how to announce during a mic break. There is an art to this. There is a flow. More often than not I am in the flow. I certainly know when I'm not. I tell the new DJ when it comes to the mic break, just do the business (back announce what you played, read a PSA, front announce and get off mic). Once you have more time in the studio under  your belt, then you can wax poetic about the artist you just played and the label they are on, and connect it to some current issue, or talk about the band that's coming to town and the place they're playing and some history connected to the label you're about to play. All of this takes time and experience.

I trained a new DJ on my recent show: Johnny Fuzz; no relation. His set is labeled below. Great guy, great choices. He'll be getting a show soon, so please show him some love and tune in.

My next show is pretty timely. I call it "Statutory Rock"! You can only guess what I'll be playing.

Finally, send some healing thoughts to Hell's Kitchen Radio alum, and legendary rock poster artist, Ron "Rotten Ronnie" Donovan. He's in the hospital with lived failure after living the life of a rock start, too hard, for too long. We love you Rotten Ronnie. Don't make me host a tribute to you any time soon.

Check out the playlist below and click the stream or download button above to enjoy this great show. There's some kind of tribute??? to Charles Manson at the beginning.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Never Learn to Love: Beach Boys
Cease to Exist: Charles Manson
Mayla: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

20th Century Boy: Ty Segall
Destination Unknown: Missing Persons

Kings Lead Hat: Brian Eno
The Eureka Garbage Lady: GTO's

***Johnny Fuzz Set***
Caroline: Chrome
Allas Sak: Dungen

Vitamin D: Can
We Are Time: The Pop Group
I Don't Like Linoleum: The Dancing Cigarettes
Creature That I Am: Cool Ghouls

Lucid I Would Dream: Miranda Lee Richardson
***John Hell***
Raw Optics: Oh Sees

Timid Scripts: HRVRD
Warm Piston: Monomen
She's Got Balls: AC/DC
The Bomber: Joe Walsh and Barnstorm (09-24-73 Arlington, TX)

The Beacon: Golden Void
Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite (Take 4): The Beatles
Bad As Me: Tom Waits

Jesus Didn't Die For Me: Rube Waddell
Sugaree: Grateful Dead (May 6, 1978 Patrick Gym, U of Vermont)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #319: The Big Three Killed My Baby Brain

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You would think since I'm only getting about four hours a sleep, having a newborn in the house, I wouldn't be up for doing my weekly show. You would be incorrect. What the hell do you know anyway? It's not like I was looking to run out on the little one and my bride. No, no, no. It's more about taking the time away so when I come back I'm even more hot to care for all-things-baby!

It was so great getting back on the horse tonight after three weeks away. The playlist felt fresh, and your comments kept me on edge...er, I mean happier than a baby with a fresh boob in the mouth!

You'll have to forgive me, I have baby-brain right now. That being said, I think you will agree that I can still throw together one hell of a playlist. Oh, I'm thinking about starting a campaign to get a local commercial radio station (107.7 The Bone, KFOG, Live-105) to allow me to program their station for one hour during the evening drive. I promise not to play anything with bad words...in English. Really though, the dreck they are playing is insulting. Give me one hour and I know you're going to have listeners hungry for more.

Until that day, keep tuning in Monday's 8-10PM and I'l give it my best; baby-brain and all.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Common People: William Shatner
Earthquake: Butthole Surfers
Someday Soon: The Doors

Grateful: Patti Smith
What Goes On: Velvet Underground

Vitamin C: Can
Free Your Mind and your Ass Will Follow: Funkadelic

Lord of Lightning: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (World Cafe-Bakehouse Studios-Melbourne, Australia-January 25, 2017)
A Lotus on Irish Streams: Mahavishnu Orchestra (Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley, CA November 9, 1972)
Frankie and Albert: Leadbelly (1940-12-12 - WNYC Radio - Folk Songs of America - New York, NY)

Eric's Trip: Sonic Youth (November 26, 1992 - Teatro Tenda Strisce, Roma, Italia)
When I Met You: David Bowie

Celluloid Heroes: The Kinks (BBC 1974)
Black Magick: Ty Segall

Last Looks: Lee Renaldo
The Static God: Oh Sees
Moon Tattoo: Sofi Tukker

Evil Ways: Santana (Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA, February 14, 1969)
Brown-Eyed Women: Grateful Dead (October 21, 1971, Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #259: Sweatin' To Hell

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Hot times in the ol' studio tonight! Radio as the premier aural artform. Some classic covers on this night, some deeply hidden live tracks, some jazzy goodness, perfect for the hot night that it was. Plenty of witty banter that will tickle your funny bone as well as clue you in to the back story of many of these timeless tunes.

Have you tuned into the "new" KFOG? And I thought they were bad before! Seriously, it does not appear that they have evolved into anything fresh and new! Good job, Cumulus. You fired DJs who cared about the local listeners, all the while playing crappy, lowest-common-denominator pablum, that they had no choice over. I swear I would LOVE for any GM to call me up and ask me to program a station for just one day. ONE DAY! There is too much quality music that KFOG has continuously passed by. Father John Misty? Jenny Lewis? Dave Alvin? COME ON! Lame KFOG has just proved once again why you NEED Radio Valencia. You already knew that though.

Let's start a petition to get KFOG to hire John Hell for one day to do its music programming. If they hate it then I'll quietly leave. If they love it, then I'll have my lawyers call theirs.

Next Monday you just know I'm going to have a lot of rare Prince to play for you. RIP Purple One.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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In The Flesh: Pink Floyd
California Sun: The Dictators
Rich Brat: Redd Kross
Surfin Bird: The Ramones

Double Fine: Honky
This Never Happened To The Other Feller: Sex Mob

When It's Sleepy-time Down South: Gaucho
Fiesta En El Solar: Marc Ribot Y Los Cubanos Postizos

Lilin: John Zorn's Bar Kokhba
Drugs: Talking Heads

New Carrion: Naked Lights
Stronger Than Dirt: The Traditional Fools
Andalusia: The Phantom Surfers

My Man: Delaney and Bonnie and Friends (WPLJ July 22, 1971)
Black Magic Woman: Fleetwood Mac (BBC March, 24, 1968)
Blue 'N' Boogie: Miles Davis

Bronx Blues: Stan Getz and The Oscar Peterson Trio
Tattoo: Petra Haden

Tape Kabob: Can (BBC 73-75)

Ruins: Low Flying Hawks

NOW, LET'S GET SWEATY!!!

Hell's Kitchen Radio #243: 1975! ANNUAL ANNUAL

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1975! What a year! What do you recall? I was five years old, and living in Toledo, Ohio. My aunt, who worked at Peaches Records bought me the first five KISS LPs, so naturally, KISS was my first favorite band. That's all I really remember about that year.

Being older, and a scholar of music and culture, I can tell you that 1975 was a real crossover year. The 60s were definitely over by this time. Music was moving a bit more into the "Yacht Rock" era, and Disco was starting to emerge as well. Funk was at its creative peak. Punk wouldn't really break onto the scene for another year, and metal was also still in its infancy. It was a weird year.

Some of my favorite records were released this year: Physical Graffiti, Nighthawks at the Diner, and Blood on the Tracks, just to name a few.

Along with Eric McFadden and Delphine de St Paer, we delve into the many faces of 1975 last Monday night. We just barely scratch the surface in two hours time. Take a look at the playlist below, and click on the links above to stream or download this show.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Tonight's the Night: Neil Young
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain: Willie Nelson
Rhinestone Cowboy: Glen Campbell

The Black Widow: Alice Cooper
Hunters and Collectors: Can
Dolemite: Ben Taylor
Fight the Power: The Isley Brothers
Fire: Ohio Players

Ten Years Gone: Led Zeppelin
Across The Universe: David Bowie
Motorhead: Hawkwind
Dammit Janet: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Dunkirk: Camel

Chocolate City: Parliament
Muffin Man: Frank Zappa
Shelter From The Storm: Bob Dylan
Eggs and Sausage: Tom Waits

Deuce: Kiss
The Jungle Line: Joni Mitchell
Death on Two Legs: Queen
King Soloman's Marbles: Grateful Dead

Rose in the Heather/Beggar's Day: Nazareth

Hell's Kitchen Radio #213: Quality Muzac

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Oh lordy, I brought a lot of music with me tonight. Then I got to the second hour and blew my wad on a 45 minute Grateful Dead jam. It's absolutely AMAZING!!!!

The show starts out with some hip-shaking groove, that I know will get your toes tapping, as well as the aforementioned hips-a-shaking. I've got some brand new music from LA garage/psych rockers, WAND, and a deep cut from the new Moon Duo release as well. FYI, Moon Duo features Ripley Johnson from Wooden Shjips. If you like them, then you're going to like Moon Duo. It's pretty much the same idea. They're playing at Bottom of the Hill on Wednesday, March 25th. Hey, that's tomorrow night!!! Go see this show. It also features Once and Future Band, and Carlton Melton. I suggest you ingest some happiness pills, and dance your ass off. You'll probably need to take Thursday off.

The Grateful Dead segment was from a show 41 years ago Monday at the Cow Palace in Daly City. Interestingly enough the Dead also played a show the following year, in 1975, in Golden Gate Park. Take a look at the jam I chose for you. They only played this sequence three other times. All four were performed between late 1973 and early 1974. And it is blissful. The false start on "Playin'" is enough to get your groove on.

So it's groove, garage and Grateful for your night in Hell's Kitchen. That's enough to satisfy even the choosiest mothers.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Marvin's Groove: BW Souls
My Friend: Ricardo Marrero

Move On Up: Curtis Mayfield
You've Got it Bad Girl: Boogaloo Joe Jones
Fanny Brown: Don Thompson

Reaped Invert: Wand
Hazemaze: Fuzz
Kissability: Sonic Youth
Keep On: Tiger Honey Pot

Concert Outlook

Animal: Moon Duo
Hogdalstoppen: Dungen
Oh Yeah: Can
Devil Eyes: Tim Buckley

Playin' in the Band - Uncle John's Band - Morning Dew - Uncle John's Band - Playin' in the Band: Grateful Dead (03-23-74 Cow Palace, Daly City, CA)

A Season in Hell #185: Reverbia

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Sometimes I just need to play a bunch of stuff that I haven't heard in a while. And I also keep buying records, so I have to share those with you too. That's pretty much what you have here: a collection of music that I haven't heard in a while, and new stuff. Some of it's loud, there's some bluegrass thrown in, psychedelia, metal, Americana, gypsy-punk; you name it, it's in there. Some of the segues are priceless. The art of radio at its finest.

New music from Jack White, Boris, Hot Fog, and Obniii's. 

Enjoy.

jh

A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF
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The Show Must Go On: Pink Floyd
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile
The Lifetime Achievement Awards: The Centimeters

Hard Line: The Blasters
War Drums: John Wilkes Booze
Oh Mary: Ty Segall Band

Just One Drink: Jack White
Uncle Powderbag: Obniii's
Stoner Section: David Nudelman
Crossing Remix (Andy Weatherall): Wooden Shjips

Paperhouse: Can
Super Are You: Boredoms
Ghost of Romance: Boris
Black Jack: Enrico Simonetti

Emma: Urge Overkill
Secret Fantasies of the Dragon Sun: Hot Fog
Freya: The Sword

Into the Void: Brown Sabbath
Blue Grass Special: Bill Monroe
Little Red Hen: Taj Mahal
Teen Age Riot: Sonic Youth

Immigraniada: Gogol Bordello
Portland, OR: Loretta Lynn