Hell's Kitchen Radio #549: 14th annual Annual Annual: 1994

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It's time for my 14th annual Annual Annual! This is where I choose one year to focus on for two hours. I like to put this out to my music-loving friends before I make a choice. I've covered a couple years from the 90s in the past, including 1991 last year. This time around I'm going with 1994.

My memories of 1994, when I was turning 24, are murky at best. In my own life I was single, living in Redwood City, on the air at KFJC and working at a small local record label/music distributor: Tandem Records/The Remix Club (TRC). I ran the warehouse before becoming the promotions director of the label. I recall us courting The Mermen, though I'm fairly confident we didn't get much farther than a meeting with them.

That was a challenging job. Most of the music the label had was in the Pop R&B genre, and I think you know what I think about anything Pop. And my boss was dating a young singer, who was marginal in talent to say the least...not to mention at least 20 years older than her. It was my job to get her played on R&B stations around the country and to take her to events in the Bay Area. There wasn't a lot of success there, in her music or the relationship.

I also didn't appreciate how my boss liked to yell at his staff, either. Ooh, I do remember that we watched the OJ Simpson trial in the office though. HA!

It was while I ran the shipping and receiving department that I learned of Kurt Cobain's death. I can picture that moment well: working in the warehouse and the announcement came on the radio. I saw Nirvana at the Warfield Theater in October 1991 for the Nevermind tour. TAD and Sister Double Happiness opened. I was on the floor for the openers, but it was so packed (oversold?) and my shoelaces were united, that I decided to bodysurf my way out of there. I ended up on the first tier with a perfect view of the stage for the Nirvana set. I always liked that band. 

Like my previous annual specials there's more to share than just the music: film, news and culture are included throughout the night, and there's never enough time to get to all the music I want to. 

Though there wasn't a lot of strong releases in 1994 (I blame the major record labels), there were a number of notable debuts: Notorious BIG, Jeff Buckley, Fu Manchu to name but a few. 

Let's get on with the show.

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
2023 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1991

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

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Miserlou: Dick Dale (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)

Juicy: Notorious BIG (Ready to Die)

Give It Up: Public Enemy (Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age)

Get It Together: Beastie Boys (Ill Communication)

The Man Who Sold The World: Nirvana (MTV Unplugged)
Royal With Cheese (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)
Grace: Jeff Buckley (Grace)

Revolve: Melvins (Stoner Witch)

Timeline: 1994

Ojo Rojo: Fu Manchu (No One Rides for Free)

Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop: Kyuss (Welcome to Sky Valley)

Buenas Tardes Amigo: Ween (Chocolate and Cheese)

Baddest of the Bad: Reverend Horton Heat (Liquor in the Front)

Gringo Honeymoon: Robert Earl Keen Jr. (Gringo Honeymoon)
Pendulum: Mark Lanegan (Whiskey for the Holy Ghost)

Timeline: 1994

Bull in the Heather: Sonic Youth (Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star)

Violet Eyes: Meat Puppets (Too High To Die)

Fuel My Fire: L7 (Hungry for Stink)

Do You Love Me: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Let Love In)

Free As A Bird: The Beatles (Free As A Bird)

Zed's Dead, Baby/Bullwinkle Part II: The Centurions (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)

The Dishwasher: King Missile (S/T)

She Gave Good Sunflower: Black Crowes (Amorica)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #320: Ain't That A Shame

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I'm sleep deprived, so don't hold me too accountable for what follows. ...I'm trying hard to think of something witty to say. Hmmm. Who knew sleep was so damn important?

Ah yes, my show this week! I was able to get to my Fats Domino tribute. You probably only know him through his seminal hit "Blueberry Hill", but his sound helped define early rock and roll, rhythm and blues, with a touch of jump swing. His stride piano style was always evident in the New Orleans sound, whether he was playing one of his own songs of love and heartbreak, or a carefully chosen cover. I grew up in a household where my dad (born 1941) played a lot of blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues. Fats played a central role in my early musical development, which I'm certain I didn't realize until he passed away a few weeks back at the age of 89.

The balance of my show features new music from King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (their third full-length release of 2017!) and Boris. There's some long noisy jams via Aluk Todolo, a jazzy cover by Sex Mob, a "weird" cover by The Residents, stoner spacey jams from Sleep, and an Op/Ed from John Lennon. There's more as you'll see below. Also, I gave tickets away to see Fu Manchu. Did you know that I often have tickets to local shows I give away on my show? You didn't?!?!?! Tune in and WIN!!! There's so much winning. You're going to get tired of all the winning, I promise you.

I've been spending too much time on Twitter lately. There are links below.

Next Monday night is my 7th annual Annual Annual!!! That's two hours from one year. I'm thinking about hosting 1992.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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It's Hard to be Humble: Mac Davis
Jambalaya: The Residents

Ain't That A Shame: Fats Domino
Bad Luck and Trouble: Fats Domino
Good Hearted Man: Fats Domino

You Win Again: Fats Domino
Your Cheatin' Heart: Fats Domino
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans: Fats Domino

The Book/A Journey to (S)Hell: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Walking in the Park: Colosseum

Aquarian: Sleep
I Don't Want To Be A Soldier: John Lennon
I Want You/She's So Heavy: George Benson

Ampn': Fu Manchu
The Horned Goddess: The Sword

Deadsong/Absolutego: Boris

IV: Aluk Todolo
Volpina: Sex Mob

Though I absolutely LOVE Cheap Trick's cover of this tune, it's all about Fats Domino!

Hell's Kitchen Radio #308: Fourth of Hell

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It's a total shock to have any idea where or when any of my shows may or may not be listened to, if at all! I say this, because it hit me a long while back that since you can download these shows, it's always possible, albeit a slim shot, that you are listening to this show in the far distant future on some media player, deep on the outskirts of a space system, having never even stepped foot on Earth. You've only heard passing mention of this long-dead orb. And what you've heard are meager little bits of nonesuch info that has honestly left you responding "meh". And who can really blame you?

I can!

This planet has had its ups and downs, but it's the only planet we have at this time. So you can float there all smug in the Aldebaran system with your flying everything, and ability to beam everything and anything anywhere at any time, but for me and my friends and family in July of 2017 we'll keep on fighting the good fight, making love, rocking out, and flying like an eagle, thank you very much.

Little Lauson Hell joined me on the air this past Monday, for what was her 9th visit to the Radio Valencia studios. Below I link to her previous shows. It's a trip watching her grow up on the radio. I remember how shy she was the first time she was with me. I think she was maybe 7 years old. I always say about that first episode "she was shy until she was no longer shy". Lauson didn't bring much music to the show on this night, but we spoke about her recently completing 7th grade, her fun-filled summer, and her goals for 8th grade. She's got wit, I'll give her that.

Once again I streamed video via FB Live. Thanks for all who tuned in. I honestly don't see what's so fascinating about watching a DJ cue up records, but knock yourself out. My buddy, and musical realization of a childhood dream I had all gone to pot, Adam Mackintosh tuned in and gave me permission to play his recent cover of the pat mAcdonald classic "Future's So Bright". If you recall the Timbuk 3 tune, then you really do need to listen to this latest version, which is about to make it onto a huge 100 song compilation at tribute to Pat. Brilliant!

Adam also introduced me to singer Liv Mueller last week via the Marco Polo app. Have you seen this app? What a voice she has! WOW! Deep, dark and sultry. You can find her release "Liv Sings Light of the Valley, Shadow of the Mountain" on iTunes.

I guess in my weird, subversive sort of way, much of the music on Monday night was somehow or another related to 'merica.

Little Lauson Hell's many visits to Hell's Kitchen:
First show in 2012
Second show in 2014
Third show also in 2014
Fourth show in spring of 2015
Fifth show in the summer of 2015
Sixth show in summer 2016 along with Saucy!
Seventh show was also during summer 2016
Eight show was December 2016

Enjoy.

jh

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

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4th of July: X
4th of July, Asbury Park: Bruce Springsteen

US Blues: Grateful Dead
Summertime: Janis Joplin

Red House: Jimi Hendrix
Highway 61: Bob Dylan
New York State of Mind: Jay Z and Alicia Keys
Get It Together: Beasties Boys

Feeling Good: Avici
Voodoo Love: Liv Mueller

Future's So Bright: Adam Mackintosh
Have A Beer With Fear: Fear
Stars and Stripes of Corruption: Dead Kennedy's
Bales of Cocaine: Reverend Horton Heat

Fairly Local: Twenty One Pilots
What Do You Want From Life?: The Tubes
Hillbilly Math: Dale Crover

I Live For Cars and Girls: The Dictators
Work It: Missy Elliot
The Falcon Has Landed: Fu Manchu

I'm So Bored With the USA: The Clash

And because you so desperately want to relive the 80s in fine fashion, I give you Timbuk 3.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #294: Battle of Witty

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Spinning a two hour set is always a hoot for me, but having a co-host who meshes with my style, and also knows how to throw me a surprise of three is always a real pleasure. On Monday's show I was thrilled to have Radio Valencia's Gatsby Fassbinder, host of Tighten Up Your Wig, Thursday's 4-6PM. If you like my show you're going to love his. Like myself, Gatsby is a walking encyclopedia for all things that he knows he knows. His tracks are marked by "GB".

New music from Melvins side project, Crystal Fairy, featuring Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes. Also, new music from Meatbodies from their latest LP "Alice". A brand new 7" is out from Zig Zags that is more metal-y than previous tracks, but no less scary. A classic Iggy Pop/James Williamson track from "Kill City", a love song from Diamanda Galas, and the greatest fucking rock band of all time (next to the Melvins) SLEEP!

It's safe to say that tonight was all about the ROCK! The talk is cheap and so are we. Not much more to add. I'd prefer to allow the music do the rocking.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen 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
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She: KISS
Slow Ride: Fu Manchu

Sweet Self: Crystal Fairy
Hell Toupee: Iron Prostate
The Kettle: Colosseum -GB

I Got Nothing: Iggy Pop/James Williamson
Living, Dying, Living/In A Zombie World: The Accused
Ripping Death: Zig Zags
Alice: Meatbodies -GB

Do You Take This Man?: Diamanda Galas
The Devil's Chasing Me: Reverend Horton Heat
Let's Go Steady: Dow Jones and the Industrials -GB

Piece of Mind: Monomen
I Heard it on the X: Olivelawn
Jezebel: The Mummies
I Lost My Mind: The Flesh Panthers -GB
I've Got The Shame: Fatso Jetson -GB

Spooky Nuisance: Satan's Satyrs -GB
Holy Mountain: Sleep
Notes and Chords Mean Nothing to Me: The Monkeywrench

You Never Come Closer: Doris -GB