Hell's Kitchen Radio #605: All Freaks No Accidents

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

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

Follow me on Blue Sky
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Instagram

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 #577: Rock And Roll Itchy Poo

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

I went to Mosswood Meltdown last Saturday, and it was as good as I expected it to be. Niis, Prison Affair,

OSees and DEVO were the real standouts. The sun cleared for a while and I found myself relaxing under the shade of a tree in the vendors area. I bought myself some 45s (my motorcycle bags aren't large enough to hold LPs. I probably saved some money there).

I eventually found myself directly in front of the soundboard hanging out with a few friends, including our Radio Valencia staff photographer Sean Haley, who brought a bunch of die-cut Radio Valencia stickers for us to pass out. Thanks Sean! 

I've seen the OSees many times, and never tire of them. What a brilliant set they brought. This was my first time seeing DEVO, and WOW is all I can say. There's actually a lot more I can say. I can talk about how both Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale are still on top of their game after 50+ years. I can talk about the stellar video graphics projected
throughout the show. I can talk about the setlist that we all sang along with. It was that good.

I can also talk about showing up on Sunday just to find out that I never did purchase a ticket for that day. D'oh! I went home and streamed the day. Shannon and the Clams put on a brilliant set as they always do. 

Early bird tickets for Mosswood Meltdown 2026 are now on sale. And they are going fast!!! I got mine!

Tune into my Tuesday night Live Bootleg Bonanza and I'm sure you'll be hearing some of the sets from this year.

For tonight's show I played a bunch of the 45s I bought at the Meltdown. It's safe to say this is a very punk-forward program. But it's not exclusive. See the setlist below for details.

And then in the middle of the show I come to find out that Jonathan Richman was performing next door at the Make Out Room!!!!! What the what!!!! So I did what any self respecting DJ would do: I found some never before released bootleg demos of Modern Lovers and I played a track as the show was exiting. I really should have grabbed Jonathan for an interview; the fan boy that I am. Alas, he slipped away before I had a chance to even steal a photo of him.

He was there in support of singer-songwriter Jesse DeNatale and the Dreamers, who are playing every Monday night in July. Go see this show!

I'm heading to the Rock and Roll Flea Market on Alameda at Faction Brewing this Saturday afternoon,
followed by the US Finals Air Guitar Championship at The Independent Saturday night. I'll see you at both.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

Follow me on Blue Sky
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Instagram

Dance, Dance, Dance To The Radio: M.O.T.O.
Right To Work: Chelsea
Selling Jeans for the USA: Thee Stash

Career Opportunities: The Clash

Hate The Police: The Dicks
9:11: The Outsideinside

No Corespondence: Cheater Slicks

The Fire of Love: The Gun Club

Maggie's Farm: Bob Dylan

When Fate Deals Its Mortal Blow: The Scientists

Ça Plane Pour Moi: Plastic Bertrand

Baby's On Fire: Ayres, Eno, Cale, Nico

Mangetout: Wet Leg
Just Got To Be: The Black Keyes

Show Me The Way: Dinosaur Jr.

I Shot All The Birds: The Blind Shake

Introduction/Frustrating Sound: Radio Moscow

I Don't Live Today: Jimi Hendrix Experience (LA Forum April 26, 1969)

Hard Drive: The Bell Rays

I Swallowed A Dragonfly: Heartless Bastards

No Homo: Lambrini Girls

Stunt Queen: Redd Kross

With Yo Heart Not Yo Hands: Melvins

Ride Down On The Highway (demo): Modern Lovers

Beef Bologna: Fear

Do It: Rollins Band

Petty Thief: Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments

Ha Ha Ha: Flipper
Fuck Donald Trump: YG (feat. Nipsey Hussle)

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #242: Front This!

Stream the spontaneity, HERE!
Download blind luck, HERE!
Listen into all my shows here, or just scroll down

Subscribe to myhere!

Spontaneity is the name of the game sometimes, in radio. I often stare at my immense record collection, and think to myself "self, why don't you just blindly choose a bunch of LPs to take to the studio with you, and whatever strikes your fancy, go with it?". This is pretty much what I did Monday night. And boy howdy if it didn't pay off, too!

A few tributes (PF Sloan passed away, as did Mitch Mitchell (who actually died in 2008, but I believe everything I read on Facebook, obviously)); some tasty live treats, some local tunes, and a speech as relevant today as it was when it was delivered over 70 years ago.

I was training a new Radio Valencia DJ tonight, and later in the show, the banter gets pretty hilarious.

Take a look at the playlist below. You can download and stream this show by clicking on the links above. Please share this with all of your music-loving friends.

Next Monday, November 23, from 8-10PM on Radio Valencia is my 5th annual ANNUAL ANNUAL! It's all about 1975 for two whole hours! And this isn't your old man's 10 at 10, either. Guitar hero, Eric McFadden may drop by. He knows a thing or two about good music.

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
Follow me on Instagram

Eve of Destruction: PF Sloan
Voodoo Chile: Jimi Hendrix Experience (Live 1969)

The Midnight Special: Harry Belafonte
Wooden Ships: Crosby, Nash (March 26, 1972 - Winterland, SF, CA)
Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues: Bob Dylan (July 5, 1965 Manchester, UK)

Can Halen mashup
Fangsgiving: Happy Fangs
Sunless Saturday: Fishbone

Broken Sun: Wand
Bombay Calling: It's A Beautiful Day
Cantor de Mambo: Os Mutantes
En Gang Om Aret: Dungen

***Set of the night***
I Swallowed A Dragonfly: Heartless Bastards
I Wish A Mothafucka Would: Queen Crescent
Charlie Chaplin Incredible Speech
Move On Up: Curtis Mayfield

Sugaree: Grateful Dead (May 22, 1977 Hollywood Sportatorium, Pembroke, FL)
The Mercy Seat: Johnny Cash

My War: Black Flag (April 6, 1984 Washington, DC)

A Season in Hell #176: Loster Than Lost

Download The Answer HERE! 

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

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

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

A Season in Hell #105: John Hell is a Ladies Man

It's that time of year again in San Francisco. The tourists have gone home and our summer is in full swing. Damn, it was hit in SF the past few days. Whew. I'm sweatin' it too. Not that I'm complaining, really. Living in the fog, we don't really get to feel the heat like the rest of the country, so if we get a week or so of 85 degrees, then I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

I'll be honest with you, I'll never complain about the fog again, knowing about the triple digits in the rest of the country. Don't be a hater.

Speaking about being hot under the collar, it's election season again. Tonight on my show I hosted Ken Tray, Political Director of United Educators of San Francisco. I've hosted Ken a number of times over the years to talk with him about local and state propositions,  and school board candidates. Head over to their site to see who they're endorsing for the upcoming school board election.

Tonight we spoke about two very important state props, 30 and 32. If you don't know what's up just listen to me: Yes on 30, No on 32. That's all you need to know. Ok, ok, if you really need to know more follow the links to get educated.

Music-wise, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is coming up in SF this weekend. Music breaks during the interview and much of the second hour features artists who will be playing this weekend at the event. I also have some Laurel Canyon sounds in there for good measure.

If you would care to stream this show in the cool comfort of your cubicle (poor things), click here.
If you would care to download this hot offering forever have it by your side, click here.
If you're smart, like I know you are, you'll wish to have access to all of my previous Radio Valencia shows. If so, click here, or just scroll down.

Enjoy.

jh

Do It: Rollins Band
Mama Said Knock You Out: LL Cool J

Interview with Ken Tray of UESF

99 Problems: Barack Obama

Interview with Ken Tray of UESF

Milkshake Girl: Giant Sand
Cemetery Savior: Son Volt
May This Be Love: Emmylou Harris

Interview with Ken Tray of UESF

Long White Cadillac: Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men
Carpetbaggers: Jenny Lewis & Elvis Costello
Only Son of the Ladies Man: Father John Misty
Girl, I Love You: The Chris Robinson Brotherhood

Dear Believer: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
I'm Just Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail: The Knitters (04-28-07)
Tonight I Think I"m Going to go Downtown: Jimmy Dale Gilmore
Lift Him Up, That's All: Ralph Stanley
Country Girl: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

Searching For the Ghost: Heartless Bastards
Gringo Honeymoon: Robert Earl Keen
You Were A Bum Dream: Dirty Three

I Can't Go For That: Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers (09-21-12) 

A Season in Hell #94: John Hell vs. the Rhythm of the Night

There's something about having no plan that leads to some of my finest shows. After weeks of doing featurettes, and having guests, tonight it's all about music I love (not saying that I don't love each and every track I play week-to-week) that I didn't have to work for.

A lot of "classics" on store for tonight.

You really must stream this show right NOW!!!
OK, maybe you should just download it and listen to it when you can crank it up.
Perhaps you enjoyed it so much that you find the need to listen to my previous shows. Good for you.

Enjoy.

Do It: Rollins Band
Leon vs. The Revolution: Melvins Lite

Ano Onna no Onryou: Boris
Bar-B-Q Pope: Butthole Surfers

Khebar: Bar Kokhba
Iron Man: The Bad Plus
Nobody Does It Better: Sex Mob

Greedy Traveler: Rin Tin Tiger
Lord, Save My Soul: Ferocious Few
Hangin' Moon: Eric McFadden

Barn Burning: Dave Alvin
Trickle Down System: Giant Sand
A Change is Gonna Come: The Gits

I Swallowed a Dragonfly: Heartless Bastards
God Bless the Child: Kenny Burrell
The Cactus: 3rd Bass

Earth People: Dr. Octagon
She Watch Channel Zero: Public Enemy
Earache My Eye: Alice Bowie

Take a Letter Maria: R.B. Greaves
When My Baby's Beside Me: Big Star

Carpetbaggers: Jenny Lewis and Elvis Costello 

A Season in Hell #77: Radio Valencia: A Good Dub Night To You

Looking at my vast collection of music tonight, I noticed that it's been a while since I've gone the Dub route. Mik-em on Can Haz DJ, Tuesdays 10-midnight, hosted a month of Dub this February. Perhaps I've been inspired? Sure, whatever.

As usual, lots of great new music, and closed out with some live treats, including brand spanking new Heartless Bastards.

Stream the show here.
Download the show here.
Check out all of my archived shows here, or scroll down for playlists and links.

Enjoy.

jh

It's Hard to be Humble: Mac Davis

The War on Wisdom: The Melvins
Mary Lou: Black Mountain

Black Smoke Rise: Wooden Shjips
Casino El Camino (parte 1): Guadalupe Plata
Tu. la la: Boris

Faithful Man: Lee Fields & The Expressions

No Bones for the Dogs: Joe Gibbs & the Professionals
Spliff's B-Sides
Fire Dub: Israel Vibration
I Am Not Ashamed: The Mighty Two
Kung Fu: Lee Perry

Bankrobber/Robber Dub: The Clash
Spliff's B-Sides
Jab: The Scientist

Cortez the Killer: Neil Young (11/22/76 late show)
Sway: Heartless Bastards (02/24/12)

Roscoe: Midlake (11/01/06)
I Wish I Were in New Orleans: Tom Waits (11/12/85)

I Left my Heart in San Francisco: Tony Bennett

A Season in Hell #66: Radio Valencia: I'm Too Jaded

I love interviewing local bands, and tonight I had in a great singer: Xandra Corpora of Con Brio. She likens the band to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, but I think they have a really original sound. Check out the two tracks we played on the show.

Also, next week is Rock Fight 7. See below for details. Rotten Ronnie Donovan phoned in to talk smack, but I put him in his place and hung up.

Tonight, some brand spankin' new Mark Lanegan, which will knock your socks off.

Click here to listen to the podcast of this fabulous show!

It's Hard To Be Humble: Mac Davis
The Gravedigger's Song: Mark Lanegan Band

Interview with Xandra Corpora of Con Brio

Cadillac: Con Brio

Interview with Xandra Corpora of Con Brio

Not At All: Con Brio

Porcelain Doll: The Ferocious Few
Gasoline & Cocaine: The Ferocious Few
Breathless: X
Hell City, Hell: Supersuckers
Bernal Heights: Jhameel

Am I Evil: Metallica
Euthanasia: Melvins

Wedding Day: Cracker (09-15-11)
Victoria: The Kinks (02-18-77)

Interview with Ron Donovan

King of California: Dave Alvin (11-05-11)
Soul Sacrifice: Santana (05-01-71)

Working for a Dead Man: Eric McFadden (04-07-08)
Start Wearing Purple: Gogol Bordello (08-19-06)
Done Got Old: Heartless Bastards (05-04-10)

Search and Destroy: The Stooges (09-03-10)
Everybody Loves Somebody: Dean Martin