Hell's Kitchen Radio #601: What You Leave Behind

Listen to this show right undefined!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

And the hits just keep on rolling.

Following our exciting Saturday at the FabMab and On Broadway, celebrating the 50th anniversary of punk rock in San Francisco, booker of the Mabuhay Gardens (and General Manager???) Daniel Haver, who was kind enough to bring down a bunch of delightfully rare 45s.

I ended up having the legendary Connie Champagne in the studio, who was meeting Daniel there to pick up her music stand.

Connie spent many great years singing with The Mutants, along with her own solo career, and singing alongside other luminaries such as Michael Belfer, Debora Iyall, Cyndi Lauper, and Jim Carroll.

She won the SF Weekly Wammie Award for Outstanding Cabaret Performer, and is known for portraying Judy Garland in productions including Christmas With the Crawfords in 2001 and Imagine Judy Garland: An Evening With Connie Champagne in 2003. She won a 2007 San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award (BACTC) for her role in Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

She's funny, irreverent, an excellent storyteller, and ready with a well-timed quip. It was a real pleasure - albeit a surprising one - hosting her tonight. 

Really, she was just swinging by to pick up her music stand. 

Much of the music tonight was a mix of what I brought down, mixed with what Daniel wanted to feature on 45". And then Connie made a bunch of requests, including a song of David Johnasen's that she covered! This woman has a story for every song. And I'm sure a song for every story.

You do not want to miss this one.

I may get to a formal write up about the FabMab/On Broadway show, including a bunch of pics I took. I have to thank Jess Lynn Goss of Mission Local for the wonderful write up on the show, which includes a bunch of great picture from the night, including one of my dear sweet daughter, Lauson Hell!!!!

Monday night I'm hosting Ramon from the band P.O.S. (Product and Society) and son of a member of Death Angel)), who is having his birthday party at the Fab Mab on March 13th. Come on down!

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

I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier: John Lennon (Imagine - 1971)
Nuclear War: Sun Ra (A Fireside Chat With Lucifer - 1982)

Bend Me, Shape Me: The Models (7" - 1966)
Black Grease: The Black Angles (Passover - 2006)

Mind Your Business: Delta 5 (7" - 1979)
Death Train: The Bobby Lees (Bellevue - 2024)
Ça Plane Pour Moi: Plastic Bertrand (Ça Plane Pour Moi - 1978)
Toxic Revenge: Shannon and the Clams (Sleep Talk - 2011)

Interview with Connie Champagne

Slash Your Face: The Dogs (7" - 1978)
Gacy's Place: The Mentally Ill (7" - 1979)
Instant Coffee Land: Bruce Chowning (7" - 1979)
Motorcycle Boy: LA Witch (Play with Fire - 2020)
Everything's Gonna Be Alright: Big Mama Mae Thornton (With Muddy Waters Band - 1966)

Frenchette: Connie Champagne (La Strada - 1991)
So Hard: Some Japanese Band
Don't Talk About My Music: Dickens (7" - 1971)
I'm Bored: Iggy Pop (New Values - 1979)

Demolicion: Los Saicos (7" - 1965)
A Donde Van Los Muertos: Kinky (Reina - 2006)

Linda: Sleepers (7" - 1978)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #599: Getting Ready For A Road Trip

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

I found that I was drawn to jazz and soulful international music this past week. Someone recently asked me how I prepare for my shows. I've written about this before, but I think it bares repeating. I don't host a specialty show, or genre-specific show, so I play whatever feels good, week to week. It's true, I often default towards the punk or garage, but even that's more rare than one would think. I'm a huge Deadhead (more of a Dead fReAk) but you're not going to hear them too often on here, and I think that's because they're such a heavy in my everyday life, that I use this show to focus on the other music that turns me on.

And there's a lot that turns me on.

I also like to keep you guessing. I was driving home after my show listening to KALX, and the DJ was playing an excellent thrash punk track, and followed it up with something that was neo-classical. I swear I almost pulled over to call and thank him. I applauded in the car, while driving. True story.

I feel that it's the responsibility of DJs at independent stations (Radio Valencia, KFJC, KALX, WFMU, KEXP, etc) to push the limits of what we have become comfortable with; not just what the listener is used to hearing. I take pride in a lot of what I share with you. 

I do have my guilty pleasures, however. Even in this show I played a few tracks that I've shared over the years. It felt right at the time. And I will probably do it again. 

But now I'm inspired to keep taking the risks that I should. Next week prepare for thrash metal to be followed by folk, followed by electronica. I can do that. You can't stop me.

Speaking of next week, it's my 600th show at Radio Valencia!!! I think I want to have a party. Wanna come? You need to bring snacks.

And as if you didn't know this already, Radio Valencia is co-presenting a huge show on February 28th at the newly reformed Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in celebration of 50 years of punk in San Francisco. I'm co-producing this along with Steve DePace of Flipper. See the attached fliers for details, and click on the links (in the fliers) to get your tickets.

 

These shows will sell out, so get them now!!!

See you next Monday night for my 600th!

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

There Is Power in the Union: Billy Bragg
I Want To Marry A Lighthouse Keeper: Erika Eigen
The Hands of Time: The Perfect Circle (S/T - 1977)

California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel (Games, Dames, and Guitar Thangs - 1977)
Unfunky UFO: Parliament (Mothership Connection - 1975)

Kush: Dizzy Gillespie (Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac - 1967)

Baroona: Kourosh Yaghmaei (Back From The Brink - 1973 - 1979)
Last Bongo in Belgium: Incredible Bongo Band (40 Years of Incredible Bongo Band - 1973)

The Horse Song: Iggy Pop (Zombie Birdhouse - 1981)
Roforofo Fight: Fela Kuti (Roforofo Fight - 1972)

Ring the Alarm: Tenor Saw (7" - 1985)
Gatur Bait: The Gaturs (Wasted - 1971)
Boodle-De-Bum-Bum: Carolina Chocolate Drops (Leaving Eden- 2012)
Anti-Love Song: Betty Davis (Betty Davis - 1974)
Spinning Wheel (Take 2): James Brown (Live At Home With His Bad Self: The After Show - 1971)

Conception: Miles Davis (The New Sounds - 1951)
The Rain: Eddie Gale (Ghetto Music - 1968)

In The Great Gettin' Up In The Morning: The New Gospel Keys

Hell's Kitchen Radio #598: Nothing To See Here

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

Well, isn't this special? It's not a special. There's a specialization in the ability to bring your something special. I was told once it takes 20 years to master anything truly special. That being said, this here is a special non-specialty specialized....er, um...show. 

Really.

I was really feeling it tonight. This was a show of segues and many genres. 

I'm sure you've heard by now that Radio Valencia is co-presenting a huge show, in association with SF Music Week on February 28th at the legendary venues Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in celebration of 50 years of punk in San Francisco. 

Come in the afternoon, starting at 2pm, to the Fab Mab, for a punk history presentation, followed by a panel featuring members of Flipper, Avengers and Crime, as well as V. Vale. I Hate Records will be selling records on site. The best pizza place in the country, Tony's Napoletana, is sponsoring and we'll have pizza available for those who show up early.

In the evening we're having a great show upstairs starting at 7:30, featuring Bitchfit, False Flag, The Freak Accident, Fang and Flipper. Members of Avengers and Dead Kennedys will be joining in the fun. Heaps Normal and Escape From New York Pizza are sponsoring. 

You are going to tell everyone you were at this show!

Enjoy.

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

Morning Has Broken: Cat Stevens (Teaser and the Firecat - 1971)

Space Ho's Coast to Coast: MF Doom and Madlib (Madvillian: Madvillainy Remixes - 2008)

Two Sevens Clash: Culture (Two Sevens Clash -1977)

Jungle Lion: The Upsetters (Double Seven - 1973)

Flying Hye: John Berberian and The Middle Eastern Ensemble (S/T - 1969)

Black Mountain Side: Led Zeppelin (1 - 1968)

Within You Without You: The Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1967)

Free Money: Patti Smith Group (Horses - 1975)

Sunderberry Dream: FUZZ (Fuzz's Fourth Dream - 2026)

If I Think: Mudhoney (Superfuzz Bigmuff - 1988)

Frenzy: Iggy Pop (Every Loser - 2023)

Roll Another Number: Neil Young and Crazy Horse (Tonight's The Night - 1975)

Since You've Been Gone: Aretha Franklin (Lady Soul - 1968)

Beaux J. Poo Boo: Les McCann (Invitation to Openness - 1972)

False Witness: False Flag (One Million Tons - 2024)

Black Sabbath: Michael Mills (Hidden And Satanic Messages In Rock Music -???)

Lord of This World: Black Sabbath (Master of Reality - 1971)

Freya: The Sword (Age of Winters - 2006)

American BB: The Jesus Lizard (Down - 1994)

Fast Cars: Buzzcocks (Another Music in a Different Kitchen - 1978)

Rowche Rumble: The Fall (Live at St. Helens Technical College - 1981)

No Time For The Blues: OBNIII's (Live in San Francisco - 2013)

No Place to Fall: Kevin Morby (7" - 2022)

Late Night: Shannon Lay (Geist - 2022)

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #580: 15 Years for Radio Valencia

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

How is it possible that Radio Valencia is no 15 years old? I swear it was just yesterday that I was asked to start this station as a point of interest in a performance warehouse in the Mission. By the time I put the station together, along with Alec Bennett, Trademark Gunderson and Naomi Most, I had already been involved in about a half dozen other Bay Area community stations. 

I was willing to start Radio Valencia as long as I wasn't the one in charge. My goal was to have it operate as a cooperative. My hope was staff would work together in committees to make our station sound incredible and be active in the community.

I wish it has worked out that way.

Someone along the way came up with the concept of the "do-ocracy": if there is something you want to do at the station, then do it! 

This looks good on paper, but it can also mean if you only want to do your show and nothing else, that's fine too. 

This has been our undoing. We have had a number of really incredible people on staff over the years who have taken on a lot of work: scheduling, programming, engineering, but most of the staff we have had are only interested in hosting their shows. 

I really hate the "do-ocracy"

I'm glad to report that the music programming is some of the best I have heard on radio.

Today we have a steering committee, of which I sit on. We direct the actions of the station. We keep the lights on and the turntables spinning. 

Soon we are launching a new website (thanks to those who contributed to our fundraiser last winter), and a possible move to save overhead. Our current rent in our storefront location is too damn high! We also want to add more shows. Before COVID we had over 50 shows. Today we have 23. More shows = more money = more opportunities for RV to engage in the community. Cut down the rent overhead and we can bring in more staff who will pay less in dues, which will lead to a more robust on-air schedule, etc, etc, etc.

You get the idea.

I love having the station to play music and interview great people. I have loved being in our storefront on 22nd street since 2020. And these past 15 years have been mostly a real joy. If you read this far, what the hell is wrong with you? 

As for the music, I was thinking about playing music from each year we've been on the air, but then I figured why would do that? So, instead, I just did what I do and play great music that I think you need to hear. New music from Wet Leg, Ty Segall, LA Witch, Mark Growden, King Gizzard, and OSees. The rest of the night is me painting the aural landscape with sounds that will please your ears.

Enjoy and please share. And support your local San Francisco community radio station that continues to defy the odds.

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

IIBS: Charles Mingus (Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus 1964)

Dirt: Iggy and the Stooges (Fun House 1970)

Black Grease: The Black Angels (Passover 2006)
Slip Inside This House: 13th Floor Elevators (Easter Everywhere 1967)

Mangetout: Wet Leg (Moisturizer 2025) 
Fun Times in Babylon: Father John Misty (Fear Fun 2012)
Venus: The Shocking Blue (s/t 1970)

Dear Prudence: Siouxsie and the Banshees (Hyena 1983)

Another California Love Song: Ty Segall (Possession 2025)

Queen of the Underground: GOAT (Levitation Sessions 2023)

S.O.S.: LA Witch (Doggod 2025)

Legend of the Creation of Middle World: (Kyrgyzstan Session ft. Mark Growden 2025)

Volunteered Slavery: Roland Kirk (Volunteered Slavery 1969)

Ballad of the Soldiers Wife: Marianne Faithful and Chris Spedding (Lost in the Stars...Music of Kurt Weill 1985)

Sea of Doubt: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Phantom Island 2025)

Space Drugs: Spanish Moss (Kelp 2012)

Infected Chrome: OSees (Abomination Revealed At Last 2025)

Suzanne: Nina Simone (To Love Somebody 1969)

Puddin' A'Tain: The Alley Cats

From The First Hello To The Last Goodbye: Jane Morgan

Hell's Kitchen Radio #567: Lust for Life: The Solo Adventures of Iggy Pop - Part 2

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

So nice I had to do it twice! 

Welcome to part 2 of my Iggy Pop birthday celebration. This week I focus on his incredible solo career. Across 19 solo records since the implosion of The Stooges, James "Iggy Pop" Westerberg continued to reinvent himself and (almost) always stay ahead of the pack. 

I broke this show up into five sets that you can check out below; hitting on all 19 of his solo efforts. A few of these tunes you may have heard before, but I can bet there are a few you haven't and a those will knock you out of your shoes. 

I honestly feel that Iggy is still hitting in all the right ways. Though I love his punk cred, I also love the risks he's taken with his art as he shares other influences, all the while influencing others to take a leap of faith in their own music merriment. 

Check out week one, where it's all Stooges and Stooges-influenced tunes, here.

There's a lot to take in here, so 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

Set 1: Rebirth (1977)
"Sister Midnight" (The Idiot, 1977)
"China Girl" (The Idiot, 1977)
"Lust for Life" (Lust for Life, 1977)
"The Passenger" (Lust for Life, 1977)

Set 2: Chaos and Experimentation (1979–1982)
"Five Foot One" (New Values, 1979)
"I'm Bored" (New Values, 1979)
"I'm A Conservative" (Soldier, 1980)
"Bang Bang" (Party, 1981 — co-written with Ivan Kral)
"Run Like a Villain" (Zombie Birdhouse, 1982)

Set 3: Comeback King (1986–1990)
"Real Wild Child (Wild One)" (Blah-Blah-Blah, 1986)
"Cry for Love" (Blah-Blah-Blah, 1986 — produced with Bowie)
"Cold Metal" (Instinct, 1988)
"Candy" feat. Kate Pierson (Brick by Brick, 1990)

Set 4: The Raw and the Refined (1993–1996)
"Home" (Brick by Brick, 1990)
"Wild America" (American Caesar, 1993)
"Louie Louie" (American Caesar, 1993)
"Look Away" (Naughty Little Doggie, 1996)

Set 4.5: The Raw and the Refined (1999–2003)
"Corruption" (Avenue B, 1999 — a somber, introspective album)
"Mask" (Beat 'em Up, 2001)
"Little Electric Chair" feat. The Stooges (Skull Ring, 2003)

Set 5: The Elder Statesman (2009–Present)
"King of the Dogs" (Préliminaires, 2009 — jazzy and French-tinged)
"Ready to Die" (Ready to Die, 2013 — partial Stooges reunion but marketed solo)
"Gardenia" (Post Pop Depression, 2016 — produced with Josh Homme)
"Frenzy" (Every Loser, 2023 — hard, fast, and furious)

Closing out
"Don't Go Gentle Into That Good Night" (Free, 2019)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #566: Birthday of the Punk Godfather - Part One

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

I live for a good tribute show. And I could not think of a better person to pay tribute to then gool ol' James "Iggy Pop" Osterberg, who turned 78 on Monday night. 

Hot damn, this was a fun one to put together. Iggy's much more intelligent than you think. He ran that band. He's run all of his bands. He's the lyricist, the one who eggs on the audience to a frenzy. He's the one who makes sure you're never going to forget what you witnessed that night, and clamor for more...always more.

I recently read "Total Chaos" by Jeff Gold, who sat with Iggy for a few days, showing him old pictures and realia from days gone by, hoping for a few words in remembrance. What he got blew him (and every fan) away. I cannot recommend this book enough if you're a fan of Iggy and the Stooges, and that period of time. 

Much of that book he speaks about the music that influenced his songwriting. Therefore, I just had to
include many of those songs in this show. You'll note a tune from an artist followed by a Stooges song. I think you understand the implication.

I work my way through the first three Stooges LPs on this show, along with talking about the history of Iggy and the band.

I'll be hosting part two next Monday, April 28th, where I'll focus on Iggy's solo career, as well as the Stooges reunion.

There's too much to share. I just may need to host a part three!

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

Highway Child: Jimi Hendrix
I Wanna Be You Dog: The Stooges
Tribal Gathering: The Byrds

1969: The Stooges
I Walk The Line: Johnny Cash
No Fun: The Stooges

Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt: Pharoah Sanders
Little Doll: The Stooges

Happening Ten Years Time Ago: Yardbirds
I'm Sick of You: The Stooges

Loose (Demo): The Stooges
Loose: The Stooges
Down in the Street (Single mix): The Stooges

TV Eye: The Stooges
Dirt: The Stooges

1970: The Stooges
Search and Destroy: Iggy and the Stooges
Gimme Danger: Iggy and the Stooges

Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell: Iggy and the Stooges

Hell's Kitchen Radio #559: Not My President Special

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

Well, you know, it's always a protest, even in the best of times. Use it, or lose, amiright?

Having a radio show on a Monday means I get to host a lot of national holidays. This isn't my first go-round on President's Day, but it sure feels like an extra special one, if you ask me. And it being Black History Month I felt that I could do a pretty good mash-up to boot.

Folks, it's official, we have a fascist for president. You can't say we don't. Even when people were claiming Shrub (George W. You, know: little Bush) was one, I was always quick to point out that he didn't fit the definition well enough, but if we aren't careful he'll set the stage for some else to come in who truly is one. Well, what do ya know? 

You disagree? That's fine. Tell me all about it in the comment section. I've been teaching history, civics and law for over 20 years now. When you have seen and taught what I have, the boxes get checked.

So luckily I have this here radio show that I can use, until they pry away from my cold, dead hands, to play you the music and share the commentary that you just aren't getting on other radio stations. Even the non-comms like KEXP, KFJC, WFMU, aren't talking openly about the politics of the day. And though Radio Valencia does not endorse a specific political point of view, we allow our DJs to share how they're feeling about the issues of the day. Just offer the disclaimer in there somewhere.

As for the music, it's a fabulous grab bag of funky, punky, junky and political delights.

And thank you all once again for contributing to our first ever "on air" fundraiser. We raised just short of $3000, all of which will go right into operations including a new and improved website coming soonish.

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

If There's A Hell Below: Curtis Mayfield
I'm A Conservative: Iggy Pop

Democracy: Leonard Cohen
This Is Not Normal: Negativland

My Favorite Mutiny: The Coup
The Pusher: Nina Simone
Prison Song: System of a Down
Nazi Punks Fuck Off: Dead Kennedys
Eric B Is President: Eric B and Rakim

Funky President: James Brown
When The Revolution Comes: The Last Poets
It Is What It Is (remix): Drumpf
I'm So Bored With the USA: The Clash

The American In Me: The Avengers
Freedom of Choice: Devo
Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop O Pies
Blowfly for President (feat. Afroman): Blowfly

My Uzi Weighs A Ton: Public Enemy
Rocket Reducer No. 62 (fa la la la la): MC5
Liilalaw: Sahra Halgar

For The Last Time: Freckle
As Tears Go By: Marianne Faithful

Talk To God: GOAT
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk

Hell's Kitchen Radio #553: Yuletide Hell

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

Being the resident non-holiday-celebrating host that I am, I figured I'd host a holiday show. Go figure. I'm no bah humbuger however. Oh no, far from it. I was married to two, count them TWO women who were both very much into the decorate-the-house-get-a-tree and all that jizzy jazz. And who did most of the decorating with glee? Me! Your own Hellacious Claus. 

And I have the collection of holiday music to go along with it. This is merely a tiny drop in the bucket of what I had to offer.

HUGE thanks goes out to the late great Mikl-em for providing much of what you heard tonight. What a fabulous human he was, and we're still at a great loss without him. FUCK CANCER!

So twinkle your lights and go drink something that'll make you merry. I'll take care of the next two hours for you.

If I'm in next week it'll be a sort of Best of 2024. There was a lot of great music this year. See you then.

Enjoy and please have a safe and a reflective holiday season.

jh

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

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

Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto: Belle and Sebastian
The Christmas Song: James Brown
Father Christmas, Do Not Touch Me: The Goodies

Run Rudolph, Run: William Shatner
Yingle Bells: Yogi Yorgesson
You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch: Thurl Ravenscroft

Baby, It's Cold Outside: Ray Charles with Nina Simone
Ain't No Chimneys in the Projects: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Little Drummer Boy: David Bowie and Bing Crosby
Christmas Wrapping: Kylie Minogue with Iggy Pop

Merry Christmas From The Family: Robert Earl Keen Jr.
Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy: Reverend Horton Heat
'Zat You, Santa Claus?: Louis Armstrong
Father Christmas Dressed in Green: Wild Billy Childish and the Musicians of the British Empire

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Jerry Garcia and David Grisman (December 09, 1991)
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem: Emmylou Harris

Allen Toussaint: Silent Night, Holy Night
Santa Doesn't Cop Out on Dope: Martin Mull
Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis: Tom Waits

Father Christmas: The Kinks
Jingle Bell Rock: The Fall
I'll Be Home For Christmas: Doris Day
Santa Claus and His Old Lady: Cheech and Chong
Up on the Housetop: The Jambalaya Cajun Band

Fairytale of New York: The Pogues
Zan Vevede: Angelique Kidjo

Frosty the Snowman: Los Straightjackets
Carolina Christmas: Squirrel Nut Zippers
We Wish You Merry Christmas: John Denver and the Muppets
Auld Lang Syne: Chriss Issac
Hanukkah Schmanukkah: Rachel Lark
Silent Night: Brian Wilson

Hell's Kitchen Radio #552: Inner City Hell

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

Hot damn, it was cold in the Radio Valencia studio on Monday night. It took a real hot set of music to turn up the heat. I often walk the line of telling it like it is and just getting the heck off the mic so you can enjoy the music. I even have a music bed, performed by the magnificent singer/songwriter Adam MacKintosh, that keeps me honest at about three minutes in length. There's a method to my madness. I need more than three minutes to tell it like it is. 

Each week I go through my record collection searching for whatever is tickling my fancy this week. I'm also listening to a lot of radio (Radio Valencia, KFJC, KALX, KEXP, WFMU, and others as I commute daily). There are so many great DJs turning me on to new music. 

If you're thinking of what to get your loved ones for a gift, I strongly encourage music. No albums in the house? Buy a turntable! Only listening via an app? Get the Bandcamp app and support the artists directly. But let's all agree that cassettes were wrong the first time around (other than mix tapes) and should never make a comeback. This coming from the guy who worked the cassette room at Tower Records, and owned thousands of bootleg tapes. There is nothing redeemable about cassettes. Though there is something to be said about buying an off-brand best of southern rock cassette while on a road trip. 

I do have a few boxes of my airchecks from my many years at KFJC. Those have to be incredibly embarrassing to listen to. There was a show I hosted in 1991 (one of my early graveyard shifts when I was the Reverend Dah Wave), when I was taking call in confessions (I didn't know it was a priest that took confessions, so there ya go). We didn't have a delay at KFJC, so I took a real risk that the callers weren't going to swear. Luckily no one did. And many of the callers were my friends, up late and very imbibed. The great Oz, the Watermonk of Dah (aka Noa Oz Appleton) was in the studio with me. We took a few very hilarious calls. 

Unbeknownst to me, my program director was listening in too. I got a stern talking to (understatement of 1991) and was lucky to keep my shift. I listened back to that aircheck a few years later. It was so cringey that I took the tape out of my car stereo and threw it in the back seat. I wonder where that thing is??? Do I dare listen back? Should I digitize it? Should I share it on Radio Valencia?!?!?!??!

As for this show, I'm as cringey as ever, but I own that now.

All vinyl. Nothing new. Many genres. All worth your time.

I'll be hosting an alternative XMas show on Monday, December 23rd. Tune in and enjoy the hot cocoa on me. Maybe that'll heat up the studio this time around.

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 Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
Follow me on Instagram 

I Fuck Around: Melvins
We're a Happy Family: Ramones

Gone Daddy, Gone: Violent Femmes
Midnight Special: Harry Belafonte
On The Sunny Side of the Street: Ella Fitzgerald

Inner City Blues: Grover Washington Jr.
Othelia: Yusef Lateef
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry: Bob Dylan
Go To Satan: Rube Waddell

Down, Down, Down: Tom Waits
In Heaven There Is No Beer: Polkacide

To Defy The Laws of Tradition: Primus
Eminence Front: The Who
Broken Hands: Mudhoney

Notes and Chords Mean Nothing to Me: Monkeywrench
Deuce: Redd Kross
Backdoor Medley: ZZ Top

Vacancy: Neil Young
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night: Iggy Pop
Sunday Morning: Velvet Underground with Nico

Uh Oh, Loves Comes To Town: Talking Heads
This Is Not A Love Song: Public Image Ltd.
Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis: Neko Case

Hell's Kitchen Radio #548: Radio Reset

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

I take all the responsibility. Blame me. It's OK, I've been blamed before. No need to carry all of this on your shoulders. I took the night off before the election to go see King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and I was not able to share with you how to vote. I know, I know, I'm to blame. 

Shower me with your insults. 

What now? How do we carry forward knowing half of our country thinks the other half is bat shit crazy? This is the most polarized our nation as been since the civil war. This is no hyperbole! 

How long is it going to take until those who voted for he-who-shall-not-be-named realize they've been duped? And how many will continue to defend him even when their own house is on fire? This remains to be seen.

In the meantime, you didn't come here to receive a politicized tantrum, you came for the music. And the music I shall deliver. Yes, the first set is a bit pointed, but then again, isn't everything political in the end?

New music from Amyl and the Sniffers, GOAT, OSEES, Dale Crover, and False Flag. I also play a sweet suite from the King Gizzard show I attended at The Frost last week. Holy Hell that was one fine show.

Monday, November 18th I'm hosting my 14th annual Annual Annual! This is when I focus two hours on one great year in music. This time around I'll be throwing 1994 up against the wall. Tune in and reminisce 8-10PM Pacific.

I'll see you on the radio.

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 Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
Follow me on Instagram 

The Common People: Leonard Nimoy
Nazi Punks, Fuck Off: Dead Kennedys
Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop O Pies

Big Dreams: Amyl and the Sniffers
The Green Manalishi: The Flesh Eaters

Grinder Man: John Lee Hooker

One More Death: GOAT
Tour de Force: Dizzy Gillespie

Lears Ears: OSEES

Hitler Was A Vegetarian: The Residents

Ziggy Stardust: Bauhaus

Spoiled Daisies: Dale Crover (ft. Ty Segall)

You're Gonna Get What's Coming: Thee Headcoatees

Red Cobra #9: The Mummies

Where Eagles Dare: Bratmobile

Green Hell: Misfits

Welcome to the Dust Ward: Fear

Gone Sexual: False Flag

Fly on the Wall: Jesus Lizard

Get Me Religion: Scott H. Biram

I'm In Your Mind/I'm Not In Your Mind/Cellophane/I'm In Your Mind Fuzz: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Live at The Frost Amphitheater - November 4, 2024)

Gimme Danger: Iggy and the Stooges

White Linen: Blüchunks

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrongblue

Hell's Kitchen Radio #534: When The Revolution Comes

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

June was Black Music Month. I took Monday night to play a number of Black Power music. Honestly, I could host a weekly show of this and not nearly scratch the surface.

Some of this you'll recognize, but I bet dollars to donuts (mmmm donuts) you haven't heard it all.

I shared some Soul, Funk, R&B, Hiphop, Reggae, Dub and Jazz. I then pivoted to some brand spankin' new Redd Kross, that may be my favorite record of theirs! No kidding! Also, some new Shannon and the Clams and recent Iggy Pop. I close out the show with a little tribute to Kinky Friedman, who passed away last week.

Once again, i'm back in the studio every Monday after hosting live in the studio every other Monday for the past year. It's so much fun doing this show every week. I really feel that I can get into a better groove for you. Pun intended!

Enjoy this holiday this week, regardless of what the Supreme Court ruled this week. In the words of the brilliant Apu Nahasapeemapetilon celebrate the birth of the country by blowing up a small part of it.

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 Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
Follow me on Instagram 

If There's A Hell Below (We're All Gonna Go): Curtis Mayfield
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Gil Scott-Heron

When The Revolution Comes: The Last Poets
A Change is Gonna Come: Aretha Franklin

The World is a Ghetto: War
Freedom: Richie Havens
Mississippi Goddamn: Nina Simone
God Bless the Child: Kenny Burrell

My Favorite Mutiny: The Coup
Fight the Power: Public Enemy

Crazy Baldhead/Running Away: Bob Marley and the Wailers (June 2, 1977)
Young, Gifted and Broke: Aura and Lee "Scratch" Perry
War: The Mighty Two - Joe Gibbs

Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud): James Brown
Fuck the Police: NWA
Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday

Candy Colored Catastrophe: Redd Kross
Frenzy: Iggy Pop
Sweet Jane: Lou Reed

Real or Magic: Shannon and the Clams
They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore: Kinky Friedman

Hell's Kitchen Radio #520: Hellage Nightmare

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

New year, new Hell! You know what I mean? Raise your hand if you are just loathing what this year is going to bring? I'm talking about November 2024. I know. I know. I'm not going to get too far ahead of myself. Seriously though, we need to place our attention on local, national and global issues, along with our own day-to-day existence. How are we supposed to juggle all of this? 

Make time for the things that bring you the most joy. Can you play an instrument? Play it for 30 minutes a day. Do you love to paint? Pull out those brushes and get at it! Mediate? Read? Exercise? Do whatever brings you joy. We need the balance or we'll go nuts.

And turn off the damn phone!

Hi, my name is John and I'm addicted to my phone.

I've made it a habit for many years now to plug my phone in at 8PM in the kitchen. It's so nice to set that thing down. I also read an interesting study recently that said people who get at least six hours sleep a night and have a routine sleep schedule are healthier than those who get eight hours or more a night but have no sleep schedule. I'm in bed by 10:30 every work night. 

I don't ever have new year's resolutions, but I do have the intention of maintaining my sleep routine, which includes turning the phone off by 8.

My biggest intention for this coming year is to turn you on to the best music I can find...and fight to keep the orange buffoon out of office, and for a permanent ceasefire in Palestine.

Check out my first show of the year, below, which includes music I purchased in 2023. New music from Iggy Pop, Bobby Lees, OSees, King Gizzard, Lucinda Williams, Lukas Nelson, Cory Hanson, Death Valley Girls, and The Darts. New finds from Gram Parsons, Neil Young, Fela Kuti, Sun Ra, and Sonic Youth. I close out the show with some classic San Francisco Punk. I'm reading a great new book on the history of Bay Area Punk: "Who Cares Anyway", by Will York. Holy Hell is this a great book.

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 Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
Follow me on Instagram 

Frenzy: Iggy Pop

Be My Enemy: The Bobby Lees

Intercepted Message: OSees

Barmy: The Fall

Gilgamesh: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Perambulator: Fela Kuti and Africa 70

Last Call for the Truth: Lucinda Williams

Every Time I Drink: Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real

Drugstore Truck Driving Man: Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels

Powderfinger: Neil Young

Persuasion Architect: Cory Hanson

Journey To Dog Star: Death Valley Girls

Eric's Trip; Sonic Youth

Makeup: Sun Ra and His Outer Space Arkestra

Love Song: The Darts

Moonage Daydream: David Bowie (for his 77th birthday today)

19th Nervous Breakdown: Tuxedomoon

Cheap Tragedies: Avengers

Murder By Guitar: Crime

I Kill Children: Dead Kennedys