Tune into Hell's Kitchen Radio, with John Hell, every Monday night 8-10PM (Pacific), on Radio Valencia (https://radiovalencia.fm) in San Francisco. You can find my playlists and links to the podcasts right here.
It's my birthday, and here I am alone in the studio giving back to YOUUUUUUUUU. And why not? It's a real treat being able to do this every week. Two hours is never enough, and I never come with a plan. I start with a song and go from there. I let the music move me, and since I wasn't focusing on playing anything new tonight, I was digging into my vault to pull out some tunes that have moved me over the years.
Take a look at the playlist and click the link to play the show.
And if you want to show me some birthday love, please consider donating to Radio Valencia. This is labor of love, and we all pay monthly dues to keep the lights on and the turntables spinning. We need help maintaining the equipment we have, and regularly replacing worn out parts. We also have a deep desire to update our website. If you know anyone that can donate items for a raffle please let me know. Thanks in advance.
Enjoy this birthday gift I made just for you.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Since there isn't a holiday for Hell Day...yet, I figured I should pay tribute to all the great laborers out there who never get the appreciation they deserve.
I've hosted a lot of Labor Day shows over the years, and I think it's my favorite holiday to celebrate. I've been a union member for most of my working career, being a teacher, and before that in the grocery industry. At the age of 21, I was a shop steward at a grocery store I worked at. I was a member of the Union Building Committee at the school I teach at for nine years, meeting weekly with the administration, keeping them true to the contract.
I have never had a hard time speaking truth to power. If I have learned anything it's how to finesse how I articulate the message that's needed to be said; all of which in support of the workers.
I will never cross a picket line.
The music tonight is all in celebration of the workers, most of whom are paid far below their value.
I shared a lot of worker history during the show as well. I'm guessing you aren't aware of a lot of the what I spoke about.
Don't like the way you're treated at work, then join a union.
Below I share the song "Rich Men Earning North of a Million, by Billy Bragg, which was a song he wrote in response to the song "Rich Men North of Richmond, by Oliver Anthony. I encourage you to listen to both (Anthony's first), to understand why Bragg felt the need to write his version.
Enjoy and please share.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Heartbeat of America: Billy Strings Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out: Nina Simone
Work Song: The Animals You Gotta Go Down and Join the Union: Woody Guthrie Nine Pound Hammer: Johnny Cash
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol: Bob Dylan Run Devil, Run/The Big Guns: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore: John Prine Career Opportunities: The Clash Let's Lynch the Landlord: Faith No More
Mansion on the Hill: Bruce Sprinsteen Do You Want New Wave, or Do Want the Truth: Minutemen Crazy Baldhead: Bob Marley
Hey Joe: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Graveyard Shift: Uncle Tupelo This is Not a Song, It's an Outburst (or Establishment Blues): Rodriguez War Pigs: Black Sabbath
Get Behind the Mule: Tom Waits In The Pines: Fantastic Negrito
Inner City Blues: Gil Scott Heron Wild and Free: Curtis Mayfield
Get Back in Line: The Kinks Cumberland Blues: Grateful Dead
This Land is Your Land: Woody Guthrie What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
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You inspire me. Thanks for that. I hear from listeners throughout the week, letting me know what they're listening to, and often turning me onto something that I should be playing for you!
Feel free to comment here and let me know how all this is working out for you. What else can I offer? Seriously, how much do I have to bleed for your love?!?!?!?!
In the meantime take a gander at what I served up last Monday night. Funk, dub, indie, spiritual free jazz, post-punk (and NOT The Fall!!!), folk, torch singer, Nashville, legendary punk, Japanese psych-ambient-metal, Satchmo and FUZZ. A little bit for everyone in the family.
Click the link at the top to stream or download this gem, and please feel free to share with music lovers who don't know what they're missing.
And leave a comment.
Enjoy.
jh
Radio Valencia is a self-funded endeavor. If you are enjoying our shows, I'd like to ask you to donate a few dollars our way. This link will take you to our PayPal, which is hosted by SFIndyMedia, our non-profit benefactor. All donations go to Radio Valencia. Thank you in advance.
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
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A night with nothing to prove. After last week's country/americana show, I feel like I needed to cleanse myself with a variety of genres. That's the usual as you may know. There's lots of music that's new to you on here. Ace of Cups first ever release (2018), Joe Strummer compilation, prank phone calls to religious radio stations, Ethiopian jazz master, Chilean psych, Irish neo-folk, the king of Be-bop, a rediscovered folk gem, rumbling guitar, punk, funk, and junk.
See how far I go for you?
In the weeks to come I'm planning a few specials: Hello/Goodbye, days of the week, time of day, and a multi-part special on John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees, Oh Sees, OCS, Damaged Bug, Yikes, Coachwhips and many more bands.
So much to look forward to, coming up Monday's 8-10PM Pacific on Radio Valencia.
And don't forget about John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza, Monday's 6-8PM Pacific, where I pull full shows from my vast live bootleg collection. Take a look at this blog for previous shows. Tune in every Monday to see what I have planned.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Police Truck: Dead Kennedys Feel Good: Ace of Cups
Love Kills: Joe Strummer Prole Art Threat: The Fall Modern World: Melvins
Let's Have a Party: Wanda Jackson The Catholics Are Attacking: Pop O Pies Sticky Situations: National Hardwood Floor Association Blue Nile: Mulatu Astatke and the Heliocentrics
Here In The Dark: Aoife Nessa Frances Latinarabia: WatchOut!
I Was Denied: Thee Oh Sees Circles: Moon Duo White Rabbit: The Great Society Klaunstance: Charlie Parker
Born Secular: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins Puppet Show: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Special Radio Edit Mix: Negativland
Bad Reputation: Reverend Horton Heat Law of the Jungle: Link Wray The Frisko Freeze: The Mummies Uncontrollable Urge: Devo Jesus: Velvet Underground What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
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Sometimes taking a week off is great for recharging my creative juices. Radio is an artform. You think you could do this? Well, actually you probably could. It's not brain surgery. If you tune in regularly, then you know that I like mixing up genres, and tonight is a perfect example. Garage, grunge, proto-punk, LA punk, Americana, Experimental, and too many more for my brain to consider right now.
I add some tasty live treats in there for the special sauce, and you get two hours of the finest audio stew your earbuds can handle.
I sprinkle in my share of covers and some local Bay Area faves too! My goodness there's something here for everybody, including your retched GOP uncle. You should really kick him in the head when you get a chance.
Speaking of the election, you are registered aren't you? Get registered, get your ballot, fill it out, and get it in ASAP!!! And sign that damn thing!!!
VOTE!!!!
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
What Happened to the Waltz: Link Wray I'm Spun: Mudhoney Vicious: Lou Reed
Human Touch: Feist We The Ones: Big Boi and Sleepy Brown To Be Young, Gifted and Black: Yola
Southern Girls: Old 97s Callaloo: Jenny Lewis TV Party: Black Flag Fascist: Minutemen Fuck Authority: Wasted Youth
La Juventud: La Plebe Fiesta: The Pogues The Frisko Freeze: The Mummies Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore: John Prine
Talkin' Karate Blues: Townes Van Zandt When I Paint My Masterpiece: Jerry Garcia and John Kahn (January 27, 1986) Impressions: John Coltrane Quartet (November 19, 1962 Stockholm, Sweden)
Cross the Breeze: Sonic Youth (March 30, 1989 Theaterfabrik Unterfˆhring, Munich) The Companions: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Spongiform Encephalopathy: Rube Waddell Ghetto Woman: B.B. King (1972-01-10 United Recorders (Sunset Sound Recorders), Hollywood, CA) Hound Dog: Big Mama Thornton (1970 Berkeley, CA)
Ball and Chain: Big Brother and the Holding Company (May 4, 1968 Shrine Expo Center, L.A., CA)
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Not your average show this week. I welcomed two fabulous friends, Chel and Mel into Hell's Kitchen to share stories from their "Dirty Little Bitch" days. Before you get offended, you should really give it a listen. The future is female!!! Indeed.
I've known these two for quite a while, so I'll admit we get a little roommate radioish at times. Deal with it; the stories are good.
As for the music, it's what you have come to expect, which I hope is to expect the unexpected. My, how cliche of me.
As James Brown said "Get Up, Get On Up!"
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Get Up Get Into Get Involved: James Brown
Lesson One: Stone Cold Boners
The Wizard: Brown Sabbath
Wiggle Stick: Reverend Horton Heat
Little Bird: Jenny Lewis
Raindrop Blue: King Tuff
Congo Call: Prince Lasha and Sonny Simmons
You Shouldn't Do That: Hawkwind
Ashes Ashes: Eric McFadden
Saviour Machine: Redd Kross
Orgasm Addict: Buzzcocks
Do You Take This Man: Diamanda Galas
Black Sabbath Meets The Temptations
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile
I Call My Baby Pussycat: Parliament
Moon Bog: Oh Sees
Mademoiselle Mabry: Miles Davis
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Well here ya go. So many songs. So many great tunes for you to note and then go purchase, and perhaps, if these bands are still around, go and see perform live and in concert, like I did last Saturday, at The Chapel, seeing Roky Erickson.
Oh Roky, you're wonderful, but it might be time to hang it up. Yes, we are going to miss you, but that was rough. The sound was great! The band was great, but it's hard seeing a musical hero, who has already had his boughts with some serious mental health issues, sit up there forgetting not only the words, but also the melody of some of his most-cherished songs. We love you, Roky, and we're thrilled you found a pathway to health over the past 20 years.
Tune in tonight, 8-10PM for more new music and music that's new to you.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
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How old were you when you fell in love with music? Do you remember your first love? Who was it? The Beatles? Sinatra? Led Zeppelin? Patsy Cline? Who spoke to you? What did they say? Why did it resonate so deeply?
When I was eight years old in 1978, my aunt bought me four KISS LPs: Rock and Roll Over, Love Gun, Alive 2, and Double Platinum. I was hooked from the first grunt. I couldn't get enough of the imagery and the riffs. And yes, I fantasized that I was Peter Criss singing "Beth" to my imaginary girlfriend. I joined the KISS Army, dressed as either Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley for consecutive Halloween's, and overjoyed when I found a discarded copy of Destroyer laying on the street, still in playable condition (playable for a ten year old, anyway). I had posters that covered my walls, and like all of my friends, strongly anticipated the broadcast of "KISS Meets the Phantom Of The Park".
They are the first band that I wanted to know everything about. Where they were from? What they did before they were a band (Gene Simmons was a school teacher!!!)? Why they chose KISS as a band name? Why they didn't stick with Wicked Lester? Of course everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of them out of makeup. But I could not hide my disappointment when they decided to ditch the makeup altogether in 1983. What the hell was that all about? Even before the unmasking, the band had moved so far away from their riff-centric rock, full of stories about partying down and getting the girl, and I had discovered another band that would hold my attention, and continues to do so.
When I was 8 or 9, around 1978 or 1979, I was introduced to The Beatles. I was floored. I jumped ship a year or two later from KISS to the Fab Four, and honestly I felt like I was breaking up with someone. I didn't know at that tender age that I was allowed to have more than one favorite band. Shortly thereafter I added Led Zeppelin and the Grateful Dead to my ever-growing list of faves. After that the flood gates were open. I started buying my own records when I was 13, and my collection grew by leaps and bounds.
Though much of my record library consisted of what would be "classic rock" by today's standards, I was really proud of what I had amassed in just a few short years. It wasn't just quantity in my mind, it was quality too. I joined KFJC in late 1988 and tired very quickly of what was sitting, collecting dust, in my own library. I hungered for more. More genres, more obscure artists, more "classics" waiting to be discovered. In 2010 I purged about 5000 LPs that were taking up too much space in my home and my psyche. Most of this music could be heard on any commercial radio station anyway, so why would I hold onto it all? What I kept (about 1000 LPs) and what I continue to purchase is inspired by my time in non-commercial radio and local artists.
There are too many musical gems waiting to be encountered by the masses. I continue to be involved in radio to share my discoveries with you. Take a look at the playlist below, and all of my playlists. Much of what you see, you have never heard before. Give it a listen. If I play it that means I like it enough to want to share it with you. Hopefully you will like it enough to support that artist. Buy their music. See them live.
Enjoy...I know I do.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Is he or isn't he? Apparently he is. Dang. I saw Tom Petty three times in the late 80s and early 90s, including the very first Bridge School benefit in 1986, which is the only one I attended. I also was able to see him with Lenny Kravitz opening (the Let Love Rule tour). Petty always put on such a great show. I gave up going to shows in large venues many years ago, but I always felt that I seeing Petty again would be fun, regardless of the size of the venue.
There are few artists I would see in a large venue today. I would see Neil Young in a large venue if Crazy Horse was backing him. Other than that I prefer a venue ranging from a size 50-1500 people. The more intimate the better.
Speaking of an intimate setting, my bride took me to see Oh Sees (no more "Thee") last week at the Great American Music Hall. Not only was it a brilliant show, it was without a doubt, the loudest show I have ever been to. Even guitarist/lead singer John Dwyer was heard to ask if that show wasn't louder than the previous night's? I'm seeing them again in December at The Chapel. Get your tickets before they sell out.
best venue in SF:
Last night I was lucky enough to catch what has been marked as the "Last Polka" of the great SF punk-polka band, Polkacide, at Bottom of the Hill. After 30+ years they're hanging up their lederhosen. I spent a good 30 minutes in the polkapit. and boy did I feel it. The four original members are grandparent age now, and I'm guessing that having 10 people in the band makes it difficult to make the scene too often. I'm hoping for an annual reunion at the very least.
On a completely unrelated note, my bride Catherine gave birth to our little boy, Bodhi Miles Hell this past Thursday! We couldn't be more excited about this fella coming into our lives. I'll be taking a few weeks off from my show so I can be home with the little fella, fitting him with black t-shirts and guitar picks, and singing to him my favorite Melvis and Grateful Dead tunes. I can't wait to have him and Little Lauson Hell both in the studio with me in the years to come.
Check out the playlist below. There's a live Tom Petty tribute, new music from Ty Segall and Oh Sees, as well as Boris. Lots of great live treats in there as well.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Plastic Plant: Thee Oh Sees (September 28, 2017 Great American Music Hall, SF, CA)
Jack the Ripper: Link Wray
Young, Gifted and Black: Aretha Franklin
Radebe: Johnny Dyani
Dead Flowers: Townes Van Zandt
Rise Up With Fists: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
American Girl: Tom Petty (April 23, 1977 The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA)
Even the Losers/The Waiting/So You Want To Be A Rock and Roll Star: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Bob Dylan (June 26, 1986 HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN)
Something in the Air: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Keys to the Castle: Thee Oh Sees
Dystopia-Vanishing Point: Boris
Ride Into the Sun: The Velvet Underground
My Favorite Things: John Coltrane (October 26, 1963 Tivoli Koncertsal, Copenhagen)
I Loved Another Woman: Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac (June 9, 1968, Carousel Ballroom, SF, CA)
When Prince died I shared this video everywhere. Now that Petty has left us I think it bares reposting.
No guests tonight. No new releases tonight. No tribute tonight. No deaths or birthdays to report. No politics. No tickets to give away. Just you and me and the music. I rave a bit about something or another, but that's why you tune in, right? RIGHT!?!
The second hour still focuses on some recent live cuts I've recently found, but other than that it's another dive into the music library of HELL!
FYI: I do not have this RHCP record on my iPod
One thing you didn't witness during the show was the conflict I was having with the turntables. That was fun. for whatever reason I just could not get the turntable mixer to play through the main board. By the third set I had it all dialed in and the show really took off from there. I think it's those little issues that really keep me on my toes and have me pulling some righteous tunes out of my proverbial hat. I'd like to take this time to thank my 5th generation iPod from 2008 for all its help during that brief but anxious crisis. Together we made it through to the musical promised land.
Enjoy and please share with music lovers in your world.
Feeling Good: Traffic (09-12-1967 Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden)
White Man Has A God Complex: The Last Poets
Break A Guitar: Ty Segall (01-30-2017 World Cafe - WXPN Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Red Right Hand: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (07-05-1998 Werchter, Belgium)
Rise Up With Fists: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Sticky Hulks: Thee Oh Sees (07-16-2015 The Chapel, SF, CA)
The End: The Doors (03-07-1967 The Matrix, SF, CA)
I didn't play any Grateful Dead or Melvins on my show tonight. Aren't you proud of me? However, I can still share what I like on this here blog. This being the 40th anniversary of the amazing Spring 1977 tour, there's no way I wasn't going to share this little diddy from April 27, 1977. It's the entire show and a great one at that. Enjoy.
There's free-form radio and then there's FREE-FORM RADIO! I've been doing this too long to stop now. There are times when I'm driving late at night, pushing the buttons on my FM radio, thinking to myself "why am I hearing the same songs at this late hour that I would hear in the middle of the day? Shouldn't the late hours be the time when radio stations stretch out, try something new, or perhaps even a deeper album cut? Isn't this the time when they can play a 20 minute track? Isn't this the perfect opportunity for them to try out a new, local artist who deserves the airplay? WHY AREN'T THEY DOING THIS? And why haven't I written a letter? Tweeted? Made a call? "
If I was given a chance to program KSAN (aka:107.7 The Bone) I would make "Big Daddy" Tom Donahue proud. That man must be seriously spinning in his grave to see what has happened with his love child. Some say Steven Seaweed is an institution. I say that he's been phoning it in for about two decades now. No offense, Steven. You've made a great career out of being super excited to be playing another AMAZING Van Hagar track, and having people call out the WEEDMAN! I've worked in commercial radio. They hand you the playlist and tell you what you are and are not allowed to say and play. Any deviation from the norm and you're out the door. All to please the listeners. Yeah right. It's all about the sponsors. There is no longer any art or risk-taking in the land of mainstream radio. And it's been this way for a good 25 years now; perhaps longer.
Tonights show is all over the aural spectrum. Brand new music from Boss Hog, and CFM has a new LP out as well. There's some sizzling rock, toe-tappin' country, Japanese Psych, nouveau Americana, Seattle Grunge (I hate that term), and American Punk. I'm sure I left out something. Take a look at the playlist below and click on the stream or download above to enjoy this program, sure to please even the finickiest music lovers in your home.
Next Monday night is my 300th show on Radio Valencia. That's a lot of shows. I have no clue what I have planned, but it promises to be worth your time. Tune in 8-10PM at http://radiovalencia.fm
Way Down In The Hole: Tom Waits
The Deep: Red Fang
Ashes to Ashes: Eric McFadden
White Bird: It's A Beautiful Day
Volunteers: Jefferson Airplane
Sleep Drifter: King Gizzard and the Lizard Gizzard
I'm Sure to Meet You: Angel in Heavy Syrup
Rubber Lips: Damaged Bug
Pretty Bird: Jenny Lewis
Young, Gifted, and Broke: Aura Lewis and Lee "Scratch" Perry
I Fall to Pieces: Patsy Cline
Hey Hey, My My: Neil Young (June 13, 2003 Bonnaroo Music Festival)
Ground Control: Boss Hog
Make it Now: Mudhoney (September 26, 1993 Hollywood Palace)
Let It Bleed: Rolling Stones (November 1, 1981 Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX)
Dead Weight/Message: CFM
Barn Burning: Dave Alvin
Frankie and Albert: Taj Mahal
Ice Water: Ray Condo
Diddy Wah Diddy: Thee Headcoats
American Heavy Metal Weekend: Circle Jerks (February 14-1986 Fender's Ballroom
Long Beach, CA)
Listen to this show right here!!!
