Hell's Kitchen Radio #556: Best of 2024

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Well, January arrived, so I figure I better pull out what I bought last year and give all a spin. 

King Gizzard released its 26th album in 2024. And what an amazing show they put on at The Frost. Dale Crover came back from neck surgery to record and tour with Redd Kross, put out his third solo album and 27th with the Melvins. I can't wait to see them in April and again coming up in June. I love me some Melvins!

Nick Cave seems to be emerging from his deep grief-stricken period with Wild God. I'll be seeing him in May. Great albums from Billy Strings, WAND, Ty Segall, OSEES, GOAT (so many bands using allcaps?!?!?!), Shannon and the Clams, and more!

Monday night I'll be back with new music and music that's new to you.

Tune into the station you have come to rely on to play the best of whatever genre you're into.

And while you're listening we could really use your support. We have been around since 2010 and keeping our equipment operating, along with increased costs for just about everything, makes it a challenge to keep paying for this out of our pockets.

This is why we decided to have an "on air" fundraiser, through February 8th. Head over to Radio Valencia's website, scroll down and click the PayPal link on the right to show us a little love. This is a tax deductible donation, and every dollar goes straight to paying to keep our radio home running.

Thanks in advance.

Enjoy and please share the Best of 2024.

jh

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

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Hog Calling Contest: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Resolution/Revolution: The Linda Lindas

Bean Fields: Shannon and the Clams
I Waited Forever: Dale Crover with (Ty Segall)

Stunt Queen: Redd Kross
Snakes: Bell Rays
My Alice: Billy Strings
Luck and Strange: David Gilmore

Void: Ty Segall
Smile: WAND

Also the Gorilla...: OSEES
Silly Cybin: Meatbodies
Ouroboros: GOAT

Wild God: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Grind: The Jesus Lizard

She's Got Weird Arms: Melvins
Confluence: Slift

Me and the Girls: Amyl and the Sniffers
How To Ruin Your Life: False Flag
Comme Tu Le Souhaites (Ding Dong): Population II

Psycho Killer (Acoustic Version): Talking Heads

Hell's Kitchen Radio #548: Radio Reset

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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

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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 #546: Who Is In Control?

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Well Hell, here we go again. There was a time, from the age of about 5 - 30 that I really thought I wanted to be a professional radio DJ. I loved the thought of playing my favorite music for a wide audience. If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, then you loved your local DJ, who you thought was programming their own shows. 

Silly me. And silly you if you thought they had total autonomy. I learned by the age of 18, when I was interning at KRQR that it was up to the Music Director, or Program Director what was going to be played. They also told you what you were going to say. 

DO. NOT. DEVIATE.

Damn.

Still, I wanted in on the game. The way I figured, it was more about me calling the shots after I'd been there 10-20 years. And I wanted to be there for life. By the time I left KRQR I knew I wasn't going to love all of the music being played, but I also thought I would have more say about programming once I was in the chair. 

I couldn't have been more wrong about that.

I ended up a button monkey (board op) at Alice-97.3 (KLLC). Coincidentally the same station that was once KRQR. This time I actually had a show. Still, here's what you play and here's what you say. And after the Telecommunications Act of 1996, companies began buying up the competition, so there was no need to take the risks they once had. 

Here's what you play. Here's what you say.

DO. NOT. DEVIATE.

This was in 2002. And this is when I decided to leave my dream of corporate radio dominance behind for the greener and much more poor pastures of non-commercial radio. I was actually still at KFJC when I was at KRQR. And I was hosting a show at the now-defunct pirate station San Francisco Liberation Radio when I was at Alice-FM. You can take the boy out of the subversive medium, you can't take the subversive medium out of the boy. 

Once I left KLLC I dove head first into SF non-comm/pirate culture, and I'm glad I did.

I may not host a daily radio show, but that also means I don't have to pretend to like the Eagles and AC/DC, or some pop crap. Can you even imagine?

My air name would probably be something like "Mike Alan". HA!

At least I can sleep peacefully knowing that all the Music and Program Directors have been replaced by Spotify and AI. 

I'm not bitter. I'm a DJ who programs their own show and you get to benefit from that. I guess I really am living the dream.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

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Bad Indian: Dead Pioneers (2023)
The Rain: Eddie Gale (1968)

Gild the Lily: Billy Strings (2024)

Happiness is Drumming: Diga Rhythm Band (1976)

Song of the Lake: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2024)

Regiment: Brian Eno and David Byrne (1981)

Black Silk Stocking: Chrisma (1977)

I Got Rhythm: Django Reinhardt (1938)

Glossolalia: Dale Crover (2024)

Black Moon Spell: King Tuff (2014)

Grind: The Jesus Lizard (2024)
My Man: Shannon and the Clams (2015)

Did You Hear About Jerry: Harry Belafonte (1962)

Reasonable World: The Blind Shake (2016)

Cold Bear: The Gators (1970)

Gimme My Wife: Bruce Marshall (1970?)

One More Death: GOAT (2024)

Strange: Wire (1977)

Pigs (Three Different Ones): Pink Floyd (1977)

Dragonaut (live 1992): Sleep (1992)

Oh Allah: Alice Coltrane (1971)

White Bird: It's A Beautiful Day (1969)

In That Great Getting Up In The Morning: The New Gospel Keys

Hell's Kitchen Radio #545: INDECLINE and BLF

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Some interviews are just that much more special. Monday night was twice as nice. I was honored to have Jack Napier from the Billboard Liberation Front in house to talk about his history of "improving" billboards, laughing all the while. Jack was also kind enough to bring along a representative from the artist activist collective INDECLINE, who are currently celebrating their 24th year of upsetting the status quo. You may recall their life sized statues of a nude Donald Trump that were placed around the country in the lead up to the 2016 election. Yeah, that INDECLINE.

The conversation went from the history of this clandestine cabal, to how they recruit members, skirt thelaw (they don't always), find inspiration, explore the difference between art and graffiti, and what's coming up next. Even our old friend Jack is coming out of retirement; he's been so inspired. 

INDECLINE in San Francisco this week for a few nights in celebration of their art. 

You can catch them at The Roxie on Wednesday, October 9th, starting at 6pm, where there will be a double feature of their films "The Art of Protest" and "Side Hustles". A Q&A will follow, featuring members of INDECLINE, Jack Napier, Winston Smith, and moderator Broke-Ass Stuart.

Thursday INDECLINE will be celebrating the release of their new book "Control Alter Delete" at City Lights Bookstore in North Beach at 6pm. Jack Napier will also be in attendance. 

This event will be followed at 7:30 pm by an art installation at Studio Fall Out, 50-A Bannam Place, San Francisco.

Friday and Saturday there is more INDECLINE at Studio Fall Out.

First, on Friday night there is a "Control Alter Delete" film screening, that features behind-the-scenes footage of billboard liberation adventures from 2000-2024. This runs from 7-9pm.

And finally on Saturday night INDECLINE, in collaboration with Studio Fallout presents: “Liberation Vinyl” an intimate creative workshop giving guests the unique chance to create and take home their own custom art on liberated billboard vinyl. THERE ARE TICKETS NEEDED FOR THIS EVENT.

There is a lot of subversive and silly fun to be had this week in San Francisco. Go out and make your mark.

Thanks to Chick and Winston Smith for improving my show image at the top. I'm honored.

See you at the show.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

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How To Ruin Your Life: False Flag
Christianity is Stupid: Negativland

Interview with Jack Napier - Billboard Liberation Front

Confluence: Slift

Interview with Jack Napier and rep from INDECLINE

Mountain: Meatbodies

Do You Like To Eat A Cow: Paul Leary

Interview with Jack Napier and rep from INDECLINE

Hide and Seek: The Jesus Lizard
Be My Enemy: The Bobby Lees

Interview with Jack Napier and rep from INDECLINE

Queen: Melvins

Leaning on a Travelin' Song: Billy Strings

Total Destruction of your Mind: Swamp Dogg

Roadrunner: Modern Lovers

Pressure Drop: Toots and the Maytals
Rudi, A Message to You: The Specials

Beer Drinking Woman: Memphis Slim

Hell's Kitchen Radio #543: See All The Colors

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This is one of those times when I really count my blessings. Everyone has their struggles, so don't let me start getting into my own. Does any of it really matter? No. None of it matters. Holding a grudge does nothing but take the time away from having a really good time. And isn't that what we want: to have a really good time?

Why suffer? What does it bring? What have we gained by our own suffering? Experience? Isn't there any other way to grow? I've learned more lessons than blah, blah, blah. Is this what life is all about: learning lessons so as not to repeat the same mistakes over and over again? What if I learned a lesson, put in my best effort, asked all the right questions, opened myself up to scrutiny and vulnerability, articulated my boundaries, and still tripped?!

What then?

Throw it all away? Remain alone for the sake of caring for my heart? Risk appearing aloof or uncaring just so I don't have to clean up a mess that I worked diligently to avoid happen in the first place? We're not a solitary species? But what's so bad about being alone? I have my music to keep my warm. Even the kids grow up to live their own lives.

Enjoy the moment. That's all we have. Meditate on that. You can do your best to make up for the past. Take accountability even when it feels impossible. Make amends. Speak your truth with the most compassionate head and heart. Be the best listener. Ask the deeper questions. Be vulnerable and available for the criticisms that will come your way (and they will come!).

Prepare for the future, knowing as hard as you do, life has a way of throwing a lot of curveballs at you. Be calm through the storm. Flow like water. Respond, don't react. Breathe. Always breathe. And know that everyone else is going through the shit too.

All we have in now. It's only now. It's always now. Bring your best now. Now. And do not beat yourself up if the best you have now is not the same as what others are bringing. Never compare yourself to others, ever. You'll lose that battle. So don't do it. Rise above that. You're not rising above others, you're rising above the idea that others are above you. No one is above anyone else. We're all treading water in our own way. Our job is to do it as calmly as possible. Don't fight the waves. Don't fight the tide.

Flow like water.

Forgive.

Love.

Be. Here. Now.

And listen to good music. 

There's some pretty good music here. New The Jesus Lizard, Ty Segall, Dale Crover, WAND, and a bunch of other stuff I think you're going to love. I love it, anyway.

And if you want to support what we're doing, please consider donating. 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 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
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Kasalefkut-Hulu: Mulatu Astatke
Sevda Olmasaydi: Altin Gün

Theme de Yoyo: Art Ensemble of Chicago
Down Home Girl: The Coasters

Help Save The Youth of America: Billy Bragg
Youth of America: Melvins
Bang Bang: Nancy Sinatra
The Tide is High: The Paragons

High Time: WAND
Enemy Destruct: Thee Oh Sees

Teenie Weenie Boppie: Free Kitten
Purple: Ken Nordine
Golden Gate Park: The Catheads
2 Drunk 2 Fuck: Avenue D
Fuck the Police (edit): NWA
Rudy, a Message to You: Dandy Livingstone

Lord Godiva: The Jesus Lizard
Blood Like Cream: Red Fang

I Waited Forever: Dale Crover (ft. Ty Segall)
Killer: Alice Cooper
Gathering of the Ancient Tribes: GOAT

The Dance/Walk Home Pt.2/First Touch: Ty Segall
Rise: PIL