Hell's Kitchen Radio #575: Old Face New Hell

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

Never one to turn away from a challenge, I once again find myself behind the console at Radio Valencia headquarters, just as I do every Monday night, tasked with providing the platters that will make your brain matter splatter! 

Here's a show where I don't put as much emphasis on new releases, though there is something new from Public Enemy and Chime Oblivion (John Dwyer of OCS fame) in there. Tonight is more about what's been moving me lately. And it's apparent some harder rocking sounds are what's moving me. 

Ozzy just played his final show over the weekend, so we'll get things started with him...kinda. We'll step back for some proto-punk, move our way towards an all-things-Ty-Segall-related set, and then sorta just throw throw everything else at the wall to close out the show.

It makes sense when you listen to it. And listen to it you should! We take a lot of pride in our little station, and we hope you're enjoying the many fabulous programs Radio Valencia has to share. 

Do you think you have what it takes to host a weekly radio show? Hit us up! Hire for personality, train for skill. Email us at station@radiovalencia.fm for more info.

Enjoy this 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

Electric Funeral: Brown Sabbath

Fairies Wear Boots: Black Sabbath
The Smokey God: Glitter Wizard

And Again: Chime Oblivion
Drug Train: The Cramps
Femme Fatale: Velvet Underground
1970: Iggy and the Stooges

Don't Make Me Explain: Sgt. Splendor
Evil Ways: Public Enemy

Glass Eye: Charles Mootheart
The Way Things Go: Mikal Cronin
Mountain: Meatbodies
Shotgun Shooter: Goggs
I'm A Man: Ty Segall

Time Collapse Pt. II/The 7th Terror: FUZZ
Outsider: Teri Genderbender

Hellfudge: Lard
Improv?: Liquorball
Back Door Man: The Doors (May 2, 1970)
Hornet's Heart: Thinking Fellers Union Local 282

One More Hour: Sleater-Kinney
Beat Fall: Lithics

New Face In Hell: The Fall
Sun Arise: Rolf Harris

Hell's Kitchen Radio #572: Bringing A Rubber Duck To A Knife Fight

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

I was talking with a friend of mine earlier today about what makes a good radio show and about how I prepare, week to week? 

I think a good radio show, focused on music, comes from a host that listens to a lot of music a lot of the time, and is excited to curate a show that features tunes in sets that flow from one song to the next, regardless of genre. As a matter of fact I really love pulling off cross-genre sets.

As for how I prepare for my shows? I listen to a lot of music throughout the week, and it's inevitable that I'm going to hear a few tunes that I'm itching to play for you all, so I make a note of that.

Then I literally go through my record shelves and pull music that's calling to me. I also have a strong desire to play new music each week. I prefer to start a set with something new, or something that's relevant and timely. 

I purchase music almost weekly, so there's always something new on my show. And if there's a tribute to a fallen artist or one with a birthday that I just have to call out, or a show I've been to, or one upcoming, then something is going to end up in a set.

And then in the studio I have a stack sitting in front of me that I pull from based on the song that is currently playing. Honestly, there's not much more to it than that. More often that not I pull it off. I never phone it in. 

As for tonight's show, I noticed as I was pulling music that almost every artist tonight is American. I started out the show with some rural blues, moved onto to be-bop and post-bop jazz. Then onto some soul and funk. I made my way to some west coast country and psychobilly, before getting a bit darker in the goth/post-punk vein. Then came the garage/shoegaze/psych, followed by some new dissonance post-post-punk, 60s prog-psych, new Melvins (a genre all their own), more post-post-punk, punk/metal, and finally a tribute to Brian Wilson to close it all out.

And hot damn if this show doesn't flow. Check out me trying to tie it all together!

So as for how do I prepare for my show, after being in radio for 35+ years, and a whole hell of a lot of listening? A lot of this is second nature. But I can assure you I will never rest when it comes to preparing the best in quality non-commercial radio for you, dear listener. 

You have the John Hell Seal of Approval!

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

Frankie and Albert: Taj Mahal

Meet Me In The Bottom: Pink Anderson

Just Knock On My Door: Art Blakey

Jakey: Big John Patton

Sticks and Stones: Joe Jones

Good To Me As I Am To You: Aretha Franklin

I Want You (She's So Heavy): Eddie Hazel

Walkin' The Streets of Love Alone: Mitch Polzak

Psychobilly Freakout: Reverend Horton Heat

Flyin' High: Jenny Don't and the Spurs

Boom Boom: Rube Waddell

Stagger Lee: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Killer of Peace: Crow Jane

Kill My Baby Tonight: LA Witch
Sanitarium Blues: Death Valley Girls

Bye Bye 25!: Kim Gordon

Child in Time: Deep Purple

Vomit of Clarity: Melvins 1983

Secret Agent Rat: Crystal Fairy

Smoke Ring: Chime Oblivion

Take Me To Your Leader: Zig Zags

Heroes and Villains: Beach Boys
God Only Knows: Beach Boys

Who Listens To Radio: Sarah Vaughn

Hell's Kitchen Radio #571: Que Sera SerHell

Listen to this show right here!!!

Listen into all my shows here!

Subscribe to my show, via 

Walking into the studio tonight I was met with at least three blocks of protesters, out in the street making their voices heard in opposition of ICE policies happening right now across the state and across the nation. As of this writing 47 is actively having National Guard and Marines(!!!!) in the streets of Los Angeles putting down peaceful demonstrations, and calling the protestors insurrectionists,  justifying his use of the posse comitatus act, which forbids the president of using active duty military in the streets of our nation.

There goes our democracy.

But you knew that already. 

The hardest part is separating the "truth" from the propaganda. I have a degree in media literacy, and I can tell you this shit is really exhausting to digest. This is one of the main reasons I quit social media. I dropped Facebook in 2020, and Instagram on Inauguration Day 2025. I just can't.

Even listening to NPR (leans left) or reading the NY Times (leans left and omits far too much) is getting unbearable. I often have to read the Guardian UK and al Jazeera to get a better idea of what is happening in our own country.

That being said, I have a platform all my own with Radio Valencia.

We have told our staff that we aren't going to censor their voices, but Radio Valencia doesn't take any political stance as a radio station. Therefore, our hosts need to state their opinions are their own, and not the stance of the station. 

Yadda, yadda, yadda.

I'm hosting former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member John Avalos on my show Monday, June 23rd to talk about the current state of affairs. John always brings good conversation. Tune in.

For tonights show I was training a new RV staffer: Max! Great guy. He's going to be hosting a Black Metal show on Mondays 4-6pm soon. I got him playing some music he brought along (marked below "- Max") and talking with me about music and his own radio history. 

I also went record shopping last week (of course I did), so there's that to look forward to. New music from Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Zig Zags, Chime Oblivion (John Dwyer of OCS side project), Teri Gender Bender (of Le Butcherettes) and too much more jazz, punk, blues, and a tribute to Sly Stone who passed at age 82 Monday morning.

Enjoy and know your rights.

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

Hate the Police: The Dicks
Goat Cheese: Mudhoney

Fucksake: Frankie and the Witch Fingers
There is the Bomb: Don Cherry

Kiss Her Or Be Her: Chime Oblivion
Fallout: Moon Duo
Beer Drinkin' Woman: Memphis Slim
Hey Hey My My (Into the Black): Neil Young and DEVO

21:32: Cluster
Outsider: Teri Gender Bender
Liquified Organs: Rawhead - Max
Cinnamon Girl (Extended Depression Mix): Type O Negative - Max
Watcher of the Skies: Genesis - Max
In Torment in Hell: Deiside - Max

Crying for Death: Morbid Saint - Max
Laid to Rest: Rotting - Max

At War With Hell: Zig Zags
Killer: Alice Cooper

Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey: Sly and the Family Stone
Runnin' Away: Sly and the Family Stone

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Self Again): Sly and the Family Stone
Que Sera Sera: Sly and the Family Stone

Hell's Kitchen Radio #468: Who Do We Appreciate?

Download The Blah Blah Blah HERE! 

Listen into all my shows here!
Subscribe to my show, via 

My mission in my radio life is to never insult you. Please let me know if you feel that I've done so. If so, you can fuck right off. HA! Just joking. I really love turning you on...to music. What were you thinking? Whatever it was, I like it. I really do. 

I wax poetic about all the evil of commercial radio all the damn time, but it appears that my vitriol has hit new heights! I' just sickened by what I hear on the FM when I'm driving along. I admit, I'm a button pusher, but I may scald my fingertip by how quickly I'm hitting that button. Once you move past 94.1FM (in the Bay Area) there just isn't anything interesting on the dial.

How sad is that?

Of course, I will continue to sing the praises of all things noncommercial. And why not? Music should always be purpose driven. I never mind playing older artists for you, but when I do, I like it to be something you would not normally hear on any other station. You be the judge.

I also really appreciate your feedback. I can only improve when my listeners chime in. Don't be shy. 

Lots of tasty treats in this episode. I went record shopping recently (SURPRISE!), and picked up a few Arhoolie Records releases. Check out the Big Mama Thornton track featuring the Muddy Waters Blues Band live in San Francisco in 1966. There's also the ridiculous piano playing of Dave Alexander. This guy is off the charts, good. Other than the Blues, there's 90s indie, 20's Psych, funk, punk, junk, hiphop, folk, and more more more!

Take a listen and share with your music-loving friends.

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

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

Related To What: The Last Poets
Everything Gonna Be Alright: Big Mama Thornton

The Rattler: Dave Alexander

Television Man: Man Or Astroman

The Drama You've Been Craving: Sleeter-Kinney

Brother, Sister: Kevin Morby

Breathless: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

The Playground Twist: Siouxsie and the Banshees

Rhinestone Cowboy: MF Doom and Madlib

Cultivated Grass: John Dwyer and Crew (Gong Splat)

Ät Det Som Växer: Dungen

Green Rocky Road: Tim Buckley

The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat): The Doors

You've Got To Change: Brownout

Harm Joy: C.I.A.

The Universe: Le Butcherettes

Death's Not Your Friend: Wooden Shjips

Electric Fence: Califone

Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall: Bobby Weir and the Wolf Brothers

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #460: Stick This In Your Stocking

Download the Mistletoe HERE! 

Listen into all my shows here!
Subscribe to my show, via 

I was just in a mood, I guess. It is the holiday I suppose. I don't have seasonal affective disorder, or any disorder I care to blather on about, as far as I or my therapist knows. I will say that I am daddy-daycare for the next two weeks, since my bride be working, and that is enough to make someone run to the hills, regardless of how much you love the little tyke.

I don't think I was paying attention to the upcoming holiday until the morning of this show. I did not plan on doing anything special for this particular program, yet I do have a collection of music set for just such an occasion. I wasn't going to leave you hanging.

If you listen to me talk, it sounds like I'm blathering (there's that word again?) on and on about something that sounds important...to me. And you know what, it was...at the time. Feel free to comment on whatever floats your boat. Flies your kite. Walks your dog. Jerks your chain. You keep it going now.

There are some delightful alternate takes from box sets and deluxe editions thrown in, as usual. I went record shopping last week, so there are some items thrown in I was excited to get. "New" music from Art Blakey, The Bobby Lees, EXEK, Mike Krol, and new John Dwyer. I also shared a real treat that my buddy, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and all around fine fella, Mark Growden, shared with me from French singer/songwriter Alain Bashung. There are very few people that I trust to offer a tune that I know I can blindly throw into a set. This one worked just fine. Welcome to this very exclusive club, Mark.

That being said, my father raised me to be extremely inclusive. His advice: invite everyone to the party. Allow them to decline.

I will always invite you all to this Monday night party.

Next Monday, December 27th, I'm excited to have Flipper drummer, Steve Depace in the studio talking up the December 30 and New Years Eve shows, Radio Valencia is co-presenting at Bottom of the Hill. Make sure to get your tickets fast. They are going to sell out, and it's going to be a blast!

Enjoy and please share.

jh

The holidays are upon us and your friendly local radio station could sure use some love. 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

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

Little Drummer Boy: Lou Rawls
Fuck Christmas: FEAR
Shapes of Things: Jeff Beck Group

Troubled Times: Thee Headcoats
Gong Splat: John Dwyer and Crew
Dear Prudence (Esher Demo): The Beatles

'Round About Midnight: Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers
Motorcycle Dream: Slack Alice

Limosine: The Bobby Lees
Voodoo Dolly: Siouxsie and the Banshees
A Hedonist: EXEK (biased advice)
Meet the Creepers: Destroy All Monsters

Landromat: Rory Gallagher
Grover Rides A Happy Honker: Toychestra with Fred Frith
I Can See For Mile: Petra Hayden

Rated X: Miles Davis
Road Runner: Thee Headcoatees
Neighborhood Watch: Mike Krol (Turkey)
Trim Your Tree: Jimmy Butler

House of the Rising Sun: Ramblin' Jack Elliot
Madmae Rève: Alain Bashung
Merry Christmas From The Family: Robert Earl Keen

The Twelve Gifts of Christmas: Allan Sherman
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk Singers

Hell's Kitchen Radio #447: Tripping Through The Audiosphere

Download the Aural Gratitude HERE! 

Listen into all my shows here!
Subscribe to my show, via 

Serving up some hot platters for your brain matter. 

Seriously though, there are some good eats for your ears on this here show. Give it spin...or a stream. You can download it to go! Who knows, maybe you're listening to this show in the distant future, floating through space, far from our galaxy. Good on ya! Do you still consider yourself human, even if you don't live on planet Earth anymore? 

I've been reading the "Three-Body Problem", by Cixin Liu, and that question comes up throughout the trilogy. 

As for this here show, it's an interesting one. I'm training a new host, DJ Collin, who's going to be starting his new show Friday's 6-8PM Pacific, "Digging with DJ Collin". The second half of this show features a lot of his selections. I really put him to the test tonight. There were so many tech issues, even I was getting a bit flustered. He was chill the whole way through, and really gave his best. I can't wait to tune in to his show!

Our new home is really attracting some great talent. Please take the time to tune in regularly throughout the week. You never know when your next favorite host will knock you off your feet. 

Take a look at the playlist below, click on the link at the top to stream or download this baby, and enjoy your trip through the cosmos.

Enjoy.

jh

Are you in our around San Francisco, Sunday, August 15th? We're having a fundraiser at Make Out Room, our next door neighbor on 22nd street. We would love to see you. We have bands, and yours truly is MCing along with a few other Radio Valencia DJs. Check out the link for all the details.

Have you tried out our iPhone or Android app yet? Get them where you get your phone apps. I love the iPhone app and use it every day.

Guess what, our door broke again. WTF?!?!? More than ever we are in need of funds beyond what our staff can afford. If you can throw a few dimes Radio Valencia's way, we will be forever in your debt. Thanks in advance. 

Hell'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

I Like Marijuana: David Peel
Neat Neat Neat: Damned
Hard Time Killing Floor Blues: Skip James

Zo No Sanaka: Kikagaku Moyo
The Snake: Pink Fairies

Hunter: Joni Mitchell
Master of the Universe: Hawkwind
Mr. Pharmacist: The Fall
Linda Blair: Redd Kross

A Hedonist: EXEK
Are You Really Going To Move To The South: Marissa Nadler
UFO Please Take Me Home: Coachwhips
If I Had My Way: Bosco

Hideaway: Olivia Tremor Control - DJ Collin

Ride It: Montra - DJ Collin

Louise: Acetone - DJ Collin

LPs: Jeffrey Lewis - DJ Collin
Driftin': Sonny and the Sunsets - DJ Collin
Speeding Motorcycle: Daniel Johnston with Yo La Tengo - DJ Collin

Burnt Toast: Daddy Longhead
Blood Like Cream: Red Fang
March To Fuzz: Mudhoney

The Waitress Song: First Aid Kit

Dragstrip Riot: The Flesh Eaters

Hell's Kitchen Radio #436: Lucky To Be Here

Download the Joy Ride HERE! 

Listen into all my shows here!
Subscribe to my show, via 

Some nights I like to play music for you like we're hanging out on the floor in front of my dad's Hi-Fi, and I'm really excited to pull this record out, hopefully to blow your mind. I hope there are moments during this show that blow your mind. I hope that you take a moment to search out these bands, and support them by purchasing their music. 

I am damn lucky to be able to do this every week. 

Enjoy.

jh

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

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

Bang The Drum All Day: Todd Rundgren
Hecho en Mexico: Money Chicha

Cease to Exist: Psychic Ills
Ridge Rider: Judee Sill
Tougher: Dale Crover

SHHH!: Tomahawk
Greener Pools: Witch Egg
Stack O'Lee: Mississippi John Hurt
Corner Seat: Virvon Varvon
1000 Years: Coachwhips

Keith Moon: Mike Krol
Tattoo (early version with commercial): The Who
Make It Better: A/LPACA

Long Shadow: Joe Strummer
Long Black Veil: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

A Love Supreme: A Love Supreme Electric (Vinny Golia- John Hanrahan- Henry Kaiser- Wayne Peet- Mike Watt)
I'm Going To Take Over: The Ethiopians

Amazing Grace: Aretha Franklin
Mother: John Lennon

Sprites: Bent Arcana
Spoonful: The Super Super Blues Band
Your Spaceman: Helios Creed

Earthen Gate: FUZZ
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk Singers