Showing posts with label king gizzard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label king gizzard. Show all posts

Monday, June 15, 2026

Hell's Kitchen Radio #616: Rock Em Sock Em

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Summer has reared its face in San Francisco, which means "June Gloom" and I'm here for it! I love it! Give me a fog tan and I'm a happy boy! And no guests means I can play what's been on repeat in the Hell household this past week. 

I've been shopping a lot the past few weeks, and it's not going to slow down. East Bay stores like Down Home Records and Moving Records are always a treat to stop by when I have time to dig. Without listing every store I've been patronizing, I can tell you the crate digging has been a delight. 

And then there are the times I shop at home! If you have a record collection then you know there are the moments when you forget that you own that particular album. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it lends a look of confusion and surprise to my face. And why not? I think I've only inadvertently purchased records I've already owned a couple of time. That's the danger though of a growing collection.

This week only about 25% of the show came from my library. Most are new, and of course Daniel from the Mab came through and offered some tasty treats to Hell's Kitchen Radio (marked with "DH"). I love having Daniel hang out. We're getting a great crew in the studio on Monday nights. 

Come on down and join the live studio audience (the crowd goes wild!!!).

This Monday I don't have any guests scheduled (though we may see Daniel again), so that means all music. And like last week I have a few new additions to the current rotation. Tune in and find out what it'll be.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

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In Frisco: Pop-O-Pies (7" - 1983)
The Fire of Love: Joe Christ (7" - 1991)
Texas Serenade: The Gun Club (Miami - 1982)

Wasps From Samoa: Surprise Privilege (Single - 2026)
Loaded Gun: Reverend Horton Heat (Full Custom Gospel Sounds of... - 1993)
Go To Satan: Rube Waddell (Hobo Train - 2009)

Give: The Bobby Lees (New Self - 2026)
Hard On For Love: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Your Funeral...My Trial - 1986)
Love Buzz: Shocking Blue (S/T - 1967)
The Creole Love Call: Roland Kirk (The Inflated Tear - 1968)

Decartes: Sprints (All That Is Over - 2026)
Pablo Picasso: Modern Lovers (S/T - 1976)

Psycho Killer: Talking Heads (Tentative Decisions - 2026)
You Keep On Looking: Gary Wilson (You Think You Really Know Me - 1977) - DH
Hot On The Heels of Love: Throbbing Gristle (20 Jazz Funk Greats - 1979) - DH
Make Him Want It: Hugh S. Bell (How To Be A Success In Life Insurance Selling - 1972)
Advantage: Septic Death (Now That I Have Your Attention... - 1985)

Super Bug Live: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (2026)
Law and Order: Fang (Land Shark - 1982)

Fire and Brimstone: Primitive Ring (S/T - 2026)
Abre Camino: Death Valley Girls (Darkness Falls - 2018)
I Hunt You Pray: LA Witch (DOGGOD - 2025)

Hunger For A Way Out: Sweeping Promises (Hunger For A Way Out - 2020)
Pigs On The Wing Parts 1 and 2: Pink Floyd (8 Tracks - 2026)

Apache Talk: Luiz Bonfá (Jacaranda - 1973)

Monday, May 04, 2026

Hell's Kitchen Radio #610: Everything Is Fine-ish


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Well, it's just you and little ol' me, until Daniel comes by. Daniel is always welcome to come by. So are you! Why don't you write?

Anyway, I didn't have anyone scheduled to come by Monday night. This is first in a while, where I have no guests. I have Lee Hoffman of Elegant Trash coming by next Monday night, May 11, to talk about his Punk the Bay shows he's promoting Wednesday nights at the FabMab. 

On this show I was just feeling good sharing some new music I picked up in the past few weeks: Clown Alley, Sprints, Bill Orcutt, The Freak Accident, Alice Bag, OSees, Surprise Privilege, White Fence, Hawkwind, FUZZ, Reatards, Flipper, Deviants...

You know what, most of this show is music I bought over the past month or so. 

I may have a problem. I bought two records today that are certain to get played here soon enough. And why not? 

I was at a memorial for Robert "Doc" Pelzel, of KFJC, on Saturday. A good 100 family, friends, and current and former station staff were present. It was a real pleasure to see these fine folks and share stories about Doc.

Doc was the station advisor, who officially worked for Foothill Junior College, where KFJC is located. He was a true advocate for the station, and kept the institution administration off our backs, and made sure we received our budget every year. He came to KFJC in 1979, following a stint at KALX in Berkeley. I arrived at KFJC in 1989.

Doc encouraged us all to be as weird as we wanted to be. Take risks. He was similar to my dad, who used to say "there's no reward without risk". I learned what it meant to take my dream of being a radio DJ, and push it to the ultimate limit. I co-produced a nationwide broadcast at over 20 stations, from SXSW in 1994 because of Doc. I co-founded Radio Free Burning Man, also in 1994, because of Doc. 

Hundreds of incredible DJs have gone through the KFJC doors, and each of us benefitted from having Doc there, giving us an infinitely long, transparent leash, where we were encouraged to freak the scene in the way that non-commercial radio is supposed to do. 

The listeners benefitted from hearing music that never would have reached their ears if it weren't for the DJs given the freedom to do so. 

Bands wouldn't have sent us the music they were inspired to play if we didn't have the DJs excited to play the next new sound. 

As a teacher I understand that we teach infinity. We never know where our teaching ends. It's safe to say that Doc advised us to infinity. We play music for you that you take and pass on. Maybe you started a band because of what we played? And some of us went on to start other radio stations, paying it forward!

I think Doc is proud. I know he is, because were told one of the last things he said was that he was sad that he couldn't keep engaging in all this fun.

We'll pay the fun forward, Doc. Always pay it forward.

Thanks for taking a risk on all of us. 

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
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Mars for the Rich: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Infest the Rats Nest - 2019)
In The Cartoon: Clown Alley (Circus of Chaos - 1986)

I Hunt You Pray: LA Witch (DOGGOD - 2025)
I'm Your Man: Mark Growden (Saint Judas - 2010)

Decepticon: Sprints (7" - 2026)
Captain Crunch: MF Doom/Czarface (Czarface meets Metalface - 2018)
Slap That Bass: The Middlebury College Dissapated-Eight - 1984)
Destroy The Handicapped: Fang (Land Shark - 1982)

Hot Head: Orcutt/Shelley/Miller (7" - 2026)
The Midnight Show: The Freak Accident (The Midnight Show - 2026)
Gluttony: Alice Bag (Decline of Western Civilization - 1980)

Joro: OSees (Cara Maluco - 2026)
Wasteman: Surprise Privilege (Feed Me - 2025
Trailer Trash: MV and EE (Fuzzweed - 2013)

Reflections in a Shop Window on Polk: White Fence (Orange - 2026)
Lost Jonnie: Hawkwind (Hall of the Mountain Grill - 1974)

21st Century Schizoid Man: FUZZ (FUZZ's Fourth Dream)
Tonight I'll Come: Reatards (Grown Up, Fucked Up - 1999)
I Saw You Shine: Flipper (Generic - 1982)
Garbage: Deviants (Ptooff! - 1968)
Internal Dialogue: False Flag (Gun Time - 2025)

New Self: The Bobby Lees (New Self - 2026)
Not of this World: Zig Zags (Deadbeat at Dawn - 2025)
Dan Folgerberg: Michael Mills
San Francisco: John Lee Hooker (The Big Soul of... - 1963)

I Heard It On The X: ZZ Top (Fandango - 1975)
Radio Moscow: Kent State (Rodney on the ROQ - 1982)

Monday, January 26, 2026

Hell's Kitchen Radio #597: Best of 2025


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What music caught your attention last year? Did you even pay attention? Of course you did. You have discerning taste. Only the best of the best attracts you. Nothing worth your time will slip past. 

Great minds...

I present to you my favorites from 2025. It's hard to conceive that we're a quarter of the way through this century. I remember the 80s and 90s, when 2000 seemed so close we could touch it. I was DJing at midnight on Y2K at Anon Salon for the monthly Burning Man parties in San Francisco. That was a great party we used to have. That night was off the hook. 

The host of those parties always wanted to pay me in coke. I don't do coke. I've never done coke. I've done many other things; never coke. I used to tell him that my landlord didn't take coke in payment. Someone ought to write about those parties. They were epic. A true who's-who in the early Burning Man scene, long before the term "burner" was ever used. Back then we were just a bunch of pranksters who liked to build big art, put on huge parties, and burn it all down. 

Good times. Then again there are always good times to be had. 

This show is nothing but good times too. Most of the show are releases from 2025, and I throw in some epic anniversary remastered reissues in the final hour. 

Are you coming to our SantaCon after party this Thursday night at Kilowatt? Talk about a good time! Radio Valencia DJs will be spinning throughout the night. Bring your piggy bank, this is also a fundraiser for the station. 




Go out and make some good times of your own.

jh

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

Follow me on Blue Sky
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Lonely Cosmos: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Phantom Island)
Company Culture: Lambrini Girls (Who Let The Dogs Out?)

Paranoid: Freckle (Freckle)
I Hunt, You Prey: LA Witch (DOGGOD)

Rakiya Su Katamam: Altin Gun (Ask)
Nimerudi: GOAT + MC Yallah (Single)
Sister of the Moon: Death Valley Girls (Single)

Total Reset: Frankie and the Witch Fingers (Trash Classic)
King of Rome: Melvins 1983 (Thunderball)

Mangetout: Wet Leg (Moisturizer)
Ageism: Public Enemy (Black Sky Over The Projects - Apartment 2025)
I Once Was A Contender: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour In The House of Lugosi)
First of the Gang To Die: Chrissie Hynde and Cat Power (Duets Special)

Evil People: MIEN (MIIEN)
Glue: OSees (Abomination Revealed At Last)

An L.A. Funeral: Orcutt, Shelly, Miller (S/T)
Albuquerque: Neil Young and Crazy Horse (Tonight's The Night 50th Anniversary Remaster)
Castles Made Of Sand: Jimi Hendrix (Axis: Bold As Love - 2025 Remaster)
Wish You Were Here (Take 1): Pink Floyd (Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary)

The Real Contra Band: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo)
Not of This World: Zig Zags (Deadbeat at Dawn)

Working Man (Vault Edition): Rush (Rush 50)

Monday, January 05, 2026

Hell's Kitchen Radio #594: How Bad Can It Be?

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I just read that for the first time since 2000 California is 100% drought free. For those who are 25 they have only known life either in a drought, going into a drought, or coming out of one. If that snow pack is deep then this might just be a good year for the Golden state! 

And it's a new year for Radio Valencia! We've had a lot of ups and downs over the year, especially since COVID, but 2025 was a banner year! I am thrilled about the many new shows we've added, and even more so about the people staffing them. The tech side is getting a huge boost from some folks on staff who come with the credentials to bring us into the 21st century. Stay tuned in!

In the next week I have huge news to announce about a show I'm co-producing out the wilds of North Beach, at a once legendary venue that has new life being breathed into it. I am so excited about this, but I will not jump the gun. This will be a Radio Valencia co-presents, and you are going to want to be there. This is the kind of event that more people will claim to have attended than the venue can actually hold.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

As for this here show, being the first of the new year, I felt the need for a bit of a refresh. Some classic psych, blues, Black Power, folk, spiritual jazz, garage, krautrock, chicha, and so much more. 

Take a look at the playlist below, and click that link to give it a listen.

This coming Monday night I'm excited to have San Francisco's top soundman, John Karr in the studio, playing music from the many shows he engineers around the city and talking up this upcoming show I spoke about above. Oooh boy, this is going to be fun.

You do not want to miss this show.

Enjoy and please share.   

jh

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

Follow me on Blue Sky
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Some Velvet Morning: Vanilla Fudge (Near the Beginning - 1968)
White Man's Got A God Complex: Last Poets (This is Madness - 1971)

Crawlin' King Snake: John Lee Hooker (I'm John Lee Hooker - 1960)
My Time After A While: Buddy Guy (Chess Masters - 1984)

Memory of a Free Festival: David Bowie (Conversation Piece 5 CD Box Set - 2019)
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues: Bob Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited - 1965)
Peace Frog/Blue Sunday: The Doors (Morrison Hotel - 1968)

There She Goes My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Abattoir Blues - 2004)
Looking for Your Door (Chrome): OSees (Levitation Sessions II - 2021)

21st Century Schizoid Man: King Crimson (In The Court of the Crimson King - 1969)
Hare Krishna: Alice Coltrane (Universal Consciousness - 1971)

What's In My Head (Demo): FUZZ (Fuzz's Fourth Dream - 2025)
Broken Hearted Blue: Jenny Don't and the Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)

Spray: Can (Future Days - 1973)
Footprints: Wayne Shorter (Adam's Apple - 1966)

King Solomon's Marbles: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)
Ojos Azure: Money Chicha (Chicha Summit - 2021)

Gaia: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Omnium Gatherum - 2022)

Monday, September 29, 2025

Hell's Kitchen Radio #583: Hell Is An Energy

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Shaking the rust off after being out for two weeks. All it takes is a track to start feeling fresh again, and this show is as fresh as you can get! It's also my birthday show, so I'm bringing a lot of favorites to the fore. I was asked if I was going to play all old songs that I love, which I can easily do, but there are so many new songs that I love too! That's the thing, when you listen to new music all the time, there is a lot to fall in love with.

Classics from Beastie Boys, Last Poets, Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, Black Angels, Led Zeppelin, PIL, Melvins, Flipper, and Mudhoney. New music from GOAT, Wet Leg, The Darts, and Sahra Halgan. How many genres is that?

Celebrate my birthday with two hours of must-have-music!

I celebrated on my actual birthday, September 30th, by seeing Wet Leg at The Fox in Oakland! Hot damn, what a great show! I love this venue, and if you've been to The Fox, then you do too. And Wet Leg really brought the energy, throughout. They play practically every song off of their two full length releases. The crowd was pumped, and no doubt why. I hope you have the chance to check them out.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is this weekend. I've been going almost every year since it began in 2000. That's crazy that it's been going for 25 years. WTH?!?!?! I got to check out Dan Tyminski, Patti Griffin, Cimafunk (it is HARDLY STRICTLY for a reason), Jeff Tweedy, and Robert Earl Keen Jr. Don't be surprised if my next show features a few of these folks. It may be a hardly strictly show on Monday. 

Stay tuned.

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
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Shake Your Rump: Beastie Boys (Paul's Boutique - 1989)
This is Madness: Last Poets (This is Madness - 1971)

I Come From The Mountain: Thee Oh Sees (Floating Coffin - 2013)
20th Century Boy: Ty Segall (Ty Rex - 2015)

Mission District: Black Angels (Directions to See a Ghost - 2008)
Motorcycle Boy: LA Witch (Play With Fire - 2020)
Four Sticks: Led Zeppelin (4th release - 1971)
Dollar Bill: GOAT (GOAT - 2025)

Mangetout: Wet Leg (Moisturizer - 2025)
Straws in the Wind: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (K.G. - 2020)

The Wizard: Brownout (Brown Sabbath Vol. 1 - 2014)
O.F.Y.C. Showcase: The Fall (Your Future Our Clutter - 2010)
Hold My Hand: Death Valley Girls (Under the Spell of Joy - 2020)

My Heart is a Graveyard: The Darts (Nightmare Queens - 2025)
Rise: PIL (Album - 1986)

Hag Me: Melvins (Houdini - 1993)
Sacrifice: Flipper (Gone Fishin' - 1984)

Loose: The Stooges (Fun House - 1970)
If I Think: Mudhoney (Superfuzz Bigmuff - 1989)

Sharaf: Sahra Halgan (Hiddo Dhawr - 2024)
So Much Wine: Barbara Manning (Convenience of Tomorrow - 2023)

Monday, August 11, 2025

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

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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
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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

Monday, July 14, 2025

Hell's Kitchen Radio #576: Mosswood Preview

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I believe we should never pay to see music performed in a public park. I refuse to pay to go to Outside Lands. And as much as I love the Grateful Dead, I will not be paying to see Dead and Company in Golden Gate Park at the end of the month. Pubic parks are for the people. Our tax dollars pay for them. If a band wants to get paid they should find a private venue and host the show there.

There are exceptions to every rule.

Mosswood Meltdown is this coming weekend, and I couldn't be more giddy about attending. The event, formerly known as "Burger Boogaloo", and hosted my trash-glam favorite John Waters, is the only music festival held in a public space that I have ever considered paying to attend. 

It's a punk rock dream. I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend.

I haven't been since Bikini Kill and Kim Gordon headlined a few years back, and this year's lineup is super exciting: DEVO, Bratmobile, OSees, Shannon and the Clams, along with many more. Though I have to admit L'Trimm's hit "Cars With The Boom" always bugged me when it was first released. But you know, live for the moment. 

I highlight many of this year's lineup in my second hour tonight. See the playlist below for details.

I also went record shopping last week (surprise!) and throw down some tasty fusion with a Les McCann track that'll have you floating. There's also a real crate-diggers find with an original pressing of Hawkwind's third record Doremi Fasol Latido (read that slowly), followed by covers of some Hawkwind tunes (one written by Lemmy and covered by Motorhead) to close out the show.

A fun show, all in all. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

See you in the park. Oh, and if you are looking to attend Mosswood Meltdown next year, they sell two day passes on the cheap a week or so after the event. Even though you don't know the lineup yet, it's always worth it.

“Some call it “The Warped Woodstock’ or ‘An Asshole-free Altamont’ while others holler ‘Coachella, Go-To Hella’. We’re Mosswood Meltdown and we’re going to lose our musical marbles again this year with a line up of lunatic acts that will make even the angriest punk- rocker pogo their way to paradise with a twisted smile on their dirty little faces.”

— John Waters

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
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Darkest Light: Lafayette Afro Rock Band
California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel

Come Together: George Benson

Beaux J. Poo Boo: Les McCann
Earth People: Dr. Octagon

Eternal Return: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Game Is My Middle Name: Betty Davis

Uncontrollable Urge: DEVO
Some Special: Bratmobile
Bean Fields: Shannon and the Clams

Think of You: Bleached
Strange World: La Luz
I Want Ya (In My Cell): Prison Affair

Fight Simulator: Osees
Termination Officer: Osees
Low Life: Niis
All I Need Tonight (Is You): Gentleman Jesse
Cars With The Boom: L'Trimm

Lord of Light: Hawkwind
The Watcher: Motorhead

Brainstorm: Monster Magnet

Monday, June 30, 2025

Hell's Kitchen Radio #574: Now Dig This

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Another Monday night and the world isn't completely burning yet. 

We all need an escape from time to time. I take Monday nights seriously. This is like taking a shower: don't bother me while I'm doing this. 

I don't paint or sculpt, but I do consider hosting a radio show like creating an art piece. I have an empty two hour aural canvas that I use to weave music through, hoping to be pleased with the final result. And this is a real challenge. I hope you enjoy what I bring you, but is that my responsibility? I choose music that I think you need to hear. I've been doing this long enough to know that too many people are still only  listening to the music they listened to in high school, as if that was the best music ever produced?!?!?

Many of you don't have the time to do the deep digging that I, and the other Radio Valencia DJs take to find the tastiest of musical treats for you. That's one of the reasons I love to do this show. I eat, drink, and breathe music. It's on right now, as I'm writing this. I read music blogs, artist biographies and memoirs. You need a music nerd like me in your life. 

And let's look at what I offer you on Monday night, shall we? I started with some early folk blues, move to a Bob Dylan outtake that may be one of his greatest songs ever written! You have a brilliant Roland (pre-Rahssan) Kirk cover of a Duke classic. Some brand new Public Enemy that will kick your ass! Then we jump back for a Janis-loving seasonal classic, before I give you two jazz treats you didn't know you needed (but you do). There's some brand new Osees, live Hawkwind, local luminary The Space Lady, new A/lpaca (I have no clue why they spell their name that way?), Japan's Kikagaku Moyo (including a story I share following this about my Sunday motorcycle ride...blissful). Following this I pull out a 20th anniversary release of Japan's Boris (how the Hell has it been 20 years?!?!?!), Texas' Psychic Ills, and Mott the Hoople (a brilliant segue, btw), and local lass Barbara Manning, who all of you must listen to all of the time. I close out the show with new King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, featuring an orchestra (what will they think of next?), Tom Waits covering Kurt Weill, and complete the show with some new Ty Segall (I still have a boy crush on him).

Whew.

That's a lot to throw at any canvas. 

I don't normally go into such detail in these posts, but I wanted to give you an idea of the many cups I'm pulling from when I host a show. I'm not a specialty show, where a host focuses on one genre, week-to-week. I like it all. I love playing new releases for you, and I also enjoy scouring my library at home to pull music I haven't played in a while. There's always an itch that needs to be scratched. 

Take this. Make it yours. Share it. Dig the artists? Go buy their music. See them live. Share it with your friends. 

I think this is what makes Radio Valencia a truly special radio station.

Enjoy.

jh

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

Follow me on Blue Sky
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How Do You Want Your Rollin' Done: Louie Lasky
Got Me Religion: Scott H. Biram

Blind Willie McTell: Bob Dylan
Creole Love Call: Roland Kirk

Siick: Public Enemy
Summertime: Big Brother and the Holding Company
China: The Visitors
Super Bad: Idris Muhammad

Fight Simulator: Osees
Seven By Seven: Hawkwind
Radar Love: The Space Lady

Laughter, Us Us: A/lpaca
Meu Mar: Kikagaku Moyu

Pink: Boris
Back To You: Psychic Ills
All The Young Dudes: Mott The Hoople
Twilight: Barbara Manning

Phantom Island: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
What Keeps Mankind Alive: Tom Waits

Fantastic Tomb: Ty Segall

Monday, June 23, 2025

Hell's Kitchen Radio #573: John Avalos Takes The Gloves Off

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Nobody hates John Avalos. At least that's the way he puts it. There may be some who dislike him, but he's proven himself to be a steady left-leaning voice in the tumultuous political sea that is San Francisco for twenty years now. Avalos represented District 11 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2008-2016, ran a very powerful mayoral campaign where he came in second to Ed Lee, and now sits on the Democratic County Central Committee where he sees the party continuing to drift to the right, as big money continues to influence the party.

We spoke for the first hour, and yes, it got testy at times, but John and I are on the same side of the political fence, so we just kept agreeing with one another. I really was trying to be objective.

Not really.

The big takeaway is that we cannot give up, ever. We must be kind to our neighbors, be open and inclusive whenever and wherever we can, and take the fight to the streets.

As for the music, there's new LA Witch, Death Valley Girls, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Lambrini Girls, and Jon Anderson.

Do you have an exceptional ear for music? Do you ever get angry listening to a radio station and shout "I COULD DO BETTER THAN THIS!"? Do you ever send messages to your local radio station program director asking them to allow you just one hour of time on the air so you can show them all the great music they've been missing out on? 

If you answered yes to any of the above, then you too can be a Radio Valencia DJ! We're taking applications now for weekly two-hour shows. Send your query to station@radiovalencia.fm Give us a description of the show you want to host and we'll be in touch soon.

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 Rain: Eddie Gale
Congo Call: Prince Lasha Quintet

Interview with John Avalos

Sisters of the Moon: Death Valley Girls
SOS: LA Witch

Interview with John Avalos

Down By The River (demo): Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Celebration Day: Led Zeppelin

Aerodynamic: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
High Plains Drifter: Beastie Boys
Ballad of the Soldiers Wife: Marianne Faithful and Chris Spedding

Eggs Laid Brain: Frankie and the Witch Fingers
I've Heard That One Before/Watch Your Step: Faust
Gut Feeling (Slap Your Mammy): DEVO
Filthy Rich Nepo Baby: Lambrini Girls

Perpetual Change: Jon Anderson

Monday, May 12, 2025

Hell's Kitchen Radio #569: Not A Natural Man

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Nothing special tonight, just truly amazing music that you must hear and share and devour with ever sense of your being! 

That being said, there's a mix of some truly old and some brand-spankin'-new! This was one of those nights when I have a lot of new music I'm just dying to share with all of you, but there are some ear worms from days gone by that I just need to get out.

New music from LA Witch, Death Valley Girls, and Altin Gun. There's some classic James Brown, Led Zeppelin (and the song they initially ripped off from Memphis Minnie), some Beastie Boys (and a couple originals they "borrowed" their samples from. 

As always, there's something here for practically everyone. Take a look at the playlist below, click on the link above and enjoy.

This coming Monday night I'm excited to interview community radio founder and filmmaker Sue Carpenter, whose new documentary 40 Watts from Nowhere, about her low watt LA community radio station KBLT is showing at the SF Documentary Film Festival, which Radio Valencia is co-presenting. 

Tune in and go see that 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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God Don't Work (Like A Natural Man): Scott H Biram
I Like Porn: Melvins

I'm Sick of You: James Williamson (ft. Mario Cuomo)
Dream Dream Big in the Sky: Marisa Nadler

Hot and Nasty: Black Oak Arkansas
Funky Drummer: James Brown
Shadrach: Beastie Boys
When the Levee Breaks: Memphis Mimmie

When the Levee Breaks: Led Zeppelin
Oh So Close, Yet So Far: Shannon and the Clams

Doggod: LA Witch
Girlfriend Is Better: Talking Heads
Leylim Ley: Altin Gun
Wanted Dead or Alive: The Rogues (Kim Fowley comp)
Astrology: Kim Fowley

Sadie Sorceress: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Empire: Frankie and the Witch Fingers

Fire and Brimstone: Death Valley Girls
Lay Down Your Weary Head (Bob Dylan): Barbara Manning
Mama Nature Said: Thin Lizzy
Young Man Blues: The Who (London 1971)

Casey Jones: Garcia and Grisman
Congo Call: Prince Lasha Quintet ft. Sonny Simmons

San Francisco Blues: Molly Tuttle with Dan Tyminski
Good Night Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk 

Monday, January 27, 2025

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

Monday, September 16, 2024

Hell's Kitchen Radio #542: Can't Spell Malfunction Without Fun

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I was this close (you'll have to imagine me holding my fingers really close together) to playing only three or four tunes for the entire two hours. And then I realized that's foolish when I brought a whole stack of albums with me. 

The first hour was only about four tunes though. Hard Bop (I originally wrote that as "Hard Bob" and that would have probably lost me a few listeners...or added a few), Free Jazz, Kraut Rock and modern Free Jazz/Electronic. Then I realized I really had to start sharing some other treats, including new Nick Cave, The Bell Rays and King Gizzard. There's also a 50th anniversary remaster of the Frank Zappa classic Apostrophe that I threw in. It's the album that got me into Zappa, though I admit I'm not as obsessed as my boy The Alchemist (Saturday nights on Radio Valencia).

If you like what you're hearing, please check out our other shows. This station was started with the mission of having real live DJs curate shows from their own deep knowledge of music, not from some algorithm. We're proud of the work we've put in. 

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

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Suite Sioux: Freddie Hubbard

Selflessness: John Coltrane

Flowers Must Die: Ash Ra Temple
London: Angel Bat Dawid

Wild God: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Killer of Peace: Crow Jane
Children of the Grave: Brown Sabbath
Reoccurring Cave: Pancho and the Wizards

Wolf's Sun: The Bell Rays
Crash Dancing: Sgt. Splendor

Apostrophe (Side One): Frank Zappa
I'm Feeling Alright: Big Mama Thornton

Antarctica: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Goo Goo Much: The Cramps