Hell's Kitchen Radio #549: 14th annual Annual Annual: 1994

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It's time for my 14th annual Annual Annual! This is where I choose one year to focus on for two hours. I like to put this out to my music-loving friends before I make a choice. I've covered a couple years from the 90s in the past, including 1991 last year. This time around I'm going with 1994.

My memories of 1994, when I was turning 24, are murky at best. In my own life I was single, living in Redwood City, on the air at KFJC and working at a small local record label/music distributor: Tandem Records/The Remix Club (TRC). I ran the warehouse before becoming the promotions director of the label. I recall us courting The Mermen, though I'm fairly confident we didn't get much farther than a meeting with them.

That was a challenging job. Most of the music the label had was in the Pop R&B genre, and I think you know what I think about anything Pop. And my boss was dating a young singer, who was marginal in talent to say the least...not to mention at least 20 years older than her. It was my job to get her played on R&B stations around the country and to take her to events in the Bay Area. There wasn't a lot of success there, in her music or the relationship.

I also didn't appreciate how my boss liked to yell at his staff, either. Ooh, I do remember that we watched the OJ Simpson trial in the office though. HA!

It was while I ran the shipping and receiving department that I learned of Kurt Cobain's death. I can picture that moment well: working in the warehouse and the announcement came on the radio. I saw Nirvana at the Warfield Theater in October 1991 for the Nevermind tour. TAD and Sister Double Happiness opened. I was on the floor for the openers, but it was so packed (oversold?) and my shoelaces were united, that I decided to bodysurf my way out of there. I ended up on the first tier with a perfect view of the stage for the Nirvana set. I always liked that band. 

Like my previous annual specials there's more to share than just the music: film, news and culture are included throughout the night, and there's never enough time to get to all the music I want to. 

Though there wasn't a lot of strong releases in 1994 (I blame the major record labels), there were a number of notable debuts: Notorious BIG, Jeff Buckley, Fu Manchu to name but a few. 

Let's get on with the show.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

2011 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1971
2012 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1972
2013 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1973
2014 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1974
2015 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1975
2016 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 2006
2017 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1992
2018 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1983
2019 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1969
2020 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1980
2021 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1978
2022 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1968
2023 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1991

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

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Miserlou: Dick Dale (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)

Juicy: Notorious BIG (Ready to Die)

Give It Up: Public Enemy (Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age)

Get It Together: Beastie Boys (Ill Communication)

The Man Who Sold The World: Nirvana (MTV Unplugged)
Royal With Cheese (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)
Grace: Jeff Buckley (Grace)

Revolve: Melvins (Stoner Witch)

Timeline: 1994

Ojo Rojo: Fu Manchu (No One Rides for Free)

Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop: Kyuss (Welcome to Sky Valley)

Buenas Tardes Amigo: Ween (Chocolate and Cheese)

Baddest of the Bad: Reverend Horton Heat (Liquor in the Front)

Gringo Honeymoon: Robert Earl Keen Jr. (Gringo Honeymoon)
Pendulum: Mark Lanegan (Whiskey for the Holy Ghost)

Timeline: 1994

Bull in the Heather: Sonic Youth (Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star)

Violet Eyes: Meat Puppets (Too High To Die)

Fuel My Fire: L7 (Hungry for Stink)

Do You Love Me: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Let Love In)

Free As A Bird: The Beatles (Free As A Bird)

Zed's Dead, Baby/Bullwinkle Part II: The Centurions (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)

The Dishwasher: King Missile (S/T)

She Gave Good Sunflower: Black Crowes (Amorica)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #518: 13th Annual Annual: 1991

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When I was considering what year I was going to play for you for my 13th annual Annual Annual, I was a bit stumped. Every year has something amazing to offer. Where do I go? Back to the 50s? I haven't done that decade yet. Something in the past decade? Too soon? I turned 21 in 1991 (you do the math). Sounded perfect to me.

I was living in my first apartment, in Redwood City, CA. I was on the air at KFJC, hosting a morning show. There was no such genre known as Alternative at that time, until Smells Like Teen Spirit hit the airwaves. Thanks Nirvana. Ah, the memories. 

And college radio was popping back in 1991. Hip Hop, metal, indie-rock, industrial, shoegaze. There was so much to play back then. So many bands went on to influence the generation that followed. I'm not one to live in the past, but a show like this one allows me to shine a light on a year that really set a standard for what would follow.

Sadly, this was, in my opinion, the last year that non-commercial and college radio would be on the forefront when it came to breaking new artists. The consolidation of radio, Napster, and then streaming took that power out the hands of programmers, those who live and breathe music, and placed it into the hands of the corporatocracy. I was interning at KRQR back then in San Fransisco. I recall the music director blindly putting the playlist together for the DJs, without a thought of what songs worked well together. She was pulling from national lists of songs in the AOR top 20. Now MDs just allow Spotify to dictate the playlists. It's insulting. I'll remind you all that I do not have a Spotify account.

That's why you tuned in tonight, and that's why I have this show to share with you, that will take you back to a time when the artists and the DJs teamed together to bring your something special on the regular. 

If you're interested in the previous 11 editions of my Annual Annual, take a look below.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

2011 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1971
2012 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1972
2013 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1973
2014 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1974
2015 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1975
2016 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 2006
2017 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1992
2018 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1983
2019 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1969
2020 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1980
2021 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1978
2022 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1968

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

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Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
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Hog Leg: Melvins
Ring Ring Ring: De La Soul
Buck Whylin': Terminator X

By The Time I Get To Arizona: Public Enemy
Ace in the Hole: 3rd Bass

Scenario: A Tribe Called Quest

Housework: Fishbone

This Year in History Part One

Squeeze Me Macaroni: Mr. Bungle

Tommy the Cat: Primus
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile

Tunic (For Karen): Sonic Youth

This Year in History Part Two
Drain You (BBC Sessions): Nirvana
Emma: Urge Overkill

Little Fluffy Clouds: The Orb
Doctor Jeep: Sisters of Mercy
Rave Down: Swervedriver

The Power of Pussy (BBC Sessions): Bongwater

The Hurdy Gurdy Man: Butthole Surfers

The Wagon: Dinosaur Jr.

It's Shoved: Melvins

Hell's Kitchen Radio #316: A Little Dab'll Do Ya

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When you start out in non-commercial radio today there's such a learning curve when it comes to deep musical knowledge and history of the many genres one can investigate. When I started in 1988 I never thought that I would be able to conquer that mountain of musical mayhem. Almost 30 years later I find that I have a fairly intimate knowledge of many genres: early Jazz, Bebop, Post-bop, Chicago Blues, 60s/70s neo-Punk, 70s Classic Rock, 60s/70s Underground Funk, 60s American Psychedelia, Kraut Rock, 2000s Stoner Rock, all-things James Brown, Miles Davis, Grateful Dead, Melvins, and on and on and on...

I really feel for the new breed DJs who want to break into this scene today. There's just too much damn great music to listen to. I was looking at a collection of digitized music of mine recently, and I cannot believe how much I haven't even spent time listening to and getting to know on a deeper level. What the hell is wrong with me?!?!?! I really think that I need a gofundme for people to contribute to so I can take time off work so I can be able learn all this music to better entertain you.

There's a world of great music out there to enjoy. I appreciate you tuning in every Monday night, and/or streaming/downloading these shows to help you broaden your musical horizons.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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New Day Rising: Husker Dü (October 17, 1987 The Ritz, NYC)
Eye Shaking King: Amon Dull II
Stop the Pusher: Bo Diddley

Moth Tongue: Crystal Fairy
The Pusher: Nina Simone
Detachable Penis: King Missle

High Heel Sneakers: Rahssan Roland Kirk
Sophisticated Sissy: Rufus Thomas
She Caught the Katy: Taj Mahal
Big Chief: The Meters

Aquarian: Sleep
Moving to Florida: Butthole Surfers
Wealthy Man: Cat Power

Sea of Joy: Blind Faith
Out of Focus: Blue Cheer
Mr. Brown: Bob Marley

Messin' with the Kid: Buddy Guy and Junior Wells
Machine Gun: Jimi Hendrix
Oh Me: Meat Puppets

Neptune's Convoy: Fu Manchu
The Klan: Gil Scott-Heron

Bitches Brew: Miles Davis

Hell's Kitchen #225: Rin Tin Tiger and A Dose of Little Lauson Hell

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Local stalwarts, Rin Tin Tiger made their way back into Hell's Kitchen last night, to talk up their new release,  their third full-length in three years: "Burial Grounds", and their record release party, set for this Friday night at The Independent, in SF. It's always a pleasure to talk them, up, but even more so since they brought their drummer Andrew, along for the ride. The first 40 minutes or so we're talking music writing, business, and road stories.

Little Lauson Hell was also in the kitchen for last night's show. It's summer, so she has time to hang with dad on a Monday night. She chose a few tasty treats for your ear holes. Take a listen or she'll cry, and you don't want to make a 10 year old cry, right?

Next Monday night will be my BEST OF 2015 SO FAR!!!

I can't believe we're half way through the year already. There has been no lack of fine releases, and I want to share what I've enjoyed so far.

Go see Rin Tin Tiger this Friday, and then head over to Phono del Sol Music Festival at Potrero del Sol Park in SF on Saturday. It's a great lineup, with food trucks too!

SUPPORT LIVE LOCAL MUSIC!!!

Enjoy.

jh

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

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She Watch Channel Zero: Public Enemy
Earth People: Dr. Octagon

Interview with Rin Tin Tiger

Shards of Glass: Rin Tin Tiger

Interview with RTT

Dandelion Dream: RTT
Talk Shit: RTT

Interview with RTT

Small Cuts That Bleed A Lot: RTT
I Want You: George Benson
Eleanor Rigby: Wes Montgomery

Revolution: The Beatles
We Are the Champions: Queen
Like A Surgeon: Weird Al Yankovic
Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes: They Might Be Giants

Red Right Hand: Giant Sand
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile
When Doves Cry: Patti Smith
Nice, Nice, Very Nice: Ambrosia

Planet of the Apes: The Mummies
He Was A Big Freak: Betty Davis
Miss You: The Concretes
Take A Letter, Maria: RB Greaves

Hog Wild: Half Japanese

A Season in Hell #185: Reverbia

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Check out all of my shows by going here, or just scroll down. 

Sometimes I just need to play a bunch of stuff that I haven't heard in a while. And I also keep buying records, so I have to share those with you too. That's pretty much what you have here: a collection of music that I haven't heard in a while, and new stuff. Some of it's loud, there's some bluegrass thrown in, psychedelia, metal, Americana, gypsy-punk; you name it, it's in there. Some of the segues are priceless. The art of radio at its finest.

New music from Jack White, Boris, Hot Fog, and Obniii's. 

Enjoy.

jh

A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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The Show Must Go On: Pink Floyd
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile
The Lifetime Achievement Awards: The Centimeters

Hard Line: The Blasters
War Drums: John Wilkes Booze
Oh Mary: Ty Segall Band

Just One Drink: Jack White
Uncle Powderbag: Obniii's
Stoner Section: David Nudelman
Crossing Remix (Andy Weatherall): Wooden Shjips

Paperhouse: Can
Super Are You: Boredoms
Ghost of Romance: Boris
Black Jack: Enrico Simonetti

Emma: Urge Overkill
Secret Fantasies of the Dragon Sun: Hot Fog
Freya: The Sword

Into the Void: Brown Sabbath
Blue Grass Special: Bill Monroe
Little Red Hen: Taj Mahal
Teen Age Riot: Sonic Youth

Immigraniada: Gogol Bordello
Portland, OR: Loretta Lynn

A Season in Hell #64: Radio Valencia: I'm Hungry for your Turkey Neck

This was a fun night. For the first time my daughter of seven years finally heard my show. I guess she was so excited that she was holding her face in her hands and crying. Wait...

Enjoy the show here.

It's Hard to be Humble: Mac Davis

To Lay Me Down: Cowboy Junkies

A Quick One (While He's Away): The Who
Celebrity Compass: Bongwater
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile
Devil's Rodeo: Diamanda Galas with John Paul Jones

Hey Bartender: The Blues Brothers
Mannish Boy: Muddy Waters
Rock Steady: John Lee Hooker

Hour two:
God's Away on Business: Tom Waits
Me and My Friends: Red Hot Chili Peppers (04-28-89)
My Ding a ling: Chuck Berry (06-20-94)

Toussaint L'Overture: Santana (05-02-71)
Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys: Traffic (??-1971)
Love Me: Elvis Presley (10-06-74)

Motorbike: Wooden Shjips (11-10-11)
James Bond Covers: Sex Mob (11-10-11)

Everybody Loves Somebody: Dean Martin