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.
I think I'm finally getting a handle on this radio thing. I mean how hard can it be?
I had a recurring dream about dead air. And what DJ hasn't had that dream? It's the worst! A song is quickly ending and I have nothing cued up. In reality I am the king of the last second cue. It's happened too many times to count.
That being said, 90% of the time I have many songs cued and ready to go. In my earliest days of radio I was trained to have a safety track ready just in case a song ends and I have nothing else set. At Radio Valencia we have two turntable, two CD players, and two aux cords, which most hosts use for their laptops. I use the Mixxx app with four channels. This means at any one time I can have eight songs ready to play.
There really is no excuse for dead air.
I spent a couple years at KALX leading up to COVID. I recall heading into the studio one night. I had a graveyard shift that I thought was running 1-3am. I was told to arrive at midnight to cover a pre-recorded show, just to be told by a staffer who was there when I arrived that my show actually starts at midnight and not 1am. It was about 11:57 at that time. I calmly seated myself, cued up a song and started the show.
The young staffer was anxious about me not being able to start on time. When I did she noted how calm I was about the whole thing. This is what experience gets you. Just chill out and drop the needle.
As for this show I dropped the needle on some killer tracks by amazing artists.
I quickly pay tribute to the late David Johansen of the New York Dolls who passed away last week. I was lucky to see a late version of the NY Dolls in Washington DC in 2008. It was Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain backed by a young rhythm section, but they were incredible!
I saw some incredible modern country/western at The Ivy Room last week with local guitarist and singer Mitch Polzak, and Portland's Jenny Don't and the Spurs were in town. That was one helluva show! I spoke to Mitch after his set and he listens to Radio Valencia! Thanks Mitch. What a pleasure. I'm going to have him on my show soon. I also got to speak to Jenny Don't after her set. She was kind enough to record a station promo for me as well. What a doll! Both bands are incredible. I strongly encourage you to check them out when they hit your town.
As always there's lots of new music tonight. Check out Ty Segall's new side project Freckle. Ambrose Kenny-Smith of King Gizzard also has a new side project that I was happy to get recently. New Population 11, Lambrini Girls (I'm really loving this band), and KnightressM1 featuring metal violinist Emily Palen now living in Paris. I miss my friend, but luckily she's continuing to record incredible music to share with the world.
I bought a bunch of records over the past week so tune in Monday to hear where John Hell's paycheck goes.
Enjoy and please share.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via
Tonight was a really special show. I was lucky enough to have Bay Area metal violinist Emily Palen of KnightressM1 on the program talking up her latest collaboration: Othered, as well as new KnightressM1 material.
I first witnesses the prowess that is Miss Emily Palen, when she graced the stage supporting Eric McFadden at Ivy Room back in 2019. Her mastery of the violin is evident, and how she shows this mastery in on entirely different level than any violinist I've ever seen. I was mesmerized.
Starting on the violin at the age of four, Emily dedicated herself to the instrument, K-12 and into college at the University of Michigan. Following the path of classical music is a strenuous commitment and Emily took some time off to reflect on her musical future. Finding herself living in the Bay Area, Emily took this opportunity to also change the direction of her music, choosing to break out of the confines that Classical keeps you in, and found musicians to jam with. Over time she found herself attracted to Metal (not too surprising considering many excellent Metal musicians have a penchant for Classical), and adding some effects to her violin, along with some powerful lyrics centered on her own life's journey and the world she sees around her, created the dynamic superhero that is KnightressM1.
Emily can tell the story much better than I. She was with me for most of the night sharing new music from her collaboration with Henry Austin Lannan, aka: H.A.L. under the Othered title, as well as new KnightressM1 and music from the 2020 release: "Dreams and Devastations".
Othered will have a rare performance at Eli's Mile High in Oakland on Friday, April 15th.
Enjoy and please share.
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
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via
I always like the response to the question asked to late Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, when she was asked how many women on the high court would satisfy here? Her response: 9. I love that. There were 9 men between 1789 - 1981 when Sandra Day O'Conner was appointed. Isn't it time for a high court full of women?
Women are rising to greater heights in government, academia and industry, and of course some of the most amazing singers and musicians throughout history have been women. Tonight it's all about some of my favorite women. Most are female-fronted bands, but there are many all-women groups here, solo artists, and a few duets peppered in for good measure.
Spread this show far and wide.
Have you tuned into my Monday night Live Bootleg Bonanza? Monday's 6-8PM Pacific I dig into my live bootleg library and play a full show or two from the hundreds of bands I have shows from. Take a look at my full blog and scroll down for the past shows I've played.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
The end is nigh. And what are your plans? Are you going to head out and revel with your friends, sans mask, giving hugs, kisses, high fives and COVID to each other, and your beloved Nana upon returning home? Good for you for removing yourself from the gene pool. Unfortunately, you're also risking others just to play around on amateur night.
Stay home, watch a movie, drink a glass of bubbly (alcoholic or non), and head off to bed without anything to regret. We have next year, and all of our loved ones to consider.
Thanks in advance.
This here is my year-end show. There's a bunch of my faves from 2020, but this isn't a "Best of..." show in the least. There's a bunch of other tunes tossed in from across the ages. In retrospect I really should have played "I Want To Be Sedated". Hmmmmm, just pretend I did, and click on the video link at the bottom.
Let's all just agree that 2020 was relatively bad for everyone around the world, and move on, shall we? I mean really now, a pandemic puts everything else into perspective. You had a bad year? Oh, I am so sorry. WE ALL HAD A BAD YEAR. Your year sucked extra special bad? WOW! You must really want to win some award. This show is for you then. And only you.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
I never enjoy missing my show, and last week was going to two hours of some serious celebrating, but family first, last, and always. So there ya go. I saved it all up for this show...kinda. I mean, the polish has sort of worn off, since el douche bag (I won't even capitalize that) won't concede. What a little prince he is.
I admit, the slow burn is fun to watch, but not at the cost of our democracy, which this fool doesn't care a lick for. It's all about the ratings, and possibly because he knows that he's about to have a few indictments handed down within the next year. So long, Donnie. I would really love to see him taken out of the White House in handcuffs, but that's not going to happen, and it really shouldn't end that way for this guy. Not that he doesn't deserve it. It's just not good for the country. The world isn't exactly laughing at us right now as much as looking on with eyes wide and mouth agape.
So I do what I always do when the adulting gets too much, I listen to music. And just take a gander of what I have in store for your next two hours. I want to thank my dear friend, singer/songwriter and all around fabulous human, Adam MacKinstosh for throwing a bunch of recommendations my way tonight. Some days I get so overwhelmed with my music library that it helps to have someone else's ears around to lend a hand. Thank you Adam.
New music from FUZZ, Neil Young, and local power trio KnightressM1. There's also a celebration for the 45th anniversary release of Patti Smith's "Horses", and much much more to satisfy even the pickiest listener, including a 16 minute funky/acid-drenched Grateful Dead "Dancin' in the Streets", that's sure to get you shakin' your groove thang until the orange cheeto vacates 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
In the meantime, enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
This is a quirky show. Just take a look at the play list. I'm all over the place! But that's why you tune in. You just can't put Hellboy in a corner.
You're voting, right? Seriously, I don't care if you have to break out of jail, VOTE! And tell everyone you know to vote. Our democracy is slipping away. You don't want this orange buffoon in charge anymore. He doesn't know and isn't interested in how our institutions work. It would be one thing if he did, and he systematically tore them down, as Republicans will do. This idiot doesn't even know what the Constitution says, and he's proud of it.
Toss him out, November 3rd (well actually January 20th, but I'm not going to split any hairs here).
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
Now that the RNC is over we all need a really good cleanse. That's where I come in. Hell is good for what ails ya. Really though, what can I say that the pundits haven't already said about the shit-show that was the RNC week long mouth diarrhea? Blech!
And now comes the race to the finish line. I picture Trump and Biden running through a grocery store, Trump ahead, and throwing items off a shelf to block Biden from catching up. He throws down old ladies, and shopping carts to move farther ahead of Biden. And Biden finds some way to keep the pace. He's not leaping over any of this though. Biden is pushing the old lady aside so he can catch up to Trump. Biden grabs a chilled salmon and slaps Trump in the face before shoving him into the salad bar.
Who will make it to the finish line first? And in what shape will they be in when they arrive there? How many condiments will their pressed suits be covered in? And will Dr. Jill and Melania be wrestling nearby? What about Mamala and Mothers-Little-Boy?
And what about the rest of us? November 3rd is only a little over nine weeks away. Are you registered? Get registered! Get your ballot, fill it out, and get it in the mail, ASAP! Or maybe drop it off at city hall? Anyway you choose, VOTE as if your life depends on it, because voting is not only patriotic, it's how we remind those who govern, that they only get to do so because we allow them to. Don't let them take that from us.
Back to the music.
Brand new song from my favorite local post-metal-power-trio, KnightressM1. I thought the last release was good (and it is), but "Lock and Key" is blowing my mind!!! These are three amazing musicians playing at the top of their game. The musicianship is professional, the sound is driving and pulsating, and the production is second to none. Damn, I want to see them live!
I was sent a track by my buddy, musician and producer Travis Kaperbauer, featuring himself and a few friends over at Lucky Recording, with a delightful little diddy: "I Fucked A Republican". I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
There are lots of treats throughout this show, I'm certain you'll find a way to enjoy.
Mongoloid: Devo
Can't Get It Out Of My Head: Telekinesis
Funkier Than A Mosquita's Tweeter: Nikka Costa
I'm Losing You: Rare Earth
Song For The Bearded Lady: Nucleus
Yarrow: Bert Jansch
You Hit The Spot, Baby: Gloria Walker
Soul Brother's Testify: Charles Randle's Soul Senders
Bonnacons of Doom: Argenta
The Majesty of Rock: Vertacyn Arc Materializer
Prayer Difficulty: National Hardwood Floor Association
Elected: Alice Cooper
Lock and Key: KnightressM1
I'm Not There: Sonic Youth
Movin' On: Douglas Nelson
Michigan Girls: Califone
I Fucked A Republican: Travis Kasperbauer, Jane Wiedlin, Joe Gore
Para Elisa: Los Destillos
El Guapo: Los Diablos Rojos
Beware: BLO
Miss Pamela and Miss Sparky discuss STUFFED BRAS and some of their early gym class experiences: GTO's
Montana: Frank Zappa and the Mother's of Invention
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
If you want to take a look at what Travis and team put together to show their love for the GOP, click below and enjoy.
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
This is a "keep you on your toes" kind of show. And you think you know me? That's cute. You're cute. You live alone? That must suck in the time of COVID-19 to live alone. I hope you at least have a cat and Netflix.
The first hour of this here show is some funk, some metal, some psych, and a few other trinkets thrown in for good measure. The second hour is mostly new music, featuring brand spankin' new music from Oakland's KnightressM1. Violinist Emily Palen's power trio has a powerful new release that I am super excited to share with you all, "Polarity Integrate". What this woman does with a violin should be featured in the most hallowed halls rock and metal! I can't wait to hear more.
Two hours is never enough. I'm always just getting warmed up. And I don't even dive into my live bootleg stash. I've been saving that for Wednesday's noon-2. John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza is my effort to take the sting of missing live shows off of your shoulders, even if it's in the middle of your work day. You're all working from home anyway, aren't you?
Take a look at these tasty slices below, and dive in with gusto.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Starts 45 seconds in, then 3 minutes of static before we get rolling. Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via
Hey radio lovers, it's my first official show since December 2019. What I miss?
In all seriousness though, this is a remarkable time. How are you spending your days and nights? Reading those books that have been sitting on the shelf, that you swore you would read if only you had the time to do so? Watching those French Noir films that you once loved in college and realize they haven't aged all that well? Pulling out those dusty puzzle boxes sent to you by grandma when you were 20 (even though you stopped doing puzzles when you were 12)? I actually love a good landscape jigsaw puzzle. How about finally listening to that John Coltrane 45 minute Ascension and the five alternate takes, each 45 minutes to one hour in length? No time like the present.
And the present is all we've got! What would Eckhart Tolle say?
How are tight knit families doing? How is the single-set doing? How are people with horrible roommates doing? How well are you practicing social distancing? FLATTEN THE CURVE OR DIE!
I'm mostly concerned about Tinder. How ever will they survive? Did they get a piece of the stimulus package too? HA! Get it? Tinder? Stimulus? I crack myself up.
On Monday afternoon I put out a call on ye ol' Facebook asking for songs I should play for my triumphant return to Radio Valencia in the pandemic age. The list still hasn't ended. All songs except two are from that list. Thanks a ton!
On a side note, Radio Valencia lost its space last January, after we were told (along with all other tenants) that our landlord had failed to keep up rent payments to the owner. We all were given 48 hours to move out. After a couple of months searching SF for a new space, we finally landed what we believe to be our most ideal studio location yet! And then COVID-19 struck, which is keeping us from setting up the new space. I cannot wait to share details about our new home. It's sooooo exciting.
I have never hosted a show remotely from my home before, so you have heard a lot of reruns from me over the past few months, until Monday night! I'd like to say the show went off without a hitch, but you'll notice the first three minutes is a lot of noise while I scrambled to pay for the Audio Hijack I was using. And later in the show I introduced a Johnny Cash song ("Solitary Man"), which was playing on my laptop, but not on my show. There's a learning curve here, folks. Thanks for sticking with ol' Johnny Hell through all of this.
I would like to thank my brother-from-another-mother Adam McKintosh for donating the Blue Yeti microphone to the cause. Some heroes don't wear capes.
Also, not all songs are from the FB request list. Local violinist, vocalist, and all-around exceptional musician Emily Palen sent me a couple of new tracks from her trio: KnightressM1. I was thrilled to pieces to play "SALT", from their upcoming release, TBA. Check them out live, whenever and wherever that happens in the (hopefully) near future. I love getting turned on...to good new music, and this group really sent me into the stratosphere. I hope you enjoy the track as much as I do. And dig the "lyrics". Perfect timing indeed. It really fit with the show's theme.
OK, enough of me. Take a look at the set list below. There are more hits in this one than I have ever played on my shows before, but fuck it, it's my show, and we're all bored.
Enjoy. Stay inside!!! Go masturbate again.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm