Hell's Kitchen Radio #500: No, You're the Special One

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and HERE - Part Two 

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Well, that was one Hell of a great night. And way too fast. Monday night I celebrated my 500th show on Radio Valencia. I've been doing weekly radio shows, with little interruption, since the fall of 1990. In the early days I taped a lot of my shows on cassette. And most of those were only the air breaks so I could go back and critique myself, hoping to learn how to improve my delivery.

Some of these early shows are so embarrassing that I can't be in the same room with the cassette!

Many of those old shows also have some excellent music mixes in there. Maybe I need to cringe a little bit and give them a listen?

I produced my 500th show in radio many many years ago, but hosting my 500th on the station I started gives a really warm feel to everything. We flipped the switch on Radio Valencia in August of 2010. I started hosting Mondays 8-10PM right away; a slot I held at three previous stations: San Francisco Liberation Radio (2000 - 2003), Pirate Cat (2005 - 2007) and FCCFree Radio (2007 - 2009). I've hosted a few specials while at RV that I never numbered, so I'm guessing I'm closer to 520, but who's counting?

On this special night I put the word out to staff and friends to come hang out. Big thanks to Radio Valencia staffers Darcy, Johnny and Edwin from Skeevy Sideshow, Wednedsays 6-10pm; Doug and Emily from Beyond All Limits, who were kind enough to yield their Monday 10-midnight slot so I could host four hours on this night. Darren from Bo's Veranda (Mondays 4-6pm) also came and hung out. Friends of RV also brought the love, including my dear friends Yas, John Law (SF Cacaphony Society, Billboard Liberation Front, ex-Suicide Club), musician Robin Coomer and her dear mate Matt "The Cleaner"!

The music was a mix of favorites from 2022 and others that are currently rolling through my brain. See the playlist below. 

What do I have planned for the next 500 shows? I have zero clue what I have planned for #501 let alone #1000. Tune in Mondays 8-10PM Pacific and hear for yourself.

Check out these milestone episodes:

Show 400

Show 300

Show 200

Show 100

Enjoy and please share this treat.

And if you're wondering, the picture at the top is my face covering the faces of my parents, Harvey and Pat circa 1975. My dad had his hair permed, which was the style at the time. So did my mom. Such swingers. HA!

jh

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

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I Heard it on the X: Olivelawn
Loren's Dance: Idris Muhammad

Channel Zero: Public Enemy
They Threw Me Out Of Church: Wesley Willis

Concrete Jungle: The Specials

The Biggest Blow: Sex Pistols with Ronnie Biggs

Looking For A Kiss: New York Dolls

White Riot: The Clash

Money (That's What I Want): The Flying Lizards

The Payback Mix: James Brown

Fairies Wear Boots: Brown Sabbath

Paranoid: Jazz Sabbath

Undertaker: Mark Growden

Redless: Othered

Hall of the Oyster King: Glitter Wizard

Attractive Target: Negativland

O Tannenbaum/Hava Nagilla: Phat Man Dee

Merry Christmas From The Family: Robert Earl Keen Jr.

A Christmas Song: Jethro Tull

Golden Frames: Shannon Shaw

Greta Van Fake: The Bobby Lees
You Better Have A Gun: Fantastic Negrito

Phantoms: Czarface and MF Doom

Portland, Oregon: Loretta Lynn

The Dripping Tap: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Tommy in Seven Minutes: Vital on 45

Night Goat: Melvins

Plastic Plant: Thee Oh Sees

Cardboard Pile: Kikagaku Moyo

I'm Waiting For The Man: Lou Reed

Quicksand (2021 Early Mix): David Bowie

Telephone Call From Istanbul: Tom Waits

Free: Ty Segall

Bee Karma: WAND

Vera (2022): Roger Waters

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere: Neil Young and the Promise Real

I Bid You Goodnight: Joseph Spence & The Pinder Family

Hell's Kitchen Radio #286: Lauson the Elf

Stream the Love, HERE!
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Do you have any idea how incredibly lucky I am to have the coolest 12 year old daughter, who loves art, and legos and engineering, and movies, and books, and meeting new people, and can hang out with pretty much everyone, and wants people to be friends, so is always introducing people to one another so they too can be friends, AND is willing to come on my radio show every few months when she doesn't have school the next day, to share music that she likes? Her choices are marked with a "L".

I believe this was Little Lauson Hell's 8th show in four years. I remember her first show when she was about 7 and it took her a little while to warm up to the idea of talking on mic. She was shy until she was no longer shy. That's my girl. I have links below to all of her previous shows. Way too much fun. I love interviewing her on the air. It's worth the time to tune in just to hear what it's like to be a young lady in the city. Awesome kid through and through.

Little Lauson Hell's many visits to Hell's Kitchen:
First show in 2012
Second show in 2014
Third show also in 2014
Fourth show in spring of 2015
Fifth show in the summer of 2015
Sixth show in summer 2016 along with Saucy!
Seventh show was also during summer 2016

Enjoy.

jh

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

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There Ain't No Santa Claus On The Evenin' Stage: Captain Beefheart
Reasonable World: The Blind Shake
You Will Find It Here: Thee Oh Sees

House of Gold: Twenty One Pilots (L)
Get it Together: Beastie Boys
Waitress Song: First Aid Kit

Stone Soul Christmas: Binky Criptite
Your Mother Should Know: The Beatles (L)
C is for Cookie: Cookie Monster (L)
Miss You: The Concretes

Emotional Mugger/Leopard Priestess: Emotional Mugger
Without Me: Eminem (L)
John Wayne was a Nazi: Stains
A Taste of Honey: Tony Bennett
Planet of the Apes: The Mummies

Don't Let Me Go: G-Eazy (ft. Grace) (L)
Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday
N.I.B.: Brown Sabbath

Kathy's Song: Simon and Garfunkle
Makeba: Jain
James Brown Ate My Bagpipe: Taxi Chain

Nancy From Now On: Father John Misty
Tamalpais High (at about 3): David Crosby
Portland, Oregon: Loretta Lynn

Drugs on the Bus: Crystal Fairy

She'll kill me but here's a video of her when she was five. We're friends with the Lifesize Mousetrap Game peeps. They let her start the game at Maker Faire in San Mateo back in 2011.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #266: Sauce And A Little Hell

Stream The Family Business, HERE!
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It's been WEEKS since I've hosted a show. Here's my most recent one, which featured both the wife (Saucy) and the daughter (Little Lauson Hell)! I think this is the first time I've had them both in the studio with me at the same time!!!

It's a family affair tonight! I've got the return of Little Lauson Hell and my dear bride, Saucy in the studio with me. Will we air dirty laundry live on the radio? Lauson and Saucy chose much of the music. It's a wee more poppy than you'll usually hear in the Kitchen. Don't let that stop you from enjoying it. And the banter is...woo hoo! Boy, do you get to learn about this family! Yowza!

Sorry it's taken so long to post this. I took a few weeks off, and traveled to the great Pacific Northwest. We tried to fly to Vancouver, but wouldn't you know it, them Canadiens say we need to have a passport for the little one to fly up there. So we flew to Seattle, drove to Vancouver, then drove back to Seattle, before ending our 9 days in Portland. Fabulousness was had by all!

I'll be back on Radio Valencia this coming Monday night at 8PM (PDST). Tune in.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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I Love Living In The City: Danko Jones
Nice Nice Very Nice: Ambrosia
My Silver Lining: First Aid Kit

Locked Out Of Heaven: Bruno Mars
Get It Together: Beastie Boys
Gravel Pit: Wu Tang Clan

Nancy From Now On: Father John Misty
Portland, Oregon: Loretta Lynn
Hideaway: Kiesza
Lazarus: David Bowie

Somebody That I Used To Know: Gotye
Pretty Bird: Jenny Lewis
Let It Down: Magnetic Zeros

Royals: Lorde
Sodade: Cesaria Evora
Chocolate City: Parliament
Ruins: Wooden Shjips

Dropping Some Coin: The Reliables
May This Be Love: Emmylou Harris
Way Down In The Hole: MIA/Blaqstarr

Come Get It, Bae: Pharrell Williams

Hell's Kitchen Radio #252: Hell Takes Off

Stream the Tiger, HERE!
Download International Psychedelic sounds, HERE!
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I can't recall what it was that inspired me to want to play a bunch of international groups tonight, but you can thank me later. The first hour features groups from Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey, India, Mali, and Jamaica. it's got a funky beat, and you can get down to it.

The second hour features a tribute to Paul Kantner, the founder of Jefferson Airplane, and Signe Anderson, the first female lead singer of the same group. They both died on January 28th, both at the age of 74! I'm guessing they had some sort of death pact. I find it interesting that the JA homepage makes no mention of the fact that they both died. Hmm. I play a couple of live JA/JS tracks, and you have just got to listen to how high Grace Slick is during the Wooden Ships track from 1970. WOW!






There's some new Melvins near the end, as well as Dale Crover-led Altamont near the beginning of the second hour. Altamont is headlining a Valley King Records showcase at Thee Parkside this Saturday night. You have got to be at this show!!! Look, I ended that last sentence with three (count them) exclamation marks! That means I'm triply serious about you being in attendance. Honky was supposed to be there in support, but had scheduling conflicts, so Dale's other side project PORN will play, along with Older Sun. This promises to be a great, and rockin' show. See you all there. Follow the links for more info. Alan Forbes did an amazing poster for the show, and Justin McNeil of Valley King/Secret Serpents announced that split 7"s will be available at the show. GO TO THIS SHOW!


You have until this Friday, February 5th to email me your Run for the Lilies 2016 list of 10 famous people you believe will be dead by the end of 2016. Email me at mrjohnhell@gmail.com Winners will be announce in January 2017, and gifts will be awarded soon after. GET THOSE LISTS IN!!! (see, three exclamation marks)

See you next Monday night, where I may or may not have a special guest and tickets to give away.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Arawan: Tinariwen

Rasket El Fadaa: Omar Khorshid

The Mod Trade: The Black Beats

Kun Rod Fai, Pai Rod Bus, Kee Chang, Kant Tent: The Hot Pepper

Iron Fist: Lee "Scratch" Perry

Our Thing: Jackie Mittoo

My Lady's Frustrations: Fela Kuti

Afro Funk: Afro Funk

Everybody Get Down: Asiko Rock Group

Express Yourself: NWA

***Set of the Night***

Sweet Child of Mine/All Out of Love: GnR/Air Supply

Nice 'n' Sleazy: The Stranglers

Snortin' Whiskey: Honky

EZ Rider: Altamont

Knives: The Phantom Ships

Chauffeur Blues: Jefferson Airplane

Today: Jefferson Airplane

Wooden Ships: Jefferson Airplane (May 7, 1970 Fillmore East, NYC, NY)

Stairway to Cleveland: Jefferson Starship (May 28, 1982 Moscone Convention Center, SF, CA)

Chicken 'n' Dump: Mike and the Melvins

Don't Come Home A-Drinking With Lovin' On Your Mind: Loretta Lynn

Californian Hills: Ty Segall

Hell's Kitchen #208: A Black Eye With Dimples

Stream this unique art piece, HERE!
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Another night in bliss. Really, this radio thing might just go somewhere (says my 21 year old self). I had my chance to play shitty commercial shlock a long time ago. I worked at KRQR and then at KLLC-Alice FM. Worst. Jobs. EVER! "Here's what you're going to play, and here's what you're going to say. Don't deviate, if you know what's good for you". Oh joy.

Why have I continued to be involved in non-commercial, online, and pirate radio since 1988? I think it's plain to see, or hear, as it may be. Just take a look at the playlist below, and listen to any of my mic breaks. I could never do this on a commercial station. I would have been fired after my first show. And why? I'm not offending many people. I'm not swearing. I'm not any more insulting than your typical morning jock. I'm not anything like them. I host thoughtful interviews with local talent, and I play quality music from many genres. I just don't get it.

Tonight I was feeling a little blue, so we've got that in the mix, along with some country, psych, and a very tasty live Grateful Dead track from 1974. Unlike your local commercial station, there's a little something for everyone. Take a taste, and get satisfied.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Mob Rules: Black Sabbath
Pray Til You Sweat: The Flesh Eaters
The Vienna Waltz: Rube Waddell

Nobody Loves Me: Hank Snow
Red Dirt Child: Emmylou Harris
Black Eye: Uncle Tupelo
Women's Prison: Loretta Lynn

Drunken Hearted Boy: Allman Brothers Band
I Get A Kick Out Of You: Tony Bennett
I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts of Town: Jimmy Smith
I Ain't Got You: Jimmy Reed

Dimples: John Lee Hooker
Flight: Wooden Shjips
Take Me Back to the Void: Wand

Interstellar Overdrive: Pink Floyd

Eyes Of The World: Grateful Dead (09-11-74 Alexander Palace, London, England)
Lilac Wine: Jeff Buckley (live)

No Pussy Blues: Grinderman

A Season in Hell #112: Am I Frisco Enough For Ya?

It's pronounced San Francisco.

Just take a look at this playlist! I'm all over the place tonight. There are so many tracks you have seriously been searching for, on here. I love it when I pull out five or six genres for my show. Tonight is just such a show.

Just getting you ready for the 15,000 calories your about to consume this week. Do me a favor and go for a walk BEFORE you eat. Studies show that your body will consume it better, and not weigh you down if you do this.

Also, please celebrate Buy Nothing Day, on Friday, November 23rd. It's worth it. You don't need to give your hard earned money to all those corporations, who hate you anyway.

You really do need to listen to this show.
Stream it here.
Download it here.
To listen to all of my shows you can click here, or just scroll down.

Enjoy.

Do It: Rollins Band
I've Been Working: Van Morrison
Friction: Television

Satisfaction: Cat Power
Ever Fall in Love: The Buzzcocks
Fiesta The Pogues
Whole Stole the Keishka?: Polkacide

Birdsthroat: Rin Tin Tiger
The Partisan: Leonard Cohen
Bird on a Wire: Joe Cocker

Concert Outlook

Come on Over (turn me on): Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Work It: Missy Elliott
Fuck the Pain Away: Peaches

Deception Pass: Mudhoney
School: Nirvana
Frisco Line: Rube Waddell
Do I Look Like a Slut: Avenue D

Cocaine Blues: Johnny Cash
El Paso: Marty Robbins
When the Levee Breaks: Memphis Minnie
The Runt: Hank Snow

Sweet Child o'Mine/All Out of Love: Guns and Roses/Air Supply
Am I Black Enough For Ya?: Schooly D
My Favorite Things: Negativland
Slow and Low: Run DMC

Don't Come Home A'Drinking: Loretta Lynn
What a Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

A Season in Hell #101: Everyday I Love You Less and Less

A late post of my show from two weeks ago. Damn, I hate it when I don't post my show.

It was a good one too.

Enjoy.

Download this classic performance, here.
Stream it all day long, here.
Download all of my shows by going here, or scroll down.

jh




Do It: Rollins Band

Don't Eat That Yellow Snow: Frank Zappa
Nanook Rubs It: Frank Zappa
St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast: Frank Zappa
Father Oblivion: Frank Zappa
Cosmic Debris: Frank Zappa

Mantra: Material
The Invasion of Poland: John Lurie
From Her to Eternity: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Concert Outlook

Head: Dead C
Poems (Fragments): Jack Kerouac
Sanctity of Life: George Carlin
Always Look On The Bright Side of Life: Monty Python

Portland, Oregon: Loretta Lynn and Jack White
A Sound of Transition: Julie Andrews+
Tamalpais High (at about 3): David Crosby

Pale Blue Eyes: Patti Smith
Everyday I Love You Less and Less: Kaiser Chiefs
Louis CK on Gay Marriage
I Don't Want to be a Solider: John Lennon

Hurricane: Bob Dylan
Fuck the Police (Edit): NWA
Imagine: George W. Bush
Front My Cock: Prince Superstar vs. The Who

Ned Flanders: The Simpsons

A Season in Hell #81: Radio Valencia: Daughter of Hell

It's Spring Break, so I thought it would be a perfect night to bring my 7 year old daughter Lauson, into the studio for my show. She chose a set of music. Here's a hint, what songs would I NEVER play on the air? She's a bit nervous, but who can blame her? Radio is a viscous lover. Wish her luck. She's going to need it.

To stream this show, go here.
To download it and listen to an emerging star forever, go here.
To listen to all of my previous Radio Valencia radio shows, scroll down.

Common People (Pulp): FIDLAR

Lauson's Set:
Truth: Alexander Ebert
Start Wearing Purple: Gogol Bordello
Anarchy In The UK: Sex Pistols

Rocket Man: Elton John
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin': Michael Jackson

Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles
Gas Mask Blues: Sleeping In The Aviary

American Sun: American Sun
So Tei Gai: Ha-Za-Ma

Hold On: Alabama Shakes
Pushin' On (feat. Alice Russell): The Quantic Soul Orchestra & Alice Russell

Virginia Gal: Deer Tick
3 Doueh: The Strange Boys
Warsaw: Sharon Van Etten

Books Of Moses: Tom Waits
I Don't Like You: Bo Diddley

Bad Moon Rising: Turf War
Portland Oregon: Loretta Lynn
Cool Shit: Spank Rock
Lookin' Out My Window: Tom Jones

I Left My Heart in San Francisco: Tony Bennett