Hell's Kitchen Radio #614: Too Many Cooks

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Sometimes my favorite shows are the ones where the completely unexpected transpires. Lauson (that's my fabulous daughter, as if you didn't know) asked me to drive her to pick up some clothes from a friend of hers, and then drop her at BART. It didn't take much to talk her into joining me in the studio for me show.

And that was only the beginning of the fun! 

Soon enough Daniel, from the Mab was in. And then here came Ignacio and Jasper. Then David Fraser, who hosts Escape Velocity on Mondays, noon-2pm, came by to talk about a new show idea. And with all this I had to train a returning RV DJ, Bunnywhiskers, who now goes by the name Fly Faced Necronomicones, and is hosting Wednesdays noon - 2pm

It got a bit busy in the studio Monday night.

But this didn't keep me from bringing you the music you depend on week by week.

Just look at these tunes! I mean really now, where else are you going to get a mess like this? I ask you, WHERE!?!?!

There's a lot of great goings-on at Radio Valencia these days. Some great shows, with incredible hosts, showing what they've got two hours at a time. That's not nearly enough time to showcase all of what we've got, but there ya go.

Do you think you've got what it takes to host a weekly show? Hit us up station@radiovalencia.fm and let us know what you would care to do on the only uncensored, free form radio station in San Francisco, and the nine Bay Area counties.

Next Monday, June 8th, I've got the young incredible punk band Surprise Privilege in the studio, talking up their new album, and promoting the one year anniversary of I Hate Records, a store owned by Cody of Surprise Privilege and Pretty from False Flag. This is going to be one helluva party, including a huge sale and FREE live music from both bands starting at 6pm, on Saturday, June 13th.

I Hate Records is located at 413 Haight Street in San Francisco. 

See you there.

Until then, 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" - 1993)
Sloppy Drunk Blues: Big Joe Williams (Tough Times - 1960)

Danse V: Luiz Bonfa
Baby's On Fire: Ayers - Cale - Eno - Nico (June 1, 1974 - 1974)

Try A Little Tenderness: Aretha Franklin (Forever Young - 1968)
Garbageman: The Cramps (Songs The Lord Taught Us - 1980)
Welcome to the Dust Ward: Fear (More Beer - 1985)
Mojo Navigator: Country Joe and the Fish (Together - 1967)
Bang: Dark Carnival (The Last Great Ride - 199) 

Woman in the Public Eye: False Flag (Art School - 2026)
Die, Die My Darling: Misfits (Misfits - 1983)
Tossing Coins Into the Fountain of Fuck: Melvins and Napalm Death (Savage Imperial Death March - 2026)

New Self: The Bobby Lees (New Self - 2026)
Monologue: Divorce Bug (7" - 1978)
One Way Spit: Debris (Static Disposal - 1976)
Something Unpronounceable: Mai Mai Mai (Delta - 2016)
No Fun: Wall of Noise (Doctor Mix - 1979)

Hot Head: Orcutt/Shelley/Miller with David Yow (7" - 2026)
Annalisa: PIL (First Issue - 1978)
Rose: Fifty Foot Hose (Cauldron - 1968)

Heads Will Roll: Primitive Ring (Poisonous Gift - 2026)
Deceptacon: Sprints (7" - 2026)

Sit On My Face, Stevie Nicks: The Rotters (Pull It And Yell - 1978)
Saviour Machine: Redd Kross (Teenage Babes From Monsanto - 1978)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #604: A Felonious Amount Of Music

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Radio is seduction. I like seduction. it just feels good. And who doesn't like to feel good. And this here show just keeps getting hotter and hotter until it climaxes in just the perfect way at just the perfect moment. And like any good seduction, there are twists and turns, a pull back here and there, a tease, a touch, a tickle. And throughout there are hints at what's to come. 

Not go give anything away, but I should have worn gloves. 

Every time I have Daniel from the FabMab into the studio I'm afraid the turntables are going to catch on fire. The banter, the wit, the inside jokes! All of it is worth it when you get to hear what we both brought in for your pleasure to night.

The anticipation is just killing me.  

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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Tattoo Love Boys: Melvins and ShitKid (EP - 2021)
Hey Hey What Can I Do: Led Zeppelin (7" - 1970...but I slooooooooowed it down)

TV Is From Outer Space: Butch Willis and the Rocks (Forthcoming - 1986)
Lexicon Devil: Germs (7" - 1978)
Deuce: Redd Kross (Teenage Babes from Monsanto - 1984)

Requiem of Confusion: Shinki Chen (And His Friends - 1971)
I Don't Want It: Montrose (S/T - 1973)
Algo Ha Cambiado: Pappo (Pappo's Blues, Vol. 1 - 1970)
Fighting Cock: Rotomagus (7" - 1971)
Anti-Love Song: Betty Davis (S/T - 1973)

Hypodermic Needle: Novak's Kapelle (7" - 1968)
Babydoll: Eric McFadden Trio with Robin Coomer (Diamonds to Coal - 2010)
Chocolate Piano: Orang-Utan (S/T - 1971)
She Shook Me Cold: David Bowie (The Man Who Sold The World - 1971)

Satan: Freshwater (7" - 1970)
Mohawk Town: Paul Leary (Born Stupid - 2021)
Come On Over (Turn Me On): Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan (Sunday At Devil Dirt - 2008)

The Fire of Love: The Gun Club (Miami - 1982)
Broke My Own: Shannon Shaw (In Nashville - 2018)
You Got It: Pearl Harbor and the Explosions (S/T - 1980)
Only Son of a Ladies Man: Father John Misty (Fear Fun - 2012)

Nervous Breakdown: Black Flag (7" - 1978)
Rise: PIL (Album - 1978)

Radio Valencia Celebrates 50 Years of Punk In San Francisco

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Leading up to our epc co-presents at the fabled Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway I hosted a rare Friday night special with two up and coming bands: False Flag and Bitchfit. Both bands played the evening showcase on Saturday night, upstairs at the On Broadway in support of Flipper and Friends and the 50th anniversary celebration of punk in San Francisco and the opening of the Fab Mab.

False Flag features sisters Pretty Sims (bass/vocals), Strong Sims (guitar/vocals) and Bayden Tubelle (drums). The will assault all manners of pretense once the curtain drops and they will not let up until they've been dragged from the stage, cables wrapped around their limbs like a junkie waiting for just one more aural fix. Lyrics born of urban decay and blight from a male-dominated culture, False Flag aren't just re-writing what the many-facetted  genre of punk looks like in 2026, they honestly don't care what you think about them. They don't do this for you. They do what every band that has ever been worth their weight has done: they do it for themselves, and you should thank your lucky stars they let you be along for the ride.

We played some songs and talked about music, their band, the record store I Hate Records that Pretty is also running (like they aren't busy enough), and setting the story straight on what exactly happened on that BART train.

Following False Flag the young start ups, Bitchfit from Oakland came through. They opened the show on Saturday night, and even though they don't have anything released yet, their reputation of fierce females on this scene proceeded itself. Full of charisma, confidence and hardcore ethos, Talulah (drums) and Ailish (bass/vocals) talked about bringing topics like body positivity, human rights politics and what we should be angry about today!

Witnessing both bands on stage Saturday night was a treat. The torch is firmly placed in the fists of both of these bands.

The image at the top is the poster created by the one and only Richie Goodtimes for the event. Thanks Richie. 

Check out the interviews here, along with music from False Flag and a bunch of other punks I love.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Glorious: Polkacide

Party!: The Mutants

Interview with False Flag

How To Ruin Your Life: False Flag

Ha Ha Ha: Flipper
California Uber Alles: Dead Kennedys

Interview with False Flag

Corpus Christi: Avengers

One Man War: False Flag

Interview with False Flag

The Midnight Show: The Freak Accident
Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop-O-Pies

Boris: Melvins

Business on Parade: MDC
The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave: Butthole Surfers

Put A Little Love In Your Heart: Circle Jerks

Police Truck: Dead Kennedys

Interview with Bitch Fit

Midnight Creep: The Darts

Hellfudge: Lard

Interview with Bitch Fit

Keith Moon: Mike Krol

Frock Block: OSees

X Offender: Blondie

Nothing In This World Stop Me Thinking About That Girl: The Kinks
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

My posts are never written using AI of any kind. This shitty writing is mine and mine alone.

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

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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)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #595: Rickshaw Throwdown

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What a jolly fine night this was. My good buddy John Karr, who runs sound at Rickshaw Stop came by with his colleague, Carmen Caruso, to talk up the club and spin some tunes from some upcoming shows. What makes this a hoot is that the staff of Rickshaw Stop are the one's curating the shows. This doesn't happen often, and when it does the staff bring together some really strong showcases.

I love talking music with people who know music. And it's a real treat to talk cross industry: radio and nightclub. We're all linked, you know. Artist, radio, clubs, record stores, promoters, critics. When we get together it's like we're comparing notes; a mind meld.

Carmen is also the fierce leader of the band Agouti, who is playing one of the showcases. The set that features her band also includes the other two who are on the bill, the Thursday. John and Carmen put this showcase together.

The following set of bands, featuring Gumby's Junk, is for the showcase that John Karr has put together for Thursday, January 22nd. 

I love when people who know and love music as much as I do turn me on to really great stuff. Feel free to share what you love with me. It may just get a spin.

John and I also tease an event that Radio Valencia is co-presenting at the end of February. I am just popping at the seams to tell you about it, but you'll just have to wait until next week for the official announcement. Suffice it to say if you hunger for the deep Punk history of San Francisco then you are going to flip for this!

Check out the playlist below and click on the link above to listen in.

Go see live local music and support the artists by buying their records and merch!

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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Truckin': Pop O Pies (The White EP - 1982)

Linda Blair: Redd Kross

Music Never Stopped: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)

Dragons: Agouti (Nodes - 2019)

Friendo: Grooblen (EP - 2025)

Living In A Flood: Everyone is Dirty (Caramels for Grandpa - 2023)

Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees: Gumby's Junk (Business and Pleasure - 2025)

Discover What Your Monsters Are: Rip Room (Alight and Resound - 2022)

Goblin Gruel Part 1: Inner Ear Brigade (Perkunas - 2024)

The Light, The Sound: Flipper (Gone Fishin' - 1984)

Paint It Black: Avengers (S/T - 1983)

Frustration: Crime (San Francisco's Doomed - 1978)

Wild: The Nuns (S/T - 1980)

Holiday in Cambodia: Dead Kennedys (Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables - 1980)

Bar-B-Que Pope: Butthole Surfers (Brown Reason To Live - 1983)

Irony Man: The Freak Accident (Octopus Head - 2022)

Youth of America: Melvins (Electroretard - 2001)

Silver Machine: Hawkwind (Live at the BBC 1972 - 2010)

A Writhing Jar: Bill Orcutt (Odds Again Tomorrow

Hell's Kitchen Radio #588: Celebrate Naked

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We had a sweet celebration of the life of "Naked" Rob Gongora, who hosted Terrible Tuesdays on
Radio Valencia from 2010 - 2019. He passed away in October from brain cancer.

FUCK CANCER!

Rob was a really wonderful guy. He was always there with a quick quip. Witty to the end and super inclusive. I was honored to speak at his memorial on Saturday at Cypress Lawn in Colma. We followed that up with a celebration of his life at his favorite watering hole: Gold Cane, on Haight Street. The night ended with three bands at Bottom the Hill: Candy Whips, Golden Brain, and Terry Gross. 

Rob would have been there if he could.

I've lost too many friends in the past 20+ years to cancer and suicide. Too many. Knowing a lot of creative types means that the odds are many will go too soon. But cancer is just so unfair. I just heard of two more people in my circle, both of whom beat off cancer, now have it once again; one was told it's inoperable. 

FUCK CANCER!

I don't buy into the "you only live once" hype. I think I live every day. I only die once. Therefore I'm going to appreciate every moment I have. Have I told you lately that I love you?

Make that call, send that text. I could not be more serious. We need to stay connected, or we too will succumb sooner than we need to.

Having a pet helps too. I've got Chairman Meow Mau , AKA: Maui, our fabulous tortoiseshell, with a strong personality to let me know that she loves me and needs me, and if she was just a little bit bigger, would eat me.

I was interviewed for a podcast the other day (I'll post when it's available) and I was asked by the host, James Ferrigno (AKA: Vico from San Francisco Liberation Radio, where we met when I was on air there 2000 - 2003), about what keeps me going? My dad always said "there's no reward without risk". I took that seriously. I took some great risks starting in my teens. Many weren't very healthy, so I've amended his quote to add "health risk". That being said, some of my biggest growth over the years probably didn't include the word healthy. 

My dad also used to say "invite everyone to the party, let them decline the invitation". I'm a firm subscriber to the benefits of inclusion. I like to bring people together. And I like to see what we can do with all that energy.

When you bring creatives together there's always going to be some friction. I like to play with that and watch the magic happen. I don't often reminisce, so during the interview I really had to stop to recall many of the events I helped bring to light. There's been so much fun living over the years, that I don't often slow down to remember it all. There's nothing wrong with that, since I've always been about what's happening nest.

This is all to say that I miss my departed friends and family, especially my dad, but that's never slowed me down. As a matter of fact, if anything, it's made me keenly aware that I have a responsibility to keep living and producing. 

Here's a show I had fun producing for you.

I opened with the band that Naked Rob and I love the most: Melvins! From there it's anything goes. I did a but of record shopping on Sunday; a bunch of used records. I especially am excited about the Diz and Bird, Eugene Chadbourne, David Peel, and Ralph Karney/Kramer/Chris Hild records.

This is what non-commercial radio is all about!

I also play some requests! If you know me you know how rare this is. Maybe I need to do this more often?

I'm hosting music critic Dave Pehling next Monday night to promote the record swap that's happening at Make Out Room on November 22nd.

I'm hosting my 15th annual Annual Annual on Monday, November 24th. Two hours from one year, and this time around it's all about 1981. What an amazing year for punk, post-punk, N.O.W.T.H.M. (tune in to find out what that is), and so much more.

Take a look at the playlist below and click the link to listen in.

Enjoy and please share. And go out and play!

jh

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

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Honey Bucket: Melvins (Houdini - 1993)
Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac: Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie "Yardbird" Parker (Diz N' Bird In Concert - 1953 Paris)

Here Comes A Cop: David Peel and the Lower East Side (Have a Marijuana - 1967)
Three Stoned Men Chant/Hey Brother Roll A Joint: Three Stoned Men (Higher Than God - 1991)
Bo Diddley Was A Communist: Eugene Chadbourne (Vermin of the Blues - 1987)

Summertime Blues: The Who (Who's Next/Life House (1971) Super Deluxe - 2023)
Young Man's Blues: Altamont (Our Darling - 2001)

Shanty Town: Desmond Dekker and the Aces (Ska Madness! - 2010)

Somebody Have Mercy: Sam Cooke (The Harlem Square Club - 1963)

My Baby's Gone: Jenny Don't And The Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)

It's A Dark Day: Reverend Horton Heat (Smoke 'em if you Got 'em - 1990)

Clown: Carney/Hild/Kramer (Happiness Finally Came To Them - 1988)

The Words of Jamal: Pop-O-Pies (Joe's Second Record - 1984)

Who Stole The Keeshka?: Polkacide (S/T - 1986)

The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave (Live PCPPEP - 1984)

Stagolee: Jesse Fuller (Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals and Blues - 1958)

Spanish Castle Magic (Take 2): Jimi Hendrix Experience (Axis: Bold As Love Sessions - 2025)
You Know My Name (Look Up My Number): The Beatles (Anthology 2 - 1996)

Help On The Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah 50th Anniversary Deluxe - 2025)

Burbanks Dream: Golden Void (Berkana - 2015)

Looniversal: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)

Freaks to the Front: Amyl and the Sniffers (Comfort To Me - 2021)

I Can't Help Falling In Love With You: Chrissy Hynde and Mark Lanegan (Duets Special - 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

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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)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #578: Hell, Bloody Hell

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So Ozzy died last week. Did anyone think he would live as long as he did? Not that I had a bet going, but I would have lost, had I. I turned onto Black Sabbath in my teens, back in the 80s, as would be appropriate. They were the darkest band I had ever heard up to that point, and probably still are since I don't listen to any Norwegian Death Metal.

I never saw Ozzy of Black Sabbath in concert. I can only imagine the energy of the crowd. I'm sure I had plenty of opportunities, but I didn't want to see his solo shows. Only Black Sabbath would do, and they didn't come around that often. There was that show in San Jose a few years back I could have tried to get to. What's up with that? I'm quick to buy tickets to a good show. I guess I'll just have to enjoy the bootlegs, of which I have many. 

Speaking of Ozzy and Black Sabbath, Tuesday night I'm playing what has to be my all time favorite Black Sabbath show on my Live Bootleg Bonanza on Radio Valencia, starting at 8pm Pacific. August 06, 1975 from Asbury Park, New Jersey is Sabbath firing on all cylinders. What an incredible show! Tune in.

For tonight's show I pay tribute to Ozzy in the second hour, though I do give you a tease of the awesomeness of the live show right out of the block. The second hour is a lot of great Black Sabbath covers you may have never heard.

For the first hour it's a lot of drunken garage rock. I was at the Rock and Roll Flea Market at Faction Brewing on Saturday and I bought a lot of 7"s as well as the Estrus Records book, which inspired the first hour. 

I'm certain the rock tributes will continue considering the number of rockers who are 75+ years of age, and did plenty of excessive partying in their day. Who is on your bingo card?

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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Embryo/Children of the Grave (Live 1975): Black Sabbath

Love Buzz: The Shocking Blue

Burning Bush: Mono Men

Hit That Bitch: The Monarchs

Mercy: The Marauders

A Girl Like You: Mummies

Time Tunnel: The Del Lagunas

Unknown Museum Stomp: Phantom Surfers

Big Shit: Jesus Christ Super Fly

Comanche: Jack O'Fire

Dirty Jack: The DTs

November 22, 1963: Destroy All Monsters

Diamonds in the Rough: Dead Moon

Morning in America: Mudhoney

Poisoning Pigeons in the Park: Tom Lehrer

Thank You For Sending Me An Angel (Country Angel Version): Talking Heads

Bloody Sabbath: Melvins with Al Cisneros

War Pigs: Faith No More

Electric Funeral: Brownout

Supernaut: Ministry (1000 Homo DJs)

Sabbath Jam: Eyehategod

Crazy Train: Ozzy Osbourne (Live with Randy Rhodes)

Fairies Wear Boots: Black Sabbath

Into The Void: Orange Goblin

Paranoid: Ty Segall

Hell's Kitchen Radio #577: Rock And Roll Itchy Poo

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I went to Mosswood Meltdown last Saturday, and it was as good as I expected it to be. Niis, Prison Affair,

OSees and DEVO were the real standouts. The sun cleared for a while and I found myself relaxing under the shade of a tree in the vendors area. I bought myself some 45s (my motorcycle bags aren't large enough to hold LPs. I probably saved some money there).

I eventually found myself directly in front of the soundboard hanging out with a few friends, including our Radio Valencia staff photographer Sean Haley, who brought a bunch of die-cut Radio Valencia stickers for us to pass out. Thanks Sean! 

I've seen the OSees many times, and never tire of them. What a brilliant set they brought. This was my first time seeing DEVO, and WOW is all I can say. There's actually a lot more I can say. I can talk about how both Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale are still on top of their game after 50+ years. I can talk about the stellar video graphics projected
throughout the show. I can talk about the setlist that we all sang along with. It was that good.

I can also talk about showing up on Sunday just to find out that I never did purchase a ticket for that day. D'oh! I went home and streamed the day. Shannon and the Clams put on a brilliant set as they always do. 

Early bird tickets for Mosswood Meltdown 2026 are now on sale. And they are going fast!!! I got mine!

Tune into my Tuesday night Live Bootleg Bonanza and I'm sure you'll be hearing some of the sets from this year.

For tonight's show I played a bunch of the 45s I bought at the Meltdown. It's safe to say this is a very punk-forward program. But it's not exclusive. See the setlist below for details.

And then in the middle of the show I come to find out that Jonathan Richman was performing next door at the Make Out Room!!!!! What the what!!!! So I did what any self respecting DJ would do: I found some never before released bootleg demos of Modern Lovers and I played a track as the show was exiting. I really should have grabbed Jonathan for an interview; the fan boy that I am. Alas, he slipped away before I had a chance to even steal a photo of him.

He was there in support of singer-songwriter Jesse DeNatale and the Dreamers, who are playing every Monday night in July. Go see this show!

I'm heading to the Rock and Roll Flea Market on Alameda at Faction Brewing this Saturday afternoon,
followed by the US Finals Air Guitar Championship at The Independent Saturday night. I'll see you at both.

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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Dance, Dance, Dance To The Radio: M.O.T.O.
Right To Work: Chelsea
Selling Jeans for the USA: Thee Stash

Career Opportunities: The Clash

Hate The Police: The Dicks
9:11: The Outsideinside

No Corespondence: Cheater Slicks

The Fire of Love: The Gun Club

Maggie's Farm: Bob Dylan

When Fate Deals Its Mortal Blow: The Scientists

Ça Plane Pour Moi: Plastic Bertrand

Baby's On Fire: Ayres, Eno, Cale, Nico

Mangetout: Wet Leg
Just Got To Be: The Black Keyes

Show Me The Way: Dinosaur Jr.

I Shot All The Birds: The Blind Shake

Introduction/Frustrating Sound: Radio Moscow

I Don't Live Today: Jimi Hendrix Experience (LA Forum April 26, 1969)

Hard Drive: The Bell Rays

I Swallowed A Dragonfly: Heartless Bastards

No Homo: Lambrini Girls

Stunt Queen: Redd Kross

With Yo Heart Not Yo Hands: Melvins

Ride Down On The Highway (demo): Modern Lovers

Beef Bologna: Fear

Do It: Rollins Band

Petty Thief: Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments

Ha Ha Ha: Flipper
Fuck Donald Trump: YG (feat. Nipsey Hussle)

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

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

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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
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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 #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

Follow me on Blue Sky
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook
Follow Radio Valencia on Instagram

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