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.
Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
I hate being late getting my shows up. It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I have to make the time to fit this in. And I really want to give you quality, always. How am I doing? Can you give me a grade? I can take the criticism. I have to. We all have to. What kind of world would this be if we never made ourselves available to constructive criticism? Can you imagine if our government and corporate leaders never listened to quality advice, that may or may not counter their own ideas? Seriously, can you even imagine??? I'm waiting for an old fashioned video screen wipe that makes it appear that we're entering a dream sequence, where we see some fictionalized TV character showing us the many tropes of what it's like when they fail to listen to good advice. You may be doing this too.
Maybe I should just stick to my lane? In this case my lane is music. This show it got sweet and loud. Sometimes loud is cathartic. We need to purge some energy time and again. I was reading recently when you can't get your child to focus, get them to be physically active; it allows them to get the distractions out, so they can focus on the task at hand, with minimal negative emotion. Let's look at this two hour show as a good sprint around the block.
I'm back on Monday night after a rolling blackout took out the station last week. New music coming your way with KnightressM1 and others. Tune in.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Blind For All To See: Shrinebuilder
Magic: Zig Zags
Last Caress/Green Hell: Metallica
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers: Motorhead
Amputation Song: Frisco
Ghosts of Karlelia: Mastodon
Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled): Amyl and the Sniffers
White Riot: The Clash
Burned Enterance: Goggs
Night Goat: Hepa/Titus
The Kicking Machine: Melvins
The Green Manalishi: The Flesh Eaters
Children of the Grave: Brown Sabbath
The Wizard: Black Sabbath
Winter's Wolves: The Sword
Technically Electrified: Big Business
When Fate Deals its Mighty Blow: The Scientists
Death Valley Boogie: Death Valley Girls
Acetate: METZ
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Do you remember where you were the first time you heard Flipper? For me it wasn't until I joined KFJC in the late 80s. I recall distinctly being disturbed. I couldn't hum along, and the dissonant guitar and driving rhythms left my stomach aching a wee bit. And I wanted more. They were just too hilarious. Songs like "Ha Ha Ha", "Love Canal", and of course, "Sex Bomb" (especially the live version where they ask someone to bring them beer) left me wanting to grab as much Flipper as I could find. That was the problem however, finding Flipper records was not as easy task; even in the Bay Area. Demand outranked supply.
Leading up to their Bay Area shows, celebrating their 40th anniversary (with many years off during that tenure), Flipper-founder/guitarist Ted Falconi, and their current (and 8th) bassist Rachel Thoele stopped into Hell's Kitchen Radio on Radio Valencia Monday night to chat up their many years, many bassists, many tours, and many road stories.
Pic credit: Sean Haley
The music runs from the debut, "Generic Flipper" through to their latest EP with sludge stalwarts, and Flipper-influenced, The Melvins, off of their Hot Fish release from Amphetamine Reptile. Thanks to Ted for filling us in on the details. I was unaware that Trevor Dunn was playing bowed bass on a few tracks.
Tickets are still available for their local shows, featuring David Yow of Jesus Lizard on vocals, this Thursday in San Jose at The Ritz, Friday in Sacramento at the Blue Lamp (both 21 and over), and Saturday night's all ages show in SF at the Great American Music Hall, where you'll find yours truly.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
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Has it been a year already? Who am I kidding, November can't come fast enough. Seriously, I anxiously await this time of year to comb through the music and media of one specific year to share with you all. This year it took a bit of head scratching to make a final decision. I was considering something from the 80's when I was a teen, and when I started purchasing music on my own. I would like to thank my brother-from-another-mother, Eric Wilcox for suggesting 1983. Debut records from Metallica, Slayer, Exploited, Suicidal Tendencies, Weird Al, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and so many more!
What did 1983 mean to you? To me it was a very awkward 8th grade (my eighth school in eight years), very poor Bar Mitzvah prep, and my parents marriage falling apart. Yay! It's also the year that I began noticing more than what was playing on popular radio. I was used to Huey Lewis, Van Halen and ZZ Top, but my friend Etienne was turning me onto bands like Dio, Judas Priest, Ozzy (solo) and Iron Maiden. So I had that going for me.
If you're interested you can check out the Billboard top whatever here. I do my best to stay away from the hits, though the Donna Summer video was always a favorite of mine. I do talk up some 1983 history and throw some old commercials in there for good measure.
I never have enough time to get through every act I want to, but this will need to suffice. Check out the playlist below, and for Christ's sake go purchase some of this fine music, and as always go out and see live music from time to time.
Speaking of which, there are some great live shows coming to the Bay Area in the next few weeks. Ty and Denée Segall's band CIA is playing at El Rio in SF on December 9th, Redd Kross and Dale Crover Band are playing Slims on December 19th, and the Melvins have announced a show at Cornerstone Brewery in Berkeley for January 21st. For more info on live shows coming to town check out THE LIST, which has been my go-to since it was in print form many moons ago.
Leave It (A Capella): Yes
Cold Blooded: Rick James
I Saw Your Mommy...: Suicidal Tendencies
Man of Peace: Bob Dylan
Another One Rides the Bus: Weird Al
1983 Commercials
The Antichrist: Slayer
Little Man With and Gun in His Hand: Minutemen
She Works Hard For The Money: Donna Summer
1983 Commercials
Let It All Go: Killing Joke
Holy Diver: DIO
Confessions: Violent Femmes
1983 Commercials
Cuckoo Clocking: Fab 5 Freddie
Rap Machine: Whodini
16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six: Tom Waits
Freezer Burn/I Wanna Be Your Dog: Sonic Youth
Texas Flood: Stevie Ray Vaughn
1983 Commercials
Am I Evil: Metallica
Mr. Whirly: The Replacements
Let's Start A War: The Exploited
Not Now John: Pink Floyd
Trashed: Black Sabbath
Hungry for some TV commercials from 1983? I know you aren't, but here you go anyway.
Stream what REAL radio sound like, HERE! Download the show commercial radio doesn't want you to hear, HERE! Listen into all my shows here, or just scroll down Subscribe to my show, via
Radio is an art. I don't care what any of those fascist general managers say, who wouldn't hire me back 2000, even though I already had 12 years experience AND a BA in radio broadcasting, saying that I was "over-qualified", and it's too difficult to "mold" college DJs into the sheep that they need to hawk their wares on the commercial spectrum. Whatever. I'm not bitter, even though my plan was to eventually become a GM, and change the format to be freeform, and actually give the hosts more power in programming decisions, possibly ostracizing the advertiser. It's all good.
I actually thanked the music director from KLLC-AliceFM when she told me that the person I was filling in for was coming back from maternity leave...after a year, and they actually never telling me that I was filling in for anyone. I thanked her for opening my eyes to how absolutely lame commercial radio is. I thanked her for the opportunity to play the music to the lowest common denominator, basically making me some kind of Big Brother to the listener, who will follow my every lead, showing them the light, and teaching them what is, without a doubt, the most important and relevant music of the day. I then proceeded to tell her that in no way would I EVER spend another moment in a commercial radio station studio. I told her that radio is supposed to be an art form. That radio is about the segue. Radio is about challenging the listener. Radio is about finding music that is relevant. Radio is NOT about playing the same song over and over again. I can understand how a child enjoys hearing their favorite song replayed over and over, but similarly how our pallet opens up as we age, first loving milk chocolate, then indulging in dark chocolate, music appreciation should be the same way.
Why are we insulting our listeners? If I hear one more Eagles song, I'm going to shoot myself.
Want to check out what REAL playlist looks like? See below. Take a listen too. There are a few "Easter Eggs" embedded within. Also, I'm starting to mark what I consider to be "BEST SET" of the show, based on song selection and segue.
Well we've gone and done it again. Last night Ron Donovan and I hosted ROCK FIGHT 11! At this early hour I'm a bit tired; having hosted a six hour show, interviewed three amazing people, played some of the rip-roaringest rock and roll, put up with Ron, and standing on my feet from about 6:30AM-12midnight.
My neck hurts.
In our previous 10! incarnations of Rock Fight, the format was all about not repeating an artist throughout the night. Though this proved to be a challenge, Ron and I were always up for the challenge. You see, rock poster artist Ron Donovan, and yours truly, John Hell, have what quite possibly will prove to be the LARGEST LIVE BOOTLEG COLLECTION IN THE WEST! Really, I stake my 25+ year radio reputation against that claim. We're junkies for the live rock 'n roll, and we want to share our problem with you.
For Rock Fight 11 we changed up the format a bit. Instead of it being a plethora of fabulous finger picking and hellacious head banging from many, MANY bands, we would do 30 minute blocks of a featured band. The set list below includes the song/artist/date/location and who selected the tune (JH=John Hell, RD=Ron Donovan).
We had some special guests in the studio, as always. I want to thank Bassy Stacy and Amy Ace of the all-female KISS cover band, KISSER for stopping by. I've been a fan of Stacy since she was in the Kinks cover band, The Minks. KISSER is amazing! This is the band we've all been waiting for. Listen to the interview and you can hear for yourself how enthusiastic they are about "their" music and the gigs. You have got to see them live. In the meantime check out their YouTube channel.
Even Steffan Chirazi of "So What" the official Metallica fanzine did a set. And what a set it was! He came by to talk about the recent Metallica show in ANTARCTICA! What the what?! Awesome! Steffan is a talented and experienced journalist, so interviewing him is always a blast. You have got to hear his story about Axel Rose. You may remember Steffan from the show he and I co-hosted back in May, following the passing of Margaret Thatcher. Take a listen.
Last night he brought some tasty tracks from the Antarctica set, as well as a few other juicy tidbits.
The banter was brilliant at times, and other times I was losing track of Ron's technical DJ errors. HA! That, and he talking away from the mic, and I wanted to hit him over the head with the turntable more than once. How I love that hobbit-wizard of the ink pulling world.
We'll do it again in June. Until then...
You can download all the delightful delicacies here.
Feel free to stream this into your noggin here.
You can check out all of my shows by going here, or just scroll down.
I'm taking a few weeks off for the holidays and heading to South Island, New Zealand! I can't wait. I'll see you all in January. Have a great holiday season, and get well rested and prepare for a kick ass 2014, with more of A Season in Hell, with John Hell on the greatest radio station west of East Rutherford, NJ, Radio Valencia!
A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Rock Fight: Cheech and Chong
Whipping Post: Allman Brothers (07/03/1970 Atlanta Pop Festival)-JH
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed: Allman Brothers (2/11/1970 Fillmore East, NYC)-JH
Remedy: The Black Crowes (10/28/1998 Paris)-RD
Wiser Time: The Black Crowes (10/28/1998 Paris)-R
Hard to Handle: The Black Crowes (05/26/1995 Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA)-RD
Sin City: AC/DC (10/1979 Australia)-RD
Cold Shot: Stevie Ray Vaughn (12/31/86 Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA)-JH
Texas Flood: Stevie Ray Vaughn (06/17/1985 Red Rocks Amp., Morrison, CO)-JH
Superstition: Stevie Ray Vaughn (04/29/1990 Jazz & Hertiage Festival, New Orleans, LA)-JH
I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town: Stevie Ray Vaughn & Albert King (12/06/1983 CHCH Studios, Ontario, CN)-JH
Thank You/Jesus Just Left Chicago/Waiting for the Bus: ZZ Top (04/15/1980 Clarkston, MS-RD
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide: ZZ Top (04/19/1980 Essen, GR)-RD
Beer Drinkers and Hellraisers: ZZ Top (04/15/1980 Clarkston, MS)
The Bomber: James Gang (02/26/2001, Allen Theater, Cleveland, OH)-JH
Interview with Kisser
Detroit Rock Fight City: KISS (09/03/1976 Richfield, OH)-JH
Love Gun, KISSER (07/27/1973 Visalia, CA)-JH
Interview with KISSER
Black Diamond: KISS (11/27/1979 Fresno, CA)-JH
Interview with KISSER
She: Kiss (05/31/1974 Long Beach, CA)-JH
Sitting by the Ocean: Queens of the Stoneage (12/07/13 KROQ)-RD
With the Flow: Queens of the Stoneage (12/07/13 KROQ)-RD
Open Invitation: Santana (04/06/87 East Berlin, Germany-RD
Snowblind: Black Sabbath (08/26/2013 Shoreline, Mountain View, CA)-JH
For Whom the Bell Tolls: Metallica (09/21/2013 Apollo Theater, NYC, NY)-RD
Hit the Lights: Metallica (09/21/2013 Apollo Theater, NYC, NY)-RD
You Are Blessened: Melvins (08/22/2013 Slim's, SF, CA)-JH
Interview with Steffan Chirazi of Metallica fanzine "So What"
Fight Fire With Fire: Metallica (12/20/1984 Lyceum Theater, London, England)-Steffan
Interview with Steffan Chirazi of Metallica fanzine "So What"
Master of Puppets (headphones-mix): Metallica (12/08/2013 Antarctica)-Steffan
Master of Puppets: Metallica (12/08/2013 Antarctica)-JH
Interview with Steffan Chirazi of Metallica fanzine "So What"
Electric Eye: Judas Priest (05/23/983 US Festival)-Steffan
Riding on the Wind: Judas Priest (05/23/1983 US Festival)-Steffan
Lust For Life: Iggy Pop (01/26/1992 Nue Welt, Berlin)-Steffan
Raw Power: Iggy Pop (03/07/1977 Rainbow Theater, London, England)-Steffan
In My Time of Dying: Led Zeppelin (03/20/1975 Vancouver, BC)-JH
We're Gonna Groove: Led Zeppelin (01/01/1971 Canada)-JH
Heartbreaker: Led Zeppelin (06/02/1973 Kezar Stadium, SF, CA)-JH
Astro Boy (outtake 2): Jimi Hendrix (1969 studio outtake)-RD
Power of Soul: Jimi Hendrix (12/23/1969 Studio outtakes)-JH
Red House: Jimi Hendrix (07/30/1970 Honolulu, HI)-JH
Free Ride: Edgar Winter (09/03/1974 New Haven, CT)-RD
A Quick One While He's Away: The Who (04/06/1968 Fillmore East, NYC)-JH
Relax: The Who (04/05/1968 Fillmore East, NYC)-JH
Overture/It's a Boy: The Who (10/22/1969 Fillmore East, NYC)-JH
Every June and December Rotten Ronnie Donovan of Firehouse Kustom Posters and I host Rock Fight, a four hour deluge into our bootleg vaults. Ever since Ron was forced to get on the wagon the shows have been superb (I still kick his ass each and every time). Tonight was one of the BEST.
Lot's of guests tonight, including a legendary live music recorder (he who cannot be named), local guitar gunslinger Eric McFadden and his lovely Super D, Metallica official fanzine "So What" editor Steffan Chirazi, and a phone interview with Butthouse of Limbomaniacs. WOW!
This and some amazing live bootleg music too. The fourth hour is the premier of the newly released (unofficial of course) Led Zeppelin "Snowblind" from 03-20-75 Vancouver, which Ron Donovan did the art for.
Listen in and decide for yourself who won this edition of ROCK FIGHT! (it was me).
Stream this Part 1 of this collectible show here.
Stream Part 2 here.
Download Part 1 and illegally share it with the world here.
Download Part 2 here.
Listen to all of my shows by clicking here, or just scroll down.
Enjoy.
jh
Rocky Mountain Way: Joe Walsh (09-24-73 Arlington, Texas) John Hell (JH)
Cat Scratch Fever: Ted Nugent (03-18-78, San Bernardino) Ron Donovan (RD)
Let There Be Rock: AC/DC (12-09-79, Paris, France) JH
If you can't Rock Me: Rolling Stones (07-13-75, Los Angeles, CA) RD
Get off of my Cloud: Rolling Stones (07-13-75, Los Angeles, CA) RD
Rock Block #1 John Hell
Cities on Flame: Blue Oyster Cult (10-12-79, Chicago, IL)
The Warrior: Thin Lizzy (05-14-76, Detroit, MI)
Rock Block #1 Ron Donovan
The Phoenix: The Cult, Waterloo Records, 03-16-12, Austin, TX)
Purple Haze->Red Hot Mama: Bootsy Collins (07-09-11, Zurich, Switzerland)
Hour 2
Somebody Get Me A Doctor: Van Halen (Gene Simmons Demos, May 1976) JH
Time to Get Ill: Beastie Boys (07-05-98 Belgium) JH
Running with the Devil: Van Halen (06-01-78, London, England) RD
King of the Nighttime World: Kiss (09-06-76, Cleveland, OH) JH
I'm Nationwide: ZZ Top (08-30-80, Passaic, NJ) RD
Fairies Wear Boots: Black Sabbath (01-08-99, San Jose, CA) JH
Rock the Nation: Montrose Benefit (04-27-12, Regency Ballroom, SF, CA) Special guest of RD
The Voyger: Gamma (11-13-80, SF, CA) JH
No Tears: Gamma (11-17-79 Denver, CO) RD
Interview with Eric McFadden
Queen Dreamer: Eric McFadden with T.E.N
Fractured Light: Eric McFadden with T.E.N
Interview with Eric McFadden
I'm Losing You: The Faces (04-05-73) JH
Clash City Rockers: The Clash (08-17-82, Akron OH) JH
High Roller: Cheap Trick (03-28-97, The Edge, Palo Alto CA) JH
Interview with Steffan Chirazi of Metallica's "So What" Fanzine
Fight Fire with Fire: Metallica (12-20-84 Lyceum Theater, London, England)
Interview with Steffan Chirazi of Metallica's "So What" Fanzine
Reborn: Slayer (Riff Tapes)
Piece by Piece: Slayer (Riff Tapes)
Hour Four:
Seek and Destory: Metallica (03-15-85, Kabuki, SF, CA) RD
Fish On->Tommy the Cat: Primus (11-17-93, Dallas, Texas) JH
I love interviewing local bands, and tonight I had in a great singer: Xandra Corpora of Con Brio. She likens the band to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, but I think they have a really original sound. Check out the two tracks we played on the show.
Also, next week is Rock Fight 7. See below for details. Rotten Ronnie Donovan phoned in to talk smack, but I put him in his place and hung up.
Tonight, some brand spankin' new Mark Lanegan, which will knock your socks off.
Click here to listen to the podcast of this fabulous show!
It's Hard To Be Humble: Mac Davis The Gravedigger's Song: Mark Lanegan Band
