Hell's Kitchen Radio #610: Everything Is Fine-ish

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Well, it's just you and little ol' me, until Daniel comes by. Daniel is always welcome to come by. So are you! Why don't you write?

Anyway, I didn't have anyone scheduled to come by Monday night. This is first in a while, where I have no guests. I have Lee Hoffman of Elegant Trash coming by next Monday night, May 11, to talk about his Punk the Bay shows he's promoting Wednesday nights at the FabMab. 

On this show I was just feeling good sharing some new music I picked up in the past few weeks: Clown Alley, Sprints, Bill Orcutt, The Freak Accident, Alice Bag, OSees, Surprise Privilege, White Fence, Hawkwind, FUZZ, Reatards, Flipper, Deviants...

You know what, most of this show is music I bought over the past month or so. 

I may have a problem. I bought two records today that are certain to get played here soon enough. And why not? 

I was at a memorial for Robert "Doc" Pelzel, of KFJC, on Saturday. A good 100 family, friends, and current and former station staff were present. It was a real pleasure to see these fine folks and share stories about Doc.

Doc was the station advisor, who officially worked for Foothill Junior College, where KFJC is located. He was a true advocate for the station, and kept the institution administration off our backs, and made sure we received our budget every year. He came to KFJC in 1979, following a stint at KALX in Berkeley. I arrived at KFJC in 1989.

Doc encouraged us all to be as weird as we wanted to be. Take risks. He was similar to my dad, who used to say "there's no reward without risk". I learned what it meant to take my dream of being a radio DJ, and push it to the ultimate limit. I co-produced a nationwide broadcast at over 20 stations, from SXSW in 1994 because of Doc. I co-founded Radio Free Burning Man, also in 1994, because of Doc. 

Hundreds of incredible DJs have gone through the KFJC doors, and each of us benefitted from having Doc there, giving us an infinitely long, transparent leash, where we were encouraged to freak the scene in the way that non-commercial radio is supposed to do. 

The listeners benefitted from hearing music that never would have reached their ears if it weren't for the DJs given the freedom to do so. 

Bands wouldn't have sent us the music they were inspired to play if we didn't have the DJs excited to play the next new sound. 

As a teacher I understand that we teach infinity. We never know where our teaching ends. It's safe to say that Doc advised us to infinity. We play music for you that you take and pass on. Maybe you started a band because of what we played? And some of us went on to start other radio stations, paying it forward!

I think Doc is proud. I know he is, because were told one of the last things he said was that he was sad that he couldn't keep engaging in all this fun.

We'll pay the fun forward, Doc. Always pay it forward.

Thanks for taking a risk on all of us. 

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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Mars for the Rich: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Infest the Rats Nest - 2019)
In The Cartoon: Clown Alley (Circus of Chaos - 1986)

I Hunt You Pray: LA Witch (DOGGOD - 2025)
I'm Your Man: Mark Growden (Saint Judas - 2010)

Decepticon: Sprints (7" - 2026)
Captain Crunch: MF Doom/Czarface (Czarface meets Metalface - 2018)
Slap That Bass: The Middlebury College Dissapated-Eight - 1984)
Destroy The Handicapped: Fang (Land Shark - 1982)

Hot Head: Orcutt/Shelley/Miller (7" - 2026)
The Midnight Show: The Freak Accident (The Midnight Show - 2026)
Gluttony: Alice Bag (Decline of Western Civilization - 1980)

Joro: OSees (Cara Maluco - 2026)
Wasteman: Surprise Privilege (Feed Me - 2025
Trailer Trash: MV and EE (Fuzzweed - 2013)

Reflections in a Shop Window on Polk: White Fence (Orange - 2026)
Lost Jonnie: Hawkwind (Hall of the Mountain Grill - 1974)

21st Century Schizoid Man: FUZZ (FUZZ's Fourth Dream)
Tonight I'll Come: Reatards (Grown Up, Fucked Up - 1999)
I Saw You Shine: Flipper (Generic - 1982)
Garbage: Deviants (Ptooff! - 1968)
Internal Dialogue: False Flag (Gun Time - 2025)

New Self: The Bobby Lees (New Self - 2026)
Not of this World: Zig Zags (Deadbeat at Dawn - 2025)
Dan Folgerberg: Michael Mills
San Francisco: John Lee Hooker (The Big Soul of... - 1963)

I Heard It On The X: ZZ Top (Fandango - 1975)
Radio Moscow: Kent State (Rodney on the ROQ - 1982)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #598: Nothing To See Here

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Well, isn't this special? It's not a special. There's a specialization in the ability to bring your something special. I was told once it takes 20 years to master anything truly special. That being said, this here is a special non-specialty specialized....er, um...show. 

Really.

I was really feeling it tonight. This was a show of segues and many genres. 

I'm sure you've heard by now that Radio Valencia is co-presenting a huge show, in association with SF Music Week on February 28th at the legendary venues Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in celebration of 50 years of punk in San Francisco. 

Come in the afternoon, starting at 2pm, to the Fab Mab, for a punk history presentation, followed by a panel featuring members of Flipper, Avengers and Crime, as well as V. Vale. I Hate Records will be selling records on site. The best pizza place in the country, Tony's Napoletana, is sponsoring and we'll have pizza available for those who show up early.

In the evening we're having a great show upstairs starting at 7:30, featuring Bitchfit, False Flag, The Freak Accident, Fang and Flipper. Members of Avengers and Dead Kennedys will be joining in the fun. Heaps Normal and Escape From New York Pizza are sponsoring. 

You are going to tell everyone you were at this show!

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Morning Has Broken: Cat Stevens (Teaser and the Firecat - 1971)

Space Ho's Coast to Coast: MF Doom and Madlib (Madvillian: Madvillainy Remixes - 2008)

Two Sevens Clash: Culture (Two Sevens Clash -1977)

Jungle Lion: The Upsetters (Double Seven - 1973)

Flying Hye: John Berberian and The Middle Eastern Ensemble (S/T - 1969)

Black Mountain Side: Led Zeppelin (1 - 1968)

Within You Without You: The Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1967)

Free Money: Patti Smith Group (Horses - 1975)

Sunderberry Dream: FUZZ (Fuzz's Fourth Dream - 2026)

If I Think: Mudhoney (Superfuzz Bigmuff - 1988)

Frenzy: Iggy Pop (Every Loser - 2023)

Roll Another Number: Neil Young and Crazy Horse (Tonight's The Night - 1975)

Since You've Been Gone: Aretha Franklin (Lady Soul - 1968)

Beaux J. Poo Boo: Les McCann (Invitation to Openness - 1972)

False Witness: False Flag (One Million Tons - 2024)

Black Sabbath: Michael Mills (Hidden And Satanic Messages In Rock Music -???)

Lord of This World: Black Sabbath (Master of Reality - 1971)

Freya: The Sword (Age of Winters - 2006)

American BB: The Jesus Lizard (Down - 1994)

Fast Cars: Buzzcocks (Another Music in a Different Kitchen - 1978)

Rowche Rumble: The Fall (Live at St. Helens Technical College - 1981)

No Time For The Blues: OBNIII's (Live in San Francisco - 2013)

No Place to Fall: Kevin Morby (7" - 2022)

Late Night: Shannon Lay (Geist - 2022)

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #587: From Hell To Eternity

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I just got back from New Orleans with my daughter, Spawn of Hell. We were there celebrating her 21st birthday, and I could not think of a better place to take her. I love this town! So much great music and food. The weather wasn't too hot or humid, the beignets were powdery and fluffy, the cocktails were flowing, the gumbo was steamy and the crawfish étouffée was delightful.

NOLA is a walking town, and we put that to the test. We walked 10
miles on Saturday and another 7 on Sunday. Most of our walking was through the French Quarter, as well as up and down Frenchmen Street hitting up as many of the clubs as we could.

I think my finest memory will always be us walking towards Frenchmen Street and she says she hears a band that sounds familiar in the distance. We walk towards the music and it turns out to be one of her favorite bands of the past couple years: Dirty Rotten Vipers. She was over the moon! They were playing on the street and the crowd was very enthusiastic. We also made our way over to the Blue Nile, a club I like to visit when I'm in town. This is the same club I met my brother-from-another-mother, and brilliant singer/songwriter Adam Mackintosh. I shared that story here and it's worth your time.  

I digress.

The band was a funk/jazz ensemble that featured a drummer that was getting pretty lit, but never dropped
the beat. The main cat, who played trombone and sang, asked for anyone celebrating a birthday to get on stage, so Spawn and four other women made their way up while the band celebrated them all. Just look at that smile on her face!

We spent some time in Algiers Point, where Memphis Minnie lived and wrote "When the Levee Breaks", which I open the show with.

Did you know the first pharmacy in the United States was in New Orleans? I didn't know this either. They have a museum in its place now. We took the tour. We also toured the Museum of Death. If you like serial killers this place is for you! We were hoping for a bit more science-related information around death, but alas, sensationalism ruled the day. We also went to an excellent haunted house inside a former mortuary. I give it four stars. If I was a teenager that hadn't seen as many horror films as I have, I would have been scared out of my wits. All that said, we were spooked good. Spawn insisted that she go in front during the three floor tour, knowing that a jump scare was expected around every corner. They were good for that.

I've been wanting to take my daughter to NOLA for her 21st birthday since she was 12, and we're both so happy we went. Excellent people, food, music, drink and views. It's a beautiful city. Get there. Have fun. You're welcome. More pictures at the bottom of this post.

My first hour was inspired by our trip, but is in no way NOAL-exclusive. Lots of roots, blues, soul, jazz, hiphop and funk, before I segue to some singer/songwriter, Americana/Punk, lo-fi, and a tribute to Donna Jean Godchaux, the former singer from the Grateful Dead (1972-1979) who passed away last week. I got to meet her when Jerry died. Her son Zion used to date a dear friend of mine, and when Jerry died, Donna came for the memorial in Golden Gate Park and we all went together. I write about it here.

Go on and enjoy the music. That's really all what it get to: the music.

jh

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

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When The Levee Breaks: Memphis Minnie (Blues Classics By Memphis Minnie - Arhoolie Records)
Left Me A Mule To Ride: Big Joe Williams (Tough Times - 1959)
Frankie and Albert: Taj Mahal (Ooh, So Good 'n Blues - 1973)

Black Is: Last Poets (MOJO: Revolution Blues - 2018)
Munaye: Mulatu Astatke (Mulatu of Ethiopia - 1972)

Redebe: Johnny Dyani (Witchdoctor's Son - 1978)
Flute Loop: Beastie Boys (Ill Communication - 1994)
Kon Karne: MF Doom (Mmm Food - 2007)
Anti Love Song: Betty Davis (S/T - 1973)

Jesus Christ: Bob Dylan (Through the Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 - 2025)
Corrina, Corrina: Bob Dylan (Through the Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 - 2025)

Every Grain of Sand: Giant Sand (Swerve - 1990)
A Change Is Gonna Come: The Gits (Enter: The Conquering Chicken - 1993)
From Her to Eternity: Nick Cave (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - 1984)

Sway: Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda Williams (Duets Special - 2025)
The Girls Are Naked: The Creation (Action Painting - 2017)
Keep Your Big Mouth Shut: Thee Headcoatees (Here Comes Cessation - 1997)

Sunrise: Grateful Dead (In tribute to Donna Jean - May 26, 1977)
The Music Never Stopped: Grateful Dead - April 24, 1978)

Salsa Verde: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Spanish Fly: Boss Hog (Drinkin' Lechin' and Lyin' - 1989)

Respect: Aretha Franklin (Live At The Fillmore East - 1971) 

    

Hell's Kitchen Radio #584: Does This Smell Right To You?

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How about another radio show where I play music that you never knew you needed? I like that idea. In a world where AI is telling you what to wear, watch, vote for, battle, digest, laugh at, point at, throw away, be disgusted towards, why not allow yourself a little freedom to listen to music curated by someone who digs in the crates to bring you something NOT generated by an algorithm?

At least while it's still legal to.  

Don't you get the feeling that we're going to come to a point where we'll decide on the ballot to allow our tech overlords to determine what we think?

Personally I don't believe in free will. True. I don't. I get to make my choices based on what's sitting in front of me. Not making a choice is still a choice. Isn't that a lyric somewhere? Thank you, Rush. 

So, all this being what it is, why not listen to some music that I had the "choice" to play for you tonight.

Highly inspired by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, my first hour is chock full of Americana nuts, and other aural legumes. Nothing spectacularly new tonight, which is a rarity for me. You may have noticed I've taken to adding the album and release year on my playlist. Eventually I may even get to linking to wear you can buy it! I think I used to do that back in the day...when I used that choice to do so.

In the meantime, use your choice and listen to two hours using your own free will and I'll see you on the other side.

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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Magic: Zig Zags (Strange Masters Vol. 1 - 2024)
Mohawk Town: Paul Leary (Born Stupid - 2021)

King of California: Dave Alvin (King of California - 1994)

Every Grain of Sand: Emmylou Harris (Wrecking Ball - 1995)

The Devil's Chasing Me: Reverend Horton Heat (Full Custom Gospel Sounds of... - 1993)

Midnight Wine: Shannon and the Clams (Year of the Spider - 2021)
Don't Fall Down: The Black Angels (May The Circle Be Unbroken - 2021)

Delia's Gone: Johnny Cash (Murder - 2000)

Tonight, I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown: Jimmy Dale Gilmore (After Awhile - 1991)

Jack the Ripper: Susan and the Surf Tones (Thunderbeach - 1996)

She Rode Me Down: Tindersticks (Falling Down on a Mountain - 2010)

Graveyard Shift: Uncle Tupelo (No Depression - 1990)

Crazy Fingers: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)

The Road Goes On Forever: Robert Earl Keen (No. 2 Live Dinner - 1996)

Kill the Badger: William S. Burroughs (Dead City Radio - 1990)

Dread Locks Corner: Prince Jazzbo (Ital Corner - 1976)

Home Affairs: Osibisa (Osibirock - 1974)

California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel (Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs  - 1977)

Azeta: Lafayette Afro Rock Band (Soul Makossa - 1973)

Black: Ken Nordine (Colors - 1995)

Potholderz: MF Doom (Mmm Food - 2007)

Ya Habibti: Mdou Moctar (Afrique Victime - 2021)

Three Hours: Nick Drake (Five Leaves Left - 1969)

Resolution/Revolution: Linda Lindas (No Obligation - 2024)

In The Great Gettin' Up Morning: The New Gospel Keys

Hell's Kitchen Radio #558: Palestine Solidarity Committee

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There are a lot of educators in Gaza who are suffering not only for their family but for the families of the children they teach. San Francisco Unified School district has a number of educators who have started a grass roots Palestine Solidarity Committee, where they are teaching one another about what is happening in Gaza and how they can support the teachers who are there trying to care for their students.

I have three members of this committee on my show Monday night, in the first hour, talking about the work they are doing and how others can join in. 

If you want more information about this committee and how you can participate, please go to the website linktr.ee/supportgazanteachers and email them melodiesforgaza@gmail.com

The second hour continues my time paying tribute to Black History Month. There's far too much music to play; I'll never get it through everything I want to share by the end of the month. Luckily I have this show every Monday night! 

Check it out at the link above.

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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Bring the Noize: Brownout
Nimerudi: GOAT + MC Yallah

Sharaf: Sahra Halgan

These Are The JBs: The JBs

Original Faubus Fables: Charles Mingus

Red House: Jimi Hendrix
Bumble Bee: Big Mama Thornton

America's Most Blunted: MF Doom and Madlib
Mama Roux: Dr. John
Fantasy: Pir Square
Cold Sweat: Bernard "Pretty" Purdie

Mannish Boy: Muddy Waters
Summertime: Ella Fitzgerald

My Way: Elvis Presley

Hell's Kitchen Radio #539: Hell Is My Pleasure

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What team are you on: play only the most subversive sounds that may draw in listeners hungry for something new and challenging, but may push some away? Or are you in the camp of play a lot more accessible sounds so as not to push too many listeners away?

I struggle with this, week-to-week, as I'm putting my shows together. I really want to turn you on to music you've never heard, that is knocking me out, but I also know that if I play too much subversive sounds, I may only end up with my mother listening. She really digs that Throbbing Gristle (HA!).

Really though, if you had your choice, which kind of radio show are you more likely to stick around for and tune into each week.

I aim to please, which still pushing your comfort zone.

That was not meant as a euphemism, but you know...

In the meantime, I think this show won't cause any anxiety any time soon. New King Gizzard, OSees, Redd Kross, and Linda Lindas. Newly released remasters of John Lennon and Alice Cooper. Newly found recordings from Johnny Cash and Neil Young.

Enjoy and please let me know how Hell can please you.

jh

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

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Good Times, Bad Times: Led Zeppelin
Bumpin' On Sunset: Wes Montgomery

So Lucky: Shannon and the Clams
School Days: Dizzy Gillespie

Raw Feel: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Trailer Trash: MV and EE
Boulder Holder: MF Doom and Madlib
The Harder They Come: Jimmy Cliff

Termination Officer: OSees
Feel: Ty Segall

Queen of the Underground: GOAT
Eyevoid: Heavy Blanket
Found A Job: The Linda Lindas
Room Service: Rap Riplinger

Born Innocent: Redd Kross
I Like It Small: Mudhoney

Love Tsunamu: The Darts
Magic: Zig Zags
Capitol Radio: The Clash
Have You Ever Been To Little Rock: Johnny Cash
Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown: Neil Young

Mind Games (Take 7): John Lennon
Beer Drinkin' Woman: Memphis Slim

Gutter Cat vs. The Jets: Alice Cooper
From the First Hello to the Last Goodbye: Jane Morgan

Hell's Kitchen Radio #529: From The First Hello

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No guests. No training. Just you and me and a whole hell of a lotta music. Musically speaking this may be my best show of the year so far. There are some inspired sets I think you're gonna love. And these are some of my longest sets too!

In my early radio days at KFJC we had to follow the clock and break at :10, :20, :40, and :50, as well as play a legal ID at top of the hour. Each break we had business to attend to: announcing other shows , public service announcements, ticket giveaways, and other bits and bobs. This gave us a 20 minute sweep at the bottom of the hour, and one at the top (except for that pesky legal ID).

I've kept to that clock pretty much throughout the years. I like the idea of stopping often enough for you to know who I played, while also having a few longer sets where I can stretch out some. I often get a bit more dissonant during these sweeps.

I wasn't strict with the clock tonight. 

I also went shopping at Stranded Records on Sunday. New music from Goat, Melvins (best album since the Big Business days IMHO), and Meatbodies. Lots of music to drop your panties to. A brief tribute to Steve Albini (more to come on that loss). And so much more. Take a look at the playlist below. Click the link above to listen in.

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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Fight the Power: Brownout

Louder Than A Bomb: Public Enemy

Munaye: Mulatu Astatke

Behind the Wall of Sleep: Jazz Sabbath

Timeless Awareness: Goat

30 Seconds Over Tokyo: Pere Ubu

America's Most Blunted: MF Doom and Madlib

She's Got Weird Arms: Melvins

The Pharmacy: Crow Jane

Bulldog Front: Fugazi

Heartattack and Vine: Lydia Lunch and Nels Cline

Tupelo Blues: John Lee Hooker

Golden Hair: Hope Sandoval and Warm Inventions

Mind Daze: Psychic Ills

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter: Nirvana

Pink: Boris

Anlatmam Derdimi: Altin Gün

Slip It To The Android: Chrome

Float Along - Fill Your Lungs: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Gate: Meatbodies

Moonage Daydream: David Bowie

From the First Hello to the Last Goodbye: Jane Morgan

Hell's Kitchen Radio #516: Befriend Hell

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I had a conversation with a friend online recently, who was listening to a previous show of mine. She commented that it felt like I was speaking directly to her when I said that you may not be listening live, but perhaps somewhere in a distant time? 

It's true, you know? I often imagine you listening to these shows many decades (or centuries?) into the future. Once it's out there, it's out there forever. Every word I have spoken, every song I have played. It's all there. I was about to type "do anything you want with it. It's not mine anymore". But then I got to thinking about this world of ours where intellectual copyright and identity theft is a real thing. So go ahead and listen to these old shows, and my comments from those times, but do take it all in context, ok? Thanks.

I also know that my two darling children will possibly read these posts and listen back to my old shows. Anything's possible, right?

Not a lot of new music tonight. Ty Segall has a new release on the horizon: "Three Bells", and I have something off of that. New Beatles. Yes, you heard that right. And it's pretty good. The video almost brought me to tears. 

I'm heading to Bottom of the Hill Saturday night to see Radio Valencia's DJ Doug in his quartet 9 Dog Dick. It's their album release party. The headliner is St. Louis' Drunks With Guns. They're loud and the rock! I played them in the second hour tonight. Come on down and rock out with me.

As always, there's something for everyone here, as long as you enjoy 60s psych, 70s soul-jazz, 00s South-Asian garage-revival, 00s subversive hiphop, prog-metal and more. 

Have fun and share.

jh

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

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Some Velvet Morning: Vanilla Fudge

Inner City Blues: Grover Washington Jr.

Leyla: Altin Gun

Pay Back Africa: Antibalas

Thlah Cinta Berlalu: Koes Barat

Breathless: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Heartattack and Vine: Lydia Lunch (ft. Nels Cline)

My Room: Ty Segall

Girlfriend is Better: Talking Heads

Islands in the Sky: Death Valley Girls

Now and Then: The Beatles

Beef Rapp: MF Doom

Smokin' Cheeba Cheeba: George Benson

Bird Song: David McMurray

I Get A Kick Out Of You: Frank Sinatra

Hell House: Drunks with Guns

Celestial Crown/Barael's Blade: The Sword

Majic Moonjynuh: Queen Crescent

Revenge: Embryo

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

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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 #490: What's On The Stereo?

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You got yourself a HiFi, do ya? You think you're all ooh la la? I bet you got some of that wall-to-wall shag carpeting all the kids are raving about, hmm?

We actually had wall-ON-wall carpeting in the basement rec-room of one of my childhood homes. There were some interesting square-cut mirrors with gold veins running through them for some odd effect. That house also had a built in bar. But it was the deep shag carpeting that not only ran across the floor, but literally up the wall to the ceiling that really stood out. Whose idea was that???

And of course our home stereo was down there too. My parents went out of town for a few days, leaving my two older sisters in charge. They were in high school and I was in elementary school at the time. I always looked up to my oldest sister, Julie. She's about eight and a half years older than me, and would always look after me when my folks were at work. My middle sister, Tracy, is about seven years older than me. She and I often butted heads when I was young, even though she was super excited about my mom giving birth to her little brother, me. We're all thick as thieves today. That party though! I was super excited they were having all of their friends over. This would have been around 1979 or 1980. And I can tell you whatever you have seen in movies about the teen fashions of that time were all over my basement that night. I stayed down there as long as they let me stay. I also have a memory of them setting everything up in the early evening, and me watching CHIPS on TV. HA!

This reminds me of the time my dad and his then girlfriend (now wife of 30+ years) went to Lake Tahoe, leaving me at home during my junior year of high school. I lived with my dad throughout high school; my parents divorced when I completed 8th grade. My best friend at the time, Kevin, decided to print up flyers for a kegger at my house, which he passed out to the local high schools, in and around San Mateo. Thanks Kevin. This was in late 1986, or early 1987. We had one hell of a party that night. About 300 people arrived. We had four kegs full of beer. My mom phoned, knowing my dad was out of town, and asked who that nice young lady was who answered the phone? I had no clue. She could hear lots of voices. My sister Tracy got on the phone and confronted me about having a party, letting me know that she was going to drive across the Bay right then and there. GULP.

Tracy arrived and alerted everyone "THIS IS MY FATHER'S HOUSE AND NONE OF YOU ARE INVITED!". She then told me the police are sitting outside in their squad car and want to talk with me. I proceeded outside and they told me that when the beer runs out these kids are going to get angry. "Why don't you choose who you want to have stay and we'll take care of the rest?". That's mighty kind of you officers. I selected about 30 people, and then the cops came through and escorted everyone off my property. They never even knew we were taking money at the door! HA!

My dad arrived home the next night to a mostly cleaned house. The carpet was pretty well trampled upon. I stopped him at the front door and told him about the party. He was none too pleased, but this was my dad we're talking about. There was no grounding. There wasn't much of anything. Thanks dad? I guess. I had no leash growing up. I went to shows all the time, up and down the Peninsula, and in the East Bay. I drove down to Monterey to see the Grateful Dead for the May 9th and 10th 1987 shows all by myself. I was 16. I never got myself in any serious trouble. I was never arrested, I never drove while high, I never liked alcohol, and I never was an asshole to people. Somehow I learned if I took "healthy risks" then the only person I could really have harmed was myself. That, and the "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission" thing. I've grown out of that, thankfully. 

I have no idea what prompted me to share all of that with you, but there ya go. 

Ummmmm music. Yeah, music. I have a few 2022 remasters and box sets here tonight. David Bowie, Blondie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Ella Fitzgerald all have remasters out this year. There's some garage punk, jazz, Japanese Folk Psych, British shoe gaze, stoner metal, ambient doom, hip hop, grunge, post-punk, and William Shatner. 

With this you can't go wrong.

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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You Ass Is Next In Line: The Mummies
All Night Long: The Headcoatees
Louie Louie: The Headcoats

Do Not Expose To The Burning Sun: Helms Alee
Blood of the Serpent: Glitter Wizard

Sound and Vision: David Bowie
Sunshine of Your Love: Ella Fitzgerald
Let's Spend the Night Together: Muddy Waters

Blue Train (Take 8): John Coltrane
Hood Politics: Kendrick Lamar

Dancing Blue: Kikagaku Moyo
Rave Down: Swervedriver

That's What Happened: Miles Davis
Trailer Trash: MV and EE

Moonlight Drive: Blondie
Raid: MF Doom and Madlib
King Henry V/Elegy for the Brave: William Shatner
IV: Aluk Todolo

New Face In Hell: The Fall
Stereo: Pavement
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong