Hell's Kitchen Radio #594: How Bad Can It Be?

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I just read that for the first time since 2000 California is 100% drought free. For those who are 25 they have only known life either in a drought, going into a drought, or coming out of one. If that snow pack is deep then this might just be a good year for the Golden state! 

And it's a new year for Radio Valencia! We've had a lot of ups and downs over the year, especially since COVID, but 2025 was a banner year! I am thrilled about the many new shows we've added, and even more so about the people staffing them. The tech side is getting a huge boost from some folks on staff who come with the credentials to bring us into the 21st century. Stay tuned in!

In the next week I have huge news to announce about a show I'm co-producing out the wilds of North Beach, at a once legendary venue that has new life being breathed into it. I am so excited about this, but I will not jump the gun. This will be a Radio Valencia co-presents, and you are going to want to be there. This is the kind of event that more people will claim to have attended than the venue can actually hold.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

As for this here show, being the first of the new year, I felt the need for a bit of a refresh. Some classic psych, blues, Black Power, folk, spiritual jazz, garage, krautrock, chicha, and so much more. 

Take a look at the playlist below, and click that link to give it a listen.

This coming Monday night I'm excited to have San Francisco's top soundman, John Karr in the studio, playing music from the many shows he engineers around the city and talking up this upcoming show I spoke about above. Oooh boy, this is going to be fun.

You do not want to miss this show.

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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Some Velvet Morning: Vanilla Fudge (Near the Beginning - 1968)

White Man's Got A God Complex: Last Poets (This is Madness - 1971)

Crawlin' King Snake: John Lee Hooker (I'm John Lee Hooker - 1960)

My Time After A While: Buddy Guy (Chess Masters - 1984)

Memory of a Free Festival: David Bowie (Conversation Piece 5 CD Box Set - 2019)

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues: Bob Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited - 1965)

Peace Frog/Blue Sunday: The Doors (Morrison Hotel - 1968)

There She Goes My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Abattoir Blues - 2004)

Looking for Your Door (Chrome): OSees (Levitation Sessions II - 2021)

21st Century Schizoid Man: King Crimson (In The Court of the Crimson King - 1969)

Hare Krishna: Alice Coltrane (Universal Consciousness - 1971)

What's In My Head (Demo): FUZZ (Fuzz's Fourth Dream - 2025)

Broken Hearted Blue: Jenny Don't and the Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)

Spray: Can (Future Days - 1973)
Footprints: Wayne Shorter (Adam's Apple - 1966)

King Solomon's Marbles: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)

Ojos Azure: Money Chicha (Chicha Summit - 2021)

Gaia: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Omnium Gatherum - 2022)

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 #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

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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 #556: Best of 2024

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Well, January arrived, so I figure I better pull out what I bought last year and give all a spin. 

King Gizzard released its 26th album in 2024. And what an amazing show they put on at The Frost. Dale Crover came back from neck surgery to record and tour with Redd Kross, put out his third solo album and 27th with the Melvins. I can't wait to see them in April and again coming up in June. I love me some Melvins!

Nick Cave seems to be emerging from his deep grief-stricken period with Wild God. I'll be seeing him in May. Great albums from Billy Strings, WAND, Ty Segall, OSEES, GOAT (so many bands using allcaps?!?!?!), Shannon and the Clams, and more!

Monday night I'll be back with new music and music that's new to you.

Tune into the station you have come to rely on to play the best of whatever genre you're into.

And while you're listening we could really use your support. We have been around since 2010 and keeping our equipment operating, along with increased costs for just about everything, makes it a challenge to keep paying for this out of our pockets.

This is why we decided to have an "on air" fundraiser, through February 8th. Head over to Radio Valencia's website, scroll down and click the PayPal link on the right to show us a little love. This is a tax deductible donation, and every dollar goes straight to paying to keep our radio home running.

Thanks in advance.

Enjoy and please share the Best of 2024.

jh

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

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Hog Calling Contest: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Resolution/Revolution: The Linda Lindas

Bean Fields: Shannon and the Clams
I Waited Forever: Dale Crover with (Ty Segall)

Stunt Queen: Redd Kross
Snakes: Bell Rays
My Alice: Billy Strings
Luck and Strange: David Gilmore

Void: Ty Segall
Smile: WAND

Also the Gorilla...: OSEES
Silly Cybin: Meatbodies
Ouroboros: GOAT

Wild God: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Grind: The Jesus Lizard

She's Got Weird Arms: Melvins
Confluence: Slift

Me and the Girls: Amyl and the Sniffers
How To Ruin Your Life: False Flag
Comme Tu Le Souhaites (Ding Dong): Population II

Psycho Killer (Acoustic Version): Talking Heads

Hell's Kitchen Radio #549: 14th annual Annual Annual: 1994

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It's time for my 14th annual Annual Annual! This is where I choose one year to focus on for two hours. I like to put this out to my music-loving friends before I make a choice. I've covered a couple years from the 90s in the past, including 1991 last year. This time around I'm going with 1994.

My memories of 1994, when I was turning 24, are murky at best. In my own life I was single, living in Redwood City, on the air at KFJC and working at a small local record label/music distributor: Tandem Records/The Remix Club (TRC). I ran the warehouse before becoming the promotions director of the label. I recall us courting The Mermen, though I'm fairly confident we didn't get much farther than a meeting with them.

That was a challenging job. Most of the music the label had was in the Pop R&B genre, and I think you know what I think about anything Pop. And my boss was dating a young singer, who was marginal in talent to say the least...not to mention at least 20 years older than her. It was my job to get her played on R&B stations around the country and to take her to events in the Bay Area. There wasn't a lot of success there, in her music or the relationship.

I also didn't appreciate how my boss liked to yell at his staff, either. Ooh, I do remember that we watched the OJ Simpson trial in the office though. HA!

It was while I ran the shipping and receiving department that I learned of Kurt Cobain's death. I can picture that moment well: working in the warehouse and the announcement came on the radio. I saw Nirvana at the Warfield Theater in October 1991 for the Nevermind tour. TAD and Sister Double Happiness opened. I was on the floor for the openers, but it was so packed (oversold?) and my shoelaces were united, that I decided to bodysurf my way out of there. I ended up on the first tier with a perfect view of the stage for the Nirvana set. I always liked that band. 

Like my previous annual specials there's more to share than just the music: film, news and culture are included throughout the night, and there's never enough time to get to all the music I want to. 

Though there wasn't a lot of strong releases in 1994 (I blame the major record labels), there were a number of notable debuts: Notorious BIG, Jeff Buckley, Fu Manchu to name but a few. 

Let's get on with the show.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

2011 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1971
2012 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1972
2013 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1973
2014 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1974
2015 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1975
2016 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 2006
2017 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1992
2018 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1983
2019 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1969
2020 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1980
2021 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1978
2022 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1968
2023 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1991

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

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Miserlou: Dick Dale (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)

Juicy: Notorious BIG (Ready to Die)

Give It Up: Public Enemy (Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age)

Get It Together: Beastie Boys (Ill Communication)

The Man Who Sold The World: Nirvana (MTV Unplugged)
Royal With Cheese (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)
Grace: Jeff Buckley (Grace)

Revolve: Melvins (Stoner Witch)

Timeline: 1994

Ojo Rojo: Fu Manchu (No One Rides for Free)

Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop: Kyuss (Welcome to Sky Valley)

Buenas Tardes Amigo: Ween (Chocolate and Cheese)

Baddest of the Bad: Reverend Horton Heat (Liquor in the Front)

Gringo Honeymoon: Robert Earl Keen Jr. (Gringo Honeymoon)
Pendulum: Mark Lanegan (Whiskey for the Holy Ghost)

Timeline: 1994

Bull in the Heather: Sonic Youth (Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star)

Violet Eyes: Meat Puppets (Too High To Die)

Fuel My Fire: L7 (Hungry for Stink)

Do You Love Me: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Let Love In)

Free As A Bird: The Beatles (Free As A Bird)

Zed's Dead, Baby/Bullwinkle Part II: The Centurions (Pulp Fiction Soundtrack)

The Dishwasher: King Missile (S/T)

She Gave Good Sunflower: Black Crowes (Amorica)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #546: Who Is In Control?

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Well Hell, here we go again. There was a time, from the age of about 5 - 30 that I really thought I wanted to be a professional radio DJ. I loved the thought of playing my favorite music for a wide audience. If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, then you loved your local DJ, who you thought was programming their own shows. 

Silly me. And silly you if you thought they had total autonomy. I learned by the age of 18, when I was interning at KRQR that it was up to the Music Director, or Program Director what was going to be played. They also told you what you were going to say. 

DO. NOT. DEVIATE.

Damn.

Still, I wanted in on the game. The way I figured, it was more about me calling the shots after I'd been there 10-20 years. And I wanted to be there for life. By the time I left KRQR I knew I wasn't going to love all of the music being played, but I also thought I would have more say about programming once I was in the chair. 

I couldn't have been more wrong about that.

I ended up a button monkey (board op) at Alice-97.3 (KLLC). Coincidentally the same station that was once KRQR. This time I actually had a show. Still, here's what you play and here's what you say. And after the Telecommunications Act of 1996, companies began buying up the competition, so there was no need to take the risks they once had. 

Here's what you play. Here's what you say.

DO. NOT. DEVIATE.

This was in 2002. And this is when I decided to leave my dream of corporate radio dominance behind for the greener and much more poor pastures of non-commercial radio. I was actually still at KFJC when I was at KRQR. And I was hosting a show at the now-defunct pirate station San Francisco Liberation Radio when I was at Alice-FM. You can take the boy out of the subversive medium, you can't take the subversive medium out of the boy. 

Once I left KLLC I dove head first into SF non-comm/pirate culture, and I'm glad I did.

I may not host a daily radio show, but that also means I don't have to pretend to like the Eagles and AC/DC, or some pop crap. Can you even imagine?

My air name would probably be something like "Mike Alan". HA!

At least I can sleep peacefully knowing that all the Music and Program Directors have been replaced by Spotify and AI. 

I'm not bitter. I'm a DJ who programs their own show and you get to benefit from that. I guess I really am living the dream.

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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Bad Indian: Dead Pioneers (2023)
The Rain: Eddie Gale (1968)

Gild the Lily: Billy Strings (2024)

Happiness is Drumming: Diga Rhythm Band (1976)

Song of the Lake: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2024)

Regiment: Brian Eno and David Byrne (1981)

Black Silk Stocking: Chrisma (1977)

I Got Rhythm: Django Reinhardt (1938)

Glossolalia: Dale Crover (2024)

Black Moon Spell: King Tuff (2014)

Grind: The Jesus Lizard (2024)
My Man: Shannon and the Clams (2015)

Did You Hear About Jerry: Harry Belafonte (1962)

Reasonable World: The Blind Shake (2016)

Cold Bear: The Gators (1970)

Gimme My Wife: Bruce Marshall (1970?)

One More Death: GOAT (2024)

Strange: Wire (1977)

Pigs (Three Different Ones): Pink Floyd (1977)

Dragonaut (live 1992): Sleep (1992)

Oh Allah: Alice Coltrane (1971)

White Bird: It's A Beautiful Day (1969)

In That Great Getting Up In The Morning: The New Gospel Keys

Hell's Kitchen Radio #544: No Reason Not To Celebrate

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Happy birthday to MEEEEEEEE!

It's my birthday, and here I am alone in the studio giving back to YOUUUUUUUUU. And why not? It's a real treat being able to do this every week. Two hours is never enough, and I never come with a plan. I start with a song and go from there. I let the music move me, and since I wasn't focusing on playing anything new tonight, I was digging into my vault to pull out some tunes that have moved me over the years. 

Take a look at the playlist and click the link to play the show.

And if you want to show me some birthday love, please consider donating to Radio Valencia. This is labor of love, and we all pay monthly dues to keep the lights on and the turntables spinning. We need help maintaining the equipment we have, and regularly replacing worn out parts. We also have a deep desire to update our website. If you know anyone that can donate items for a raffle please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Enjoy this birthday gift I made just for you.

jh

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

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Metal Guru: T Rex
Powerman: The Kinks
Five Years: David Bowie

Poor Elijah/Tribute to Johnson: Delaney and Bonnie with Eric Clapton
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?: Derek and the Dominos

Can't You Hear Me Knocking?: The Rolling Stones
Sister Morphine: Marianne Faithfull
Slip Inside This House: 13th Floor Elevators

I Come From The Mountain: Thee Oh Sees
Licking Stick - Licking Stick: James Brown

Rise Up With Fists: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Only Son Of the Ladiesman: Father John Misty
Tiger Mountain Peasant Song: First Aid Kit

Lilac Wine: Jeff Buckley
The Pusher: Nina Simone

Southern Girls (Albini Recorded): Cheap Trick
I Wanna Be Your Dog: The Stooges
Rock and Roll: Velvet Underground

Red Right Hand: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Right On For The Darkness: Curtis Mayfield

Chocolate Jesus: Tom Waits
Rebel Girl: Bikini Kill

Hell's Kitchen Radio #541: Let Us Be Your Drug Of Choice

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You all need an exorcism from streaming services. The withdrawal is worth every drip of sweat and sleepless nights you are bound to experience. Those terrible voices in your head that will keep you up at night reminding you of the next recommended track you are missing when you cut them off cold turkey are going to hurt really bad. The headaches. The night sweats.The terrible desire to log back into your dealer, your pimp, the one who tells you they know what's best for you, for the low low price of $10 a month, but really, at the end of the day, all they want is your SOUL!!!! and $10 a month.

It's worth the pain.

Quit your dealer. Leave them on the street. Live on the right side of musical history.

I've got two hours of aural pleasure that will leave you wondering why you ever doubted the power of radio.

New music from The Bell Reys, and The Bell Reys who I saw at The Stork Club last weekend, along with Middle Aged Queers. GO SEE THAT BAND!!!

Lots of blues, funk, soul, punk, psych, metal, rock, and so much more than would ever be recommended for youknowwho. 

Enjoy and please be the one who tells your friends they too need to drop the apps...except ours.

jh

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

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Theme Song: Middle Aged Queers
Peace Train: Cat Stevens
Tater Pie: Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee

Howlin' Wolf: Muddy Waters
Preachin' The Blues: Son House

13 Is My Number: Dave Alexander
Don't Tell It: James Brown
What It Is: Apollis

Whatever Turns You On: The Bell Rays
Azeta: Lafayette Afro Rock Band

Talk To God (Live): GOAT
Lament for the Aurochs: The Sword
People Who Died: Jim Carroll

Frogs: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Chasing the Bee: Mercury Rev

Roomful of Mirrors: The Pretenders

Chaise Lounge: Wet Leg

Daily Blues: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Drugs on the Bus: Crystal Fairy

Hell's Kitchen Radio #540: Throw the dart, it's gonna be great

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Since there isn't a holiday for Hell Day...yet, I figured I should pay tribute to all the great laborers out there who never get the appreciation they deserve. 

I've hosted a lot of Labor Day shows over the years, and I think it's my favorite holiday to celebrate. I've been a union member for most of my working career, being a teacher, and before that in the grocery industry. At the age of 21, I was a shop steward at a grocery store I worked at. I was a member of the Union Building Committee at the school I teach at for nine years, meeting weekly with the administration, keeping them true to the contract. 

I have never had a hard time speaking truth to power. If I have learned anything it's how to finesse how I articulate the message that's needed to be said; all of which in support of the workers. 

I will never cross a picket line. 

The music tonight is all in celebration of the workers, most of whom are paid far below their value. 

I shared a lot of worker history during the show as well. I'm guessing you aren't aware of a lot of the what I spoke about.

Don't like the way you're treated at work, then join a union. 

Below I share the song "Rich Men Earning North of a Million, by Billy Bragg, which was a song he wrote in response to the song "Rich Men North of Richmond, by Oliver Anthony. I encourage you to listen to both (Anthony's first), to understand why Bragg felt the need to write his version.

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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Heartbeat of America: Billy Strings
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out: Nina Simone

Work Song: The Animals
You Gotta Go Down and Join the Union: Woody Guthrie
Nine Pound Hammer: Johnny Cash

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol: Bob Dylan
Run Devil, Run/The Big Guns: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore: John Prine
Career Opportunities: The Clash
Let's Lynch the Landlord: Faith No More

Mansion on the Hill: Bruce Sprinsteen
Do You Want New Wave, or Do Want the Truth: Minutemen
Crazy Baldhead: Bob Marley

Hey Joe: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Graveyard Shift: Uncle Tupelo
This is Not a Song, It's an Outburst (or Establishment Blues): Rodriguez
War Pigs: Black Sabbath

Get Behind the Mule: Tom Waits
In The Pines: Fantastic Negrito

Inner City Blues: Gil Scott Heron
Wild and Free: Curtis Mayfield

Get Back in Line: The Kinks
Cumberland Blues: Grateful Dead

This Land is Your Land: Woody Guthrie
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Check out the Billy Bragg song below.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #531: Sophomore Success

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Ever in search of a special that I can curate for you all, an idea hit me last winter to research great second releases. It can take a band years to craft a first record. It's pretty simple to name a dozen debut "masterpieces". What you may not notice is the pressure placed on a band, or artist, by the record label, to reproduce that magic quickly. This often leads to the sophomore jinx. Many of these bands are considered "one-offs", never to be heard from again; tossed on the scrapheap of musical history.

Then there are the artists who appear to have untold magic dripping from their fretboards, leading to dynamic second records, and perhaps more! 

I put out the word to friends and listeners to share what they considered epic second records, and I was not disappointed. Much of what you hear on this six hour show is a culmination of almost six months of research.

Yes, much of this music comes from the "golden age" of the major label era of the 60s and 70s. But there is so much more. 

I only planned on doing four hours, but the show that follows mine kindly stepped aside allowing me to round out this show with six solid hours of truly impressive fare. 

Yes, there are countless releases I did not share. I often started a set with a specific song and allowed that to inspire what followed. That's often how I choose my sets.

Check out the playlist below, which includes the album title and the year it was released.

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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She Watch Channel Zero: Public Enemy (It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back 1988)
Shadrach: Beastie Boys (Paul's Boutique 1989)

Millie Pulled A Pistol on Santa: De La Soul (De La Soul in Dead 1991)

Funky Dollar Bill: Funkadelic (Free your Mind... and your Ass will Follow 1970)

He Was A Big Freak: Betty Davis (They Say I'm Different 1974)

Thirty Dirty Birds/Yertle The Turtle: Red Hot Chili Peppers (Freaky Styley 1985)

Mr. Pitiful: Otis Redding (The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads 1965)
Tommy The Cat: Primus ft. Tom Waits (Sailing the Seas of Cheese 1991)
Depot Depot: Tom Waits (The Heart of Saturday Night 1974)
California: Joni Mitchell (Blue 1971)

Memory of a Free Festival: David Bowie (David Bowie 1969)

Territorial Pissings: Nirvana (Nevermind 1991)

Dirt: Iggy and the Stooges (Fun House 1971)

Bring on Home: Led Zeppelin (II 1968)

Don't Keep Me Wonderin': Allman Brothers (Idlewild South 1970)

Workin' For The MCA: Lynyrd Skynyrd (Second Helping 1974)

Levitation: 13th Floor Elevators (Easter Everywhere 1967)

New Potato Caboose: Grateful Dead (Anthem of the Sun 1968)

Call Any Vegetable: Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (Absolutely Free 1967)

Marie Marie: The Blasters (s/t 1981)

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

Hare Krishna: Hüsker Dü (Zen Arcade 1984)

50ft Queenie: PJ Harvey (Rid of Me 1993)

Tupelo: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (The Firstborn Is Dead 1985)

Snake Mountain Blues: Townes Van Zandt (Our Mother The Mountain 1969) 

Dirty Old Town: The Pogues (Rum, Sodomy and the Lash 1985)

Tommy Gun: The Clash (Give 'em Enough Rope 1978)

Private Idaho: B52s (Wild Planet 1980)

Addicted: Amy Winehouse (Back to Black 2006)

Here She Comes Now: Velvet Underground (White Light/White Heat 1968)

Vicious: Lou Reed (Transformer 1972)

Pissing in a River: Patti Smith (Horses 1975)

Rosalita (Come Out Tonight): Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle 1973)

Parasite: Kiss (Hotter Than Hell 1974)

The Ripper: Judas Priest (Sad Wings of Destiny 1976)

My Lighter: Zig Zags (Running Out Of Red 2016)

Creeping Death: Metallica (Ride the Lightning 1984)

Disco: Death Valley Girls (Glow in the Dark 2016)

At A Crawl: Melvins (Ozma 1989)

My Eyes Have Seen You: The Doors (Strange Days 1967)

Death Letter: The White Stripes (De Stijl 2000)

Death Train: The Bobby Lees (Bellevue 2022)

Just Got Paid: ZZ Top (Rio Grande Mud 1972)

Bomber/Closet Queen/Cast Your Fate to the Wind: James Gang (Rides Again 1970)

The Motivator: T Rex (Electric Warrior 1971)

Don't Blame the Buzzard: Sgt. Splendor (Death of the Hoochie Koo 2023)

Who You Driving Now?: Mudhoney (Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge 1991)

Self Hypnosis in 3 Days: WAND (Golem 2015)

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

Rice Pudding: Jeff Beck (Beck Ola 1969)

Morning Theft: Jeff Buckley (Sketches (For My Sweetheart the Drunk) 1998)

Girl From North Country: Bob Dylan (Freewheelin' Bob Dylan 1963)

Helplessness Blues: Fleet Foxes (Helplessness Blues 2011)

Willow Weep for Me: Nina Simone (The Amazing Nina Simone 1959)

Devil in Her Heart: The Beatles (With the Beatles 1963)

Roscoe: Midlake (Trials of Van Occupanther 2006)

Electric Funeral: Black Sabbath (Paranoid 1970)

Love Canal: Flipper (Blow’n Chunks 1984)

Lake of Fire: Meat Puppets (II 1984)

Motorbike: Wooden Shjips (Dos 2009)

If 6 Was 9: Jimi Hendrix (Axis: Bold As Love 1967)

Forty Thousand Headmen: Traffic (Traffic 1968)

The Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil: Jefferson Airplane (After Bathing At Baxters 1967)

Saucerful of Secrets: Pink Floyd (Saucerful of Secrets 1968)

Cody, Cody: Flying Burrito Brothers (Burrito Deluxe 1970)

Across the Great Divide: The Band (The Band 1969)

Oh Caroline: Cheap Trick (In Color 1977)

Pinhead: The Ramones (Leave Home 1977)

Beat My Head Against The Wall: Black Flag (My War 1984)

White Girl: X (Wild Gift 1984)

Distinct Complicity: Bikini Kill (Reject All American 1996)

Cat Food: King Crimson (In The Wake of Poseidon 1970)

About a Girl: Sex Mob (Solid Sender 2000)

Funky Miracle: The Meters (Look-Ka Py Py 1969)

Harmonika: Kraftwerk (2 1972)

The White Rider: Camel (Mirage 1974)

Long Division: Fugazi (Steady Diet of Nothing 1991)