Hell's Kitchen Radio #622: You're Embarrassing Yourself

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Rock out, you fools!

That was the plan tonight. Don't have a plan. Just gather what you think you need and fly. That's a good strategy, dontcha think? It works for me most of the time.

The most planning I do for my show is pulling music I've purchased recently and coupling that with artists from my library that have been running through my head, or I feel will pair nicely with what I've already got ready to go.

I also know that Daniel is going to bring in his share of treats that will get a spin. He even surprised me with a 7" box set of noise that I didn't know I needed. Thanks Daniel!

There was one scheduled interview for Monday night. I had Kevin Seal coming in to talk about the upcoming Seal Party show at the Rickshaw Stop on Friday, August 14th.

Then the Icelanders walked by.

Daniel and I were talking about something nonsensical, and I made some comment about "fools" just as three people were walking by the open door (the Radio Valencia studios are street level). They looked at me and I waved them in. That's how we came to have three young Icelanders in the studio, and I put them on mic. 

Impromptu interviews happen, so I was just happy to gice these kids their first taste of being on the radio, and while they're visiting the states!!!

Music from six decades all packed into two hours. How do we do it?!?!?!?

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" - 1983)
Midnight Special: Harry Belafonte (The Midnight Special - 1962)
Whitey On The Moon: Gil Scott-Heron (The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - 1974)
Dancing In The Sun: Sun Ra (The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra - 1965)

Dye n Red: Lazy Cowgirls (Third Time's A Charm - 1987)
Country Death Song: Violent Femmes (Hallowed Ground - 1984)
No More Pushing: Daniel Johnston (Hi, How Are You? - 1983)

Spirits: Albert Ayler (Spirits - 1964)
Leave Us Alone: Mary Monday (In The City: SF Punk 1977 - 2021)
Trouble At The Cup: Black Randy and the Metro Squad (7" - 1977)

Gut The Quantifier: The Fall (This Nations Saving Grace - 1985)
Eventually: Ornette Coleman (The Shape of Jazz to Come - 1959)
My Boyfriend's Back: The BeeJays (7" - 1980)

Way Down We Go: Kaleo (A/B - 2016)
They Came In: Butthole Surfers (After the Astronaut - 2026)

Redacted: Seal Party (Circles Headed To The Sky - 2024)
Dark Days: Jolie Holland (Wine Dark Seas - 2014)
Blind Promise: White Heaven (Tokyo Flashback - 1991)
Self Hypnosis in Three Days: WAND (Golem - 2006)

Yor Zarad: Angine De Poitrine (Vol. 2 - 2026)
Desperation: The Avengers (S/T - 1978)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #582: Scott Amendola

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Scott Amendola doesn’t just play the drums — he opens up a whole other world with them. He’s one of those rare musicians who can sit behind a kit and make it sound like a full conversation is happening. Over the years he’s worn a lot of hats: composer, bandleader, and the kind of drummer other inventive musicians want in their corner.

Scott grew up in New Jersey, studied at Berklee in Boston, and then made his way west. Out here he became a key part of the amazing TJ Kirk quartet with Charlie Hunter, Will Bernard, and John Schott — their second record, If Four Was One, even got a Grammy nomination.

And he’s not afraid to think big. In 2011 he premiered an orchestral piece called Fade to Orange with the Oakland East Bay Symphony, joined by Nels Cline and Trevor Dunn. That’s the kind of career Scott’s had — one foot in the small, intimate club, and the other in these ambitious projects that stretch way beyond genre.

He’s worked with some of the most exciting names in jazz and beyond, including 

Larry Ochs of ROVA Saxophone Quartet
Mike Patton
John Zorn
Will Blades
Jim Campilongo
Ben Goldberg
Skerik
Cyro Baptista
Jenny Scheinman-violin

It was my absolute pleasure to host Scott in the studio on Monday night where he shared some great stories from his youth, where his grandfather, jazz guitarist played a major inspiration in his life. We spoke about the great risks he took with his music, the amazing people he has been able to record, perform and tour with, as well the current challenges of surviving as a full time musician.

I also asked Scott to bring some music that he enjoys listening to. I surprised him with some of his own live shows. I peppered some tracks in throughout the show. See the playlist below for details.

Go check him out with SticklerPhonics this Thursday night, September 11th at The Back Room in Berkeley.

I know you're going to really enjoy this show.

jh

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

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Dream Brother: Jeff Buckley

Interview with Scott Amendola

When Kabuya Dances: Geri Allen Trio

Interview with Scott Amendola

Wall Town: Amendola vs. Blades (January 31, 2025 San Jose Jazz Break Room)
Well Blazed: SticklerPhonics

Afro Pusherman: Tony Allen
The Good Life: Pat Metheny and Ornette Coleman

Percussion Party! (Improvisation) > Down Tempo Slam (Improvisation) > Space… Sound… (Improvisation): Nels Cline Singers (Friday, March 28, 2025 - The Big Ears Fest)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #211: Hug It Out

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A good mix of rock and jazz and metal and blues tonight. Just take a look at this playlist! I threw some requests in there, and even did a ticket giveaway.

Some new music from Older Sun (thanks Justin) and the Meatbodies; both on 7" vinyl.

The other night I watched "I'm Now", the Mudhoney documentary from 2010. I've always considered this band the most true to the "Seattle sound". I love their "fuck you" attitude.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, how about a Pigpen classic? OK. This Lovelight is about 20 minutes in length, and is super tasty.

I'm sorry this is a week late. I'm on the air tonight. No guests, so that's more music for you!!!

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Hungry For Your Love: John Cale
Where Eagles Dare: Bratmobile
Believe Me Never: Fastbacks
Into Your Shtick: Mudhoney

Bad Man; Older Sun
Buenas Tardes Amigo: Ween
Kurt's Rejoinder: Brian Eno
Lonely Woman: Ornette Coleman

Powerman: The Kinks
Suerta de la Noche: Club Foot Orchestra
Lonesome Train: Robert Gordon with Link Wray
Elvis is Everywhere: Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper

Waist: Sonic Youth
Feed the Void: Meatbodies
Lovely Butterflies: Melvins
Theme from Cyrano / Mr. Tambourine Man: William Shatner

Brainded Warrior: Zig Zags
Army of Ignorance: Samsara Blues Experiment
Love Buzz: Shocking Blue
Orgasm Addict: Buzzcocks

Lovelight-Not Fade Away-Lovelight: Grateful Dead (04/15/70 - Winterland, SF, CA)
Double Crossing Time: John Mayall's Blues Breakers