Hell's Kitchen Radio #592: Hippie Trance From Hell

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Ok, ok, ok, ok, ok. No really, ok. It's ok. It's fine. It's ok. Ok. 

Whew. OK. ok

What was it I was trying to say?

ok

No, not that. That couldn't have been all? Maybe it was.

Music moves me. And hosting a radio show allows me to take what moves me and shove it down your throat. And I mean that in the nicest way.

ok

A friend tuned into the last half hour of this show and commented that my show is so eclectic with the Beatles, psych, punk and alt. 

They missed the other 15 genres I played!

ok

For some really odd reason I was in the mood for some electronica tonight. I am NEVER in the mood for electronica. Our former DJ, Timmiii, had the best electronica show I have ever heard, and I knew I could never do it justice, so I just shied away from playing much on my show. Tonight something called me, so you'll hear an early Silver Apples, and Harald Grosskopf. The Osees bring their full new Can-style in their latest release. The Seastones track will help your plants grow.

Funk, Jazz, Neo-soul, Hip-Hop, Krautrock, and Dub round out most of the show. New music from Orcutt, Shelley, Miller blew me away. Go see them live. I also have new music from Kate Vargas and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.

Tune in for more than 30 minutes and you never know where you'll travel.

OK?

ok.

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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Kansas City: James Brown (Cold Sweat - 1967)
School Days: Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker (Diz 'N' Bird in Concert - 1953)

You Better Have A Gun: Fantastic Negrito (White Jesus, Black Problems - 2022)
By The Time I Get To Arizona: Brownout (Fear of a Brown Planet - 2018)

Suicide: ICE (Each Man Makes His Destiny - 1973)
To All The Girls/Shake Your Rump: Beastie Boys (Paul's Boutique - 1989)
Emphasis: Harald Grosskopf (Krautrock Eruption - 2025)
Lovefingers: Silver Apples (S/T - 1968)

Don't Blow the Experiment: Osees (Live at the Broad Museum - 2025)

Time We Left This World Today: Hawkwind (Doremi Faso Latido - 1972)
V-B: Ned Lagin and Phil Lesh (Seastones - 1975)

Dread Lion: Lee Perry and the Upsetters (Super Ape - 1976)
Bankrobber/Robber Dub: The Clash (Black Market Cash - 1980)

A Star is Born: Orcutt, Shelley, Miller (S/T - 2025)
Dirt: Iggy and the Stooges (Funhouse - 1970)

Serrated Knife: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi - 2025)
My Home Town: Mark Mothersbaugh (Potatoes: A Collection of Folk Songs from Ralph Records - 1987)
The Badge Means You Suck: AK-47 (Bloodstains Across Texas - 1992)

Bowling with Tim: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Get Back (Take 8): The Beatles (Anthology Vol. 4 - 2025)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #591: My Ears Are Burning

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Another week, another opportunity for me to shine upon you all the music that needs spinning. This is the kind of show where I poke through my records and say "I haven't listened to this in a while". And because of this I feel it my duty to bring you along for the ride.

I also felt the need to play a few of the records I purchased at the record swap a couple weeks ago. 

This is a weird show of sorts. I'm always mixing up the genres, but tonight felt a little schitzo. Sorry, not sorry. 

New music from Kate Vargas, Mien, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, and the latest Beatles Anthology! 

The holidays are upon us. I don't suffer from seasonal depression, but I know a few who do. Get out of the house, see live music, sit in a cafe and read a book, go for long walks, exercise. Move your body to lift your spirits. Hell has what you need.

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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Chung King: Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd (Guitar Guitar - 1963)
Groove Me: King Floyd (S/T - 1971)

Shotgun Blues: Blues Brothers (Briefcase Full of Blues - 1978)
Ball and Chain: Janis Joplin (In Concert - 1972)

Batman and Robin Over the Roofs: Batman and Robin (Sun Ra)
Is The Season For New Incarnation: Brigid Dawson and the Mothers Network (Ballet of Apes - 2020)
Parchman Farm: Mercury Rev (Bobby Gentry's The Delta Sweete Revisited - 2019)
Black Grease: The Black Angels (Passover - 2006)

Evil People: Mien (Miien - 2025)
The Harder The Come: Jimmy Cliff (The Harder The Come - 1972)
Crazy Fingers: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975/2025)
Across the Universe: The Space Lady (...On The Street of Dreams - 2018)

I Was Once A Contender: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour In The House of Lugosi - 2025)
Dollar Bill: GOAT (S/T - 2024)

Obsessive Devotion: MX80 Sound (Crowd Control - 1981)
Garbage on Glue: The Blind Shake (Key To A False Door - 2013)
If 6 Was 9: Jimi Hendrix (Axis: Bold As Love - 1967)
Allas Sak: Dungen (Allas Sak - 2015)
Pay To Cum: Bad Brains (S/T - 1981)

Born in the ADs: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Snake Oil: The Darts (Snake Oil - 2022)

Don't Let Me Down: The Beatles (Anthology Part 4 - 2025)

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 #550: Inspiration Move Me Brightly

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Inspiration comes in many forms, but for tonight it was a pile of vinyl and an old friend. We held a very rare in-person Radio Valencia meeting before my show with 18 members of our staff (35 current shows). One of our staffers, the Alchemist, Saturdays 6-10pm, has been a close friend of mine since we first met when working at Tower Records back in 1989. Yes, that's a longterm friend right there.

I recruited him over two years ago, since I knew he had excellent taste in music, and if he was interested, would host an impressive show. He has yet to disappoint.

After the meeting I invited the Alchemist to hang out in the studio with me for my show, and it pushed me to bring an even better show than I already strive for. This guy has taste and I did not wish to disappoint.

Plenty of new songs, including Robin Coomer, WAND, GOAT, the Linda Lindas, and Lorde covering Talking Heads. 

Dig This Inspired show.

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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Dicks Hate The Police: The Dicks
What Do You Want From Life: The Tubes

Me and the Girls: Amyl and the Sniffers
Where Eagles Dare: Misfits

Whoopie Chateaux: Sgt. Splendor
In Dream Every Home A Heartache: Roxy Music
Attractive Target: Negativland
Isotope: McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson

Yo Me Estreso: The Linda Lindas
I Will Kill for Suzy: Catheads

Close Call: Robin Coomer
High Time: WAND
The Rain: Eddie Gale

Dollar Bill: GOAT
Tally Ho: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

Chaise Lounge: Wet Leg
Bodies: Sex Pistols
Eagles Over America: ShitKid

Pushing the Extremes: Wipers
Take Me To The River: Lorde

Cream Puff War: Widespread Panic
In The Great Gettin' Up In The Morning: The New Gospel Keys

Hell's Kitchen Radio #532: Digital Gremlins

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Last Monday I had some bug up my butt about playing a bunch of local punk and then the whole thing went sideways, as it should. I'm a creature of habit and my radio habit is to keep myself guessing as much as you. I bring a stack of vinyl and throw something on. It's not rocket science! But the fun comes when I have to figure out what I'm going to play next. 

If I'm having a special or a tribute, then I have an idea of what I'm going to play set-by-set, but even writing that I'm giving myself more credit than I deserve. Really, I just throw a record on and let it direct me; sometimes it actually works!

Tonight I started out with some 70s punk, thinking it was going to rule the night, before I took a left turn with Sonic Youth. Then I wanted to get to current garage-psych-punk, so check out San Luis Obispo's Pancho and the Wizards, who I saw open for Australia's Psychedelic Porn Crumpets at The Independent a few weeks back.

Then I jumped back to the punk with classic San Francisco's Pop-O-Pies. I was crate-digging at a store I will not divulge, and grabbed this treat. Hot damn, it's a fun one.

I opened the next set with a gift to my little one, Bodhi. He's six years old and obsessed with steam trains, and that's putting it lightly. The Amtrak conductors know him by name. I'm not joking. I used to tale him to a local station to watch the trains go by almost daily for three years. He wants to rebuild old steam trains. I truly believe that he believes one day he will do this. Adorable. Anyway, I played his latest jam: "Wreck of the Old 97", as sung by the late great Johnny Cash. 

I hate this song now. Don't tell Bodhi

After a couple Americana and Swing tunes I jumped back into the subversive punk, before celebrating Jello Biafra's birthday with a few tunes. 

I closed out the night with some of my more preferred garage-punk from the past few years.

Why did I write all this? No real clue. Just started typing and here ya go. 

I'm back doing a show live in the studio each week, so please set your calendars for Mondays 8-10PM Pacific.

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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Pablo Picasso: The Modern Lovers
Subway Train: Johnny Thunders

Waiting For The Man: David Bowie
Superstar: Sonic Youth

Die By The Sword: Pancho and the Wizards
Bill's Mandolin: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
The Catholics Are Attacking: Pop-O-Pies

Wreck of the Old 97: Johnny Cash
King of California: Dave Alvin
Teardrops From My Eyes: Ray Condo and His Ricochets

All the Girls Cry: Toiling Midgets
Swastikas On Parade: The Residents
Diamonds in the Rough: Dead Moon

Kill The Poor: Dead Kennedys
Sharks in the Gene Pool: Jello Biafra with Nomeansno
Lost Orgasm: Jello Biafra
Will the Fetus Be Aborted: Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon
My Biggest Mistake: Joan of Arkansas

Toe Cutter/Thumb Buster: Thee Oh Sees
Handglams: Ty Segall
Pink Gorilla/Enthusiasm/Be Right Too: White Fence

Chaise Lounge: Wet Leg
 

Hell's Kitchen Radio #530: Exhausting You Into Submission

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If I've said it once, I've said it a three or maybe four times: radio is the art of the segue. You don't need to listen to a work I say on this show, but you do need to listen to these sets of tunes. Hot damn these are some fine songs I have for you tonight.

New music from Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Kevin Abstract, Population II, and Slift. There's a lot of psych and dark-psych throughout, and it really moves through you. I enjoyed the hell outta bringing you this show.

I don't do a lot of pre-planning when it comes to my sets. I generally just grab a bunch of vinyl and my external hard drive and head to the station. Once I get there i take a look at what I brought with me, and choose my first song that is to represent "the sounds of Hell". That's always a hoot.

I think it was this first set that really got my engine revving. 

Take a look at the play list below and click on the link to listen to the show.

Enjoy and please share...and go support live, local bands!

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
Institutionalized: Suicidal Tendencies

Night Gnomes: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Nice, Nice, Very Nice: Ambrosia

Once In A Lifetime: Kevin Abstract
Home Affairs: Osibisa
Wake Up The Sun: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Mutantes e Seus Cometas no Pais: Os Mutantes

Le Serpent: Population II
Solen Stiger Upp Del 1 and Del 2: Dungen
No Good Trying: Syd Barrett
Free The Skull: Moon Duo

Confluence: Slift
Dance of the Bacchantes: Dead Can Dance

Gathering of Ancient Tribes: Goat
Environs: MV and EE
IV: Aluk Todolo
Bring It On Home: Bo Diddley

Why Don't You Smile Now: Spiritualized