Hell's Kitchen Radio #617: Is This Thing On?

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I was feeling in the grove...er, groove tonight. In the groove. Yeah, that's it. Hmmmmmmm

A Monday without a guest is a rare thing these days, so I took the opportunity to go deeper into my library, which included a few CDs. I know, I know. this is not my normal thing, but there were a few songs that have been going through my mind that I only own on CD. You have to understand, the 90s and 00s it was hard to find your favorite artists releasing anything new on vinyl. CD was King there for a wee bit.

I remember working at Tower Records in San Mateo (88-91), and they were making the transition away from vinyl. The staff was in an uproar about this, as we all knew CDs were a fad, like the 8-track tape. Since production costs for CDs were so low, it was attractive to the company to go in this direction. And for too many years it played this way. Unless an artist was with a vinyl-friendly label, or self-releasing, they had to go with CDs. 

I collected a lot of CDs during these years. Thousands. For a number of years I had quite an impressive CD shelving setup that I built myself. Floor to ceiling, twelve feet across, 12 shelves. Thousands of CDs, all organized by genre. And then I moved to a smaller home and away went the shelves, as I had to place them all into binders. And the binders sit in my closet. Since then I don't spend much time playing them. But there they sit. And there's some good stuff in those binders! 

So tonight I had a few songs in my head that were laying low in my closet. Eight of the songs I played tonight are on CD. Not that you're keeping count. I may need to pull more from there, or at least not hde the binders away in my closet.

New music from Earth Tongue (produced by Ty Segall), Angine de Poitrine, Surprise Privilege, and OSees tonight. There's a remaster/reissue from Aretha Franklin in there, an NWA edit you didn't know you needed too. 

Daniel Haver from the FabMab was in...and is quickly becoming my foil in the best sense. He brought some truly "great" 7"s that'll leave you as stumped as we were trying to figure out just exactly how old Sheila Raye is...or was. 24? 57? Who knows? 

If this isn't a show that's chock full of punk, funk and junk, then I'll throw my CD collection away.

Take a look at the playlist below and click the link that's somewhere in here to listen back to the show.

I'm going to have legendary photographer Jim Jocoy, known for his profiles on SF punk in the 70s and 80s on my show soon. I can't wait to talk to him about his years serving and showcasing this incredible history. 

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)
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile (CD Single - 1991)
Don't Cry Baby: Aretha Franklin (Forever Young - 2026)

Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again: Bob Dylan (Blonde on Blonde - 1966)
Every Grain of Sand: Giant Sand (Swerve - 1990)

Funka Billy Groove: Sheila Raye and the Great Highway Funka Billy Band (7" - 1977?)
Dust My Broom: Hound Dog Taylor (Beware of the Dog - 1976)
Anything Goes: Michael John and Kimberly (7" - 1983)

Dungeon Vision: Earth Tongue (Dungeon Vision - 2026)
Emmaline: Urge Overkill (Supersonic Storybook - 1991)
N.E.S.T.A.: Antibalas (Liberation Afrobeat, Vol. 1 - 2000)
Monkey Man: Rolling Stones (Let It Bleed - 1969)

Sherpa: Angine de Poitrine (Volume 1 - 2026)
Fuck the Police (Fuck Edit): NWA
T for Texas: Toshio Hirano 

Lady in Red: Surprise Privilege (Hard Listen - 2026)
Sunset on the Alamo: Jenny Don't and the Spurs (Call of the Road - 2017)
Buenos Tardes Amigo: Ween (Chocolate and Cheese - 1994)
The First Vietnamese War: The Black Angels (Passover - 2006)

Almost in the Hole: Seompi (7" - 1970)
N.I.B.: Brownout (Brown Sabbath Vol 1 - 2014)
Joro: OSees (Cara Maluco - 2026)
The Way We Were: Wild Man Fischer and Mark Mothersbaugh)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #536: Head Spinning Fun For The Whole Family

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This past Monday I had a new Radio Valencia staffer come in for training, so I didn't promote the show. When I have to divide my attention I don't feel that it's worth putting out the word. That being said, the music was on point even if my announcing wasn't. And you're here for the music.

Honestly, for a show that promises a diverse selection of genres, tonight cannot be beat. 

Garage punk, psych, proto-punk, country, Jazz, SF punk, Aussie psych, obscure 70s funk, 80s electronica, singer-songwriter, pop-punk, Sinatra and too much more to describe. Just look at the playlist below and click on the link to hear the 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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Hey Joe: The Leaves
Spanish Castle Magic (Stockholm Concert): Jimi Hendrix

Rock and Roll Nigger: Patti Smith
Politician: Betty Davis

Hello Out There: Johnny Cash
Nuclear War: Sun Ra
Plastic TV Land on LSD: Pope Paul Pot

Dali's Clock: Shannon and the Clams
Sloop John B: Three Stoned Men
Nootmare (K.I.L.L.I.N.G.) Meow: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

Soul Makossa: Lafayette Afro Rock Band
Sweet Jane: Mott the Hoople
Dots in the Fog: The Blind Shake
Around and Around: The Rolling Stones

Black Eyes: The Darts
Golden Dawn: GOAT

Pancho and Lefty: Willie Nelson and George Strait
Interlocking: Marissa Nadler
Lycee: Chrisma
Beautiful Strangers: Kevin Morby

Terrible Band: Redd Kross
Found A Job: The Linda Lindas

I Get A Kick Out Of You: Frank Sinatra

Hell's Kitchen Radio #502: A Tribute For My Father

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Well, here's a show I knew I would have to host eventually. I just didn't think it was going to be so soon. My dear father, Harvey Rosenberg passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, after over ten years surviving Parkinson's Disease. I was lucky to have spent a few days with him just before he passed. It was unexpected. He had been fairly stable and mobile just a few days before he passed on. Then something happened, that we're hoping to find out, and he took a serious turn for the worse; he never recovered.

To say I'm going to miss him is a massive understatement. 

I have spoken about my dad on this show numerous times over the years. There were a lot of dad-isms I have imparted to you, my kids and my students. So many great words to live by. Here are a few:

There's no reward without risk.

Always check the oil.

Pay your taxes.

And then there were the cars. My dad owned a lot of cars. It was his hobby: buy a car, fix it up, sell it. I think if he wasn't a watchmaker and in the jewelry business, he would have been a mechanic and race car driver. He must have owned at lease one Chevy model from 49 - 68, including four Corvettes: '60, '64, '66, and '68. I was lucky to be alive to enjoy the '66 and '68. I even snuck the '66 out a few time. Sorry dad.

Anyone who knew my dad liked him. He was a great guy. He never judged anyone, and never spoke ill of

anyone. If I needed advice, he would never tell me what to do, only what he would do. I lived with him through high school, after my parent's divorced. They gave me the choice, and it was the best choice to make for a young 13 year old boy, hungry for male energy only a dad can offer. I will always cherish our hours-long evening conversations about life. He was a great listener and a good storyteller. I'll miss those talks. They helped form who I am today. 

My love of music started with my dad. I don't think he was as interested in music as I came to be, but he was the first to play me music that wasn't on the pop radio stations. He enjoyed Chicago-style electric blues, bebop-era Jazz, 50s and 60s R&B and Rock & Roll. Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, and the Blues Brothers were always favorites. I feel like he handed me the baton and I kept it going.

Dad took me to some fun concerts in the 80s: Bruce Springsteen (Born in the USA Tour), Bob Seger, Robert Plant, and the Doobie Brothers. I loved seeing music with him. He turned me onto great films too. The Godfather was our mutual favorite. We also loved Mel Brooks films, Abbott and Costello, and the Marx Brothers. So much of my humor is because of these films. Dad started me young. I am forever grateful. 

I was honored to host a tribute to him on Monday night. The music I chose is music he would have loved. I tell a bunch of stories about him, and was happy to have my sisters Julie and Tracy keeping me honest with the live fact checking, via text. Thanks to my step-sister Dayna (for whom I've known since she was five and consider her my sister) and her loving husband John for being in the studio with me. A huge thanks to my wonderful daughter, Lauson for being with me as well. It was so special to share this night with them and with everyone who tuned in. 

I don't believe in an afterlife, or religion, or any of that, so I can't tell you where dad is, or if he heard the

show. I'm hoping if there is something that comes after this, then he's living it up. I don't want dad to rest in peace, because he wouldn't want that either. I want him having fun, racing cars with his friends, watching a great football game, eating the juiciest steak and hanging out with the people that mean the most to him. I hosted this show in his memory, so those who are alive can feel the love that we felt for such a wonderful person.

I love you dad.

Your son.

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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Intro - Hey Bartender: Blues Brothers
Blazing Saddles Trailer
Mack The Knife: Louis Armstrong

Manish Boy: Muddy Waters
Shaving Cream: Benny Bell

Marx Brothers' Duck Soup Trailer

The Runaway: Danny O'Keefe

Birthday: The Beatles
It's Hard To Be Humble: Mac Davis

Who's On First: Abbott and Costello

Bony Maronie: Larry Williams
Little Red Hen: Taj Mahal

The Godfather Trailer
Theme from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Ennio Morricone

My Sick Mind: The Roaches

Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey: Paul McCartney

My Ding-A-Ling: Chuck Berry

Roll Over Beethoven: Rolling Stones

Boom Boom: John Lee Hooker
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #484: Hell Is Cuh-Ray-Zee

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Having a chance to play these tunes for you brings great joy to Hell. There's a lot of blues in the first hour, and the blues always lifts me up! Give your ears a chance to get used to something new. I read another article recently that spoke about how people get set in their musical ways by the age of 32, and most of that music is what they were listening to in high school and immediately after. 

I'm about to turn 52, and ten of the tunes I played tonight were new to me over the past six months or so. I mean seriously now. I get that we're busy. I understand that for many music just runs in the background (I actually don't understand this at all, but I know not everyone can be as obsessed with music as I am), and I get that life keeps on keepin' on. I guess that's why I will always be a strong proponent for the power and magic of non-commercial radio.

It's DJs, who have the power to program their own shows, that give you a chance to sit back and enjoy the aural ride. Let us do the driving, so to speak. That's ok. I don't mind that. As a matter of fact I get really excited about that. Just listen to my mic breaks! 

A few notes about this show: Tom Waits is celebrating the 20th anniversary of both "Blood Money" and "Alice", so you get a taste of that. Some new music from Spain's Podium, new sounds from Ty Segall and Fantastic Negrito, as well as a premier from local guitarist/producer/engineer Myles Boisen, who will be on my show in two weeks, on Monday, August 22nd. Tune in.

You are also going to want to tune in next Monday, August 13th, 8PM PDST for my guest, rock photographer Jay Blakesberg, who will be in the studio talking up his latest book. I cannot wait for this interview. I have been a fan of Jay's for many years. Check out his stuff and tune in.

The Radio Valencia studio is looking better each week: new paint job and soundproofing. We're getting our logo on the awning out front next week! Thanks to our engineering team (aka: JazzNazz) we have the turntables and CD players working better than ever! But we still need you. This is an out-of-pocket venture. Bringing you great programming is our mission, and we can really use your help. Please consider donating to Radio Valencia by going to our PayPal (we are financially sponsored by SF IndieFest) and throwing a few bones our way. Every dime is spent on station needs (rent and equipment mostly). I thank you in advance. 

Time now to sit back and enjoy two hours of aural delights.

jh

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

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Down In The Street: The Stooges
Grinder Man: John Lee Hooker

Misery Is The River of the World: Tom Waits
Hole in the Wall: Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee

Black Rat: Big Mama Thornton
I Don't Know: Blues Brothers
Go To Satan: Rube Waddell
Introspection: Population II
Dear Doctor: Rolling Stones

Saturday Pt. 2: Ty Segall
Podium: Podium

Nabbadip: Fantastic Negrito
Master Pretender: First Aid Kit
English is Cuh-Ray-Zee: Peet Seeger
Hot Cha: Roland Kirk
Wild and Free: Curtis Mayfield

Get Up, Stand Up: Bob Marley with The Chineke Orchestra
Iron Man: Brownout

Toulon Pedro: The Toulon-Pedro Connect

Returning Summer: Myles Boisen
Tomorrow Never Knows: 801

Just Got Paid: ZZ Top

John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday 6-8PM Pacific - Lee "Scratch" Perry (1998) & The Rolling Stones (1971)

 

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I'm not a huge fan of tribute shows, but I guess that's my job, especially when we lose someone (or two) who made a big impact on the scene. Tonight we celebrate the lives of Lee "Scratch" Perry and Charlie Watts.

There would be no roots, no reggae, no dub, no Bob Marley if it were not for Lee "Scratch" Perry. True to form, he pushed the Jamaican music scene way beyond the limits, and took it international. Tonight we start the show with a performance from Perry and the Robotics, July 4, 1998 in Norway. This is a FM broadcast and a soundboard recording. Great stuff here.

The second hour features the band that would not be if it were not for Mr. Charlie Watts: The Rolling Stones. I loved reading Keith Richards' memoir for many reasons, not the least of which was his retelling of their desperate need to have Charlie Watts on the throne, and how expensive he was to hire. Also, the story of Watts telling Mick Jagger he wasn't his drummer, Jagger was Watts' singer, and then punching him in the face. HA! I'm one to believe the Stones stopped being relevant right after "Exile on Main Street" came out. My favorite era was 1971, so the show I have for you, March 13, 1971, from University of Leeds, is a must have! This is an excellent soundboard that should have been officially released...but it wasn't! So I have it for you. This show comes from "Get Yer Leeds Lungs Out" - label: Might Diamonds [MD 2004]

I add a couple of other treats to round out the show.

If you miss seeing live music as much as I have, then I think you're really going to enjoy my Monday night Live Bootleg Bonanza on Radio Valencia. I have thousands of shows from hundreds of artists and bands, spanning many genres. Every Monday is a chance for me to share some treats with you. I hope you enjoy and share the music.

Have you tried out our iPhone or Android app yet? Get them where you get your phone apps. I love the iPhone app and use it every day.

Stick around Monday's 8-10PM Pacific for my weekly music mix. Lots of new music to share with you every week.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM Pacific
Radio Valencia in SF

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John Hell's Live Bootleg Bonanza - Monday, February 22nd, 2021 - 6-8PM Pacific - Black Crowes June 15, 1991 - Rolling Stones March, 13, 1971

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Hot damn it's time for some southern harmony tonight with the Black Crowes! This amazing show from the end of the first national tour in 1991 will blow the doors off your Cadillac! As well it should. What a brilliant back the Black Crowes were in the early 90s. I thought they rivaled the Stones when they were at the top of their game. I'm certain if Duane Allman were alive he would have been nodding in agreement to the power of this band. 

Speaking of the Allman Brothers, they deserve two hours to themselves, so I'm going to grab a real treat for you in the weeks to come. 

I have enough time to slip in a 30 minute live taste for you following this BC show. So hold onto your hats as I slide in a kick ass Live at Leeds show from the Rolling Stones March 13, 1971. Can you imagine seeing the Black Crowes opening up for the Stones when both of these bands were at the top of their game? 

DAYUUUUUUUUUUM!!!!

Both bands are still around, so who knows what the future holds?

Enjoy.

Stick around for my two hour music mix, Hell's Kitchen Radio, right after the Bootleg Bonanza, 8-10PM Monday night. 

Hell's Kitchen Radio #367: Right Place, Wrong Lunch

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It's beginning to feel a lot like 2016 around here. too many fabulous musicians are passing away.

Tonight I offer my tribute to the great Malcolm John Rebennack Jr, better known as Dr. John, The Night Tripper, who passed away at the tender age of 77 on June 6, 2019. Considering he was born and raised in New Orleans with its amazing culture and rich cuisine, and had a heroin addiction until late 1989, it's a wonder he lived as long as he did. We're lucky just to have had him for the time we did.

I start my show with a 30 minute live tribute from a blazing hot show in 1987.

I welcome DJ Doug back into the studio with me tonight. He is starting a new show, Tuesday mornings, midnight-2AM on Radio Valencia. Be sure to tune in. He has excellent musical taste, if I say so myself. I always enjoy training new DJs. DJ Doug is a natural.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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Dr John tribute:
Live November 07, 1987, Lone Star Cafe, NYC, NY

Iko Iko
Right Place, Wrong Time
Jambalaya

Big Chief
Wang Dang Doodle

Sugar Sweet/Got My Mojo Working (with Mick Taylor)
Final Solution: Pere Ubu
I'm Straight: Modern Lovers

Sonic Reducer: Dead Boys
Chicken Farm: Dead Kennedys
122 Hours of Fear: The Screamers (Live at Mabuhay Gardens)

Thief: Can
Monkey Man: Rolling Stones
Here Come the Warm Jets: Brian Eno
In and Out of Grace: Mudhoney

They'll Never Take Us Alive: Zig Zags
Love Whip: Reverend Horton Heat
Way of the World: Melvins
Sex Bomb: Flipper

Only Son of a Lady's Man: Father John Misty
Boogieman Sam: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #365: Platters That Matter

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There comes a time in every DJ's life when they need to share what they know. Tonight was such a night. There have been many, actually. I welcome DJ Doug into the studio tonight for his first training session. The fella has already got the musical chops, now we need to get him radio-ready. He just threw down some platters that matter in the second hour, while I held down the announcing duties. Color me impressed. He'll be back on my next show to tell what he knows to you and the world.

There's a lot of new music to share with you these days. Isn't there always? You tune in for the newest in new sounds, and the sounds from way downtown. You can depend on Mr. Hell to play for you what you know you need, even if you didn't know you needed it. You can thank me later.

Until then, enjoy.

jh

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

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Why I Carry A Knife: Zig Zags
Movies: Weyes Blood
I Loves You, Porgy: Grover Washington Jr.

Beauford County Jail: Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves
Linda Blair: Redd Kross
If: Pink Floyd
Don't Do It: The Who

Sex Machine: James Brown
Don't Tell It: James Brown
By The Time I Get To Phoenix: New York Underground Funk Band

The Cruel Millennial: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Hey Louise: RGD
Witness Tree: Rodrigo y Gabriela
It's A Man's World: MC5
Second Coming: Alice Cooper

Saudia: Larry Young
Columbus Unbound: Bill Orcutt and Jacob Felix Heule
Down By The River: Buddy Miles
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere: Bob Dylan

Untitled Original (11386): John Coltrane
Sympathy for the Devil: Rolling Stones

Que Sera Sera: Doris Day
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Hell's Kitchen Radio #300: Celebrate Good Times

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I've been hosting a radio show on and off since about 1990 when I was at KFJC. I never counted the number of shows I hosted there, but between 1990-1997, probably over 1000 weekly shows. Those were great times, and by far the best education I could have dreamed of. When I started Radio Valencia back in 2010 I had no idea how it might grow and how long we would be around. Monday night I hosted my 300th show, not counting the many specials I've done. What a fun milestone this is.

I started off the night with 15 minutes of Facebook Live, which I'm still not totally comfortable doing, but at least it's a way for my family to see me in action. HA! My guest, managing editor of local magazine "Haight Street Voice", Linda Kelly spent the rest of the evening with me talking about the importance of having a regular publication in the city that supports local voice, whether they be citizens, homeless, merchants, artists, musicians, or whomever. Linda knows her history of the area like the back of her hand, and wants to use HSV as a medium to bring people together of various backgrounds, all of whom share their love of the city, and the Haight specifically. I concur. It was a fabulous interview. She turned the mic on me in the second hour, asking about my thoughts on show 300 and where I'd like to see Radio Valencia go in the future.

The music is just a continuation of all things John Hell is into. There's some brand spanking new Father John Misty, new Boss Hog, new CFM, new Crystal Fairy, live Thin Lizzy, and of course some live Grateful Dead. Check out the playlist below.

I don't really feel that this blog is for me to ramble on and on. I think the radio show itself should be the focus. So, click on the links above to stream or download this show, and then you too can take the two hour journey that I've prepared for you, 300 shows in the making...give or take.

This May 25th I'll be interviewing music critic and author Joel Selvin about his new book "Altamont

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Way Down in the Hole: Blind Boys of Alabama
Tunic: Sonic Youth

Sunday Routine: Boss Hog
N.I.B.: Brown Sabbath

I Call My Baby Pussycat: Parliament
Real Love Baby: Father John Misty
Love Song: Bongwater

Lethal Look: CFM
When Doves Cry: Patti Smith

Temple Beautiful: Chuck Prophet
Moth Tongue: Crystal Fairy
Wiggle Stick: Reverend Horton Heat

Sway: Rolling Stones
A Change is Gonna Come: The Gits
Suicide: Thin Lizzy (09-25-80 Sun Plaza, Nakano, Japan)

No Blues: Miles Davis
Loser: Grateful Dead (03-19-1977 Winterland, SF, CA)

Il Teatrino Delle Suore: Sex Mob

Below is the FB Live video from Monday's show, if you're into that kind of thing.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #299: Radio Junkie

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There's free-form radio and then there's FREE-FORM RADIO! I've been doing this too long to stop now. There are times when I'm driving late at night, pushing the buttons on my FM radio, thinking to myself "why am I hearing the same songs at this late hour that I would hear in the middle of the day? Shouldn't the late hours be the time when radio stations stretch out, try something new, or perhaps even a deeper album cut? Isn't this the time when they can play a 20 minute track? Isn't this the perfect opportunity for them to try out a new, local artist who deserves the airplay? WHY AREN'T THEY DOING THIS? And why haven't I written a letter? Tweeted? Made a call? "

If I was given a chance to program KSAN (aka:107.7 The Bone) I would make "Big Daddy" Tom Donahue proud. That man must be seriously spinning in his grave to see what has happened with his love child. Some say Steven Seaweed is an institution. I say that he's been phoning it in for about two decades now. No offense, Steven. You've made a great career out of being super excited to be playing another AMAZING Van Hagar track, and having people call out the WEEDMAN! I've worked in commercial radio. They hand you the playlist and tell you what you are and are not allowed to say and play. Any deviation from the norm and you're out the door. All to please the listeners. Yeah right. It's all about the sponsors. There is no longer any art or risk-taking in the land of mainstream radio. And it's been this way for a good 25 years now; perhaps longer.

Tonights show is all over the aural spectrum. Brand new music from Boss Hog, and CFM has a new LP out as well. There's some sizzling rock, toe-tappin' country, Japanese Psych, nouveau Americana, Seattle Grunge (I hate that term), and American Punk. I'm sure I left out something. Take a look at the playlist below and click on the stream or download above to enjoy this program, sure to please even the finickiest music lovers in your home.

Next Monday night is my 300th show on Radio Valencia. That's a lot of shows. I have no clue what I have planned, but it promises to be worth your time. Tune in 8-10PM at http://radiovalencia.fm

See you on the radio.

jh

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

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Way Down In The Hole: Tom Waits
The Deep: Red Fang

Ashes to Ashes: Eric McFadden
White Bird: It's A Beautiful Day

Volunteers: Jefferson Airplane
Sleep Drifter: King Gizzard and the Lizard Gizzard
I'm Sure to Meet You: Angel in Heavy Syrup

Rubber Lips: Damaged Bug
Pretty Bird: Jenny Lewis

Young, Gifted, and Broke: Aura Lewis and Lee "Scratch" Perry
I Fall to Pieces: Patsy Cline
Hey Hey, My My: Neil Young (June 13, 2003 Bonnaroo Music Festival)

Ground Control: Boss Hog
Make it Now: Mudhoney (September 26, 1993 Hollywood Palace)
Let It Bleed: Rolling Stones (November 1, 1981 Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX)

Dead Weight/Message: CFM
Barn Burning: Dave Alvin

Frankie and Albert: Taj Mahal
Ice Water: Ray Condo
Diddy Wah Diddy: Thee Headcoats

American Heavy Metal Weekend: Circle Jerks (February 14-1986 Fender's Ballroom
Long Beach, CA)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #297: Steal This Show

 

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I purchased my first bootleg, via cassette from a street vender on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, way back in 1983. It was a Grateful Dead show (obviously) from their 1981 European tour. Specifically, it was the Copenhagen, Denmark show from October 8, 1981. It was the second set only, and an audience recording. I didn't care. I was so excited. I was just shy of 13 years old, and I knew that I was in possession of some serious contraband. It thrilled me. My heart was racing. I had to hide it away. I didn't want to get busted holding something that I knew I wasn't supposed to have.

Looking back on that, it's so sweet I thought that way.

Shortly after that I began to hear tales of a store near my San Mateo home, in Burlingame, "The Record Man", who had a three ring binder full of shows, called "the bible", that he would pull out to show you if you asked nicely. I can picture him to this very day. I bought the brilliant June 18, 1975 Pink Floyd show from Boston Garden. This is an audience copy as well, but the quality far surpassed the 81 Dead show I had. This Floyd show had early versions of Sheep and Dogs, with their original titles "You've Got to be Crazy", and "Raving and Drooling", respectively. I was floored. By now I was totally and completely obsessed. I knew that I couldn't keep spending money on boots, since I didn't have a lot to begin with, having no job at 14. I had to think of other ways to find this golden booty.

I go into much better detail about my obvious addiction in a previous post, which you can find here.

I download an average of 12 shows a week these days. This year I've taken to featuring many of these shows during my second hour, but tonight I thought I'd take both hours to share what I've found recently. Sometimes two hours just is not enough! It's a mix from rock and blues, to jazz and reggae. There's some Americana and psych thrown in for good measure. As always I put the date and location for your edification.

In a few months I'm hoping to host another Rock Fight, where I go up against another bootleg collector and beat them to a pulp (aurally speaking that is) for about four hours. This time around, sound engineer John Karr will be joining me. Look towards the month of June for this show. I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, sit back, put on the headphones, close your eyes, and let me take you to many venues and many nights of live musical magic.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Rastaman Chant: Bob Marley and the Wailers (The Paris Theatre, London, May 24, 1973)
When the Music's Over: The Doors (09-18-68 Television-Byen, Gladsaxe, Copenhagen, Denmark)

No Speak, No Slave: The Black Crowes (06-11-92 Tokyo, Japan, Nakano Sun Plaza)
Incident and Neshabur: Santana (09-23-74 University Arena, Albuquerque NM)

Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk: Charles Mingus Sextet (64-04-14
Store Sal, Odd Fellow Palet, Copenhagen, Denmark)
Judy is a Punk: The Ramones (02-11-80 Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
I Know You Rider: Janis Joplin (07-28-66 California Hall, San Francisco, CA)

Hunt For Grandpa: Goober and the Peas
No Expectations: The Rolling Stones (alternate take)
Round and Round: OP8

Gloria: Patti Smith (06-25-2005 Royal Festival Hall, London, England)
Graveyard Shift: Uncle Tupelo (08-15-90 Off Broadway, St. Louis, MO)
I'm Losing You: The Faces (05-13-71 John Peel Sunday Concert, Paris Cinema, London, England)

Careful With That Axe, Eugene: Pink Floyd (05-09-77 Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA)
Salty Dog: Procol Harum (05-05-77 Hofstra University Playhouse, Hempstead, New York)

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere: Neil Young and Crazy Horse: (02-25-70, Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio)
Black Diamond: Kiss (09-05-77 Tarrant County Convention Center, Ft. Worth, TX)

Johnny B. Goode: Chuck Berry (09-1967 Fillmore Auditorium, SF, CA)