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 #552: Inner City Hell

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Hot damn, it was cold in the Radio Valencia studio on Monday night. It took a real hot set of music to turn up the heat. I often walk the line of telling it like it is and just getting the heck off the mic so you can enjoy the music. I even have a music bed, performed by the magnificent singer/songwriter Adam MacKintosh, that keeps me honest at about three minutes in length. There's a method to my madness. I need more than three minutes to tell it like it is. 

Each week I go through my record collection searching for whatever is tickling my fancy this week. I'm also listening to a lot of radio (Radio Valencia, KFJC, KALX, KEXP, WFMU, and others as I commute daily). There are so many great DJs turning me on to new music. 

If you're thinking of what to get your loved ones for a gift, I strongly encourage music. No albums in the house? Buy a turntable! Only listening via an app? Get the Bandcamp app and support the artists directly. But let's all agree that cassettes were wrong the first time around (other than mix tapes) and should never make a comeback. This coming from the guy who worked the cassette room at Tower Records, and owned thousands of bootleg tapes. There is nothing redeemable about cassettes. Though there is something to be said about buying an off-brand best of southern rock cassette while on a road trip. 

I do have a few boxes of my airchecks from my many years at KFJC. Those have to be incredibly embarrassing to listen to. There was a show I hosted in 1991 (one of my early graveyard shifts when I was the Reverend Dah Wave), when I was taking call in confessions (I didn't know it was a priest that took confessions, so there ya go). We didn't have a delay at KFJC, so I took a real risk that the callers weren't going to swear. Luckily no one did. And many of the callers were my friends, up late and very imbibed. The great Oz, the Watermonk of Dah (aka Noa Oz Appleton) was in the studio with me. We took a few very hilarious calls. 

Unbeknownst to me, my program director was listening in too. I got a stern talking to (understatement of 1991) and was lucky to keep my shift. I listened back to that aircheck a few years later. It was so cringey that I took the tape out of my car stereo and threw it in the back seat. I wonder where that thing is??? Do I dare listen back? Should I digitize it? Should I share it on Radio Valencia?!?!?!??!

As for this show, I'm as cringey as ever, but I own that now.

All vinyl. Nothing new. Many genres. All worth your time.

I'll be hosting an alternative XMas show on Monday, December 23rd. Tune in and enjoy the hot cocoa on me. Maybe that'll heat up the studio this time around.

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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I Fuck Around: Melvins
We're a Happy Family: Ramones

Gone Daddy, Gone: Violent Femmes
Midnight Special: Harry Belafonte
On The Sunny Side of the Street: Ella Fitzgerald

Inner City Blues: Grover Washington Jr.
Othelia: Yusef Lateef
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry: Bob Dylan
Go To Satan: Rube Waddell

Down, Down, Down: Tom Waits
In Heaven There Is No Beer: Polkacide

To Defy The Laws of Tradition: Primus
Eminence Front: The Who
Broken Hands: Mudhoney

Notes and Chords Mean Nothing to Me: Monkeywrench
Deuce: Redd Kross
Backdoor Medley: ZZ Top

Vacancy: Neil Young
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night: Iggy Pop
Sunday Morning: Velvet Underground with Nico

Uh Oh, Loves Comes To Town: Talking Heads
This Is Not A Love Song: Public Image Ltd.
Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis: Neko Case

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

Hell's Kitchen Radio #345: Wild and Cheap

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Do you have any idea how much I love you? I don't think you do. OK, perhaps I just lust for your ears. That being said, can you blame me? I have total and complete respect for you and your ears, and I would never maliciously put you in harms way. On the contrary, I hunger to care for you and to turn you on...to amazing music.

I also love tamales. What's not to love? Last week Virginia "Tamale Lady" Ramos passed away at the age of 65. I spent many a Friday and Saturday night enjoying TL's delicious tamales. She may have loved us all, but you didn't want to get on her bad side. I once saw her rip into some drunk asshole outside of Zeitgeist babbling incoherently in front of her. Seriously dude, do you have any idea how lucky you were to even get a whiff of her amazing fare? Tamale Lady, you will be sorely missed. Raise a tamale in tribute, tonight! Did you know that the remarkable local band Rube Waddell composed a song in her honor? It's true, they did. Now you know. Midway through the show I play this just for you. I cannot imagine any other radio show has done the same.

Music-wise you get another musically-diverse program, with a little something for everyone. Go ahead, take a chance on love...or lust, a lust for quality music. As for the DJ, I'm merely a conduit, a paintbrush for this two hour empty canvas, curated for your pleasure. And only nine covers tonight!

And it's all about your pleasure.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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21st Century Pharisees: Mudhoney

TV Eye: Wylde Ratz

Bring Me The Head of the Preacherman: Siouxsie and the Banchees

Barstool Blues: Neil Young and Crazy Horse

Connection: Montrose

Big Chief: Professor Longhair

Frankie and Albert: Taj Mahal

Got My Mojo Working: Ann Cole

Who's Going To Help A Brother Get Further?: Lee Dorsey

Hey Joel, Where You Going With That?: Ty Segall and White Fence

Tamale Lady: Rube Waddell

Eating Food/Listening to Music: A Children's Garden of Grass

I Get A Kick Out Of You: Tony Bennett

Teeth: Oregon with Elvin Jones

The Mouth Won't Stop: FEAR

I Like Fucking: Bikini Kill

The Story of a Soldier: Ennio Morricone

Lilin: Electric Masada

3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds: Jefferson Airplane (February 1, 1968 The Matrix, SF, CA)

Ziggy Stardust: Bauhaus

Cymbaline: Hawkwind

Stuck Inside Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again: Cat Power

Wild and Crazy: Dr. Octogon

Life is Cheap: Flipper

Return of the Grievous Angel: Gram Parsons

Hell's Kitchen Radio #322: Crazy As It Seems

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Having spent almost 30 years in community radio, I've seen plenty of fresh young faces cross into the medium, where I have been asked to train them in the technical aspects of running the board, as well as how to announce during a mic break. There is an art to this. There is a flow. More often than not I am in the flow. I certainly know when I'm not. I tell the new DJ when it comes to the mic break, just do the business (back announce what you played, read a PSA, front announce and get off mic). Once you have more time in the studio under  your belt, then you can wax poetic about the artist you just played and the label they are on, and connect it to some current issue, or talk about the band that's coming to town and the place they're playing and some history connected to the label you're about to play. All of this takes time and experience.

I trained a new DJ on my recent show: Johnny Fuzz; no relation. His set is labeled below. Great guy, great choices. He'll be getting a show soon, so please show him some love and tune in.

My next show is pretty timely. I call it "Statutory Rock"! You can only guess what I'll be playing.

Finally, send some healing thoughts to Hell's Kitchen Radio alum, and legendary rock poster artist, Ron "Rotten Ronnie" Donovan. He's in the hospital with lived failure after living the life of a rock start, too hard, for too long. We love you Rotten Ronnie. Don't make me host a tribute to you any time soon.

Check out the playlist below and click the stream or download button above to enjoy this great show. There's some kind of tribute??? to Charles Manson at the beginning.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Never Learn to Love: Beach Boys
Cease to Exist: Charles Manson
Mayla: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

20th Century Boy: Ty Segall
Destination Unknown: Missing Persons

Kings Lead Hat: Brian Eno
The Eureka Garbage Lady: GTO's

***Johnny Fuzz Set***
Caroline: Chrome
Allas Sak: Dungen

Vitamin D: Can
We Are Time: The Pop Group
I Don't Like Linoleum: The Dancing Cigarettes
Creature That I Am: Cool Ghouls

Lucid I Would Dream: Miranda Lee Richardson
***John Hell***
Raw Optics: Oh Sees

Timid Scripts: HRVRD
Warm Piston: Monomen
She's Got Balls: AC/DC
The Bomber: Joe Walsh and Barnstorm (09-24-73 Arlington, TX)

The Beacon: Golden Void
Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite (Take 4): The Beatles
Bad As Me: Tom Waits

Jesus Didn't Die For Me: Rube Waddell
Sugaree: Grateful Dead (May 6, 1978 Patrick Gym, U of Vermont)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #298: I Feel Cleansed

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Monday night I filmed my show on FB live. A few weeks back my guest, and talented chartreuse, Phat Man Dee did this and we had over 100 people tuned in. Why not tonight? Then again, why the hell would anyone want to watch a radio show? Really, there is nothing exciting about this. OK, I do a bit of a song and dance during my show when I'm off mic, that's for sure. Other than that???

Lots of rockin' about on this night. New music spread throughout, including new Zig Zags, Crystal Fairy (Melvins side project), Ty Segall, Blind Shake, Meatbodies, King Gizzard, and Red Fang. Also, it's the 50th anniversary of the release of the first Doors record (feel old yet?).

I throw in some covers from Thee Headcoats (did you know Billy Childish was a renowned book translator?), Bob Seger (there's a good story I tell in there), Nicki Bluhm, Minutemen, and Bonnie "Prince" Billy.

I'm like a walking music encyclopedia for this show. Check it out and share it far and wide. I probably won't make it a habit of doing the FB live thing, because who wants to watch a DJ stand around picking their nose trying to decide what to play next?

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Ripping Death: Zig Zags
Chiseler: Crystal Fairy

The Only One: Ty Segall
The Crystal Ship: The Doors
Broken Racehorse: The Blind Shake

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love: Minutemen
Haunted History: Meatbodies
Steppin' In Her I Miller Shoes: Betty Davis

Let it Rock: Bob Seger
Superstar: Sonic Youth
Love Comes in Spurts: Thee Heacoats
By the Time I Get to Arizona: Public Enemy/Herb Alpert - Evolution Control Committee

Melting: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
I Can't Go for That: Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers

Brazil: Frank Sinatra
Jesus Didn't Die For Me: Rube Waddell
Shadows: Red Fang

Elanore, Put Your Boots On: Franz Ferdinand
Here Comes Sunshine: Grateful Dead (04-02-1973 Boston Garden, Boston, MA)
Don't Come Home a-Drinking With Lovin' On Your Mind: Loretta Lynn

Thunder Road: Bonnie "Prince"Billy and Tortoise
Rebel Girl: Bikini Kill

Run, Devil Run/The Big Guns: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky: Lou Donaldson
New Resolution: Heartless Bastards

Hell's Kitchen Radio #277: Music Is My Friend

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OK, I've got to be honest with you. After all, you've been here with me, week in, week out for all these long years. How could I ever lie to you? Actually, that's not very difficult seeing how I don't ever actually look you in the eyes, and they say you can really tell if someone is lying to you by looking them straight in their eyes. My older sister used to tell me that my pupils were dilating if I was lying to her. I think that was a lie, come to think of it. Huh.

Anyway, this show was from October 10, 2016 and I never took the time to do a write up and post it. how very rude of me. You take the time to listen to my show, the least I could do is take some time and post the archived podcast of it so you can download or stream it over and over again. I know that you are just dying to have this on your hard drive so you can listen to my voice and choice of music years after the apocalypse. And why not!? Good for you!

So it may already be April 2017, but damnit this show is just too good NOT to share! I can't recall what I spoke about on this night, but looking at the playlist below it looks pretty tasty.

By the way, I have plenty of other shows I have yet to post. I really do need to do something about this lazy streak I have in me.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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I Love Living in the City: Danko Jones

Get On The Goodfoot: James Brown

Crack in the Universe: Wayne Kramer

She's the One: The Ramones

I Live for Cars and Girls: Dictators

Personality Crisis: New York Dolls

Bank Robber Dub: The Clash

Boom Swagger Boom: Murder City Devils

Peter Gunn Theme: Poison Ivy

Only A Lad: Oingo Boingo

This is Halloween: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Mazel Tov Cocktail: New Orleans Klezmer Allstars

He Was A Big Freak: Betty Davis

Inner City Blues: Marvin Gaye

Blue Jay Way: Beatles

Bleed the Freak: Alice in Chains

Volunteered Slavery: Rahsaan Roland Kirk

Matalo: Mario Migliardi

Darling Nikki: Sex Mob

Drown in my own Tears: Ray Charles

Analisa: PIL

Hobo Love: Rube Waddell

On Nature: Naked Lights

You Were Right: Built To Spill

Hell's Kitchen Radio #268: Hell's Squad

This is where a picture of my daughter and I is supposed to sit. I don't see it either, but I can tell you it's really quite something to behold. You'll just have to use your imagination.

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Lauson and I had so much fun last Monday night. I think you can tell by the playlist, but mostly through the banter. We spoke a lot about her love of sloths. Lauson's songs are designated by "LH".

The second hour has a couple of tunes celebrating the birthday of the late, great local boy, Jerry Garcia, who would have turned 74 on this date, August 1st.

In celebration of the 14th annual Jerry Garcia Day coming up this Sunday, August 14th at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park in SF, I will be spinning two hours of Jerry and Grateful Dead tonight on Radio Valencia. This coming Saturday night, August 13th, I'll be spinning six hours of live Dead, from 8PM-2AM at Doctor's Lounge, located at 4826 Mission Street in the Excelsior District of SF. Come on down and dance.

Enjoy.

jh

Hell's Kitchen with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
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I Love Living in the City: Danko Jones
Rent Control: Bongos, Bass and Bob
Intergalactic: Beastie Boys - LH

Youth Culture Killed My Dog: They Might Be Giants
Panda: Desiigner - LH
She Watch Channel Zero: Public Enemy
Black People What Y'all Goin' Do: The Last Poets
Little Red Hen: Taj Mahal

Heathens: Twenty One Pilots - LH
Little Child Running Wild: Curtis Mayfield
People Get Ready: Aretha Franklin

Gangster's Paradise: Coolio - LH
I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement: Ramones
Tamale Lady: Rube Waddell

Russian Seagull: The Reliables
Deep Elem: Jerry and Sara
No More: Hubert Laws

Gold Rings: Unlikely Heroes - LH
The Pusher: Nina Simone
Higher: Sly and the Family Stone

Don't Stop Me Now: Queen - LH
Midnight Moonlight: Jerry Garcia Band
Take Me To The River: Talking Heads

Fly Me To The Moon: Frank Sinatra - LH

Hell's Kitchen Radio #244: 21st Century Schizoid DJ

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There were so many amazing sets tonight. For the past month or so I've been designating a "Set of the Week" to sets that have the type of character that stands out against the rest of the program. Tonight, I swear there must be at least three sets that I could have given the title to. It was that kind of night. Everything just made sense. Just take a look at the playlist below, and I think you'll agree.

Really, take a look at the Set of the Night™. It's all about T. Rex. First, there's the new LP release from Ty Segall "Ty Rex", which is all T. Rex covers Ty originally released on 7", with the addition of the track I played, for vinyl only. Hell yes! I follow that up with a John Zorn produced track from Zorn's "Great Jewish Composers" series on Marc Bolan. Finally I have to play some T. Rex. Do I play "Bang A Gong"? Fuck no! What radio station are you tuned into? Get your head out of your ass. No. I play "The Motivator" because it kicks serious ass! Now THAT is a quality set.

But later in the night I connected Black Sabbath to Primus. How did I do this? I know you're interested. Get this: The Butthole Surfers track I played, "Dum Dum", uses the exact same drum melody as "Children of the Grave" by Sabbath. I followed up the Buttholes with some Melvins, featuring Pinkus and Leary from the Buttholes, off of the 2015 Melvins "hold it in" release. But wait, it gets better! Dale Crover is the drummer from the Melvins (but you know that). He's also the guitarist/singer for Altamont! GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! And Altamont is a local SF band, which leads to me playing the next four local bands: Rube Waddell from Oakland; The Mummies from San Mateo (where I went to high school, thank you very much, and saw The Mummies at Pony Express Pizza in Redwood City, when I was 16-18); SF's Polkacide, which if you haven't seen them then you just plain suck, and you know it. Give it up already. Really. Give it up. Finally, South Bay's Primus. They suck, but I still love them. I was at that Berkeley Square shows that turned into "Suck on This". Party. With. Me.

What a ride. If memory serves the banter was humorous at times, and I didn't stick around long enough to make you run away screaming.

There's some very early (1965) Pink Floyd near the end, and an isolated vocal track from a young and wild (though probably not nearly as wild as he would be following the electro shock treatments he received for skipping out on Vietnam) Roky Erickson.

That's probably more than you wanted to read, but aren't you happier for doing so? No? Thanks for being a friend. Can you feel the love? Just feel the love, already.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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21st Century Schizoid Man: King Crimson
Starliner: Montrose

Easy Now: Hot Tuna (request)
Into the Sun: Grand Funk Railroad
Give Me Some Skin: James Brown

***Set of the Night***
20th Century Boy: Ty Segall
Children of the Revolution: Arto Lindsey and Marc Ribot
The Motivator: T Rex

Stay Away From Downtown: Redd Kross
Steppin' Out: John Mayal's Bluesbreakers (featuring Eric Clapton)
The Thrill is Gone: BB King
Rubber Biscuit: Blues Brothers
Spazz: The Elastic Band (request)

Baby Let Me Kiss You: King Floyd
Children of the Grave: Black Sabbath
Dum Dum: Butthole Surfers
Bride of Crankenstein: The Melvins

Young Man Blues: Altamont
Boom Boom: Rube Waddell
The Frisco Freeze: The Mummies
Glorious: Polkacide

John the Fisherman: Primus
Africa: Sun Ra
Double-O Bo: Pink Floyd

You're Gonna Miss Me: 13th Floor Elevators (Isolated vocals)
13th Floor Opening: Mudhoney

Below is a great and grimy commercial from Pony Express Pizza's Hair Metal Week. I'm so happy this place existed. We need more all-ages venues for the kids, today.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #238: Am I Hell Enough For Ya?

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Are you aware that in 1974, Danny Sugerman, who managed both The Doors, and Iggy Pop, attempted to get Iggy to front a new Doors lineup? Iggy and Ray Manzarek did jam together a few times that year, and supposedly recorded a few tracks as well. You know what I'm on the hunt for! No true details of this come out in either Pop's nor Manzarek's books, but it is documented in a other places. How much was recorded, and who has these recordings, I hope to find out. Stay tuned, dear listener.

In the meantime, how about that show of mine Monday night, huh? You listened, right? RIGHT?!? I know you all have busy schedules, and by the time 8PM on a Monday night rolls around, who in their right mind wants to sit down and listen to a radio show, hosted by someone with over 25 years of non-commercial, free-form radio experience? Hmm, I don't know. How about people with good taste!

Tonight I spread the love and genres around quite a bit. Thanks for hanging in during the 20 minute Coltrane masterpiece! Now you too can tell your friends and neighbors that you listen to John Coltrane. Good for you.

There's some punk, funk, and junk spread throughout and across this two hour canvas. Just take a gander below at the playlist. Links to the stream and download are above. I went to The Chapel on Sunday night to catch FUZZ and Mudhoney. If you tune in regularly, then you know these are two of my absolute favorite bands. AND THEY PLAYED TOGETHER!!!! Amazing show, from start to finish. Even the opener, Ex's With Benefits, was a delight! I recorded the Mudhoney encore, which featured Jello Biafra (I knew he would be there) singing a duet with Mark Arm. I play it in the second hour of the show.

I also continue with the "SET OF THE NIGHT". It's identified in the playlist.

We're getting close to November, which means a few crucial housekeeping pieces: 1) My "ANNUAL-ANNUAL" is coming up soon. This year it's 1975! 2) Members of Happy Fangs will be in to guest DJ with me (check out their new video for Hiya Kaw Kaw at the bottom of this post). 3) Local puck-rock malcontent, Marc Malakie will be in to talk about all-things-local-punk.

So much to look forward to on your Monday nights. Thanks for being you. See you next week.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Galactic Funk: Star Wars Funk
Am I Black Enough For Ya?: Schoolly D

Who's Going To Be the Junkie?: Greyboy
Silverlization: Roland Kirk

My Favorite Things: John Coltrane
Blue Jay Way: The Beatles

Time Collapse II/The 7th Terror: Fuzz
Flat Out Fucked: Mudhoney
Roll Away the Stone: Leon Russell

Hate the Police: Mudhoney with Jello Biafra (The Chapel 10/18/15)

My Silver Lining: First Aid Kit
Coat of Many Colors: Emmylou Harris (Hamburg 03-31-1976)

Bird Song: Grateful Dead (The Fabulous Fox Theater, St. Louis, MO 10-18-1972)
We Love The Dead: Electric Wizard
Benny Hill Theme

***SET OF THE NIGHT***
You Stupid Asshole: Angry Samoans
Have Mercy Judge: Chuck Berry
Boom Boom: Rube Waddell

Hiya Kaw Kaw: Happy Fangs
Love Whip: Reverend Horton Heat

Hell's Kitchen #208: A Black Eye With Dimples

Stream this unique art piece, HERE!
Download this piece de resistance, HERE!
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Another night in bliss. Really, this radio thing might just go somewhere (says my 21 year old self). I had my chance to play shitty commercial shlock a long time ago. I worked at KRQR and then at KLLC-Alice FM. Worst. Jobs. EVER! "Here's what you're going to play, and here's what you're going to say. Don't deviate, if you know what's good for you". Oh joy.

Why have I continued to be involved in non-commercial, online, and pirate radio since 1988? I think it's plain to see, or hear, as it may be. Just take a look at the playlist below, and listen to any of my mic breaks. I could never do this on a commercial station. I would have been fired after my first show. And why? I'm not offending many people. I'm not swearing. I'm not any more insulting than your typical morning jock. I'm not anything like them. I host thoughtful interviews with local talent, and I play quality music from many genres. I just don't get it.

Tonight I was feeling a little blue, so we've got that in the mix, along with some country, psych, and a very tasty live Grateful Dead track from 1974. Unlike your local commercial station, there's a little something for everyone. Take a taste, and get satisfied.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Mob Rules: Black Sabbath
Pray Til You Sweat: The Flesh Eaters
The Vienna Waltz: Rube Waddell

Nobody Loves Me: Hank Snow
Red Dirt Child: Emmylou Harris
Black Eye: Uncle Tupelo
Women's Prison: Loretta Lynn

Drunken Hearted Boy: Allman Brothers Band
I Get A Kick Out Of You: Tony Bennett
I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts of Town: Jimmy Smith
I Ain't Got You: Jimmy Reed

Dimples: John Lee Hooker
Flight: Wooden Shjips
Take Me Back to the Void: Wand

Interstellar Overdrive: Pink Floyd

Eyes Of The World: Grateful Dead (09-11-74 Alexander Palace, London, England)
Lilac Wine: Jeff Buckley (live)

No Pussy Blues: Grinderman

Hell's Kitchen #201: HellKatt Comes To Play

Stream HellKatt's Radio Magnificence, HERE!
Download HellKatt's Holiday Ho-Down, HERE!
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My daughter, HellKatt is in the studio with me tonight.

Oh joy of JOYS, my 10 year old daughter, HellKatt joined me in the studio tonight. This is her third visit to the Radio Valencia studios, and quite possibly her best yet! She chose much of the playlist for the show, and yes, it's a bit more mainstream than usual, but so what? I was thinking about this on the ride over with her, and I'll put it to you the way I put it to her: music tastes are like food tastes: when you're young you have very limited desires when it comes to the food you are willing to consume. The same can be said of music. No wonder so many kids LOVE The Beatles! They're easy to consume, like milk chocolate.

But when you grow older your tastes change too. And change they should! Who the heck only wants milk chocolate? I want dark chocolate with salted caramel, dammit!

HellKatt's tastes have always been more complex then many people her own age. Her first solid food was avocado. And at the age of three she was eating entire green onion stalks, from tip to root! No lie. She also prefers milk chocolate.

So it comes as no surprise that she enjoys Alice Cooper almost as much as she loves Paul McCartney...and The Simpsons. I placed a "HK" next to all the songs that she chose. You may be surprised.

What a great night! I hope you enjoy the music, and the banter as much as we did.

If you want to check out the other two shows that the Daughter of John Hell co-hosted with me, follow these two links, here and here.

Lauson is also an amazing (I'm not biased or anything) filmmaker. Check out this stop-motion film she made, here.

Enjoy.

jh

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

Follow me on Twitter
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Follow Radio Valencia on Twitter
Follow Radio Valencia on Facebook

Superfly: Curtis Mayfield
Scorpio: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

Locked Out Of Heaven: Bruno Mars - HK
Happy Birthday Mr Burns: The Ramones
I Wanna Be Sedated: The Ramones
Sonic Reducer: Dead Boys

Dear Future Husband: Meghan Trainor - HK
Rebel Girl: Bikini Kill
Happiness is a Warm Gun: Beatles - HK

Simpson's Family Showcase: The Simpsons
Home Sweet Mobile Home: The New Duncan Imperials
Beauty School Dropout: Frankie Avalon - HK

The Tide is High: Blondie - HK
It's a Hard Knock Life: Annie -HK
Big Sky/Baddest of the Bad: Reverend Horton Heat
Caliente: Supersuckers

Come Get It Bae: Pharrell Williams - HK
There She Goes, My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Jet Boy: New York Dolls
New York: Sex Pistols

Bohemian Rhapsody: Queen - HK
Garbage Man: The Simpsons
Mickey: Toni Basil - HK
Welcome To My Nightmare: Alice Cooper - HK

Paranoid: Ty Segall Band
1985: Paul McCartney - HK
Metal Circus: Rube Waddell