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 #585: Jello and Brimstone

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This show was great fun to produce. I've got a trainee, Annika, in the studio with me and she put together a few really great sets (marked with "AD"). Her taste in international sounds is inspiring to say the least!

We've got a live fundraiser happening Sunday, October 19th, 1-6PM at GRNHS Gallery, 864 Folsom Street (b/w 5th and 6th). We've got three amazing bands, including Janky Band, Rustangs, and Fantasy!!! We also have been from 21st Amendment and non-alcohol for those who desire such. We'll also have some Radio Valencia shirts available.

We couldn't be more excited about this show. We love this gallery space, and these three bands are all known for bringing the heat.

This fundraiser is part rent party, part get the damn website and apps updated!!!

Please come down, or consider donating to our GoFundMe.

See you at the show.

As for this show, take a look at the playlist below, hit the play button at the top and enjoy.

jh

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

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I'm A Bad Indian: Dead Pioneers (single 2024)
Rocked By Rape: Evolution Control Committee (Plagiarythm Nation - 2003)

White Riot: The Clash (S/T - 1977)
Suburban Home: The Descendents (Milo Goes To College - 1982)

Children of the Revolution: Arto Lindsey and Marc Ribot (Great Jewish Music: Marc Bolan - 1998)

Candle: Sonic Youth (Daydream Nation - 1988)

White Bird: It's A Beautiful Day (S/T - 1968)

Nedine: Malouma (Nour - 2007) - AD

Petit Pays: Cesaria Evora (Cesaria - 1995) - AD

Tskheli Dzaghli: Niaz Diasamidze, 33A (Akhali Albomi) - AD

Chnam oun Dop-Pram Muy (I'm 16)  - AD

Nobody Go Run Me: King Short Shirt (Ghetto Vibes - 2003) - AD

Argos Farfish: Sharhabil Ahmed (Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection of Music from the Arab World - 2017) - AD

Exuma, The Obeah Man: Exuma (Exuma, The Obeah Man - 1970) - AD

Wake Up The Sun: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Person - A - 2015)

You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You: Dean Martin (Dino: The Essential Dean Martin - 2004)

I Made A Wish: The Darts (Nightmare Queens - 2025)

Catch These Fists: Wet Leg (Moisturizer - 2025)

Emmaline: Urge Overkill (Supersonic Storybook - 1991)

400 Bucks: Reverend Horton Heat (Split with Supersuckers - 1993)

AA Warm Breeze : Thee Oh Sees (Split with Total Control - 2010)

Badi Sabah Olmadan: Altin Gün (Aşk - 2025)

Down in the Well: Bevis Frond (A Gathering of Fronds - 1992)

Fire and Brimstone: Death Valley Girls (B-side single - 2025)

Emotional Weather Report: Tom Waits (Nighthawks at the Diner - 1975)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #518: 13th Annual Annual: 1991

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When I was considering what year I was going to play for you for my 13th annual Annual Annual, I was a bit stumped. Every year has something amazing to offer. Where do I go? Back to the 50s? I haven't done that decade yet. Something in the past decade? Too soon? I turned 21 in 1991 (you do the math). Sounded perfect to me.

I was living in my first apartment, in Redwood City, CA. I was on the air at KFJC, hosting a morning show. There was no such genre known as Alternative at that time, until Smells Like Teen Spirit hit the airwaves. Thanks Nirvana. Ah, the memories. 

And college radio was popping back in 1991. Hip Hop, metal, indie-rock, industrial, shoegaze. There was so much to play back then. So many bands went on to influence the generation that followed. I'm not one to live in the past, but a show like this one allows me to shine a light on a year that really set a standard for what would follow.

Sadly, this was, in my opinion, the last year that non-commercial and college radio would be on the forefront when it came to breaking new artists. The consolidation of radio, Napster, and then streaming took that power out the hands of programmers, those who live and breathe music, and placed it into the hands of the corporatocracy. I was interning at KRQR back then in San Fransisco. I recall the music director blindly putting the playlist together for the DJs, without a thought of what songs worked well together. She was pulling from national lists of songs in the AOR top 20. Now MDs just allow Spotify to dictate the playlists. It's insulting. I'll remind you all that I do not have a Spotify account.

That's why you tuned in tonight, and that's why I have this show to share with you, that will take you back to a time when the artists and the DJs teamed together to bring your something special on the regular. 

If you're interested in the previous 11 editions of my Annual Annual, take a look below.

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

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

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Hog Leg: Melvins
Ring Ring Ring: De La Soul
Buck Whylin': Terminator X

By The Time I Get To Arizona: Public Enemy
Ace in the Hole: 3rd Bass

Scenario: A Tribe Called Quest

Housework: Fishbone

This Year in History Part One

Squeeze Me Macaroni: Mr. Bungle

Tommy the Cat: Primus
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile

Tunic (For Karen): Sonic Youth

This Year in History Part Two
Drain You (BBC Sessions): Nirvana
Emma: Urge Overkill

Little Fluffy Clouds: The Orb
Doctor Jeep: Sisters of Mercy
Rave Down: Swervedriver

The Power of Pussy (BBC Sessions): Bongwater

The Hurdy Gurdy Man: Butthole Surfers

The Wagon: Dinosaur Jr.

It's Shoved: Melvins

Hell's Kitchen Radio #347: Distracted By Your Charms

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Sometimes when I'm hosting my show in the studio it actually feels like you are right there with me. I feel like I'm talking directly to you! I see you on the couch across from the console, watching me watching you, and I get excited to share my music with you, right then, right there.

That's how it felt on Monday night.

Starting off with the some contemporary genius' of the garage/punk world: Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall, both live from The Chapel in SF. These two tracks, back-to-back show you me current mood: kinetic and frenetic. I've got a lot of energy to shed and share.

Throughout the night it's a mix of old and new, punk, funk and junk. You know, just as always. And only two cover tunes this week!

I was considering hosting a power trio special, but I want to take a few more weeks to prepare. Stay tuned. I'm also reminded that November is coming, which means my 8th annual Annual Annual is right around the corner. Which year should I focus on this time around. If you want to see my previous Annual Annual shows take a look here. Scroll down that page and find the links you seek.

In the meantime I'm just going to relax and picture you on the couch in front of the console doing lovely and nasty things to yourself as I play DJ.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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I Come From the Mountain: Thee Oh Sees
Feel: Ty Segall
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Gil Scott-Heron

Rave Down: Swervedriver
Emmaline: Urge Overkill
Goodbye: Emmylou Harris

Helter Stupid: Negativland

Semi Crazy: Junior Brown
Birds of Paradise: King Tuff
Unfinished Instrumental: Parliament
I Don't Want To Pray: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile
Higgs Boson Blues: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Step Right Up: Tom Waits

The Wizard: Brown Sabbath
Portland, Oregon: Loretta Lynn
If I'm Lucky I Might Get Picked Up: Betty Davis

Trickle Down System: Giant Sand
Sun Cycle: Blue Cheer

I Want To Talk About It Now: Bongwater
Happy Boy: Beat Farmers

Hell's Kitchen Radio #340: Return of the Return of the Magnificent Seven"s

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Sometimes I giggle when I look at my 7" collection. It's true. And when I have to purchase another 7" box to hold them in, I get all silly, thinking about how I'm going to organize them. True story.

You may recall a year ago when I moved out of SF to Berkeley I misplaced my entire 7" collection along with a few important books of mine. I found the mis-labeled box a few months later, but not until I had already re-purchased a few of the missing 45s. I was so frustrated thinking that someone would have had the balls to snatch and grab a very heavy box full of my babies. Thankfully I found it buried in my storage shed behind my home, safe and sound, and ready to be played full blast once again.

On my most recent show it's all about the 7"s (with a few 10"s thrown in, because who doesn't appreciate a quality 10"?). And it's not all rock either. Take a look at the playlist below. Rap, soul, garage, punk, Bowie, rock, psych. I've got it all covered.

I close out the show with a tribute to the Grateful Dead's longest tenured keyboardist, Brent Mydland, who's last show was on this day in 1990 (June 26). I was never a fan of his voice, but he had the Hammond B3 sound down. He just couldn't battle his demons anymore. I have a memory of walking in the lot during a show during the summer of 1989, reading a copy of Dupree's Diamond News (a Dead zine/sheet written for and distributed to Heads in the parking lot before shows). DDN made a statement that the "rumors" of Brent being back on heroin were false; he was clean and sober. He would be dead of a vicious overdose. Too bad Jerry wasn't scared straight from the experience.

I'm out of the office this coming Monday night, and I'm really hoping that our premier fill-in DJ Dial-A-Shot will be taking over. The man ROCKS! I'll have a classic Hell's Kitchen Radio show lined up if he doesn't make it in, and I look forward to manning the helm again the following Monday at 8PM.

Radio Valencia is turning 8 years old on August 11. Be sure to wish us a happy birthday! We like dark chocolate and garage rock.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Don't Forget to Breathe: The Melvins
Notes and Chords Mean Nothing to Me: Redd Kross

Goin' Back to Cali: LL Cool J
Emma: Hot Chocolate

Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon: Urge Overkill
People Get Ready: The Chambers Brothers
Fantastic Voyage: David Bowie

***San Mateo Set***
Lieutenant Uhuru: Three Stoned Men
Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The Mummies
Andalusia: The Phantom Surfers

Hey Hey What Can I Do: Led Zeppelin (You have never heard it played like this before)
Deezy: Honky (Jeff Pinkus of Butthole Surfers ROCK band. Think ZZ Top on meth!)
Brainded Warrior: Zig Zags

Kick Out The Jams: Afrika Bambaatta
Rock Box: Run DMC
Macho Man: Artless
Louie Louie: Black Flag

You Stupid Asshole: Mudhoney
Another Way: Mono Men
Let's Get Funky: Jack O'Fire
Lights Out: Wooden Shjips
Observatory: Carlton Melton

Drone: Here Are The Facts You Requested
Bloody Hammer: Roky Erickson

Dear Mr. Fantasy: Grateful Dead (March 31, 1988 Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #250: Cover Me

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Some nights I get a bug up my butt to do some kind of theme. Tonight it's all about COVERS! Who doesn't love a good cover tune? Sometimes the cover is better than the original (hence Johnny Cash doing the Eagles better than the Eagles...that's not a hard thing to do, btw. I'm sorry he died, but if I ever hear another Eagles tune it'll be way too soon). Sometimes you had no idea the song was a cover; the artist performed the song better than the original. I should do more cover specials, it almost writes itself.

More great musicians died this past week. WTF is going on?!?!?!? Glenn Frey of the Eagles, Dale "Buffin" Griffin of Mott the Hoople, Gary Loizzo of The American Breed, Mic Gillette of Tower of Power, and the legendary Blowfly all passed into the great bandstand in the sky this past week. I pay tribute in the second hour of the show.

Take a look at the playlist below, and click on the links above to stream or download the show.

No guests this coming Monday night. I have new music from Ty Segall's new band The Muggers, as well as new music from Spacin', and much much more.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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I Heard It On The X: Olivelawn
You're Going To Miss Me: Monomen
The Beat Goes On: Giant Sand

Satisfaction: Cat Power
Iron Man: The Bad Plus
The Wizard: Brown Sabbath

Dreaming: The Cherubs
Tomorrow Never Knows: 801 Live (Eno, Fripp, Manzanera, Watson, Monkman, Phillips, Watson)
Ain't Talkin' About Love: Minutemen
Sunshine of Your Love: Ella Fitzgerald
Wendy: Descendents

Heroin: Burnt One's
Miss You: The Concretes
Emma: Urge Overkill

Desperado: Johnny Cash
What is Hip: Tower of Power

Bend Me, Shape Me: The American Breed
All The Way From Memphis: Mott the Hoople
Blowfly for President: Blowfly

When the Levee Breaks: Led Zeppelin
Don Henley Must Die: Mojo Nixon

When Doves Cry: Patti Smith
One More Cup of Coffee: White Stripes

How about some live Blowfly for ya? If you haven't heard him before, you have been warned.

Hell's Kitchen #223: It's Illogistical

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After one week off, and spending time on the humidity East Coast, I am back in the saddle for two hours of heatseeking musical entertainment for your ear holes.

In the first hour I interviewed Dan Menapace, bassist for local prog-metal group Illogistical Resource Department. They have their second release out, "Transmission Cinema". Expect great thing from this veteran three-piece.

The second hour is chock full of craziness. Some recent releases, and some from my vast and deep library. Take a look at the playlist below.

Tonight I have Robin Coomer of Loop!Station and Shake Well on my show. She's funny, artistic, creative, and has a great face for radio. Tune in 8-10 on Radio Valencia.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Get on the Good Foot: James Brown
Emmaline: Urge Overkill

Interview with Dan Menapace from I.R.D.

Difraction: Illogistical Resource Department
March of the Urchins: Illogistical Resource Department

Interview with Dan Menapace from I.R.D.

Granny Elfman: Illogistical Resource Department

Interview with Dan Menapace from I.R.D.

Sploosh!: Ozric Tentacles
Poor Clown: Koes Barat
Eyes of the Muse: King Tuff
Mystery Date: The New Duncan Imperials

Devil's Rodeo: Diamanda Galas
Morning Theft: Jeff Buckley
In A Jar: Dinosaur Jr. (Electronic)
2 Drunk 2 Fuck: Avenue D

Help on the Way-Slipknot-Franklin's Tower: Grateful Dead (June 9, 1977 - Winterland, SF, CA)

Mudride: Mudhoney
Billy Fish: The Melvins

A Season in Hell #191: I'm Your Angel

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...so sayeth the lord...or something like that.

A show with no guests, is like going on a long ride with your best friend. Best friend being you. Aw shucks. We like the same movies. We like the same bands. We both like long walks on the beach, and pina colada's, and getting tossed like a salad.

Some new artists to start the night, and fine mix of genres throughout the set. Something for every one of my dear, close friends.

Can I borrow a dollar?

Enjoy.

jh

A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia
http://radiovalencia.fm

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Up in Smoke: Cheech and Chong
Wild Coyote: The Nude Party
Here It Comes Again: The Amazing Snakeheads

The Candidate: Urge Overkill
Alice Mae: RL Burnside
Angelhead: Monkeywrench
Get Out Of My Life, Woman: The Butterfield Blues Band

Country Girl: CSNY
You Win Again: Hank Williams
The Hedgehog Waltz: Gaucho
Just Like a Woman: Bob Dylan

The Hand: Ty Segall
I Need Your Help: Major Powers and the Lo-Fi Symphony
By The Time I Get To Phoenix: Public Enemy
Tour de Force: Dizzy Gillespie

Hot Cha: Roland Kirk
Not Boweevil: Sex Mob
The Wizard: Brown Sabbath
Sly: Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters

Too Young To Die: Jamiroquai
Strange Fruit (Tricky Remix): Billy Holliday
Down Home Girl: The Coasters

What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

A Season in Hell #185: Reverbia

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Sometimes I just need to play a bunch of stuff that I haven't heard in a while. And I also keep buying records, so I have to share those with you too. That's pretty much what you have here: a collection of music that I haven't heard in a while, and new stuff. Some of it's loud, there's some bluegrass thrown in, psychedelia, metal, Americana, gypsy-punk; you name it, it's in there. Some of the segues are priceless. The art of radio at its finest.

New music from Jack White, Boris, Hot Fog, and Obniii's. 

Enjoy.

jh

A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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The Show Must Go On: Pink Floyd
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile
The Lifetime Achievement Awards: The Centimeters

Hard Line: The Blasters
War Drums: John Wilkes Booze
Oh Mary: Ty Segall Band

Just One Drink: Jack White
Uncle Powderbag: Obniii's
Stoner Section: David Nudelman
Crossing Remix (Andy Weatherall): Wooden Shjips

Paperhouse: Can
Super Are You: Boredoms
Ghost of Romance: Boris
Black Jack: Enrico Simonetti

Emma: Urge Overkill
Secret Fantasies of the Dragon Sun: Hot Fog
Freya: The Sword

Into the Void: Brown Sabbath
Blue Grass Special: Bill Monroe
Little Red Hen: Taj Mahal
Teen Age Riot: Sonic Youth

Immigraniada: Gogol Bordello
Portland, OR: Loretta Lynn