Hell's Kitchen Radio #605: All Freaks No Accidents

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These days even when I have no guest the studio is hoppin'! I love the energy that's been flowing through the Radio Valencia studios these days. It fills me with a lot of pride for what we've been doing here over the past 15+ years. I often keep the door wide open to attract passers-by to come through and check us out. This has actually led to a few new shows that have been making us sound fresher than ever!

I've been hosting a lot of guests over the past few months and I really thought it would just be you and me on Monday night, other than having a new host shadow me for the evening. 

And then...

Daniel Haver of the FabMab came through with artist Dexter Hixon, who had been out "improving" the SF landscape and promoting some upcoming shows. Dexter designed the ceiling art at I Hate Records in the lower Haight, owned by Pretty Sims of False Flag and Cody of Surprise Privilege. He also makes some unique characters known as Siliclones. I played a song by his dad's 90s band Hive in the second hour.

I love having a radio station that doubles as a clubhouse for the local music scene. It's a dream come true.

As for the music tonight, it's as you would expect: many genres and eras. 

This Monday, April 6, starting at 8pm Pacific, I'm excited to host legendary drummer Prairie Prince from The Tubes, Journey and Todd Rundgren. He'll be in to talk about his first solo album "Colours and Passions" that feature an incredible lineup: Todd Rundgren, Ross Valory, Buckethead, Jello Biafra, Ralph Spight, Cyril Jordan, Neil Hamburger, and the late great Ralph Carney.

I'll also have the quintessential "I was there" guy for SF’s punk and underground scenes, Edwin Heaven. His memoir "The Night I Got David Bowie Laid, Sorta" isn't just a collection of stories; it's a frantic, non-linear love letter to a version of San Francisco that feels like it’s slipping away.

These two have been best friends for 50 years and I can guarantee the conversation will get take a few turns throughout the night.

You do not want to miss this show! 

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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Money: The Flying Lizards (S/T/ - 1979)
I Would Kill For Suzy: The Catheads (Hubba - 1987)

Don't Blame Me: The Freak Accident (The Midnight Show - 2026)
In Your Mind: The Terminals (Last Days of the Sun - 2008)

Mojo Navigator: Country Joe and the Fish (Together - 1967) 
Louie, Louie: The Sonics (The Best of Louie Louie - 1983)
Carmelita: Warren Zevon (S/T - 1976)
Love Rolled: Mitch Polzak (Down South Blues - 2023)
My Baby's Gone: Jenny Don't and the Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)

Muffin Man: Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and the Mothers of Invention (Bongo Fury - 1976)
Chartreuse: Ken Nordine (Colors - 1995)
Political Song For Michael Jackson to Sing: Minutemen (Double Nickels on the Dime - 1983)

Sunday Morning: Kelly Stoltz (The Velvet Underground and Nico...Castle Face - 2012)
The Ballad of El Goodo: Big Star (Number 1 - 1972)
I Swallowed A Dragonfly: Heatless Bastards (All This Time - 2006)
Live Loop: Butterscotch Tuna (Explosion in Texas Comp - 1994)

Cartographers: Linda Lindas (No Obligation - 2024)
Words of Advice/Kim Like the Great Gatsby: William S Burroughs (Smack My Crack - 1987)

I Once Was A Contender: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi - 2025)
Gold: Hive (S/T 1995)
There She Goes My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Abattoir Blues - 2004)

Volunteered Slavery: Roland Kirk (Volunteered Slavery - 1969)
Fairies Wear Boots: Brown Sabbath (Brounout - 2016)

Who Was In My Room Last Night: Butthole Surfers Independent Worm Saloon- 1993)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #280: Getting Rid of this Clown Act

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Well....shit. Not really certain what to say. Monday's show featured an interview with a great group of fellas from the band Savage People, promotion this Sunday's first ever SF Punk-Metal Flea Market at the DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street, SF, 1-8PM. It's free and there are some great vendors scheduled to table the event. You really have to attend. More info here. See you there. I'll have my 12 year old daughter in tow.

The rest of the show was all about the election. You remember the election? It was Tuesday? It was fucking shit. You remember that? Do you remember your dreams? You remember those, right? You remember believing in all of those polls that Nate Silver told us to believe in? I wonder how well he's going to be sleeping from here on out. Truth be told, I truly do not think that Drumpf wants to, nor believes he ever would be elected President. I'm not joking. I really feel that he did everything in his power NOT to be elected. What does that tell you about Clinton and the DNC?

And would Bernie have actually been elected? Who knows.

Here's what I posted on my Facebook wall this morning:

"I want to reevaluate how I'm going to approach the next four years. I want to pay more attention to the things that I love, and the things that I have the power to improve. I want to recommit to the people that I love. I want to hold you all close, closer than ever before. I want to find the beauty in everything, including Trump. I want the best for all of us, while still fighting for what I believe to be the path towards truth. I refuse to live in denial, but I also refuse to wallow in misery, self-doubt, and blaming. I want you there with me. I love you all."

Below is my playlist for election night. It tells a story. See if you can figure out the moral.

Enjoy.

jh

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

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In The Flesh: Pink Floyd
Blowfly for President: Blowfly

Interview with Savage People

Kinky Sex Makes the World Go 'Round: Dead Kennedy's
Rise Above: Black Flag

Interview with Savage People

Pariah: Savage People
Ignorance is Bliss: Ramones
Do They Owe Us A Living: Crass
Politician: Cream

Talking Props!

Democracy: Killing Joke
Funky President: James Brown
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Gil Scott-Heron

Talking Props!

Lawyers, Guns and Money: Warren Zevon
Clash City Rockers: The Clash
Southern Politician: Willie DeVille

Talking Props!

Eminence Front: The Who

Talking Props!

Fucked Up Donald: D.O.A.

Hell's Kitchen Radio #260: Rest In Purple

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Aw man, really? Not cool, universe. Not cool. This has been one shitty year for music legends. I can kind of understand how Lemmy went. Bowie? That one hurt, but OK, fuck cancer and all that. But Prince? 57 years old. And now we're hearing that it may be a "Michael-Jackson's-doctor-kinda-thing". Do the JWs have something against meds? He was raised a Seventh-Day Adventist. We're they against meds? Or is it the other way around, and he was on too many meds? DAMN!

This one hurts, because he didn't stop being so damn prolific throughout the years. I read a great article about six months ago about how he could and would often record entire records in a matter of hours; overdubs and all. He has a vault of nearly complete releases that he just wasn't ready to release. I have to wonder when, if ever, those recordings will be released.

I first listened to Prince when Purple Rain came out in the summer of 1984. I was just shy of 14, and it was huge almost immediately upon release. The film came out a few months later, and that quickly changed the attire of many of my high school classmates. I was not into the fashion, but his guitar work quickly caught my attention. So many of my friends were metal-heads, and Deadheads, who wouldn't give him the time of day, but when I would play the guitar solo from "When Doves Cry" even they had to admit this guy was on his own level. Though Jimi has been dubbed the number 1 guitar GOD by too many critics (and who am I to disagree?), Prince is a very close second, in my opinion.

My father actually sold a ring to him during Prince's visit to SF in 1985, when he played a sold out Cow Palace. My father was the manager for Granat Brothers Jewelers on Grant and Geary in downtown San Francisco at the time. Prince walked in with his bodyguard, "Big Chick" who was this HUGE white former wrestler with long white hair. Prince sat down in a chair, and the bodyguard asked for the manager. My father approached, and the bodyguard looked at my dad, pointed to Prince and growled "Do you know who that is?". My dad said "no". The bodyguard replied "that's Prince. He's going to be the biggest music star in the world!". He then asked to see a number of rings. My father presented them to Prince, who chose a beautiful diamond, ruby, sapphire ring. They paid in cash and walked out. True story.

Now Prince is dead. Prince is dead, and my father ended up going to see him perform at the Cow Palace for that show, which was the Purple Rain tour. I wonder where that ring is today?

I was a mobile and club DJ for many years between 1988-2002. Prince was always in the mix. ALWAYS. How couldn't he be? Prince made the cut in every club DJs set. And if you're a wedding DJ then you have no choice either.

One good thing that may come from his passing, is this may have kicked MTV into actually playing music videos again!

Prince, I hope wherever you are it bathed in purple, with your pick of lovers and guitars. I can imagine a very long receiving line for you, and you not disappointing anyone in attendance.

So for tonight I offer you a showcase of some of my favorite Prince from over the years, as well as a few favorite covers; many of which you would never expect.

You may fade from the scene, but you will never fade from our soul.

RIP Prince Rogers Nelson. You left us all way too soon, but not without plenty to keep your memory alive.

(The image above was created by my friend Joe Mangrum, a sand artist, who you can see almost daily in Washington Square Park, in NYC. The original photo came from Theo Wargo)

Enjoy.

jh

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

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Batdance: Prince
Sign O the Times: Prince

Creep: Prince (Live 2008 Coachella)
Get On The Good Foot/Rockhard In A Funky Place: TJ Kirk
When Doves Cry: Patti Smith
How Come you Don't Call Me: Alicia Keys

Erotic City: George Clinton and P-Funk All Stars
I Would Die For You: Prince

1999: Gary Numan
If I Was Your Girlfriend: TLC

Little Red Corvette: Prince (Orange Bowl - April 7, 1985 - Miami, FL)
Track 5: Nelson (Prince) - Cymone - Rivkin

While My Guitar Gently Weeps: Petty, Lynn, Winwood, Prince (RRHOF 2004)
Let's Go Crazy: Prince (Saturday Night Live - 40th Anniversary After Party)

Let's Pretend We're Married: Tina Turner
Raspberry Beret: Warren Zevon (Live November 20, 1990)
Movie Star: Miles Davis (Live at Montreux July 7, 1988)

Can I Play With U? Prince and Miles Davis
Kiss: Richard Thompson

Whenever anyone asks me about the greatest guitar solo, I always show them this video. It's the all-star jam following the posthumous induction of George Harrison into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, featuring Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, and Prince. You have to watch the solo all the way to the end. Really, do not miss what he does at the end. DAMN!