Tune into Hell's Kitchen Radio, with John Hell, every Monday night 8-10PM (Pacific), on Radio Valencia (https://radiovalencia.fm) in San Francisco. You can find my playlists and links to the podcasts right here.
Radio is an artform. It's like having a blank canvas and painted it with sound. Most of the time I've got two hours to create a masterpiece for you, and I always feel like I'm just getting started when it's time to go. Tonight, I've got three hours to make this show shine!
And shine it does!
Lots of great new music here, and some classics you've never heard before.
I know you gonna dig this.
Enjoy.
Take this extra slice of life everywhere. Stream this into your consciousness.
Dig shorter versions of my show by clicking here, or just scroll down.
A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
A couple of years ago I hit on the idea that it would be fun to host a show from 1971. It was an amazing year for rock and roll. Led Zeppelin IV, Sticky Fingers, Who's Next; the rock rolls on and on. Since doing that show in November 2011, I was encouraged to repeat the challenge for 1972 last year. Again, what an amazing year! So it looks like I've hit upon a regular annual feature for A Season in Hell. Last night was all about 1973!!!
When I started the research I was afraid it was going to be wimp rock. I'll be honest, I wasn't as into this one as I was 71 or 72. But upon careful research, from my very large, and very deep library of awesome-ness, I found that indeed, there are some unbelievable tunes coming from this year!
My Best of 2013 is coming up in a few weeks, and on Monday, December 16th, Rotten Ronnie Donovan and I are hosting Rock Fight 11!!!! This time it's all about the Rock Block!
This show is an epic journey. I think you're really going to enjoy this one.
Have fun.
Get into the time machine and stream this show here.
Download this trip down memory lane, here.
Check out my shows from 1971 and 1972, and all of my shows by going here, or just scroll down.
A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Standing in front of my music library tonight, I had a thought: "what am I in the mood for"? I wasn't inspired. Honest. I love doing my show every week, but I really have to feel it to be able to give you a great show. I ended up going online to see who's birthday it was, thinking maybe that would do the trick. A couple of things, but nothing really hit home. I then headed over to my vinyl shelves, and started flipping through them, and I noticed a trend in what was catching my eye: psychedelia. Oh yes, that's a good direction.
Indeed it was a fine decision.
Enjoy with a cup of mushroom tea.
Stream this into your subconscious, here.
Download this into your existential mainframe, here.
To groove out to all my hip shows, go here, or just scroll down.
A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
On tonight's show I welcome back Julie Anderson, the curator for Altered Barbie, now in its 11th glorious, bedazzled year! What's up with that girl? She isn't anatomically correct, but that's never slowed her down. She's got her own Corvette for gawds sake!
I love having Julie in, she always brings the most colorful characters with her. And this year was no different. Three poets, a saxophonist and Ethel Mermen of The Ethel Mermen Experience, all of whom are performing in one way or another at either the opening gala or the closing.
The interview is in the first half hour, so check it out, then go check out the gallery of crazy Barbie Alterations at Shotwell 50 Gallery, which is located at 50 Shotwell in the Mission, and is open 1-7PM daily!!!
Get your Barbie on!
I take the rest of the night to pay homage to Lou Reed, who just passed away over the weekend. Depressing. A truly iconic figure, Lou Reed never compromised his sound for anyone, be it his own band, the record label, or even his fans. He knew how to push people away, but was also a central figure in creating the punk, industrial and noise scenes that grew out of his own experimentation with music.
Ah Lou, would you have done it all the same if you knew you would have been gone by the age of 71? I would imagine he would say "yes". And why not? He wrote his life into his music. He was unashamed about writing and singing about his experiences with drugs. He spoke about the yin/yang of those experiences. He spoke about life and death throughout his career. If anything, he may have been excited to see what the next part of the journey is.
God speed, Lou.
Some tracks are pre-VU, which I can be you've never heard before. It's like nothing you would ever expect from Mr. Reed.
The live stuff here is brilliant, but my favorite of all is "Waiting for the Man" from 1972. Even while writing this I see that every track here is brilliant, and I should do a four hour special on Lou some day. If you check out many of the shows from Radio Valencia in the days following his passing, you'll notice that many have a Lou Reed focus.
Enjoy.
Stream this cosmic consciousness here.
Download your trip into the hereafter here.
Listen to all of my shows by clicking here, or just scroll down.
A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Pale Blue Eyes: Velvet Underground
Romeo Had Juliet: Lou Reed
Interview with Julie Anderson of Altered Barbie
Outside: Lou Reed
Tranmaniacon MC: Altamont
Maybe Millions: Pins of Light
Queen Bitch: Lou Reed and David Bowie
I'm Waiting For My Man: Lou Reed (12-26-72 Hempstead, NY)
Vicious: Lou Reed (10-27-74 Dayton, OH)
Cycle Annie: The Beachnuts
Don't Turn My World Upside Down: The J Brothers
Soul City: The Hi-Lifes
Wonderful World Of Love: The Liberty Men
The Gift: The Velvet Underground
All Tomorrow's Parties: The Velvet Underground (April 1966, Scepter Studios, NYC, NY)
Heroin: The Velvet Underground (Andy Warhol's Factory NY, January 1966)
Venus in Furs: The Velvet Underground: (Poor Richard's, Chicago IL, June 23, 1966)
Sweet Jane: Lou Reed (10-27-74 Dayton, OH)
After a few weeks of no guests, I get the ULTIMATE GUEST in the studio with me: Mick Gray! Mick is currently an inker for DC comics, and you can currently see his work in the Batman and Robin series, which is in its third year!!! Mick also has some college radio under his belt. He, like myself is an alumni of the fine 87.9, the Wave of the West, you SOURCE for SOUND, KFJC. He was there a few years ahead of me, and he was touched by the true eclecticism that this wonderful resource had to offer.
I made him guest DJ with me tonight, which I love, because I'm always interested in how other DJs will craft a set. Radio is an artform, as I've always said. Here at Radio Valencia, we're given a two hour canvas to paint upon what we wish. By the end we hope that you are satisfied and awe-inspired.
Mick and I talk a lot about the comic book biz, which he's been a part of in one way or another for 25 years.
Check out the works of Mick Gray on his website, and at comic book shops everywhere.
Enjoy.
Download and put this show in a dust free sleeve and keep out of direct sunlight, here.
Stream this rare issue here.
Listen to all episodes of my show with your ear pressed to the speaker, here, or just scroll down.
A Season in Hell with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia, 87.9FM in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Up in Smoke: Cheech and Chong
Mrs. Creech: Altamont
The New Sun: Pins of Light
Monkey McGuire Meets Specky Potter Behind Lochore Institute: The Skids
Love Me: The Phantom
Where Were You: The Mekons
Interview with Mick Gray
Bad Reputation: Reverend Horton Heat
Soul Sister: The Hi Nobles
I'll Be Doggone: McHouston "Mickey" Baker
Cosmik Debris: Frank Zappa
Gunfight: Chris Spedding
The Pose: Chris Spedding
Interview with Mick Gray
Evil: Chris Spedding
Bored/Bang Bang: Iggy Pop (02-13-83)
Lincoln Town Car Limosine: Wesley Willis (06-25-99)
Here Comes Trouble: Tuff Darts
Johnny Was a Soldier: The Adicts
Hot Rod Lincoln: Commander Cody
Big Bad Cadillac: Kim Fowley
Western Avenue: Dyan Diamond
James Whale: Tuxedo Moon
Energy Vampires: Peter Hammill
Something Came Over Me: Throbbing Gristle
Queen Lullbye: Ty Segal
