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 #584: Does This Smell Right To You?

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How about another radio show where I play music that you never knew you needed? I like that idea. In a world where AI is telling you what to wear, watch, vote for, battle, digest, laugh at, point at, throw away, be disgusted towards, why not allow yourself a little freedom to listen to music curated by someone who digs in the crates to bring you something NOT generated by an algorithm?

At least while it's still legal to.  

Don't you get the feeling that we're going to come to a point where we'll decide on the ballot to allow our tech overlords to determine what we think?

Personally I don't believe in free will. True. I don't. I get to make my choices based on what's sitting in front of me. Not making a choice is still a choice. Isn't that a lyric somewhere? Thank you, Rush. 

So, all this being what it is, why not listen to some music that I had the "choice" to play for you tonight.

Highly inspired by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, my first hour is chock full of Americana nuts, and other aural legumes. Nothing spectacularly new tonight, which is a rarity for me. You may have noticed I've taken to adding the album and release year on my playlist. Eventually I may even get to linking to wear you can buy it! I think I used to do that back in the day...when I used that choice to do so.

In the meantime, use your choice and listen to two hours using your own free will and I'll see you on the other side.

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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Magic: Zig Zags (Strange Masters Vol. 1 - 2024)
Mohawk Town: Paul Leary (Born Stupid - 2021)

King of California: Dave Alvin (King of California - 1994)

Every Grain of Sand: Emmylou Harris (Wrecking Ball - 1995)

The Devil's Chasing Me: Reverend Horton Heat (Full Custom Gospel Sounds of... - 1993)

Midnight Wine: Shannon and the Clams (Year of the Spider - 2021)
Don't Fall Down: The Black Angels (May The Circle Be Unbroken - 2021)

Delia's Gone: Johnny Cash (Murder - 2000)

Tonight, I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown: Jimmy Dale Gilmore (After Awhile - 1991)

Jack the Ripper: Susan and the Surf Tones (Thunderbeach - 1996)

She Rode Me Down: Tindersticks (Falling Down on a Mountain - 2010)

Graveyard Shift: Uncle Tupelo (No Depression - 1990)

Crazy Fingers: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)

The Road Goes On Forever: Robert Earl Keen (No. 2 Live Dinner - 1996)

Kill the Badger: William S. Burroughs (Dead City Radio - 1990)

Dread Locks Corner: Prince Jazzbo (Ital Corner - 1976)

Home Affairs: Osibisa (Osibirock - 1974)

California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel (Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs  - 1977)

Azeta: Lafayette Afro Rock Band (Soul Makossa - 1973)

Black: Ken Nordine (Colors - 1995)

Potholderz: MF Doom (Mmm Food - 2007)

Ya Habibti: Mdou Moctar (Afrique Victime - 2021)

Three Hours: Nick Drake (Five Leaves Left - 1969)

Resolution/Revolution: Linda Lindas (No Obligation - 2024)

In The Great Gettin' Up Morning: The New Gospel Keys

Hell's Kitchen Radio #583: Hell Is An Energy

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Shaking the rust off after being out for two weeks. All it takes is a track to start feeling fresh again, and this show is as fresh as you can get! It's also my birthday show, so I'm bringing a lot of favorites to the fore. I was asked if I was going to play all old songs that I love, which I can easily do, but there are so many new songs that I love too! That's the thing, when you listen to new music all the time, there is a lot to fall in love with.

Classics from Beastie Boys, Last Poets, Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, Black Angels, Led Zeppelin, PIL, Melvins, Flipper, and Mudhoney. New music from GOAT, Wet Leg, The Darts, and Sahra Halgan. How many genres is that?

Celebrate my birthday with two hours of must-have-music!

I celebrated on my actual birthday, September 30th, by seeing Wet Leg at The Fox in Oakland! Hot damn, what a great show! I love this venue, and if you've been to The Fox, then you do too. And Wet Leg really brought the energy, throughout. They play practically every song off of their two full length releases. The crowd was pumped, and no doubt why. I hope you have the chance to check them out.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is this weekend. I've been going almost every year since it began in 2000. That's crazy that it's been going for 25 years. WTH?!?!?! I got to check out Dan Tyminski, Patti Griffin, Cimafunk (it is HARDLY STRICTLY for a reason), Jeff Tweedy, and Robert Earl Keen Jr. Don't be surprised if my next show features a few of these folks. It may be a hardly strictly show on Monday. 

Stay tuned.

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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Shake Your Rump: Beastie Boys (Paul's Boutique - 1989)
This is Madness: Last Poets (This is Madness - 1971)

I Come From The Mountain: Thee Oh Sees (Floating Coffin - 2013)

20th Century Boy: Ty Segall (Ty Rex - 2015)

Mission District: Black Angels (Directions to See a Ghost - 2008)

Motorcycle Boy: LA Witch (Play With Fire - 2020)

Four Sticks: Led Zeppelin (4th release - 1971)

Dollar Bill: GOAT (GOAT - 2025)

Mangetout: Wet Leg (Moisturizer - 2025)

Straws in the Wind: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (K.G. - 2020)

The Wizard: Brownout (Brown Sabbath Vol. 1 - 2014)

O.F.Y.C. Showcase: The Fall (Your Future Our Clutter - 2010)

Hold My Hand: Death Valley Girls (Under the Spell of Joy - 2020)

My Heart is a Graveyard: The Darts (Nightmare Queens - 2025)

Rise: PIL (Album - 1986)

Hag Me: Melvins (Houdini - 1993)

Sacrifice: Flipper (Gone Fishin' - 1984)

Loose: The Stooges (Fun House - 1970)

If I Think: Mudhoney (Superfuzz Bigmuff - 1989)

Sharaf: Sahra Halgan (Hiddo Dhawr - 2024)

So Much Wine: Barbara Manning (Convenience of Tomorrow - 2023)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #582: Scott Amendola

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Scott Amendola doesn’t just play the drums — he opens up a whole other world with them. He’s one of those rare musicians who can sit behind a kit and make it sound like a full conversation is happening. Over the years he’s worn a lot of hats: composer, bandleader, and the kind of drummer other inventive musicians want in their corner.

Scott grew up in New Jersey, studied at Berklee in Boston, and then made his way west. Out here he became a key part of the amazing TJ Kirk quartet with Charlie Hunter, Will Bernard, and John Schott — their second record, If Four Was One, even got a Grammy nomination.

And he’s not afraid to think big. In 2011 he premiered an orchestral piece called Fade to Orange with the Oakland East Bay Symphony, joined by Nels Cline and Trevor Dunn. That’s the kind of career Scott’s had — one foot in the small, intimate club, and the other in these ambitious projects that stretch way beyond genre.

He’s worked with some of the most exciting names in jazz and beyond, including 

Larry Ochs of ROVA Saxophone Quartet
Mike Patton
John Zorn
Will Blades
Jim Campilongo
Ben Goldberg
Skerik
Cyro Baptista
Jenny Scheinman-violin

It was my absolute pleasure to host Scott in the studio on Monday night where he shared some great stories from his youth, where his grandfather, jazz guitarist played a major inspiration in his life. We spoke about the great risks he took with his music, the amazing people he has been able to record, perform and tour with, as well the current challenges of surviving as a full time musician.

I also asked Scott to bring some music that he enjoys listening to. I surprised him with some of his own live shows. I peppered some tracks in throughout the show. See the playlist below for details.

Go check him out with SticklerPhonics this Thursday night, September 11th at The Back Room in Berkeley.

I know you're going to really enjoy this show.

jh

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

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Dream Brother: Jeff Buckley

Interview with Scott Amendola

When Kabuya Dances: Geri Allen Trio

Interview with Scott Amendola

Wall Town: Amendola vs. Blades (January 31, 2025 San Jose Jazz Break Room)
Well Blazed: SticklerPhonics

Afro Pusherman: Tony Allen
The Good Life: Pat Metheny and Ornette Coleman

Percussion Party! (Improvisation) > Down Tempo Slam (Improvisation) > Space… Sound… (Improvisation): Nels Cline Singers (Friday, March 28, 2025 - The Big Ears Fest)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #581: Last Goodbye

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I'm not really going anywhere. How could I? Monday nights just wouldn't be the same. Did you know I have been hosting a show on Monday nights since 2000, with only a brief break in there between radio stations? 

I was at San Francisco Liberation Radio from 2000-2003, then at Pirate Cat Radio and the FCCFree from 2006-2009, before starting Radio Valencia in 2010. And for each station I hosted the Monday 8pm show. It's like I'm some kind of institution. I don't care much for institutions, and I'm a teacher!

My years at KFJC (1989 - 1997) saw me hosting numerous slots during my tenure. When I was down at the "Wave of the West" one was required to host a graveyard shift (2am-6am) for a number of months and be signed off by the Program Director before you could take another shift. Graves are a good place to take risks. I took many, including once hosting my dear friend, Noa "The Watermonk of Dah", who, along with myself, played loud music and took calls of people making their "confessions" to myself, the Reverend Dah Wave, and Noa. That ridiculous show from 1990 almost got me kicked off the station, when my PD Les Scurry, confronted me in his very Napoleonic way, telling me what an embarrassing ass I was for that show, and since we didn't have a delay system, any one of the callers could have sworn live on the air and there would have been no way to cancel it out!

I have a cassette of the night and have only (partially) listened to it one time while I was driving over the San Mateo Bridge. This was probably in 1996 or so. I was driving alone and so embarrassed that I pulled the tape out and threw it in my backseat. I should have thrown it in the Bay. This means I still have it somewhere. 

oooh boy.

I have learned it's ok to embarrass yourself at least once a day. I tend to reach my quota by 9am. 

Tonight was all about me bringing a stack of music and figuring out just what to do with it. It came out pretty damn good!

I'm putting in some effort to list the album and year of song release. Let's see how long I keep this up. 

I won't be in this Monday night. I'm headed to The Chapel to see OSees! Never miss an OSees show! I return September 8th with local legend Scott Amendola, the drummer with the perpetual smile. We'll talk about his years playing for so many remarkable musicians, as well as promote his upcoming show at the Back Room on September 11th with SticklerPhonics.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

Follow me on Blue Sky
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Drug Train: The Cramps (Bad Music for Bad People
Riding By: Majestics

The Wriggle: Jack Hammer

My Heart is a Graveyard: The Darts (s/t 2017)

White Girl: X (Wild Gift 1980)

Catch These Fists: Wet Leg (Moisturizer 2025)

Beautiful World: DEVO (New Traditionalists 1981)

I Have A Radio: David Lynch (10" split with Dumb Numbers)

In Every Dream Home A Heartache: Roxy Music 

Sneaker: OSees (Abomination Revealed At Last 2025)

Riot Squad: The Hellflowers (7" split with Eastbay)

Icon: Black Angels (Wilderness of Mirrors 2022)

Titoli: Ennio Morricone (A Fistful of Film Music 1995)

I Had A Talk With My Woman: Tim Buckley (Lorca 1970)

Mighty Mighty (Spade and Whitey): Curtis Mayfield (Live 1971)

Get Out For #1: Janky Band

Death Train: Bobby Lees (Bellevue 2022)

Do You Take This Man? Diamanda Galas with John Paul Jones (The Sporting Life 1994)

Company Culture: Lambrini Girls (Who Let The Dogs Out 2025)

Caaqil: Sahra Halgan (Waa Dardaaran 2019)

It's A Shame: First Aid Kit (Ruins 2018)

Your Mother Should Know: The Beatles (Magical Mystery Tour 1967)

Messy Hens: Public Enemy (Black Sky Over The Projects- Apartment 2025)

Centrate: Podium (Podium 2020)

Seaweed Head: WAND (Vertigo 2024)

Celluloid Heroes: The Kinks (The Kinks Greatest Celluloid Heroes 1976)