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 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

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

1975! What a year! What do you recall? I was five years old, and living in Toledo, Ohio. My aunt, who worked at Peaches Records bought me the first five KISS LPs, so naturally, KISS was my first favorite band. That's all I really remember about that year.

Being older, and a scholar of music and culture, I can tell you that 1975 was a real crossover year. The 60s were definitely over by this time. Music was moving a bit more into the "Yacht Rock" era, and Disco was starting to emerge as well. Funk was at its creative peak. Punk wouldn't really break onto the scene for another year, and metal was also still in its infancy. It was a weird year.

Some of my favorite records were released this year: Physical Graffiti, Nighthawks at the Diner, and Blood on the Tracks, just to name a few.

Along with Eric McFadden and Delphine de St Paer, we delve into the many faces of 1975 last Monday night. We just barely scratch the surface in two hours time. Take a look at the playlist below, and click on the links above to stream or download this show.

Enjoy.

jh

Tonight's the Night: Neil Young
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain: Willie Nelson
Rhinestone Cowboy: Glen Campbell

The Black Widow: Alice Cooper
Hunters and Collectors: Can
Dolemite: Ben Taylor
Fight the Power: The Isley Brothers
Fire: Ohio Players

Ten Years Gone: Led Zeppelin
Across The Universe: David Bowie
Motorhead: Hawkwind
Dammit Janet: Rocky Horror Picture Show
Dunkirk: Camel

Chocolate City: Parliament
Muffin Man: Frank Zappa
Shelter From The Storm: Bob Dylan
Eggs and Sausage: Tom Waits

Deuce: Kiss
The Jungle Line: Joni Mitchell
Death on Two Legs: Queen
King Soloman's Marbles: Grateful Dead

Rose in the Heather/Beggar's Day: Nazareth

Spontaneity is the name of the game, sometimes in radio. I often stare at my immense record collection, and think to myself "self, why don't you just blindly choose a bunch of LPs to take to the studio with you, and whatever strikes your fancy, go with it?". This is pretty much what I did Monday night. And boy howdy if it didn't pay off, too!

A few tributes (PF Sloan passed away, as did Mitch Mitchell (who actually died in 2008, but I believe everything I read on Facebook, obviously)); some tasty live treats, some local tunes, and a speech as relevant today as it was when it was delivered over 70 years ago.

I was training a new Radio Valencia DJ tonight, and later in the show, the banter gets pretty hilarious.

Take a look at the playlist below. You can download and stream this show by clicking on the links above. Please share this with all of your music-loving friends.

Next Monday, November 23, from 8-10PM on Radio Valencia is my 5th annual ANNUAL ANNUAL! It's all about 1975 for two whole hours! And this isn't your old man's 10 at 10, either.

Enjoy.

jh

Eve of Destruction: PF Sloan
Voodoo Chile: Jimi Hendrix Experience (Live 1969)

The Midnight Special: Harry Belafonte
Wooden Ships: Crosby, Nash (March 26, 1972 - Winterland, SF, CA)
Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues: Bob Dylan (July 5, 1965 Manchester, UK)

Can Halen mashup
Fangsgiving: Happy Fangs
Sunless Saturday: Fishbone

Broken Sun: Wand
Bombay Calling: It's A Beautiful Day
Cantor de Mambo: Os Mutantes
En Gang Om Aret: Dungen

***Set of the night***
I Swallowed A Dragonfly: Heartless Bastards
I Wish A Mothafucka Would: Queen Crescent
Charlie Chaplin Incredible Speech
Move On Up: Curtis Mayfield

Sugaree: Grateful Dead (May 22, 1977 Hollywood Sportatorium, Pembroke, FL)
The Mercy Seat: Johnny Cash

My War: Black Flag (April 6, 1984 Washington, DC)

How thrilling to have to rising local rock stars in the studio to do all the heavy lifting. I should do this more often. Rebecca (DJ RBG), and Mike (MC Cobra) of the mighty might Happy Fangs guest DJd in Hell's Kitchen tonight. They brought loads of 100% choice vinyl cuts, and knew their way around a radio studio.

I've had Happy Fangs in the studio before, to talk up shows and releases, but last time they were on I invited them to come back and guest DJ with me. They were obviously up to the task. Other than the first track, all the rest were from Rebecca and Mike. And just look at that playlist!

I'll be having other bands on to guest DJ with me soon.

This weekend there are a couple great shows to check out:

Friday night, local psych rockers Golden Void will transport you to the astral plane at Bottom of the Hill, where they will be headlining. I'm loving their new LP: "Berkana".

Saturday night there are two great bands playing at Amnesia on Valencia Street. The Reliables are a fun five piece, made up of old friends who decided it was high time they got together to make songs of journey and life. They've got a good funky vibe. The other band is the donut-laden trio known as DOWN IN FRONT! These ladies have the most fun no stage I've seen in years. The between-song banter is as much fun as the the songs themselves.

Support live, local music.

Coming up November 23rd is my fifth annual ANNUAL ANNUAL! I'm doing two hours on 1975. This isn't like KFOG. I actually know what was quality in that year. Tune in, and check out my previous ANNUAL ANNUAL shows from the past few years. Rumor has it guitar slinger Eric McFadden will guest DJ that night too!

Enjoy.

jh

All Tomorrow's Parties: The Fresh and Only's
Lust for Life: Iggy Pop

I Really Like You: The Lovely Feathers
Lion's Share: L7
Another Girl, Another Planet: The Only Ones

Hesperus: Windhand
Sexy Boy: Air

Two Against One: Rome
Bridge Over Troubled Water: Roberta Flack
A New Error: Moderat

***Set of the Night***
The IPD: Judy Small
Hey Little Cobra: The Rip Chords
Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll: Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Diddy Wah: Ty Segall Band

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing: Jackson 5
Primary Colors: The Horrors
Shanghaied: Bishop Allen

Feels Blind: Bikini Kill

Summer Wine: Nancy Sinatra
Infinity Guitars: Sleigh Bells

Telephone Line: ELO

It's Sunday night, and I realized that I have yet to post my blog from last Monday. What the hell was I thinking?!?!? It's been one busy week, I can assure you. But that is no excuse for not getting the people what they want. And you want quality radio podcasts, don't you? Don't lie to me. I know how much you enjoy my well-considered playlists. I know you wait with baited breath for my mic breaks, where I'll wax poetic about the San Francisco of yore. Or perhaps, I'll bitch and complain about the cost of rents? Last Monday I think I went on a bender about a former student of mine (I'm a local SF public school teacher, but you knew that, because you tune in regularly and listen to me talk about my kids), and how falsely (?) blamed him for stealing my door stop, which just so happened to be a plastic baby's arm.

Now you too can stream or download this show and relive that fabulous story, and many more. This show also featured a tribute to the great jazz engineer, Rudy Van Gelder, on his 91st birthday. I played a few rain songs in celebration of the fact that it rained in SF for the first time in about 6 months, and I played a few songs to get you ready for our crappy election, where our lame "I'm never going to run for mayor" Mayor won a second term. Douchebag.

There's a very slowed down Alvin and the Chipmunks song, some classic rock you may or may not have ever heard before, new music from noteworthy local bands, and more.

Tune in every Monday night from 8-10PM for the finest in the fine sounds going down in the downtown, with me, John Hell. You can also subscribe to my iTunes podcast link and get the show downloaded to your iTunes every week. I'm sure there's a link for that somewhere around here. I'll get back to you on that. Thanks to the over 300 of you who subscribe already!

Check out the playlist below.

This Monday night I'm excited to have local rockers Happy Fangs in the studio, where I won't ask them one damn question about themselves, their new record, or their tour. No I won't. Nope. Instead, they're guest DJing, which means I get to kick back and let them make the playlist.

Tune in every Monday night from 8-10PM for the finest in the fine sounds going down in the downtown, with me, John Hell.

Enjoy.

jh

Billie's Bounce: Charlie Parker
Status Quo: Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore

Ease Back: Grant Green
Loran's Dance: Idris Muhammad

Rain: Bernadette Seacrest and her Yes Men
See The Sky About To Rain: Neil Young
Make it Rain: Tom Waits

Rainy Night in SOHO: The Pogues
I'll Be Your Lover Too: Van Morrison
Every Mother's Son: Traffic
What Do You Want From Life: The Tubes

Southern Politician: Willie DeVille
Elected: Alice Cooper
Call Me (slowed down): Alvin and the Chipmunks

Paranoid: Golden Void
Headbanger: King Tuff
We Are What You Are: White Hills
Careful With That Axe, Eugene: Pink Floyd

European Son: Thee Oh Sees

Cold, Rain and Snow: The Grateful Dead

Sometime during the week leading up to my show, I must have heard some seriously good blues playing. Maybe. It's hard to say. Maybe I was realizing that I just don't play enough blues, and was feeling guilty, like I wasn't including one of my beloved children in the fun? It's not like little Bluesy did anything wrong. On the contrary, where would I be today without Blues? It was Blues that taught me how to get over heartbreak. It was Blues that showed me that it was OK to be alone. It was Blues that allowed me to heal, following all my many dark and lonely nights.

Maybe I had too much Blues in my life? Perhaps I needed a break, to recognize just how much I love the Blues? Tonight is full of the Blues. And that's a good thing. Blues can also bring you up. Once you hear a line like "I've been down so long, it looks like up to me", and you know that the singer has it so much harder than you, then you know that you're life just isn't that bad. It's similar to watching a Soap Opera. Their lives are much, much worse than yours.

In the second hour I have brand new music from FUZZ and WAND!!!!! Are you KIDDING ME?!?!?!?

There are many brilliant live tunes throughout the night, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, ZZ Top, Grateful Dead, Blues Brothers, Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones, and George Clinton and P-Funk, featuring Eric McFadden on guitar.

Damn, that's a lot to be grateful for.

This Friday I'm hosting the live Ask Dr. Hal at XOXO in Jack London Square from 10-midnight. It's only $5 and it's totally worth your spooky-weekend time.

Enjoy.

jh

Destination Unknown: Missing Persons
Baby Blue: Shannon and the Clams

Hearing Voices: Galaxy 500
California: Joni Mitchell

Smokestack Lightning: Howlin' Wolf
Rollin' and Tumblin': Baby Face Leroy Trio
Two Trains Running: Butterfield Blues Band
Boom Boom Out Go The Lights: Little Walter

Done Somebody Wrong: Elmore James
Backdoor Medley: ZZ Top
I Don't Know: Blues Brothers

Try: Janis Joplin (April 01, 1969 Stockholm, Sweden)

Dirt: Iggy and the Stooges (November 03, 2003 City Park, New Orleans, LA)

***Best of Set***
Grave Robbers: WAND
Say Hello: FUZZ
Foxy Lady: Jimi Hendrix (Hawaii 1970)

Cosmic Slop: George Clinton Parliament-Funkadelic (July 8, 2006 Lugano, Switzerland)
War/No More Trouble: Bob Marley and The Wailers (August 5, 1978 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, FL)

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl: Grateful Dead (February 28, 1969 Fillmore West, SF, CA)

Brown Sugar: Rolling Stones (March 13, 1971 Leeds U, Leeds UK)

Are you aware that in 1974, Danny Sugarman, 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. 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

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

Every week I knowingly select more music than I will ever play. I do this, because radio is an artform. It's an empty canvas. I need to fill it, and I need to have the appropriate materials to do so. So much good music to share. Take a look at this blistering playlist below. And you can hear it in my voice. There was a lot of hooting and hollering goin' on.

I'm going to start identifying what I feel was "best of set", as each week there's always that set that is just more awesome than the others. For this show it was absolutely justified. See below.

This Sunday at The Chapel, on Valencia, Ty Segall's side project, FUZZ, is opening for one of my top 5 desert island bands, MUDHONEY! If you don't have tickets, too bad for you: it's sold out! I cannot wait to sweat the night away, in what promises to be an amazing show. Fuzz has a new record out too, which you know will be on turntable A in the Radio Valencia studios next Monday night.

In the meantime, check out the playlist below, and click on the Dl or stream above.

Enjoy.

jh

Border Radio: The Blasters
Devil Doll: X
River of Fever The Flesh Eaters

Dismissive: OBN IIIs
Fun House (Take 5): The Stooges

Where Eagles Dare: Bratmobile
Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast: Pink Floyd (For DocBot)
Crimson: Ken Nordine
Jean-Pierre: Miles Davis

***BEST OF SET***
In 'n Out of Grace: Mudhoney
One: Fuzz
There She Goes, My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

In the Cartoon: Clown Alley (for John Law)
Young Man Blues: Altamont

It Hurts Me Too: Grateful Dead with Duane Allman (02/11/70 - Fillmore East, NYC)
Sova: Dungen

Storm and Feather: Golden Void
I Don't Want Nobody To Get Me Nothing: Grant Green

Did you know that I am hip with the progressive political crowd here in San Francisco? It's true. Case in point, my guest tonight was not other than San Francisco's District 11 supervisor, John Avalos. John has been on my show before as have a few other County supervisors, and mayors. Tonight John spoke about his proposed Bike Yield Law, lowering the voting age to 16, and affordable housing.

He also spoke quite a bit about the history of our current mayor, And his thoughts about the backroom dealings here in San Francisco. You might find out of interest.

Take a look at the playlist below. John offered number of tunes that he brought with him, which she believed to be apropos for the evening.

Enjoy.

jh

She's A Lady: Tom Jones
Get It While You Can: Janis Joplin

Leave My Girl Alone: Buddy Guy
Lean on Me/Believe in You: Anders Osborne
Little Man with a Gun in His Hand: Minutemen
Fragile: Wire

Interview with John Avalos

Use Me: Bill Withers
Baby, Please Don't Go: Them

Interview with John Avalos

Turn Around: Mikal Cronin
Hazemaze: Fuzz

Don't You Ever Wash That Thing: Frank Zappa and the Mother's of Invention
Acetate: Metz
Life on Mars: David Bowie

Spear and Magic Helmet: The Gits
Matalo: Mario Migliardi
Pent Juri Hati: Koes Barat

Peace Frog/Blue Sunday: The Doors

It's my BIRTHDAY, so that means that I get to play what I want. That's pretty much every week, or so you think. Most weeks I take a few requests, and like to even stretch my own comfort zone. Tonight it's all about what John Hell wants to hear. Just take a gander at that playlist!

There's some amazing new music from Sweden's Dungen, SF's Golden Void, and Austin's OBN IIIs, as well Thee Oh Sees from earlier this year, and even this new band, that you really need to look out for: The Flat Earthers (full disclosure: that's my band).

Still celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, I played a gem from this date in 1972, from New Jersey. I actually played quite a few live tracks tonight.

I'm sure you'll find the music and banter worthy of your time. Please share this with your music-loving friends.

Enjoy.

jh

PS: I like chocolate
PPS: With sea salt
PPPS: And caramel


Little Red Hen: Taj Mahal
On The Road Again: Canned Heat
I've Been Loving You Too Long: Otis Redding

Feelin' Alright: Joe Cocker Mad Dog's and Englishmen
Basta: Louis Prima and Keely Smith
Howling Wolf: Muddy Waters
Funky Woman: Parliament

Why Does Love Got To Be So Bad: Derek and the Dominoes
Done Somebody Wrong: Allman Brothers Band

Game is my Middle Name: Betty Davis
Me and Baby Brother: War

Franks Kaktus: Dungen
The Beacon: Golden Void
Withered Hand: Thee Oh Sees

4KD: OBN IIIs
Feel: Big Star
Powerman: The Kinks
Only Son of the Ladies Man: Father John Misty

We Don't Quit: The Flat Earthers
NFA/GDTRFB/NFA: Grateful Dead (09/28/72 Stanley Theater, Jersey City, NJ)

Last Goodbye: Jeff Buckley

It's hot in here. You know what that means. This show ROCKS! Check out this playlist for Christ' sake. There's a lot of what you need comin' down the pipe. Brand new music from Shannon and the Clams, as well as brand new OBN III's and Altamont.

Tonight on Hell's Kitchen Radio, with John Hell, it's my birthday show!!! So much has been going through my brain lately, I cannot wait to share it with you, including music from my band The Flat Earther's show last Thursday night at XOXO in Jack London Square. We rocked the house!

Enjoy.

jh

I Get A Kick Out Of You: Tony Bennett
It's A Man's World: James Brown

My Man: Shannon and the Clams
Maggie's Farm: Bob Dylan
Cross the Breeze: Sonic Youth

Trash Heap: OBN IIIs
Stop Draggin' Me Down: Monomen
Human Cannonball: Butthole Surfers
White Light/White Heat: Lou Reed

Rebel Girl: Melvins with Teri Gender Bender
Liar: Bikini Kill
God Hates a Coward: Tomahawk

Anthem/Keep on Movin': King Tuff
I Won't Go Like That: Eric McFadden
Easter Sunday: Altamont
If I Had An Exorcism: The Melvins

Self Hypnosis in 3 Days: WAND
Chocolate Jesus: Tom Waits
Huge: Boris
Within You, Without You: The Beatles

Ancestors: Queen Crescent
Walks for Motorists: White Hills

Sometimes I interview heroes of mine, and sometimes there are musical heroes in the room and I have no idea I'm talking to them. That happened once, back in 1993, while I was standing in Waterloo Records in Austin, while I was thumbing through a record stack and came upon the "Sid and Nancy" soundtrack. A woman standing next to me saw the record and commented about a movie she saw the previous night on her hotel room TV, staring the woman who co-starred in "Sid and Nancy", Chloe Webb. Coincidentally I was watching the same movie in my hotel room. The conversation moved on to other great films, then music, then authors. Then she said goodbye. This was about a 10 minute conversation, at the most. Pleasant. Short-lived. Soon after she walked away, the store manager, or owner announces to the room "ladies and gentleman, we're so lucky to have with us, reading from her new book of poetry, the seminal punk goddess, Exene Cervenka. Give me a break. Really? That's who I was talking to? One of my musical heroes, form one of my favorite bands of my youth? Really? Yeah, I'm sure she was thrilled that I wasn't being all eye-lash-batty to her, and fawning over her every word, and agreeing about how amazing some director and author is, but COME ONE.

If you tune into my show on any semi-regular basis, and I have a guest on with me, you've probably noticed that I have some clue as to who they are. I do my homework, after all. On last Monday's show, I had a lot of homework to do, and it would appear, that I missed some assignment. D'oh indeed.

The 40th Anniversary Punk Renaissance showcase begins tonight, and runs for the next week, so I had some old-time punk-rockers from the Punk Rock Sewing Circle in the studio to talk up the onslaught that is about to be hoisted upon us.

Raymond Ernest Andre III (Flame); Ripper Sisters Linda Walker ("Gale Force" of Ripper Magazine), and Verna Wilson ("Violet Vamp"); Michael Reid (booker of the Mabuhay Gardens, and co-founder of Reckless Records); Bob Clic (from The Lewd); Ethan Port (from Savage Republic); Eugene (from Oxbow (who I had no idea was going to be in the studio, and therefore had no clue who the hell he was, EVEN THOUGH I am not only a fan of Oxbow, but I had the good fortune to MC a show at least 20 years ago at the Cubberley Community Theater in Palo Alto, where they headlined. That may have been the last time I saw them too)).

I can't do this as much justice as my friend Silke Tudor can, so I'm just going to let her words describe the mayhem that starts tonight and runs for the next week.

We don’t know how they pulled this off, but we love Punk Rock Sewing Circle. What began as a string of remembrances on the Mabuhay Gardens Facebook page has transformed into a 40-year anniversary celebration. SF Punk Renaissance: Final Warning! is a weeklong festival that draw doyennes of the underground back to this city where punks could pogo with the deaf, live in a treehouse, perform with live chickens, and survive on SSI. The festival kicks off with an all-ages East Bay sonic survey including members of the seminal Psychotic Pineapple and Dr. Frank. The rest unfolds with must-see photography exhibits; a swap meet for records, ‘zines, flyers, and other memorabilia; panel discussions on early zines, the queer/punk node, and where it all went wrong; educational walking tours of the Mission, North Beach, and SOMA; and of course more music than you can shake your trick leg at: Avengers, The Lewd, The Mutants, Frightwig, Toiling Midgets, and Negative Trend, to name a few.
— Silke Tudor

All the information you could ever want about the upcoming shows, performances, films, readings, etc. can be found here, on the Punk Rock Sewing Circle website.

Get your punk on, but don't forget to take your Midol first.

Enjoy.

jh

I'm thrilled to have local rockers, Happy Fangs back in the studio tonight, talking about their upcoming show at Bottom of the Hill, this Saturday night. Rebecca and The Cobra (Mike) make for a great interview. I love having them on. They promise to come back on in October to guest-DJ with me. Seriously, that was a fun interview. You'll be a better person, all around, for listening to it. Go see them live. They promise it's awe-inspiring (my words, not theirs).

Also, it being Labor Day, inspired me to dig deep for all-things-WORKER! When's the last time you paid any attention to that? Really, what are you doing to support labor? Are you conscious of where the items you are purchasing are made? Do you buy local? Do you support American made apparel?

Just check out the playlist below, stream, or download the show, and feel the power of the union coursing through your veins.

Enjoy.

jh

San Francisco Blues: Jesse Fuller
Mean Old Frisco: John Hammond
Career Opportunities: The Clash

I Am A Union Woman: Rosalie Sorrels and Utah Phillips
Aunt Molly Jackson Defines Folk Songs Once And For All: Rosalie Sorrels and Utah Phillips
Aragon Hill: Si Kahn
More Than A Paycheck: Sweet Honey in the Rock

Hiya Ka Ka: Happy Fangs

Interview with Happy Fangs

All I Want For Christmas is Halloween: Happy Fangs
Controlled Burn: Happy Fangs

Interview with Happy Fangs

Fangsgiving: Happy Fangs
What Is Punk?: Mr. T Experience
The American in Me: The Avengers
Sonic Reducer: Dead Boys

3 Miles Down: Gil Scott-Heron
Jubilee Trail/Do Re Mi/Promised Land: Dave Alvin
Graveyard Shift: Uncle Tupelo

Cumberland Blues: Grateful Dead
Deportee: Bob Dylan and Joan Baez
My Daddy (Flies a Ship in the Sky): Woody Guthrie

Take This Job And Shove It: Johnny Paycheck
Get Back in Line: The Kinks
San Francisco's Doomed: Crime

I Ain't Marchin' Anymore: Phil Ochs
Gonna Die With My Hammer In My Hand: The Williamson Brothers

Time to dealve back into my 7" collection. Yes, I own 7" 45s and 33s. You don't What the hell is wrong with you? There's something here for everyone. Take a gander at the playlist. And please share this among your friends.

Next Monday night, Labor Day, local rockers Happy Fangs will be in the studio, talking up their upcoming show. Also, there's a Punk reunion happening soon, and I'll be talking to the organizers in the second hour. Hell's Kitchen Radio, Monday, 8-10PM on Radio Valencia.

Enjoy.

jh

People Get Ready: Chambers Brothers
Rebel Girl: Bikini Kill
Rock Box: RUN DMC

Peter Gunn Theme: Art of Noise (with Duane Eddy)
Bloody Hammer: Roky Erickson and the Aliens
In the Face: The Who

Vengeance: Blue Oyster Cult
Interplanet Janet: Man or Astroman
Groth: Zig Zags
Hey Hey What Can I Do? Led Zeppelin (slowed to 33 1/3)

Machine Man: WAND
Unknown Museum Stomp: Phantom Surfers

Tilt: Here Are The Facts You Requested
Und Jetzt Die Sportschau: Globe Unity '75
Lights Out (remix): Wooden Shjips
Macho Man: Artless

Drug Mugger: Ty Segall
Louie Louie: Black Flag
Bing Bong: Three Day Stubble
Mud Gals: Meatbodies

Salad Days: Minor Threat
Notes and Chords Mean Nothing to Me: Redd Cro$$
[8]: Boris
Couldn't Be Bothered: The Klitz

Euthanasia: The Melvins
Save Yourself: HEMI

Chickensquak: MDC

We're half way through the year, so how about we check in with the great music we've heard so far in 2015? Tonight's show is all about new releases, and a few re-issues that caught my eye. Check out the amazing Hawkwind cut in the second hour. New music from LA bands Wand, Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall, as well as some sizzling tracks from Bay Area groups Rin Tin Tiger, Tiger Honey Pot and Queen Crescent.

If you like what you hear, then go out and support these bands by purchasing their vinyl or MP3s. And for Christ's sake, go see them live!!!

And continuing with my celebration of the 50th birthday of the good ol' Grateful Dead, there's a sweet treat at the end of the show for you. Check out the playlist below, and please share with your music-loving friends.

Enjoy.

jh

Cave In: Wand
Lectric Motions: Nudity
Wanderlust: White Hills

Ramen Rock: Tiger Honey Pot
Wilding: Moon Duo
Spit You Out: Metz

Black Acid: Queen Crescent
Into the Void: Brown Sabbath (Brownout)

Concert Outlook (The JBs)

When You Feel It, Grunt if You Can: The JBs
Mr. Time: Koes Barat
Lupine Ossuary: Thee Oh Sees

Feel: Ty Segall
Say: Mikal Cronin
Empty: King Gizzard

Mirror of Illusion: Hawkwind
When You're Smiling and Astride Me: Father John Misty

Hold You Down: Rin Tin Tiger
Bride of Crankenstein: Melvins

China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider: Grateful Dead (July 14, 1985 Ventura Fairgrounds, Ventura, CA)

Local stalwarts, Rin Tin Tiger made their way back into Hell's Kitchen last night, to talk up their new release, their third full-length in three years: "Burial Grounds", and their record release party, set for this Friday night at The Independent, in SF. It's always a pleasure to talk them, up, but even more so since they brought their drummer Andrew, along for the ride. The first 40 minutes or so we're talking music writing, business, and road stories.

Little Lauson Hell was also in the kitchen for last night's show. It's summer, so she has time to hang with dad on a Monday night. She chose a few tasty treats for your ear holes. Take a listen or she'll cry, and you don't want to make a 10 year old cry, right?

Next Monday night will be my BEST OF 2015 SO FAR!!!

I can't believe we're half way through the year already. There has been no lack of fine releases, and I want to share what I've enjoyed so far.

Go see Rin Tin Tiger this Friday, and then head over to Phono del Sol Music Festival at Potrero del Sol Park in SF on Saturday. It's a great lineup, with food trucks too!

SUPPORT LIVE LOCAL MUSIC!!!

Enjoy.

jh

She Watch Channel Zero: Public Enemy
Earth People: Dr. Octagon

Interview with Rin Tin Tiger

Shards of Glass: Rin Tin Tiger

Interview with RTT

Dandelion Dream: RTT
Talk Shit: RTT

Interview with RTT

Small Cuts That Bleed A Lot: RTT
I Want You: George Benson
Eleanor Rigby: Wes Montgomery

Revolution: The Beatles
We Are the Champions: Queen
Like A Surgeon: Weird Al Yankovic
Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes: They Might Be Giants

Red Right Hand: Giant Sand
Jesus Was Way Cool: King Missile
When Doves Cry: Patti Smith
Nice, Nice, Very Nice: Ambrosia

Planet of the Apes: The Mummies
He Was A Big Freak: Betty Davis
Miss You: The Concretes
Take A Letter, Maria: RB Greaves

Hog Wild: Half Japanese

ROCK FIGHT 14 IS ON THE AIR! 6-Midnight (PDST) http://radiovalencia.fm John Hell throws his best live bootlegs and you win! Guests galore! Linda Kelly guests. Travis Hayes plays live in studio.

This was one GREAT show. Six hours of blistering live performances, and two amazing interviews. For the past 13 Rock Fights, poster artist Ron Donovan has joined me in the studio. Due to unforeseen (but predicted) circumstances, Ron was unable to join me tonight. It didn't matter though, I would have kicked his ass up and down the airwaves like I do every Rock Fight.

I open the show with some great 60s jams. Just look at the playlist! It's rock and psych, leading into proto-punk in the second hour. 70s punk takes over the rest of the hour, before author Linda Kelly comes in to talk up the new edition of her 1995 book "Deadheads", just in time for the Grateful Dead's 50th anniversary shows (which I'll be attending in Santa Clara this weekend). You have got to read this book! So many great stories. My interview with Linda is a ton of fun. We played about 90 minutes of brilliant live Dead, from the 67-92. She'll be in the parking lot selling and signing books all weekend long. And she'll be at Proper Fox jewelry store tonight signing and selling.

Local singer-songwriter Travis Hayes came by to talk up his upcoming show, this Saturday night at the Great American Music Hall. He played a few tunes, live in the studio, and shared some stories. What a great guy. Go to this show, and support live, local music.

I finished up the show with some classic rock standouts!!! Led Zeppelin, Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, and more.

I love hosting this show, but six hours is exhausting. And having no co-host just will not do. This December, sound engineer John Karr will be co-hosting Rock Fight 15 with me. John has been doing live and studio sound for over 25 years, and has recorded thousands of great local shows. I look forward to kicking his ass. Tune in.

Enjoy.

jh

Hour 1:
Rock Fight: Cheech and Chong

Sunshine of your Love: Cream (October 25, 1968 Dallas, TX)

Sunshine of your Love: Jimi Hendrix Experience (June 20, 1969 San Fernando Valley State College)
Let's Go Get Stoned: Joe Cocker (BBC Sessions 68/69)

When the Music's Over: The Doors (March 18, 1967 Detroit, MI)
Ball and Chain: Big Brother and the Holding Company (1967 SF, CA)
Wooden Ships: Jefferson Airplane (May 7, 1970 Fillmore East, NYC, NY)

All Tomorrow's Parties: Velvet Underground (Scepter Studios, New York City NY, April 1966)
Hour 2:
I Wanna Be Your Dog: Iggy Pop (Santa Monica Civic Auditorium 04-15-1977)
TV Set: The Cramps (The Metropolis, Portland, OR May 23, 1982)

What A Way To Die: The Mummies (1991 Sandbar Club, Long Beach, CA)
Hazaemaze: Fuzz (Kings Barcade, Raleigh, NC, October 10, 2013)
Search and Destroy: Rocket from the Tombs (RFFT Loft, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 2-8-75)

Born to Lose/One Track Mind: The Heartbreakers (Max's Kansas City, NYC, NY 05-08-80)
Now I Want To Sniff Some Glue: The Ramones (CBGB's, NYC, NY 06-10-77)
Sheena is a Punk Rocker: The Ramones (CBGB's, NYC, NY 06-10-77)
Cherry Bomb: The Runaways (The Agora, Cleveland, OH 07-19-76)

Gut Feeling: Devo (Mabuhay Gardens, San Francisco, CA 08-03-77)
This is Not A Love Song: PIL (Beacon Theatre, New York, NY 11-02-84)

Let's Lynch the Landlord: Dead Kennedy's (9:30 Club, Washington, DC (04-11-81)
Master Race Rock: The Dictators (Minneapolis 08-17-91)

Hour 3:
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl: Grateful Dead (11-10-67 Shrine Auditorium, LA, CA)
Beat It On Down the Line: Grateful Dead (03-01-70 Fillmore West, SF, CA)

Interview with Linda Kelly

China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider: Grateful Dead (05-25-74 UC Santa Barbara)

Interview with Linda Kelly

He's Gone: Grateful Dead (02-09-86 Henry J Kaiser, Oakland, CA)
Althea: Grateful Dead (03-11-92 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, CA)

Interview with Linda Kelly

Hour 4:
Deal: Grateful Dead (09-30-72 American University, Washington DC)
Eyes of the World: Grateful Dead (06-09-73 RFK Stadium, Washington, DC)

Lost Sailor/Saint of Circumstance: Grateful Dead (10-10-82 Frost Amphitheater, Stanford, CA)

Interview with Travis Hayes

Sleepless: Travis Hayes live in RV studio

Interview with Travis Hayes

Kate's Song: Travis Hayes
Hour 5:
Interview with Travis Hayes

Warm Bodies: Travis Hayes
Pasties and a G-String: Tom Waits (10-05-77 Late Show, The Paradise Theatre, Boston, MA)
One More Cup of Coffee: Bob Dylan (NYC 12-08-75)

Song Remains the Same/Rain Song: Led Zeppelin (01-14-73 Empire Theater, Liverpool, England)
In My Time of Dying: Led Zeppelin (03-17-75 Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, WA)
Hour 6:
Youth of America: The Melvins (03-09-04 Capitol Theater, Olympia, WA)

Zig Zags (04-07-13 The Echo, LA, CA)
Fairies Wear Boots: Black Sabbath (08-26-13 Shoreline Amph., Mountain View, CA)
Don't Fear the Reaper: Blue Oyster Cult (10-12-79 International Amp., Chicago, IL)

Tom Sawyer: Rush (09-30-80 Allentown Fairgrounds, Allentown, PA)
Dogs: Pink Floyd (01-29-77 Deutschlandhalle, West Berlin, West Germany)

40,000 Headmen: Traffic (11-18-70 Fillmore East, NYC, NY)
Black Betty: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (07-02-89 Werchter Festival, Werchter, Belgium)

Patsy, Cooter and Haskel McDonald from Shake Well broke down on the side of the road and joined me in the studio Monday night. They've been touring Tanzania and Namibia, and have found that being back in the Bay is a bit of a culture shock. Listen to them share their road stories, living in a van, cooking on the hot pavement of Zaire, and inter-band relations (they're all related, so it gets a bit funky).

Much of the music tonight comes from deep in my music library. But isn't that the way it is week to week? That's why you tune in. Also, BROWN appears to be some sort of theme tonight. I can attest to it not being on purpose. Seren-typical as Michael Vav would say.

Enjoy.

jh

Some Velvet Morning: Vanilla Fudge
Bottle Up and Go: The Monkeywrench
Ode to Scientology: The Evangenitals

Too High: Shake Well

Seeing Things: Shake Well

Pink Cadillac: Tiger Honey Pot
Meat: Idiot Flesh
Metapsychomagia: Abraxas

Long Way To Go With No Punch: Dirty 3
Super Heathen Child: Grinderman (with Robert Fripp)
The Wizard: Brown Sabbath

Brown Sugar (Clapton on Slide): Rolling Stones
Brown Shoes Don't Make It: Frank Zappa
Freya: The Sword

Cyrano De Berger's Back: The Flesh Eaters
The Devil's Chasing Me: Reverend Horton Heat
Me and My Friends: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Blue Jay Way: The Beatles

I Get A Kick Out Of You: Tony Bennett

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 LoopStation! 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


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

It was Memorial Day last Monday night. How am I supposed to celebrate this day? I think the playlist says it all. I'm certainly not going to make it all about John Philip Sousa. I'm a pacifist at heart. Really. I don't see any reason why the working class would ever want war. War is only for war profiteers.

In the second hour I feature some new music from Thee Oh Sees, Metz, White Hills, Queen Crescent, Tad Doyle's new band: Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, and Father John Misty. It's a fun night, worth the price of my rants alone.

I'm not on the air tonight, as I'm back east in South Carolina for a few days. I haven't been here since I was a wee lad, visiting Myrtel Beach back in 1977. Though I would never wish to leave my beautiful San Francisco for anywhere else, traveling to destinations like Hilton Head, South Carolina does indeed clear my head.

I'll be back on the air next Monday night, with members of Illogistical Resources Department stopping by to talk up their new release, which you can stream here.

See you on the radio.

Enjoy.

jh

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding: Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I Don't Want To Be A Soldier: John Lennon

The Unknown Soldier: The Doors
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Gil Scott-Heron
Some Mother's Son: The Kinks
We Gotta Have Peace: Curtis Mayfield

Universal Soldier: Donovan
The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down: The Band
The "Fish" Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag: Country Joe and the Fish
War/No More Trouble: Bob Marley and the Wailers

Concert Outlook

1916: Motorhead
Vera/Bring the Boys Back Home: Pink Floyd
Keep On Rockin' in the Free World: Neil Young and Crazy Horse

Web: Thee Oh Sees
Sunderberry Dream: Fuzz
Acetate: Metz

We Are What You Are: White Hills
Majic Moonjynuh: Queen Crescent

I Am: Brothers of the Sonic Cloth
Masters of War: Bob Dylan
Bored in the USA: Father John Misty

The Fiddle and the Drum: Joni Mitchell
I Ain't Marchin' Anymore: Phil Ochs

What a Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
Little Boy Soldiers: The Jam