Hosting bands is a real treat when you're in radio. I remember being young in the radio game and getting nervous whenever I knew I had a recording artist coming onto my show. I did not want to mess this up. In those days at KFJC, most of the artists I would interview were either big names (George Clinton), or no names (you name it, they probably aren't around anymore). Either way I needed to be prepared.

And preparing pre-Internet was a chore. If the name was known (James Brown), the prep was simple (a brief history and mostly current project, tour, etc.). If they were a younger band with an album out, then I hoped there was enough bio info on the sleeve to help me prepare. Maybe the label would send something over?

The biggest lesson I learned about interview was to be a better listener. The best interviews are the ones where the follow-up questions are relevant and strong. I want to probe; get to the root. You will know the answer to my questions, but I want you to pause and reflect before you respond. My favorite response will always be "that's a really good question".

Over the years I've taken pride in how well I facilitate an interview. I've had many of my subjects state this was the best interview they've ever had. That's incredibly flattering. I love having my guests, famous or not, feel completely comfortable behind the mic. Some interviews I've hosted with bands have been so good I've invited them back with the caveat they need to guest DJ with me the nest time they're in. They love that, and many have taken me up on it.

Tonight I had Roman from P.O.S. in the studio promoting his upcoming show at the Mabuhay Gardens (FabMab) where he'll be turning 19!!! This was his first radio show, and I loved the conversation. He was so honest and vulnerable, and present. I could not ask for a better subject to talk with.

Roman has a deep thrash metal pedigree. His father and uncle were in Death Angel, and band I loved while growing up in San Mateo in the 80s. Roman continues this tradition of quality thrash, with blinding-fast guitar, pounding rhythms, and timely lyrics about what it is to be a youth in today's society, living at the end of gangster capitalism.

They have a Bandcamp page where you can find their demo, which we played all four songs on the show. See the playlist below.

Come to Roman's birthday show this Saturday at the FabMab. You may just see me in the pit!

Do you have a band you want interviewed on Radio Valencia? Hit me up via email with music attached and I'll get in touch.

You may have heard the news that Jello Biafra suffered a stroke on Sunday. We're looking into the possibility hosting a fundraiser for him, but want to talk with him first. Stay tuned to the Radio Valencia socials for this.

We're also working on a summer show at On Broadway with their amazing crew, two of whom were in the studio with me Monday night. Daniel "Asterisk" Haver, and Empress Katrina Zonotto hung out to talk music and running the most important club in San Francisco music history (IMHO). Daniel admitted to two things that you'll need to listen into to find out about.

There's much to enjoy about this here show, even if there was a bit more roommate radio than I prefer. We laughed a lot, and that's what's most important.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Green Green Grass of Home: Tom Jones (Greatest Hits - 1965)
Stars and Stripes of Corruption: Dead Kennedys (Frankenchrist - 1985)
The Money Will Roll Right In: Fang (Land Shark - 1982)

Interview with Roman of P.O.S.

Deceiver: P.O.S.
Isolation: P.O.S.
Inhumanity: P.O.S.
Mauled: P.O.S.

Interview with Roman of P.O.S.

Rebel: The Viletones (7" - 1977)
Sit on My Face Stevie Nicks: The Rotters (7" - 1978)
You Say You Love Me: The Headcoatees (Here Comes Cessation - 1997)
Love Whip: Reverend Horton Heat (Smoke 'em if you Got 'em - 1990)

Cornfed Dames: The Cramps (A Date with Elvis - 1986)
She's The One That's Got It: Allen Page (7" - 1958)
The Girl Can't Dance: Bunker Hill (7" - 1963 with Link Wray)
Do You Have A Job For A Girl Like Me: The Delinquents (7" - 1973)

Your Ass Is Next In Line: The Mummies (Never Been Caught - 1992)
Batman and Robin Over The Rooftops: Sun Ra (Batman & Robin - 1966)
Would It be Worth It: Hands of Time (7" - ???)
Sloppy Drunk Blues: Big Joe Williams (Tough Times - 1960)

John The Relevator: Scott H. Biram (Sold Out To The Devil - 2019)
You Got Me: Theoretical Girls (7" - 1978)
Mexican Radio: Wall of Voodoo (Call of the West - 1982)
White Girl: X (Wild Gift - 1981)

Tell Me That You Love Me: James Brown and His Famous Flames (7" - 1967)
Egyptian Shumba: The Tammys (7" - 1964)
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong (What A Wonderful World - 1967)
The Way We Were: Wild Man Fischer and Mark Mothersbaugh (1989 for Pee Wee's Playhouse's final episode)

And the hits just keep on rolling.

Following our exciting Saturday at the FabMab and On Broadway, celebrating the 50th anniversary of punk rock in San Francisco, booker of the Mabuhay Gardens (and General Manager???) Daniel Haver, who was kind enough to bring down a bunch of delightfully rare 45s.
I ended up having the legendary Connie Champagne in the studio, who was meeting Daniel there to pick up her music stand.

Connie spent many great years singing with The Mutants, along with her own solo career, and singing alongside other luminaries such as Michael Belfer, Debora Iyall, Cyndi Lauper, and Jim Carroll.


She won the SF Weekly Wammie Award for Outstanding Cabaret Performer, and is known for portraying Judy Garland in productions including Christmas With the Crawfords in 2001 and Imagine Judy Garland: An Evening With Connie Champagne in 2003. She won a 2007 San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award (BACTC) for her role in Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

She's funny, irreverent, an excellent storyteller, and ready with a well-timed quip. It was a real pleasure - albeit a surprising one - hosting her tonight.

Really, she was just swinging by to pick up her music stand.

Much of the music tonight was a mix of what I brought down, mixed with what Daniel wanted to feature on 45". And then Connie made a bunch of requests, including a song of David Johnasen's that she covered! This woman has a story for every song. And I'm sure a song for every story.

You do not want to miss this one.

I may get to a formal write up about the FabMab/On Broadway show, including a bunch of pics I took. I have to thank Jess Lynn Goss of Mission Local for the wonderful write up on the show, which includes a bunch of great picture from the night, including one of my dear sweet daughter, Lauson Hell!!!!

Monday night I'm hosting Ramon from the band P.O.S. (Product and Society) and son of a member of Death Angel)), who is having his birthday party at the Fab Mab on March 13th. Come on down!

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

I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier: John Lennon (Imagine - 1971)
Nuclear War: Sun Ra (A Fireside Chat With Lucifer - 1982)

Bend Me, Shape Me: The Models (7" - 1966)
Black Grease: The Black Angles (Passover - 2006)

Mind Your Business: Delta 5 (7" - 1979)
Death Train: The Bobby Lees (Bellevue - 2024)
Ça Plane Pour Moi: Plastic Bertrand (Ça Plane Pour Moi - 1978)
Toxic Revenge: Shannon and the Clams (Sleep Talk - 2011)

Interview with Connie Champagne

Slash Your Face: The Dogs (7" - 1978)
Gacy's Place: The Mentally Ill (7" - 1979)
Instant Coffee Land: Bruce Chowning (7" - 1979)
Motorcycle Boy: LA Witch (Play with Fire - 2020)
Everything's Gonna Be Alright: Big Mama Mae Thornton (With Muddy Waters Band - 1966)

Frenchette: Connie Champagne (La Strada - 1991)
So Hard: Some Japanese Band
Don't Talk About My Music: Dickens (7" - 1971)
I'm Bored: Iggy Pop (New Values - 1979)

Demolicion: Los Saicos (7" - 1965)
A Donde Van Los Muertos: Kinky (Reina - 2006)

Linda: Sleepers (7" - 1978)

Leading up to our epc co-presents at the fabled Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway I hosted a rare Friday night special with two up and coming bands: False Flag and Bitchfit. Both bands played the evening showcase on Saturday night, upstairs at the On Broadway in support of Flipper and Friends and the 50th anniversary celebration of punk in San Francisco and the opening of the Fab Mab.

False Flag features sisters Pretty Sims (bass/vocals), Strong Sims (guitar/vocals) and Bayden Tubelle (drums). The will assault all manners of pretense once the curtain drops and they will not let up until they've been dragged from the stage, cables wrapped around their limbs like a junkie waiting for just one more aural fix. Lyrics born of urban decay and blight from a male-dominated culture, False Flag aren't just re-writing what the many-facetted genre of punk looks like in 2026, they honestly don't care what you think about them. They don't do this for you. They do what every band that has ever been worth their weight has done: they do it for themselves, and you should thank your lucky stars they let you be along for the ride.

We played some songs and talked about music, their band, the record store I Hate Records that Pretty is also running (like they aren't busy enough), and setting the story straight on what exactly happened on that BART train.

Following False Flag the young start ups, Bitchfit from Oakland came through. They opened the show on Saturday night, and even though they don't have anything released yet, their reputation of fierce females on this scene proceeded itself. Full of charisma, confidence and hardcore ethos, Talulah (drums) and Ailish (bass/vocals) talked about bringing topics like body positivity, human rights politics and what we should be angry about today!

Witnessing both bands on stage Saturday night was a treat. The torch is firmly placed in the fists of both of these bands.

The image at the top is the poster created by the one and only Richie Goodtimes for the event. Thanks Richie.

Check out the interviews here, along with music from False Flag and a bunch of other punks I love.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Glorious: Polkacide
Party!: The Mutants

Interview with False Flag

How To Ruin Your Life: False Flag
Ha Ha Ha: Flipper
California Uber Alles: Dead Kennedys

Interview with False Flag

Corpus Christi: Avengers
One Man War: False Flag

Interview with False Flag

The Midnight Show: The Freak Accident
Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop-O-Pies
Boris: Melvins

Business on Parade: MDC
The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave: Butthole Surfers
Put A Little Love In Your Heart: Circle Jerks
Police Truck: Dead Kennedys

Interview with Bitch Fit

Midnight Creep: The Darts
Hellfudge: Lard

Interview with Bitch Fit

Keith Moon: Mike Krol
Frock Block: OSees
X Offender: Blondie

Nothing In This World Stop Me Thinking About That Girl: The Kinks
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

My posts are never written using AI of any kind. This shitty writing is mine and mine alone.

What a delight it was celebrating my 600th show on Radio Valencia by hosting four musicians who helped shape the punk history in San Francisco.

Who would have thought when I started my road in radio in the late 80s, that I would grow up to hosts legends of a music scene that was too young to enjoy when it was at its height, but came to love it deeply?

I have always followed my bliss. Music has always been my bliss. I'm not much of a fanboy...Ok, maybe for Ty Segall, but other than that I just really enjoy being around music and musicians, for the love of the art. I like talking music. I love reading about music. My favorite books about music are when the artist is talking about making the art. Keith Richard's book "Life" does this well.

37 years in radio (yikes!) has honored me with seeing some incredible live music, interviewing countless bands, and getting to know some of the finest people to grace a stage. I'm living the life! Monday night I was lucky to host four people who have made their mark on the San Francisco music scene, and will be doing so once again this coming Saturday at the newly reopened Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in North Beach.

Fritz and Brendan from The Mutants, Henry Rosenthal (Hank Rank) of Crime, and Ralph Spight of The Freak Accident spent the evening with me telling tales of the heyday of punk in the city, and the venue that sparked the magic. Music from these bands and other bands of the day are sprinkled throughout, all in preparation for a great night at the FabMab and On Broadway.

I am honored to be co-producing this show with Steve DePace of Flipper. Radio Valencia is co-presenting and will be spinning music throughout the night. And I'm your MC!!!

Tickets are almost gone for these two events, so please go to the Radio Valencia events page to grab yours before they're gone.

Tune in Friday 8-10PM Pacific for a special on the upcoming live shows, featuring Steve DePace of Flipper, and members of BitchFit and False Flag.

Here's to 600 more shows on Radio Valencia!!!

jh

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


The Catholics Are Attacking: Pop-O-Pies (The White EP - 1982)
Car Crash: Avengers (ST - 1983)

Wild: The Nuns (S/T - 1980)
White Punks on Dope: The Tubes (S/T - 1975)

B-Side: Sleepers (7" - 1980)
Plastic TV Land on Acid: Pope Paul Pot

San Francisco's Doomed: Crime (San Francisco's Doomed - 1978)
Rock 'N' Enemy No. 1: Crime (San Francisco's Doomed - 1978)
Murder By Guitar: Crime (Murder By Guitar 1976 - 1980)

Party!: The Mutants (Curse of the Easily Amused - Recorded in 1979, Released in 2026)
New Drug (Version 2): The Mutants ( Fun Terminal - 1979)
Noises and Numbers: The Mutants (Curse of the Easily Amused - Recorded in 1979, Released in 2026)

Fairytales: The Freak Accident (The Midnight Show - 2026)
Cat Bird Seat: The Freak Accident (The Midnight Show - 2026)

I found that I was drawn to jazz and soulful international music this past week. Someone recently asked me how I prepare for my shows. I've written about this before, but I think it bares repeating. I don't host a specialty show, or genre-specific show, so I play whatever feels good, week to week. It's true, I often default towards the punk or garage, but even that's more rare than one would think. I'm a huge Deadhead (more of a Dead fReAk) but you're not going to hear them too often on here, and I think that's because they're such a heavy in my everyday life, that I use this show to focus on the other music that turns me on.

And there's a lot that turns me on.

I also like to keep you guessing. I was driving home after my show listening to KALX, and the DJ was playing an excellent thrash punk track, and followed it up with something that was neo-classical. I swear I almost pulled over to call and thank him. I applauded in the car, while driving. True story.

I feel that it's the responsibility of DJs at independent stations (Radio Valencia, KFJC, KALX, WFMU, KEXP, etc) to push the limits of what we have become comfortable with; not just what the listener is used to hearing. I take pride in a lot of what I share with you.

I do have my guilty pleasures, however. Even in this show I played a few tracks that I've shared over the years. It felt right at the time. And I will probably do it again.

But now I'm inspired to keep taking the risks that I should. Next week prepare for thrash metal to be followed by folk, followed by electronica. I can do that. You can't stop me.

Speaking of next week, it's my 600th show at Radio Valencia!!! I think I want to have a party. Wanna come? You need to bring snacks.

And as if you didn't know this already, Radio Valencia is co-presenting a huge show on February 28th at the newly reformed Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in celebration of 50 years of punk in San Francisco. I'm co-producing this along with Steve DePace of Flipper. See the attached fliers for details, and click on the links (in the fliers) to get your tickets.

These shows will sell out, so get them now!!!

See you next Monday night for my 600th!

Enjoy and please share.

There Is Power in the Union: Billy Bragg
I Want To Marry A Lighthouse Keeper: Erika Eigen
The Hands of Time: The Perfect Circle (S/T - 1977)

California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel (Games, Dames, and Guitar Thangs - 1977)
Unfunky UFO: Parliament (Mothership Connection - 1975)

Kush: Dizzy Gillespie (Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac - 1967)

Baroona: Kourosh Yaghmaei (Back From The Brink - 1973 - 1979)
Last Bongo in Belgium: Incredible Bongo Band (40 Years of Incredible Bongo Band - 1973)

The Horse Song: Iggy Pop (Zombie Birdhouse - 1981)
Roforofo Fight: Fela Kuti (Roforofo Fight - 1972)

Ring the Alarm: Tenor Saw (7" - 1985)
Gatur Bait: The Gaturs (Wasted - 1971)
Boodle-De-Bum-Bum: Carolina Chocolate Drops (Leaving Eden- 2012)
Anti-Love Song: Betty Davis (Betty Davis - 1974)
Spinning Wheel (Take 2): James Brown (Live At Home With His Bad Self: The After Show - 1971)

Conception: Miles Davis (The New Sounds - 1951)
The Rain: Eddie Gale (Ghetto Music - 1968)

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

Well, isn't this special? It's not a special. There's a specialization in the ability to bring your something special. I was told once it takes 20 years to master anything truly special. That being said, this here is a special non-specialty specialized....er, um...show.

Really.

I was really feeling it tonight. This was a show of segues and many genres.

I'm sure you've heard by now that Radio Valencia is co-presenting a huge show, in association with SF Music Week on February 28th at the legendary venues Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway in celebration of 50 years of punk in San Francisco.

Come in the afternoon, starting at 2pm, to the Fab Mab, for a punk history presentation, followed by a panel featuring members of Flipper, Avengers and Crime, as well as V. Vale. I Hate Records will be selling records on site. The best pizza place in the country, Tony's Napoletana, is sponsoring and we'll have pizza available for those who show up early.

In the evening we're having a great show upstairs starting at 7:30, featuring Bitchfit, False Flag, The Freak Accident, Fang and Flipper. Members of Avengers and Dead Kennedys will be joining in the fun. Heaps Normal and Escape From New York Pizza are sponsoring.

You are going to tell everyone you were at this show!

Morning Has Broken: Cat Stevens (Teaser and the Firecat - 1971)
Space Ho's Coast to Coast: MF Doom and Madlib (Madvillian: Madvillainy Remixes - 2008)

Two Sevens Clash: Culture (Two Sevens Clash -1977)
Jungle Lion: The Upsetters (Double Seven - 1973)

Flying Hye: John Berberian and The Middle Eastern Ensemble (S/T - 1969)
Black Mountain Side: Led Zeppelin (1 - 1968)
Within You Without You: The Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1967)
Free Money: Patti Smith Group (Horses - 1975)

Sunderberry Dream: FUZZ (Fuzz's Fourth Dream - 2026)
If I Think: Mudhoney (Superfuzz Bigmuff - 1988)
Frenzy: Iggy Pop (Every Loser - 2023)

Roll Another Number: Neil Young and Crazy Horse (Tonight's The Night - 1975)
Since You've Been Gone: Aretha Franklin (Lady Soul - 1968)
Beaux J. Poo Boo: Les McCann (Invitation to Openness - 1972)

False Witness: False Flag (One Million Tons - 2024)
Black Sabbath: Michael Mills (Hidden And Satanic Messages In Rock Music -???)
Lord of This World: Black Sabbath (Master of Reality - 1971)
Freya: The Sword (Age of Winters - 2006)
American BB: The Jesus Lizard (Down - 1994)

Fast Cars: Buzzcocks (Another Music in a Different Kitchen - 1978)
Rowche Rumble: The Fall (Live at St. Helens Technical College - 1981)
No Time For The Blues: OBNIII's (Live in San Francisco - 2013)

No Place to Fall: Kevin Morby (7" - 2022)
Late Night: Shannon Lay (Geist - 2022)
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

What music caught your attention last year? Did you even pay attention? Of course you did. You have discerning taste. Only the best of the best attracts you. Nothing worth your time will slip past.

Great minds...

I present to you my favorites from 2025. It's hard to conceive that we're a quarter of the way through this century. I remember the 80s and 90s, when 2000 seemed so close we could touch it. I was DJing at midnight on Y2K at Anon Salon for the monthly Burning Man parties in San Francisco. That was a great party we used to have. That night was off the hook.

The host of those parties always wanted to pay me in coke. I don't do coke. I've never done coke. I've done many other things; never coke. I used to tell him that my landlord didn't take coke in payment. Someone ought to write about those parties. They were epic. A true who's-who in the early Burning Man scene, long before the term "burner" was ever used. Back then we were just a bunch of pranksters who liked to build big art, put on huge parties, and burn it all down.

Good times. Then again there are always good times to be had.

This show is nothing but good times too. Most of the show are releases from 2025, and I throw in some epic anniversary remastered reissues in the final hour.

Are you coming to our SantaCon after party this Thursday night at Kilowatt? Talk about a good time! Radio Valencia DJs will be spinning throughout the night. Bring your piggy bank, this is also a fundraiser for the station.

Go out and make some good times of your own.

jh

Lonely Cosmos: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Phantom Island)
Company Culture: Lambrini Girls (Who Let The Dogs Out?)

Paranoid: Freckle (Freckle)
I Hunt, You Prey: LA Witch (DOGGOD)

Rakiya Su Katamam: Altin Gun (Ask)
Nimerudi: GOAT + MC Yallah (Single)
Sister of the Moon: Death Valley Girls (Single)

Total Reset: Frankie and the Witch Fingers (Trash Classic)
King of Rome: Melvins 1983 (Thunderball)

Mangetout: Wet Leg (Moisturizer)
Ageism: Public Enemy (Black Sky Over The Projects - Apartment 2025)
I Once Was A Contender: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour In The House of Lugosi)
First of the Gang To Die: Chrissie Hynde and Cat Power (Duets Special)

Evil People: MIEN (MIIEN)
Glue: OSees (Abomination Revealed At Last)

An L.A. Funeral: Orcutt, Shelly, Miller (S/T)
Albuquerque: Neil Young and Crazy Horse (Tonight's The Night 50th Anniversary Remaster)
Castles Made Of Sand: Jimi Hendrix (Axis: Bold As Love - 2025 Remaster)
Wish You Were Here (Take 1): Pink Floyd (Wish You Were Here 50th Anniversary)

The Real Contra Band: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo)
Not of This World: Zig Zags (Deadbeat at Dawn)

Working Man (Vault Edition): Rush (Rush 50)

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Damn.

I knew when I was in my early 20s that eventually they would all be gone. That's a thought we all probably have about our favorite artist: one day they'll be gone. For the most part we note it and move on. But what about when that band is our calling? The go-to band. The band that you have invested so much of your musical life to?

They're still going to go.


Brent went in 1990. Jerry went in 1995. Phil in 2024. The way Bobby, the youngest, worked out, daily, I think we all expected him to be the last to go. When we heard of his passing it was a shock. I'm not on social media I don't know if there were stories of him having a cancer scare last summer, which the family said he was able to get past; lung issues eventually did him in.

Bobby was known to spit out the lyrics, and I mean literally. If you stood in the crowd in front of him there were chances you would get a shower. He was such a crooner in the 90s, really playing to the crowd.

I've written a lot about my time seeing the Grateful Dead over the years. The 40th anniversary of my first show just passed: December 30, 1985. Post-Dead I saw a few of the incarnations. I saw Phil a few times, went to the two days of Fare Thee Well in 2015 in Santa Clara, saw Dead and Co twice a decade or so ago. I'm happy the music continued to bring so much joy to so many people, and brought in a lot more fans.

Bobby postulated about the music lasting 300 years. I'd have to imagine that's possible. There are so many people who have been inspired by the music created by Jerry and the boys, that it is conceivable it will grow and morph into the band that be "most triumphant and unite the world". And here you thought it would be Wyld Stallyns.

So here we are, closer than ever to being the orphans we knew we would one day be. Has anyone checked in on Billy, Mickey, TC, Ned and Bruce? If you know, you know.

As for this here tribute, I think Bobby would appreciate what he sees. I start out with an acoustic set, with a few special guests. I then move on to a proper first set, with those first set songs you've come to know and love, before moving onto the second set jams we all live for.


There is minimal set breaks throughout the show. I marked each track with the date of the performance. There were two shows in 1978, when Jerry had laryngitis, that each song was a Bobby songs. These are all Bobby songs, with only four cover songs. On my blog I've linked all the shows to Archive so you can listen to them all the way through. And you want to do that. All the links are soundboard or matrix (mix of soundboard and audience. I grew up thinking I only wanted to listen to pristine soundboards, but once I started to give audience recordings a listen that what I listen to almost exclusively. The sound of the crowd interacting with the music is a real treat.

What else is there to say? Thanks Ace, it's been a true pleasure. Oh, I always wanted to ask how the hell you grew to look so damn old all of a sudden? And why the beard? You went from being so young a fit, to someone's grandfather over night.

You still rocked like a young man. See you on the other side; wherever that is

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

Green, Green Grass of Home - May 31, 1969
Dark Hollow - September 20, 1970 with Dave Grisman
Wake Up Little Susie - June 4, 1970 with David Nelson and John "Marmaduke" Dawson
Monkey and the Engineer - October 11, 1980
Cassidy - October 14, 1980

Jack Straw - January 22, 1978
Beat It On Down The Line - April 26, 1971 with Duane Allman
Yellow Dog Story - May 24, 1969
Mexicali Blues - August 27, 1972
New New Minglewood Blues - March 9, 1981

Greatest Story Ever Told - September 28, 1972 (with St. Stephen jam)
The Music Never Stopped - May 9, 1977

Estimated Prophet - December 26, 1979
Take a Step Back - May 8, 1977
Playin' In The Band - February 18, 1971 (the first one)
New Potato Caboose - February 14, 1968

Throwing Stones - October 09, 1989
Sugar Magnolia - November 11, 1973

What a jolly fine night this was. My good buddy John Karr, who runs sound at Rickshaw Stop came by with his colleague, Carmen Caruso, to talk up the club and spin some tunes from some upcoming shows. What makes this a hoot is that the staff of Rickshaw Stop are the one's curating the shows. This doesn't happen often, and when it does the staff bring together some really strong showcases.

I love talking music with people who know music. And it's a real treat to talk cross industry: radio and nightclub. We're all linked, you know. Artist, radio, clubs, record stores, promoters, critics. When we get together it's like we're comparing notes; a mind meld.

Carmen is also the fierce leader of the band Agouti, who is playing one of the showcases. The set that features her band also includes the other two who are on the bill, the Thursday. John and Carmen put this showcase together.

The following set of bands, featuring Gumby's Junk, is for the showcase that John Karr has put together for Thursday, January 22nd.

I love when people who know and love music as much as I do turn me on to really great stuff. Feel free to share what you love with me. It may just get a spin.

John and I also tease an event that Radio Valencia is co-presenting at the end of February. I am just popping at the seams to tell you about it, but you'll just have to wait until next week for the official announcement. Suffice it to say if you hunger for the deep Punk history of San Francisco then you are going to flip for this!

Check out the playlist below and click on the link above to listen in.

Go see live local music and support the artists by buying their records and merch!

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Truckin': Pop O Pies (The White EP - 1982)
Linda Blair: Redd Kross
Music Never Stopped: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)

Dragons: Agouti (Nodes - 2019)
Friendo: Grooblen (EP - 2025)
Living In A Flood: Everyone is Dirty (Caramels for Grandpa - 2023)

Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees: Gumby's Junk (Business and Pleasure - 2025)
Discover What Your Monsters Are: Rip Room (Alight and Resound - 2022)
Goblin Gruel Part 1: Inner Ear Brigade (Perkunas - 2024)

The Light, The Sound: Flipper (Gone Fishin' - 1984)
Paint It Black: Avengers (S/T - 1983)
Frustration: Crime (San Francisco's Doomed - 1978)
Wild: The Nuns (S/T - 1980)

Holiday in Cambodia: Dead Kennedys (Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables - 1980)
Bar-B-Que Pope: Butthole Surfers (Brown Reason To Live - 1983)

Irony Man: The Freak Accident (Octopus Head - 2022)
Youth of America: Melvins (Electroretard - 2001)

Silver Machine: Hawkwind (Live at the BBC 1972 - 2010)
A Writhing Jar: Bill Orcutt (Odds Again Tomorrow

I just read that for the first time since 2000 California is 100% drought free. For those who are 25 they have only known life either in a drought, going into a drought, or coming out of one. If that snow pack is deep then this might just be a good year for the Golden state!

And it's a new year for Radio Valencia! We've had a lot of ups and downs over the year, especially since COVID, but 2025 was a banner year! I am thrilled about the many new shows we've added, and even more so about the people staffing them. The tech side is getting a huge boost from some folks on staff who come with the credentials to bring us into the 21st century. Stay tuned in!

In the next week I have huge news to announce about a show I'm co-producing out the wilds of North Beach, at a once legendary venue that has new life being breathed into it. I am so excited about this, but I will not jump the gun. This will be a Radio Valencia co-presents, and you are going to want to be there. This is the kind of event that more people will claim to have attended than the venue can actually hold.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

As for this here show, being the first of the new year, I felt the need for a bit of a refresh. Some classic psych, blues, Black Power, folk, spiritual jazz, garage, krautrock, chicha, and so much more.

Take a look at the playlist below, and click that link to give it a listen.

This coming Monday night I'm excited to have San Francisco's top soundman, John Karr in the studio, playing music from the many shows he engineers around the city and talking up this upcoming show I spoke about above. Oooh boy, this is going to be fun.

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
https://radiovalencia.fm


Some Velvet Morning: Vanilla Fudge (Near the Beginning - 1968)
White Man's Got A God Complex: Last Poets (This is Madness - 1971)

Crawlin' King Snake: John Lee Hooker (I'm John Lee Hooker - 1960)
My Time After A While: Buddy Guy (Chess Masters - 1984)

Memory of a Free Festival: David Bowie (Conversation Piece 5 CD Box Set - 2019)
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues: Bob Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited - 1965)
Peace Frog/Blue Sunday: The Doors (Morrison Hotel - 1968)

There She Goes My Beautiful World: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Abattoir Blues - 2004)
Looking for Your Door (Chrome): OSees (Levitation Sessions II - 2021)

21st Century Schizoid Man: King Crimson (In The Court of the Crimson King - 1969)
Hare Krishna: Alice Coltrane (Universal Consciousness - 1971)

What's In My Head (Demo): FUZZ (Fuzz's Fourth Dream - 2025)
Broken Hearted Blue: Jenny Don't and the Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)

Spray: Can (Future Days - 1973)
Footprints: Wayne Shorter (Adam's Apple - 1966)

King Solomon's Marbles: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975)
Ojos Azure: Money Chicha (Chicha Summit - 2021)

Gaia: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Omnium Gatherum - 2022)

It took eight years, but my son Bodhi finally popped his radio cherry. Ew, that didn't sound right. That being said, he was really excited to come into the Radio Valencia studios Monday night to play his favorite K-Pop tunes for you all.

I was thinking back to Lauson's first show when she played songs I wouldn't normally play for you all. Who cares?!?!? The joy of having this little guy in the studio outstripped any esoteric, dissonant tune I could have made you sit through. Then again, I think you know what I think about pop music.

I wasn't about to yuck his yum.

Bodhi and I listen to a lot of music and home, so he's already used to dad's taste. I encouraged him to play the songs that he likes, so you get a few tracks from the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack. He loves the idea of this movie, but it's still a little scary fo him to
sit through. You have no idea how thrilled I am that he's not desensitized to scary films yet. He'll hide behind the couch sometimes. Considering what I accidentally did to Lauson when she was 5 or 6, I couldn't be happier that Bodhi will still cover his eyes.

It's all about the music for this little guy. He also pulled out a track from the Minecraft movie.

Mom (Sgt. Sauce) was also in the studio, showing full support for our offspring. It's been many moons since she stepped behind the mic, and as always brought some great music along.

I've marked their selections with "B" and "SS".

I do what I do throughout, including interviewing our shrewd eight year old on all things of interest.

Take a listen to the next generation of music aficionados here, and enjoy the banter along with the pop!


Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

When The Levee Breaks: Led Zeppelin (IV - 1971)

Soda Pop: Saja Boys (K-Pop Demon Hunters - 2025) - B
Nancy From Now On: Father John Misty (Fear Fun - 2012)

Surf Rider: Il Est Vilaine (Surf Rider - 2015) - SS
Here and Now: The Black Angels (Wilderness of Mirrors - 2022)
The Wizard: Brownout (Brown Sabbath Vol. 1 - 2014)

Your Idol: Saja Boys (K-Pop Demon Hunters - 2025) - B
Motorcycle Boy: LA Witch (Play with Fire - 2020)
Ghouls: Wooden Shjips (Back To Land - 2013)

I Got Heaven: Mannequin Pussy (Live at KEXP - 2024) - SS
Memories of a Cut Off Head: OCS (Memories of a Cut Off Head - 2017)
The Waitress Song: First Aid Kit (Stay Gold - 2014)

Takedown: Huntrix (K-Pop Demon Hunters - 2025) - B
The Vow: Shannon and the Clams (The Moon is in the Wrong Place - 2024)
Jesus Christ: Big Star (Complete Third - Vol 3: Final Masters - 2017)

If System of a Down were from India: Nooran Sisters and SOAD - SS
Nimerudi (Salmagundi Version): GOAT + MC Yallah
Vay Dunya: Altin Gun (Gece - 2019)

How It's Done: Huntrix (K-Pop Demon Hunters - 2025) - B
Steve's Lava Chicken: Jack Black (Minecraft Movie - 2025) - B
Creep: Cover by mom and son - SS
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

Ok, ok, ok, ok, ok. No really, ok. It's ok. It's fine. It's ok. Ok.

Whew. OK. ok

What was it I was trying to say?

ok

No, not that. That couldn't have been all? Maybe it was.

Music moves me. And hosting a radio show allows me to take what moves me and shove it down your throat. And I mean that in the nicest way.

ok

A friend tuned into the last half hour of this show and commented that my show is so eclectic with the Beatles, psych, punk and alt.

They missed the other 15 genres I played!

ok

For some really odd reason I was in the mood for some electronica tonight. I am NEVER in the mood for electronica. Our former DJ, Timmiii, had the best electronica show I have ever heard, and I knew I could never do it justice, so I just shied away from playing much on my show. Tonight something called me, so you'll hear an early Silver Apples, and Harald Grosskopf. The Osees bring their full new Can-style in their latest release. The Seastones track will help your plants grow.

Funk, Jazz, Neo-soul, Hip-Hop, Krautrock, and Dub round out most of the show. New music from Orcutt, Shelley, Miller blew me away. Go see them live. I also have new music from Kate Vargas and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.

Tune in for more than 30 minutes and you never know where you'll travel.

OK?

ok.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Kansas City: James Brown (Cold Sweat - 1967)
School Days: Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker (Diz 'N' Bird in Concert - 1953)

You Better Have A Gun: Fantastic Negrito (White Jesus, Black Problems - 2022)
By The Time I Get To Arizona: Brownout (Fear of a Brown Planet - 2018)

Suicide: ICE (Each Man Makes His Destiny - 1973)
To All The Girls/Shake Your Rump: Beastie Boys (Paul's Boutique - 1989)
Emphasis: Harald Grosskopf (Krautrock Eruption - 2025)
Lovefingers: Silver Apples (S/T - 1968)

Don't Blow the Experiment: Osees (Live at the Broad Museum - 2025)

Time We Left This World Today: Hawkwind (Doremi Faso Latido - 1972)
V-B: Ned Lagin and Phil Lesh (Seastones - 1975)

Dread Lion: Lee Perry and the Upsetters (Super Ape - 1976)
Bankrobber/Robber Dub: The Clash (Black Market Cash - 1980)

A Star is Born: Orcutt, Shelley, Miller (S/T - 2025)
Dirt: Iggy and the Stooges (Funhouse - 1970)

Serrated Knife: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi - 2025)
My Home Town: Mark Mothersbaugh (Potatoes: A Collection of Folk Songs from Ralph Records - 1987)
The Badge Means You Suck: AK-47 (Bloodstains Across Texas - 1992)

Bowling with Tim: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Get Back (Take 8): The Beatles (Anthology Vol. 4 - 2025)

Another week, another opportunity for me to shine upon you all the music that needs spinning. This is the kind of show where I poke through my records and say "I haven't listened to this in a while". And because of this I feel it my duty to bring you along for the ride.

I also felt the need to play a few of the records I purchased at the record swap a couple weeks ago.

This is a weird show of sorts. I'm always mixing up the genres, but tonight felt a little schitzo. Sorry, not sorry.

New music from Kate Vargas, Mien, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, and the latest Beatles Anthology!

The holidays are upon us. I don't suffer from seasonal depression, but I know a few who do. Get out of the house, see live music, sit in a cafe and read a book, go for long walks, exercise. Move your body to lift your spirits. Hell has what you need.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Chung King: Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd (Guitar Guitar - 1963)
Groove Me: King Floyd (S/T - 1971)

Shotgun Blues: Blues Brothers (Briefcase Full of Blues - 1978)
Ball and Chain: Janis Joplin (In Concert - 1972)

Batman and Robin Over the Roofs: Batman and Robin (Sun Ra)
Is The Season For New Incarnation: Brigid Dawson and the Mothers Network (Ballet of Apes - 2020)
Parchman Farm: Mercury Rev (Bobby Gentry's The Delta Sweete Revisited - 2019)
Black Grease: The Black Angels (Passover - 2006)

Evil People: Mien (Miien - 2025)
The Harder The Come: Jimmy Cliff (The Harder The Come - 1972)
Crazy Fingers: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah - 1975/2025)
Across the Universe: The Space Lady (...On The Street of Dreams - 2018)

I Was Once A Contender: Kate Vargas (Golden Hour In The House of Lugosi - 2025)
Dollar Bill: GOAT (S/T - 2024)

Obsessive Devotion: MX80 Sound (Crowd Control - 1981)
Garbage on Glue: The Blind Shake (Key To A False Door - 2013)
If 6 Was 9: Jimi Hendrix (Axis: Bold As Love - 1967)
Allas Sak: Dungen (Allas Sak - 2015)
Pay To Cum: Bad Brains (S/T - 1981)

Born in the ADs: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Snake Oil: The Darts (Snake Oil - 2022)

Don't Let Me Down: The Beatles (Anthology Part 4 - 2025)

Hot damn, it's my favorite time of year: the weather is cooler, the leaves are falling, Halloween, Thanksgiving, holiday break from school and my Annual Annual!!!

This is my 15th annual Annual Annual, and I have to admit I was a bit perplexed thinking about what year I wanted to focus on this year. I'm not going to get into why I do this show, or offer a history of the past 15 years of hosting it. There are links below to all the previous specials, so you can go there to learn about it.

I will tell you last October I realized the date of this show was fast approaching and I needed to get on the ball quick, or it was not going to be a pleasant night. So I did what any DJ with 35+ years of underground radio experience, who owns a few thousand records, loves every genre, reads countless books on music, and is always keeping up with the latest sounds: I asked my friends what year I should do.

And 1981 rose to the top.

What a year that was for music. Punk had splintered into many forms: post-punk, industrial, goth, new wave, hardcore, alt, and experimental. Metal had also evolved to include NWOBM, and early thrash, as well as some early glam. Hiphop was still in its infancy, and reggae and international were flourishing.

So I did what any other self-respecting radio host would do with a two hour timeslot: I produced a four hour show.

I broke this up into four one-hour segments that I have posted at the top of every hour below.

I have so much fun hosting this special that I can hardly wait until next year. Then again I have no clue which year to choose.

There's a lot to dislike about the politics and commercial fare of 1981, but the music I have for you isn't of them.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

HOUR 1 — Hardcore / Punk / Alt-Roots
Straight Edge: Minor Threat (7")
What We Want is Free: Articles of Faith (7")
Lights Out: Angry Samoans (Back From Samoa -1982 (recorded in 1981)
American Wino: The Lewd (7")
Abolish Government/Silent Majority: T.S.O.L. (T.S.O.L.)
Smash the State: DOA (Hardcore '81)

Sex Bomb: Flipper (7")
Youth of America: Wipers (Youth of America)
Academy Fight Song: Mission of Burma (Signals, Calls, and Marches EP)
***Commercials from 1981***
Sex Beat: The Gun Club (Fire of Love)

Sick Boy: G.B.H. (City Baby Attacked By Rats)
Never Again: Discharge (Never Again)
Statues: Husker Du (7")

Marie Marie: The Blasters (S/T)
Radio Free Europe (Hib-Tone): REM (Murmer)
White Sweater: Romeo Void (It's A Condition)
See You In The Boneyard: The Flesh Eaters (A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die)

HOUR 2 — Post-Punk / Goth / Experimental
Nick the Stripper: The Birthday Party (Prayers on Fire)
Winning: The Sound (From The Lions Mouth)
About the Weather: Magazine (Magic, Murder and the Weather)

Middle Mass: The Fall (Slates)
Come Again: Au Pairs (Playing with a Different Sex)
Only Loved at Night: The Raincoats (Odyshapes)

Kick in the Eye: Bauhaus (Mask)
Follow the Leaders: Killing Joke (What's THIS For...!)
Dumb Waiters: Psychedelic Furs (Talk Talk Talk)

Makeshift Swahili: This Heat (Deceit)
HOUR 3 — Metal / NWOBHM / Early Thrash
Welcome to Hell: Venom (Welcome to Hell)
Don't Need Your Money: Raven (Rock Until You Drop)
Purgatory: Iron Maiden (Killers)

Ace of Spades: Motorhead (No Sleep Til Hammersmith)
C'Mon Let's Go: Girlschool (Hit and Run)
Heavy Metal Ears: Picture (Heavy Metal Ears)
Heavy Metal Mania: Holocaust (The Nightcomers)

I'm Alive: Cirith Ungol (Frost and Fire)
Swords and Tequila: Riot (Fire Down Below)
Riding with the Angels: Samson (with future Iron Maiden peeps) (Shock Tactics)

Gangland: Tygers of Pan Tang (Spellbound)
Princess of the Night: Saxon (Denim and Leather)
School Love: Anvil (Hard 'n' Heavy)

HOUR 4 — Reggae / Dub / Hip-Hop / Global
Youth of Englington: Black Uhuru (Red)
Dance of the Vampires: Scientist (Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires)
Brain Damage: Dennis Bovell (Brain Damage)

The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (12" single)
Moody: ESG (ESG EP)
This Bed's Too Big Without You: Sheila Hylton
Tally Ho!: The Clean (7")

Der Mussolini: DAF (Alles ist Gut)
Heartbeat: Chris and Cosey (Heartbeat)
Make Room: Fad Gadget (7")

Bob Hope Takes Risks: Rip, Rig and Panic (7")
Shumba: Thomas Mapfuno (7")

I've got local music writer Dave "Sasquatch Borracho" Pehling in the studio spinning tunes and talking up the record swap happening this Saturday, 11/22, at Makeout Room in SF, where I'll be spinning the records the vendors throw my way.

Dave is a local music writer and critic. If you're at a show in SF then you've seen Dave there. Dave may have the best ear for music for someone who doesn't host a radio show. Hmmmmm....

We traded sets throughout the night, with Dave sharing tracks from records he'll have up for sale at the swap. We talked a lot about the Bay Area music scene and how it continues to thrive.

Check out the playlist below, click on the link to hear the banter, and pull up to the record swap on Saturday. It's FREE! And there are drink specials to boot!

See you there.

jh

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

Control: Amyl and the Sniffers (s/t - 2019)
Meet Your God: OFF! (Live From the BBC - 2015)
Immigrant Song: Dread Zeppelin (7" - 1990)
Bird Like Monkey: Melt Banana (7" - 1997)

Train Train: Blackfoot (Strikes - 1979)
Detroit Breakdown: J. Giles Band (Nightmares...and Other Tales from the Vinyl Jungle - 1974)
Snake: Jade Warrior (Last Autumn's Dread - 1972)

Broadcast Solutions: Terry Gross (Shameless Imposters 10" - 2017)
Empires Falling: Black Angels (Wilderness of Mirrors - 2022)
Just Dropped In: Mickey Newbury (Harlequin Melodies - 1968)

Season of the Witch: Lou Rawls (The Way It Was, The Way It Is - 1969)
For What It's Worth: Sergio Mendes (Stillness - 1970)
Suzuki 75: Carol and the Boston Garden (Knuckle Girls Comp - 2020)
Interplanet Janet: Man or Astroman (7" Schoolhouse Rock - 1996)

All I Want For Christmas is Halloween: Happy Fangs (7" - 2014)
Frankenstein's Alive: Middle Aged Queers (Too Fag For Love - 2020)
(Doin') The Kirk: The Mummies (Fuck You Spaceman! - 1996)
One More Time (Part 2): Bowlegs (Las Vegas Grind Vol. 6 - 2000)

I'd Rather Be The Devil: John Martin (So Far So Good - 1977)
Constant Elevation: Gravediggaz (6 Feet Deep - 1994)
Cosmic Sea: The Mystic Blues Orchestra (Awakening - 1973)

Fried Neckbones and Homefries: Giantes (s/t - 1976)

We had a sweet celebration of the life of "Naked" Rob Gongora, who hosted Terrible Tuesdays on Radio Valencia from 2010 - 2019. He passed away in October from brain cancer.

FUCK CANCER!

Rob was a really wonderful guy. He was always there with a quick quip. Witty to the end and super inclusive. I was honored to speak at his memorial on Saturday at Cypress Lawn in Colma. We followed that up with a celebration of his life at his favorite watering hole: Gold Cane, on Haight Street. The night ended with three bands at Bottom the Hill: Candy Whips, Golden Brain, and Terry Gross.

Rob would have been there if he could.

I've lost too many friends in the past 20+ years to cancer and suicide. Too many. Knowing a lot of creative types means that the odds are many will go too soon. But cancer is just so unfair. I just heard of two more people in my circle, both of whom beat off cancer, now have it once again; one was told it's inoperable.

FUCK CANCER!

I don't buy into the "you only live once" hype. I think I live every day. I only die once. Therefore I'm going to appreciate every moment I have. Have I told you lately that I love you?

Make that call, send that text. I could not be more serious. We need to stay connected, or we too will succumb sooner than we need to.

Having a pet helps too. I've got Chairman Meow Mau , AKA: Maui, our fabulous tortoiseshell, with a strong personality to let me know that she loves me and needs me, and if she was just a little bit bigger, would eat me.

I was interviewed for a podcast the other day (I'll post when it's available) and I was asked by the host, James Ferrigno (AKA: Vico from San Francisco Liberation Radio, where we met when I was on air there 2000 - 2003), about what keeps me going? My dad always said "there's no reward without risk". I took that seriously. I took some great risks starting in my teens. Many weren't very healthy, so I've amended his quote to add "health risk". That being said, some of my biggest growth over the years probably didn't include the word healthy.

My dad also used to say "invite everyone to the party, let them decline the invitation". I'm a firm subscriber to the benefits of inclusion. I like to bring people together. And I like to see what we can do with all that energy.

When you bring creatives together there's always going to be some friction. I like to play with that and watch the magic happen. I don't often reminisce, so during the interview I really had to stop to recall many of the events I helped bring to light. There's been so much fun living over the years, that I don't often slow down to remember it all. There's nothing wrong with that, since I've always been about what's happening nest.

This is all to say that I miss my departed friends and family, especially my dad, but that's never slowed me down. As a matter of fact, if anything, it's made me keenly aware that I have a responsibility to keep living and producing.

Here's a show I had fun producing for you.

I opened with the band that Naked Rob and I love the most: Melvins! From there it's anything goes. I did a but of record shopping on Sunday; a bunch of used records. I especially am excited about the Diz and Bird, Eugene Chadbourne, David Peel, and Ralph Karney/Kramer/Chris Hild records.

This is what non-commercial radio is all about!

I also play some requests! If you know me you know how rare this is. Maybe I need to do this more often?

I'm hosting music critic Dave Pehling next Monday night to promote the record swap that's happening at Make Out Room on November 22nd.

I'm hosting my 15th annual Annual Annual on Monday, November 24th. Two hours from one year, and this time around it's all about 1981. What an amazing year for punk, post-punk, N.O.W.T.H.M. (tune in to find out what that is), and so much more.

Take a look at the playlist below and click the link to listen in.

Enjoy and please share. And go out and play!

jh

Honey Bucket: Melvins (Houdini - 1993)
Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac: Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie "Yardbird" Parker (Diz N' Bird In Concert - 1953 Paris)

Here Comes A Cop: David Peel and the Lower East Side (Have a Marijuana - 1967)
Three Stoned Men Chant/Hey Brother Roll A Joint: Three Stoned Men (Higher Than God - 1991)
Bo Diddley Was A Communist: Eugene Chadbourne (Vermin of the Blues - 1987)

Summertime Blues: The Who (Who's Next/Life House (1971) Super Deluxe - 2023)
Young Man's Blues: Altamont (Our Darling - 2001)
Shanty Town: Desmond Dekker and the Aces (Ska Madness! - 2010)
Somebody Have Mercy: Sam Cooke (The Harlem Square Club - 1963)

My Baby's Gone: Jenny Don't And The Spurs (Broken Hearted Blue - 2023)
It's A Dark Day: Reverend Horton Heat (Smoke 'em if you Got 'em - 1990)

Clown: Carney/Hild/Kramer (Happiness Finally Came To Them - 1988)
The Words of Jamal: Pop-O-Pies (Joe's Second Record - 1984)
Who Stole The Keeshka?: Polkacide (S/T - 1986)
The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave (Live PCPPEP - 1984)
Stagolee: Jesse Fuller (Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals and Blues - 1958)

Spanish Castle Magic (Take 2): Jimi Hendrix Experience (Axis: Bold As Love Sessions - 2025)
You Know My Name (Look Up My Number): The Beatles (Anthology 2 - 1996)

Help On The Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower: Grateful Dead (Blues for Allah 50th Anniversary Deluxe - 2025)
Burbanks Dream: Golden Void (Berkana - 2015)

Looniversal: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Freaks to the Front: Amyl and the Sniffers (Comfort To Me - 2021)

I Can't Help Falling In Love With You: Chrissy Hynde and Mark Lanegan (Duets Special - 2025)

I just got back from New Orleans with my daughter, Spawn of Hell. We were there celebrating her 21st birthday, and I could not think of a better place to take her. I love this town! So much great music and food. The weather wasn't too hot or humid, the beignets were fluffy, the cocktails were flowing, the gumbo was steamy and the crawfish étouffée was delightful.

NOLA is a walking town, and we put that to the test. We walked 10
miles on Saturday and another 7 on Sunday. Most of our walking was through the French Quarter, as well as up and down Frenchmen Street hitting up as many of the clubs as we could.

I think my finest memory will always be us walking towards Frenchmen Street and she says she hears a band that sounds familiar in the distance. We walk towards the music and it turns out to be one of her favorite bands of the past couple years: Dirty Rotten Vipers. She was over the moon! They were playing on the street and the crowd was very enthusiastic. We also made our way over to the Blue Nile, a club I like to visit when I'm in town. This is the same club I met my brother-from-another-mother, and brilliant singer/songwriter Adam MacKintosh.

I digress.

The band was a funk/jazz ensemble that featured a drummer that was getting pretty lit, but never dropped the beat. The main cat, who played trombone and sang, asked for anyone celebrating a birthday to get on stage, so Spawn and four other women made their way up while the band celebrated them all.

We spent some time in Algiers Point, where Memphis Minnie lived and wrote "When the Levee Breaks", which I open the show with.

Did you know the first pharmacy in the United States was in New Orleans? I didn't know this either. They have a museum in its place now. We took the tour. We also toured the Museum of Death. If you like serial killers this place is for you! We were hoping for a bit more science-related information around death, but alas, sensationalism ruled the day. We also went to an excellent haunted house inside a former mortuary. I give it four stars. If I was a teenager that hadn't seen as many horror films as I have, I would have been scared out of my wits. All that said, we were spooked good. Spawn insisted that she go in front during the three floor tour, knowing that a jump scare was expected around every corner. They were good for that.

I've been wanting to take my daughter to NOLA for her 21st birthday since she was 12, and we're both so happy we went. Excellent people, food, music, drink and views. It's a beautiful city. Get there. Have fun. You're welcome.

My first hour was inspired by our trip, but is in no way NOAL-exclusive. Lots of roots, blues, soul, jazz, hiphop and funk, before I segue to some singer/songwriter, Americana/Punk, lo-fi, and a tribute to Donna Jean Godchaux, the former singer from the Grateful Dead (1972-1979) who passed away last week. I got to meet her when Jerry died. Her son Zion used to date a dear friend of mine, and when Jerry died, Donna came for the memorial in Golden Gate Park and we all went together.

Go on and enjoy the music. That's really all what it get to: the music.

jh

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

When The Levee Breaks: Memphis Minnie (Blues Classics By Memphis Minnie - Arhoolie Records)
Left Me A Mule To Ride: Big Joe Williams (Tough Times - 1959)
Frankie and Albert: Taj Mahal (Ooh, So Good 'n Blues - 1973)

Black Is: Last Poets (MOJO: Revolution Blues - 2018)
Munaye: Mulatu Astatke (Mulatu of Ethiopia - 1972)

Redebe: Johnny Dyani (Witchdoctor's Son - 1978)
Flute Loop: Beastie Boys (Ill Communication - 1994)
Kon Karne: MF Doom (Mmm Food - 2007)
Anti Love Song: Betty Davis (S/T - 1973)

Jesus Christ: Bob Dylan (Through the Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 - 2025)
Corrina, Corrina: Bob Dylan (Through the Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 - 2025)

Every Grain of Sand: Giant Sand (Swerve - 1990)
A Change Is Gonna Come: The Gits (Enter: The Conquering Chicken - 1993)
From Her to Eternity: Nick Cave (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - 1984)

Sway: Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda Williams (Duets Special - 2025)
The Girls Are Naked: The Creation (Action Painting - 2017)
Keep Your Big Mouth Shut: Thee Headcoatees (Here Comes Cessation - 1997)

Sunrise: Grateful Dead (In tribute to Donna Jean - May 26, 1977)
The Music Never Stopped: Grateful Dead - April 24, 1978)

Salsa Verde: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Spanish Fly: Boss Hog (Drinkin' Lechin' and Lyin' - 1989)

Respect: Aretha Franklin (Live At The Fillmore East - 1971)

Spooky times are heating up at Radio Valencia. This is a good thing.

We had a really great fundraiser last Sunday. Huge thanks to GRHNS Gallery and Bernadette for hosting us. And thanks to the three great bands: Janky Band, Rustangs, and Fantasy for rockin' out hard for everyone. We couldn't have pulled this off without the incredible skill of San Francisco sound man extraordinaire John Karr and his assistant Ethan. And thanks to Sully and 21st Amendment Brewery for throwing us some suds to serve. And thanks to everyone who came out and those who donated online.

All in all it was a really fine day.

As for this show it's mighty extraordinary in its own right. I pulled out some spooky tracks and my trainee, Annika, has a bunch of 50s and 60s-era treats to share. Annika is going to be hosting her own show Fridays 6-8pm. Tune in. She has excellent taste in music, that fits in mighty well at Radio Valencia.

I also paid tribute to Ace Frehley of KISS, who passed away last week. KISS was my first favorite band. I tell the story in the show. Check it out!

We have a number of new shows starting right now. Are you interested in hosting a show with us? Send us a show proposal to station@radiovalencia.fm

What are your plans for Halloween? I'm headed to New Orleans with Spawn of Hell for a weekend of fun and frolics!

In the meantime, check out the playlist below, click the link at the top and enjoy.

jh

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

I Walk With A Zombie: Roky Erickson (The Evil One - 1981)
Levitation: Groovie Ghoolies (Born in the Basement - 1994)
I See You In The Boneyard: Flesh Eaters (A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die - 1981)

Human Fly: The Cramps (Bad Music For Bad People - 1984)
A Touch of Evil: Man or Astroman (Shot in the Dark - 1996)
Ghouls Night Out: Misfits (S/T - 1983)

Exquisite Corpse: Bauhaus (The Sky's Gone Out - 1982)
What's He Building?: Tom Waits (Mule Variations - 1999)
Mars - The Bringer of War: Tomita (Planets - 1976)

Working For A Dead Man: Eric McFadden Trio (Diamonds To Coal - 2010)
Linda Blair: Redd Kross (Born Innocent - 1982)

Black Grease: Black Angels (Passover - 2006)
Stranded in the Jungle: The Cadets (Stranded in the Jungle - 1957) - AD
You're Dead: Norma Tanega (Walkin' My Cat Named Dog - 1966) - AD
Just Me and You: Dreamliners (Just Me and You b/w Best Things In Life - 1961) - AD

I'm Shakin': Little Willie John (Sure Things - 1961) - AD
Ain't Got No Home: Clarence "Frogman" Henry (Ain't Got No Home - The Best of Clarence "Frogman" Henry (Reissue) - 1956) - AD
Whirlpool: Wanda Jackson (The Capitol Singles 1962-1963) - AD
Going Back To Where I Belong: Sugar Pie DeSanto (In The Basement: The Chess Recordings - 1962) - AD

Little Demon: Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Cow Fingers and Mosquito Pie - 1991) - AD
Love Potion No. 9 - Remastered / Single Version: The Clovers (The Best Of The Clovers (Love Potion No. 9) - 1959) - AD
Big Chief: Professor Longhair (New Orleans Funk: The Original Sound of Funk 1960 - 1975)
Mama Roux: Dr. John (New Orleans Funk: The Original Sound of Funk 1960 - 1975)

Parasite: KISS (Hotter Than Hell - 1975)
Cold Gin: KISS (Live - 1975)
Shock Me: KISS (Love Gun - 1977)

Rocket Ride: KISS (Alive II - 1977)
Tattoo Love Boys: Melvins and ShitKid (Bangers EP - 2019)

San Ber'dino: Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (One Size Fits All - 1975)

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
https://radiovalencia.fm

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)

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

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