I believe we should never pay to see music performed in a public park. I refuse to pay to go to Outside Lands. And as much as I love the Grateful Dead, I will not be paying to see Dead and Company in Golden Gate Park at the end of the month. Pubic parks are for the people. Our tax dollars pay for them. If a band wants to get paid they should find a private venue and host the show there.

There are exceptions to every rule.

Mosswood Meltdown is this coming weekend, and I couldn't be more giddy about attending. The event, formerly known as "Burger Boogaloo", and hosted my trash-glam favorite John Waters, is the only music festival held in a public space that I have ever considered paying to attend.

It's a punk rock dream. I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend.

I haven't been since Bikini Kill and Kim Gordon headlined a few years back, and this year's lineup is super exciting: DEVO, Bratmobile, OSees, Shannon and the Clams, along with many more. Though I have to admit L'Trimm's hit "Cars With The Boom" always bugged me when it was first released. But you know, live for the moment.

I highlight many of this year's lineup in my second hour tonight. See the playlist below for details.

I also went record shopping last week (surprise!) and throw down some tasty fusion with a Les McCann track that'll have you floating. There's also a real crate-diggers find with an original pressing of Hawkwind's third record Doremi Fasol Latido (read that slowly), followed by covers of some Hawkwind tunes (one written by Lemmy and covered by Motorhead) to close out the show.

A fun show, all in all. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

See you in the park. Oh, and if you are looking to attend Mosswood Meltdown next year, they sell two day passes on the cheap a week or so after the event. Even though you don't know the lineup yet, it's always worth it.

“Some call it “The Warped Woodstock’ or ‘An Asshole-free Altamont’ while others holler ‘Coachella, Go-To Hella’. We’re Mosswood Meltdown and we’re going to lose our musical marbles again this year with a line up of lunatic acts that will make even the angriest punk- rocker pogo their way to paradise with a twisted smile on their dirty little faces.” — John Waters

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Darkest Light: Lafayette Afro Rock Band
California Dreaming: Eddie Hazel

Come Together: George Benson

Beaux J. Poo Boo: Les McCann
Earth People: Dr. Octagon

Eternal Return: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Game Is My Middle Name: Betty Davis

Uncontrollable Urge: DEVO
Some Special: Bratmobile
Bean Fields: Shannon and the Clams

Think of You: Bleached
Strange World: La Luz
I Want Ya (In My Cell): Prison Affair

Fight Simulator: Osees
Termination Officer: Osees
Low Life: Niis
All I Need Tonight (Is You): Gentleman Jesse
Cars With The Boom: L'Trimm

Lord of Light: Hawkwind
The Watcher: Motorhead

Brainstorm: Monster Magnet

Never one to turn away from a challenge, I once again find myself behind the console at Radio Valencia headquarters, just as I do every Monday night, tasked with providing the platters that will make your brain matter splatter!

Here's a show where I don't put as much emphasis on new releases, though there is something new from Public Enemy and Chime Oblivion (John Dwyer of OCS fame) in there. Tonight is more about what's been moving me lately. And it's apparent some harder rocking sounds are what's moving me.

Ozzy just played his final show over the weekend, so we'll get things started with him...kinda. We'll step back for some proto-punk, move our way towards an all-things-Ty-Segall-related set, and then sorta just throw throw everything else at the wall to close out the show.

It makes sense when you listen to it. And listen to it you should! We take a lot of pride in our little station, and we hope you're enjoying the many fabulous programs Radio Valencia has to share.

Do you think you have what it takes to host a weekly radio show? Hit us up! Hire for personality, train for skill. Email us at station@radiovalencia.fm for more info.

Enjoy this and please share.

jh

Electric Funeral: Brown Sabbath

Fairies Wear Boots: Black Sabbath
The Smokey God: Glitter Wizard

And Again: Chime Oblivion
Drug Train: The Cramps
Femme Fatale: Velvet Underground
1970: Iggy and the Stooges

Don't Make Me Explain: Sgt. Splendor
Evil Ways: Public Enemy

Glass Eye: Charles Mootheart
The Way Things Go: Mikal Cronin
Mountain: Meatbodies
Shotgun Shooter: Goggs
I'm A Man: Ty Segall

Time Collapse Pt. II/The 7th Terror: FUZZ
Outsider: Teri Genderbender

Hellfudge: Lard
Improv?: Liquorball
Back Door Man: The Doors (May 2, 1970)
Hornet's Heart: Thinking Fellers Union Local 282

One More Hour: Sleater-Kinney
Beat Fall: Lithics

New Face In Hell: The Fall
Sun Arise: Rolf Harris

Another Monday night and the world isn't completely burning yet.

We all need an escape from time to time. I take Monday nights seriously. This is like taking a shower: don't bother me while I'm doing this.

I don't paint or sculpt, but I do consider hosting a radio show like creating an art piece. I have an empty two hour aural canvas that I use to weave music through, hoping to be pleased with the final result. And this is a real challenge. I hope you enjoy what I bring you, but is that my responsibility? I choose music that I think you need to hear. I've been doing this long enough to know that too many people are still only listening to the music they listened to in high school, as if that was the best music ever produced?!?!?

Many of you don't have the time to do the deep digging that I, and the other Radio Valencia DJs take to find the tastiest of musical treats for you. That's one of the reasons I love to do this show. I eat, drink, and breathe music. It's on right now, as I'm writing this. I read music blogs, artist biographies and memoirs. You need a music nerd like me in your life.

And let's look at what I offer you on Monday night, shall we? I started with some early folk blues, move to a Bob Dylan outtake that may be one of his greatest songs ever written! You have a brilliant Roland (pre-Rahssan) Kirk cover of a Duke classic. Some brand new Public Enemy that will kick your ass! Then we jump back for a Janis-loving seasonal classic, before I give you two jazz treats you didn't know you needed (but you do). There's some brand new Osees, live Hawkwind, local luminary The Space Lady, new A/lpaca (I have no clue why they spell their name that way?), Japan's Kikagaku Moyo (including a story I share following this about my Sunday motorcycle ride...blissful). Following this I pull out a 20th anniversary release of Japan's Boris (how the Hell has it been 20 years?!?!?!), Texas' Psychic Ills, and Mott the Hoople (a brilliant segue, btw), and local lass Barbara Manning, who all of you must listen to all of the time. I close out the show with new King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, featuring an orchestra (what will they think of next?), Tom Waits covering Kurt Weill, and complete the show with some new Ty Segall (I still have a boy crush on him).

Whew.

That's a lot to throw at any canvas.

I don't normally go into such detail in these posts, but I wanted to give you an idea of the many cups I'm pulling from when I host a show. I'm not a specialty show, where a host focuses on one genre, week-to-week. I like it all. I love playing new releases for you, and I also enjoy scouring my library at home to pull music I haven't played in a while. There's always an itch that needs to be scratched.

Take this. Make it yours. Share it. Dig the artists? Go buy their music. See them live. Share it with your friends.

I think this is what makes Radio Valencia a truly special radio station.

Enjoy.

jh

How Do You Want Your Rollin' Done: Louie Lasky
Got Me Religion: Scott H. Biram

Blind Willie McTell: Bob Dylan
Creole Love Call: Roland Kirk

Siick: Public Enemy
Summertime: Big Brother and the Holding Company
China: The Visitors
Super Bad: Idris Muhammad

Fight Simulator: Osees
Seven By Seven: Hawkwind
Radar Love: The Space Lady

Laughter, Us Us: A/lpaca
Meu Mar: Kikagaku Moyu

Pink: Boris
Back To You: Psychic Ills
All The Young Dudes: Mott The Hoople
Twilight: Barbara Manning

Phantom Island: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
What Keeps Mankind Alive: Tom Waits

Fantastic Tomb: Ty Segall

Nobody hates John Avalos. At least that's the way he puts it. There may be some who dislike him, but he's proven himself to be a steady left-leaning voice in the tumultuous political sea that is San Francisco for twenty years now. Avalos represented District 11 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2008-2016, ran a very powerful mayoral campaign where he came in second to Ed Lee, and now sits on the Democratic County Central Committee where he sees the party continuing to drift to the right, as big money continues to influence the party.

We spoke for the first hour, and yes, it got testy at times, but John and I are on the same side of the political fence, so we just kept agreeing with one another. I really was trying to be objective.

Not really.

The big takeaway is that we cannot give up, ever. We must be kind to our neighbors, be open and inclusive whenever and wherever we can, and take the fight to the streets.

As for the music, there's new LA Witch, Death Valley Girls, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Lambrini Girls, and Jon Anderson.

Do you have an exceptional ear for music? Do you ever get angry listening to a radio station and shout "I COULD DO BETTER THAN THIS!"? Do you ever send messages to your local radio station program director asking them to allow you just one hour of time on the air so you can show them all the great music they've been missing out on?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then you too can be a Radio Valencia DJ! We're taking applications now for weekly two-hour shows. Send your query to station@radiovalencia.fm Give us a description of the show you want to host and we'll be in touch soon.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

The Rain: Eddie Gale
Congo Call: Prince Lasha Quintet
Interview with John Avalos

Sisters of the Moon: Death Valley Girls
SOS: LA Witch

Interview with John Avalos

Down By The River (demo): Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Celebration Day: Led Zeppelin

Aerodynamic: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
High Plains Drifter: Beastie Boys
Ballad of the Soldiers Wife: Marianne Faithful and Chris Spedding

Eggs Laid Brain: Frankie and the Witch Fingers
I've Heard That One Before/Watch Your Step: Faust
Gut Feeling (Slap Your Mammy): DEVO
Filthy Rich Nepo Baby: Lambrini Girls

Perpetual Change: Jon Anderson

I was talking with a friend of mine earlier today about what makes a good radio show and about how I prepare, week to week?

I think a good radio show, focused on music, comes from a host that listens to a lot of music a lot of the time, and is excited to curate a show that features tunes in sets that flow from one song to the next, regardless of genre. As a matter of fact I really love pulling off cross-genre sets.

As for how I prepare for my shows? I listen to a lot of music throughout the week, and it's inevitable that I'm going to hear a few tunes that I'm itching to play for you all, so I make a note of that.

Then I literally go through my record shelves and pull music that's calling to me. I also have a strong desire to play new music each week. I prefer to start a set with something new, or something that's relevant and timely.

I purchase music almost weekly, so there's always something new on my show. And if there's a tribute to a fallen artist or one with a birthday that I just have to call out, or a show I've been to, or one upcoming, then something is going to end up in a set.

And then in the studio I have a stack sitting in front of me that I pull from based on the song that is currently playing. Honestly, there's not much more to it than that. More often that not I pull it off. I never phone it in.

As for tonight's show, I noticed as I was pulling music that almost every artist tonight is American. I started out the show with some rural blues, moved onto to be-bop and post-bop jazz. Then onto some soul and funk. I made my way to some west coast country and psychobilly, before getting a bit darker in the goth/post-punk vein. Then came the garage/shoegaze/psych, followed by some new dissonance post-post-punk, 60s prog-psych, new Melvins (a genre all their own), more post-post-punk, punk/metal, and finally a tribute to Brian Wilson to close it all out.

And hot damn if this show doesn't flow. Check out me trying to tie it all together!

So as for how do I prepare for my show, after being in radio for 35+ years, and a whole hell of a lot of listening? A lot of this is second nature. But I can assure you I will never rest when it comes to preparing the best in quality non-commercial radio for you, dear listener.

You have the John Hell Seal of Approval!

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Frankie and Albert: Taj Mahal
Meet Me In The Bottom: Pink Anderson

Just Knock On My Door: Art Blakey
Jakey: Big John Patton

Sticks and Stones: Joe Jones
Good To Me As I Am To You: Aretha Franklin
I Want You (She's So Heavy): Eddie Hazel

Walkin' The Streets of Love Alone: Mitch Polzak
Psychobilly Freakout: Reverend Horton Heat

Flyin' High: Jenny Don't and the Spurs
Boom Boom: Rube Waddell
Stagger Lee: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Killer of Peace: Crow Jane

Kill My Baby Tonight: LA Witch
Sanitarium Blues: Death Valley Girls

Bye Bye 25!: Kim Gordon
Child in Time: Deep Purple
Vomit of Clarity: Melvins 1983
Secret Agent Rat: Crystal Fairy

Smoke Ring: Chime Oblivion
Take Me To Your Leader: Zig Zags

Heroes and Villains: Beach Boys
God Only Knows: Beach Boys
Who Listens To Radio: Sarah Vaughn

Walking into the studio tonight I was met with at least three blocks of protesters, out in the street making their voices heard in opposition of ICE policies happening right now across the state and across the nation. As of this writing 47 is actively having National Guard and Marines(!!!!) in the streets of Los Angeles putting down peaceful demonstrations, and calling the protestors insurrectionists, justifying his use of the posse comitatus act, which forbids the president of using active duty military in the streets of our nation.

There goes our democracy.

But you knew that already.

The hardest part is separating the "truth" from the propaganda. I have a degree in media literacy, and I can tell you this shit is really exhausting to digest. This is one of the main reasons I quit social media. I dropped Facebook in 2020, and Instagram on Inauguration Day 2025. I just can't.

Even listening to NPR (leans left) or reading the NY Times (leans left and omits far too much) is getting unbearable. I often have to read the Guardian UK and al Jazeera to get a better idea of what is happening in our own country.

That being said, I have a platform all my own with Radio Valencia.

We have told our staff that we aren't going to censor their voices, but Radio Valencia doesn't take any political stance as a radio station. Therefore, our hosts need to state their opinions are their own, and not the stance of the station.

Yadda, yadda, yadda.

I'm hosting former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member John Avalos on my show Monday, June 23rd to talk about the current state of affairs. John always brings good conversation. Tune in.

For tonights show I was training a new RV staffer: Max! Great guy. He's going to be hosting a Black Metal show on Mondays 4-6pm soon. I got him playing some music he brought along (marked below "- Max") and talking with me about music and his own radio history.

I also went record shopping last week (of course I did), so there's that to look forward to. New music from Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Zig Zags, Chime Oblivion (John Dwyer of OCS side project), Teri Gender Bender (of Le Butcherettes) and too much more jazz, punk, blues, and a tribute to Sly Stone who passed at age 82 Monday morning.

Enjoy and know your rights.

jh

Hate the Police: The Dicks
Goat Cheese: Mudhoney

Fucksake: Frankie and the Witch Fingers
There is the Bomb: Don Cherry

Kiss Her Or Be Her: Chime Oblivion
Fallout: Moon Duo
Beer Drinkin' Woman: Memphis Slim
Hey Hey My My (Into the Black): Neil Young and DEVO

21:32: Cluster
Outsider: Teri Gender Bender
Liquified Organs: Rawhead - Max
Cinnamon Girl (Extended Depression Mix): Type O Negative - Max
Watcher of the Skies: Genesis - Max
In Torment in Hell: Deiside - Max

Crying for Death: Morbid Saint - Max
Laid to Rest: Rotting - Max

At War With Hell: Zig Zags
Killer: Alice Cooper

Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey: Sly and the Family Stone
Runnin' Away: Sly and the Family Stone

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Self Again): Sly and the Family Stone
Que Sera Sera: Sly and the Family Stone

I really enjoy interviewing people. Maybe that's why I love running a radio station, it allows me to talk to interesting people. It inspires me to hear about the incredible and creative work that people are doing. Honestly, we have no excuses not to get up and make stuff happen.

Tonight I had the pleasure to interview KBLT founder and documentarian Sue Carpenter, and walk down memory lane talking about the legendary LA-based pirate radio station she started until the FCC came knocking and took all her equipment away (I know all too well about this from my days at San Francisco Liberation Radio).

I had to do my best not to shout out "ME TOO" with her stories about the challenges of starting and running a pirate radio station.
From Sue's Indiegogo campaign:

"After running a radio station out of her apartment, Sue Carpenter became a full-time journalist, working at the L.A. Times, Spectrum News and KPCC. People who appear in the film include Sue, Brandon Jay (Lutefisk), Jay Babcock (Arthur Magazine), artist Camille Rose Garcia, filmmaker Wing Ko, music industry vets Chris Carey and Miwa Okumura, KBLT engineer Chris Wagganer, writer Carolyn Kellogg and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine.

Did Keith Morris (Circle Jerks) really bring his friends, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to play at KBLT? Yes, that happened."

Sue's journey is well worth your time checking out. She wrote a book about it in 2004, and now she has a documentary she produced and is taking on the film fest rounds, including this Saturday night at the Roxie Theater, which is being co-presented by Radio Valencia

Tickets here:
https://sfdocfest2025.eventive.org/schedule/680bb8af6ef367664b267cfe

Give a a listen to this interview and tell me you aren't inspired to go start your own radio station as the fascists take over.

I'll see you at the show and then in the gulag.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love: Minutemen
Moral Majority: Circle Jerks
Wasted: Black Flag

Interview with Sue Carpenter of KBLT and "40 Watts from Nowhere"

Lexicon Devil: Germs

Interview with Sue Carpenter

Sisters of the Moon: Death Valley Girls
Hangman: WAND
Evil Gypsy/Soloman's Theme: Sleep

Shining: Ty Segall
The Woodsman: Shannon and the Clams
Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop-O-Pies

Empty Chairs: A/Lpaca
SOL07: Wooden Shjips

La Trippance: Population II
Lucky: Alice Dynamite
Linda Blair '84: Redd Kross

I Hunt You Pray: LA Witch
Pray Till You Sweat: The Flesh Eaters

Nothing special tonight, just truly amazing music that you must hear and share and devour with ever sense of your being!

That being said, there's a mix of some truly old and some brand-spankin'-new! This was one of those nights when I have a lot of new music I'm just dying to share with all of you, but there are some ear worms from days gone by that I just need to get out.

New music from LA Witch, Death Valley Girls, and Altin Gun. There's some classic James Brown, Led Zeppelin (and the song they initially ripped off from Memphis Minnie), some Beastie Boys (and a couple originals they "borrowed" their samples from.

As always, there's something here for practically everyone. Take a look at the playlist below, click on the link above and enjoy.

This coming Monday night I'm excited to interview community radio founder and filmmaker Sue Carpenter, whose new documentary 40 Watts from Nowhere, about her low watt LA community radio station KBLT is showing at the SF Documentary Film Festival, which Radio Valencia is co-presenting.

Tune in and go see that show!

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

God Don't Work (Like A Natural Man): Scott H Biram
I Like Porn: Melvins

I'm Sick of You: James Williamson (ft. Mario Cuomo)
Dream Dream Big in the Sky: Marisa Nadler

Hot and Nasty: Black Oak Arkansas
Funky Drummer: James Brown
Shadrach: Beastie Boys
When the Levee Breaks: Memphis Mimmie

When the Levee Breaks: Led Zeppelin
Oh So Close, Yet So Far: Shannon and the Clams

Doggod: LA Witch
Girlfriend Is Better: Talking Heads
Leylim Ley: Altin Gun
Wanted Dead or Alive: The Rogues (Kim Fowley comp)
Astrology: Kim Fowley

Sadie Sorceress: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Empire: Frankie and the Witch Fingers

Fire and Brimstone: Death Valley Girls
Lay Down Your Weary Head (Bob Dylan): Barbara Manning
Mama Nature Said: Thin Lizzy
Young Man Blues: The Who (London 1971)

Casey Jones: Garcia and Grisman
Congo Call: Prince Lasha Quintet ft. Sonny Simmons

San Francisco Blues: Molly Tuttle with Dan Tyminski
Good Night Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk

Oooh, you really need to listen to this show. Some of my finest segues. Radio truly is the art of the segue.

That being said, I took much of the first hour celebrating the birth of the Godfather of Soul. (If I have to tell you who that is, we are really going to have a problem here). I can pretty much guarantee you haven't heard these tunes before, unless I played them here on my show...which it's quite possible I have.

Following that opening I've got some sweet treats for you on Cinco de Mayo, including new music from LA Witch, Death Valley Girls, and Amyl and the Sniffers, and oh so many stories to tell.

And where else can you hear MDC followed up with Ella Fitzgerald? Actually I can name a lot of stations that will probably do that for you. I have memories of playing Megadeth and Tony Bennett back-to-back when I was on KFJC.

I also took a moment to pay tribute to Dave Thomas (not that Dave Thomas) of Pere Ubu, who passed away last week. He also was the co-founder of the Cleveland proto-punk band Rocket From the Tombs. They reunited in 2003 for a few local shows. I threw the classic "Sonic Reducer" (also covered by Dead Boys, a few of whom were former Rocket From the Tombs members), but originally recorded by RFtT.

Alright, get to it already. Check out the Set of the Night.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Sex Machine Part 1 and 2: James Brown

Give It Up Or Turn It Loose (remix): James Brown
The Grunt: The JBs ft. Bootsy and Phelps Collins

The Wedge (demo): Bootsy and the JBs
Inner City Blues: Grover Washington Jr.
Polk Salad Annie: Tony Joe White

***Set of the Night***
Icicle: LA Witch
Sisters of the Moon: Death Valley Girls
Your Time Is Gonna Come: Led Zeppelin
Mannish Boy: Muddy Waters

Sugar Man: Sixto Rodriguez (for Rudolpho)
Sun Arises: Rolf Harris
Frisco Beaver: GOAT

The Modern Dance: Pere Ubu
Sonic Reducer: Rocket From the Tombs (June 03, 2003 Cleveland, OH Reunion Show)
Glorious: Polkacide
John Wayne Was A Nazi: MDC
Mack the Knife: Ella Fitzgerald

U Should Not Be Doing That: Amyl and the Sniffers
Earthen Gate: FUZZ

Sail Away: Neil Young
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong

So nice I had to do it twice!

Welcome to part 2 of my Iggy Pop birthday celebration. This week I focus on his incredible solo career. Across 19 solo records since the implosion of The Stooges, James "Iggy Pop" Westerberg continued to reinvent himself and (almost) always stay ahead of the pack.

I broke this show up into five sets that you can check out below; hitting on all 19 of his solo efforts. A few of these tunes you may have heard before, but I can bet there are a few you haven't and a those will knock you out of your shoes.

I honestly feel that Iggy is still hitting in all the right ways. Though I love his punk cred, I also love the risks he's taken with his art as he shares other influences, all the while influencing others to take a leap of faith in their own music merriment.

There's a lot to take in here, so enjoy and please share.

jh

Set 1: Rebirth (1977)
"Sister Midnight" (The Idiot, 1977)
"China Girl" (The Idiot, 1977)
"Lust for Life" (Lust for Life, 1977)
"The Passenger" (Lust for Life, 1977)
Set 2: Chaos and Experimentation (1979–1982)
"Five Foot One" (New Values, 1979)
"I'm Bored" (New Values, 1979)
"I'm A Conservative" (Soldier, 1980)
"Bang Bang" (Party, 1981 — co-written with Ivan Kral)
"Run Like a Villain" (Zombie Birdhouse, 1982)

Set 3: Comeback King (1986–1990)
"Real Wild Child (Wild One)" (Blah-Blah-Blah, 1986)
"Cry for Love" (Blah-Blah-Blah, 1986 — produced with Bowie)
"Cold Metal" (Instinct, 1988)
"Candy" feat. Kate Pierson (Brick by Brick, 1990)

Set 4: The Raw and the Refined (1993–1996)
"Home" (Brick by Brick, 1990)
"Wild America" (American Caesar, 1993)
"Louie Louie" (American Caesar, 1993)
"Look Away" (Naughty Little Doggie, 1996)

Set 4.5: The Raw and the Refined (1999–2003)
"Corruption" (Avenue B, 1999 — a somber, introspective album)
"Mask" (Beat 'em Up, 2001)
"Little Electric Chair" feat. The Stooges (Skull Ring, 2003)
Set 5: The Elder Statesman (2009–Present)
"King of the Dogs" (Préliminaires, 2009 — jazzy and French-tinged)
"Ready to Die" (Ready to Die, 2013 — partial Stooges reunion but marketed solo)
"Gardenia" (Post Pop Depression, 2016 — produced with Josh Homme)
"Frenzy" (Every Loser, 2023 — hard, fast, and furious)

Closing out
"Don't Go Gentle Into That Good Night" (Free, 2019)

I live for a good tribute show. And I could not think of a better person to pay tribute to then gool ol' James "Iggy Pop" Osterberg, who turned 78 on Monday night.

Hot damn, this was a fun one to put together. Iggy's much more intelligent than you think. He ran that band. He's run all of his bands. He's the lyricist, the one who eggs on the audience to a frenzy. He's the one who makes sure you're never going to forget what you witnessed that night, and clamor for more...always more.

I recently read "Total Chaos" by Jeff Gold, who sat with Iggy for a few days, showing him old pictures and realia from days gone by, hoping for a few words in remembrance. What he got blew him (and every fan) away. I cannot recommend this book enough if you're a fan of Iggy and the Stooges, and that period of time.

Much of that book he speaks about the music that influenced his songwriting. Therefore, I just had to include many of those songs in this show. You'll note a tune from an artist followed by a Stooges song. I think you understand the implication.

I work my way through the first three Stooges LPs on this show, along with talking about the history of Iggy and the band.

I'll be hosting part two next Monday, April 28th, where I'll focus on Iggy's solo career, as well as the Stooges reunion.

There's too much to share. I just may need to host a part three!

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Highway Child: Jimi Hendrix
I Wanna Be You Dog: The Stooges
Tribal Gathering: The Byrds

1969: The Stooges
I Walk The Line: Johnny Cash
No Fun: The Stooges

Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt: Pharoah Sanders
Little Doll: The Stooges

Happening Ten Years Time Ago: Yardbirds
I'm Sick of You: The Stooges

Loose (Demo): The Stooges
Loose: The Stooges
Down in the Street (Single mix): The Stooges

TV Eye: The Stooges
Dirt: The Stooges

1970: The Stooges
Search and Destroy: Iggy and the Stooges
Gimme Danger: Iggy and the Stooges

Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell: Iggy and the Stooges

I missed you all last week when I saw Melvins and Napalm Death at Great American Music Hall. How much fun was that? I think we both know the answer to that one. And to top it off, Jello Biafra joined in the fun singing Nazi Punks Fuck Off and ended the song with a stage dive. Good God, Man, people had to carry you. You practically took someone's head off.

Great show though.

This was an inspired show. There's a flow in the musical sets. Just take a look for yourself. Do you see it? You see it, right? You see it?

Paying some love to Amyl and the Sniffers to start out. I took the fabulous Lauson Hell to see them last week at The Fox Theater. There's some new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. You do have your tickets to the show at the Bill Graham Civic in May, right?

Can I confide in you? I'll have to wait until you leave a comment or something.

I'll wait.

In the meantime, there's some spaghetti westers, jazz flute, misogynist funk, obscure SF punk, not-so-obscure SF punk. Then I moved the punk down the coast and eventually across the pond. Do we still say that? I end with some Linda Lindas because they ROCK!

Monday, April 21st I'm hosting an Iggy Pop birthday special, part one. I can't wait to celebrate Papa Stooge. Tune in and be my dog.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Control: Amyl and the Sniffers
The Rite of Spring: Hubert Laws

Frogs: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Muleskinner: Harry Belafonte

Images: Sun Ra Arkestra
Canto Di Morte #3: Gianfranko and Gian Piero Reverberi (Preparati La Bara! - 1968)
The Ecstasy of Gold: Ennio Morricone (The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly)
It's A Man's Man's Man's World: James Brown and His Famous Flames

Fool For You: GUM/Ambrose Kenny-Smith
Dumpster Fire: Pancho and the Wizards

Blue and Her Strawberry Balloon: Sgt. Splendor
Now: Negativland (GUNS)
The Slow Version: Pop-O-Pies

Mirror: Sleepers
Savage: Nuns
Nazi Punks Fuck Off: Dead Kennedys

Tossing Coins Into the Fountain of Fuck: Melvins and Napalm Death
Gimme Gimme Gimme: Black Flag
John Wayne Was A Nazi: MDC
The Light, The Heart: Flipper
Manimal: Germs

Rise: PIL
Neighbourhood of Infinity: The Fall

Resolution/Revolution: The Linda Lindas
From The First Hello To The Last Goodbye: Jane Morgan

Let me be your (un)healthy distraction. I know Mondays can be heavy, so that's why I'm here to lighten the load. It's kind of like bran for your brain. Think of it as super colon blow for your earholes.

I've got a good amount of tunes you've never heard, and possibly a few you forgot you loved.

I also was training a new DJ, David Fraser, who is going to be hosting a new show on Mondays noon-2pm. He took over the show for about 30 minutes. I labeled his set with "DF". Good music choices all the way!

New music from Alit Gun, Melvins, GOAT, Ty Segall, and Rickshaw Billy's Burger Patrol (who I saw at The Stork Club the previous weekend). Also, there's a new 50th anniversary Rush compilation out. I played an alternate take of The Trees. You're welcome.

So much good music out there, I'm in tears overjoyed that I get to share all of this with you.

For years now I've listed my playlist the way you see it below. What do you think of it? How can I improve it for you? Leave a comment.

Hell is love.

Enjoy.

jh

Some Velvet Morning: Vanilla Fudge
Two Headed Dog: Margo Price

Badi Sabah Olmadan: Altin Gun
Magool: Sahra Halgan

I Want You (She's So Heavy): Eddie Hazel (Album: Games, Dames and Guitar Thangs 1977 Reissue)
I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier: John Lennon

King of Rome: Melvins (Album: Thunderball 2025)
The Trees: Rush (50th Anniversary Super Deluxe)

Ugly Truth: Soundgarden - DF
This is Music: Verve - DF

Wires: Voyager One - DF
Set The City On Fire: Here Come The Saviors - DF
Hallowed Out: Ducks Ltd. - DF
War Cry!: Jenny Don't and the Spurs

Dead Babies: Alice Cooper
Wild Love: James Williamson (with Alison Mossheart and Mark Lanegan)
Whoopie Chateau: Sgt. Splendor
Clown Town: Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol
The Wizard: Brown Sabbath

Nimerudi (Salmagundi Version): GOAT + Mc Yallah
The Payback Mix: James Brown

Coconut: Ty Segall
I Bid You Goodnight: Joseph Spence
Good Night: Lawrence Welk Singers

I think I'm finally getting a handle on this radio thing. I mean how hard can it be?

I had a recurring dream about dead air. And what DJ hasn't had that dream? It's the worst! A song is quickly ending and I have nothing cued up. In reality I am the king of the last second cue. It's happened too many times to count.

That being said, 90% of the time I have many songs cued and ready to go. In my earliest days of radio I was trained to have a safety track ready just in case a song ends and I have nothing else set. At Radio Valencia we have two turntable, two CD players, and two aux cords, which most hosts use for their laptops. I use the Mixxx app with four channels. This means at any one time I can have eight songs ready to play.

There really is no excuse for dead air.

I spent a couple years at KALX leading up to COVID. I recall heading into the studio one night. I had a graveyard shift that I thought was running 1-3am. I was told to arrive at midnight to cover a pre-recorded show, just to be told by a staffer who was there when I arrived that my show actually starts at midnight and not 1am. It was about 11:57 at that time. I calmly seated myself, cued up a song and started the show.

The young staffer was anxious about me not being able to start on time. When I did she noted how calm I was about the whole thing. This is what experience gets you. Just chill out and drop the needle.

As for this show I dropped the needle on some killer tracks by amazing artists.

I quickly pay tribute to the late David Johansen of the New York Dolls who passed away last week. I was lucky to see a late version of the NY Dolls in Washington DC in 2008. It was Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain backed by a young rhythm section, but they were incredible!

I saw some incredible modern country/western at The Ivy Room last week with local guitarist and singer Mitch Polzak, and Portland's Jenny Don't and the Spurs were in town. That was one helluva show! I spoke to Mitch after his set and he listens to Radio Valencia! Thanks Mitch. What a pleasure. I'm going to have him on my show soon. I also got to speak to Jenny Don't after her set. She was kind enough to record a station promo for me as well. What a doll! Both bands are incredible. I strongly encourage you to check them out when they hit your town.

As always there's lots of new music tonight. Check out Ty Segall's new side project Freckle. Ambrose Kenny-Smith of King Gizzard also has a new side project that I was happy to get recently. New Population 11, Lambrini Girls (I'm really loving this band), and KnightressM1 featuring metal violinist Emily Palen now living in Paris. I miss my friend, but luckily she's continuing to record incredible music to share with the world.

I bought a bunch of records over the past week so tune in Monday to hear where John Hell's paycheck goes.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Trash: New York Dolls
Hate The Police: The Dicks
Twilight (Elliot Smith cover): Barbara Manning

Lonesome, On'ry and Mean: Mitch Polzak
Judgement Day: Jack O'Fire

Gimme A Penny: Big Mama Thornton
Swordfishtrombones: Tom Waits
Sun Rise: Rolf Harris
Steal Softly Through The Snow: Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
Chinese New Year: Mulatu Astatke and The Heliocentrics

One More Night: Jenny Don't and the Spurs
Louie Louie: Thee Headcoats

Dark Horse: LA Witch
Shameless Imposter: Terry Gross
Anlatmam Derdimi: Altin Gün
Let Me Be Your Ragdoll: Barbara Dane

Who's Sitting on the Moon: Freckle
TV Glotzer (White Punks on Dope): Nina Hagen

Axis: KnightressM1
1970: Boris
No Home: Lambrini Girls

The Gloater: GUM, Ambrose Kenny-Smith
The Wheel: King Tuff

Le The Est Pret: Population II
From The First Hello To The Last Goodbye: Jane Morgan and the 450 Collegians

Well hot damn that was a fun show to host. If you know me, then you know I don't much planning more than bringing a stack of vinyl that's calling my name, along with a ear worm or three I've had throughout the week. There's also that strong desire to play something that may be brand new to you.

You get all of the above for this show. I start out with some funk and soul, having just viewed that latest documentary about Sly Stone, brought to you by Questlove. Highly recommended. I get into some dub and jazz, before going the 60s strip/bachelor pad music. This takes us into some garage punk, and then we get even louder!

I travel two at least four continents on this show. I wasn't close to done when the two hour mark hit. Maybe you should tune in this coming Monday night to see what I have in store? What a fine idea. See you then.

Enjoy and please share.

I Ain't Got Nothing: Sly and the Family Stone
Full Experience: Aura with Lee Perry

Dread Lion: The Upsetters
Seconds Away: The Scientist

Congo Call: Princa Lasha Quintet
Hot Cha: Roland Kirk
Wowsville: Bob Taylor
Give Her The Axe, Max: Art Roberts
Rosie: The Mummies
Bring Her The Mirror: Shannon Shaw

I Wanna Lose: LA Witch
Magic Powers: Death Valley Girls

Taraval: Freckle (Ty Segall side project)
GFY: Amyl and the Sniffers
Company Culture: Lambrini Girls
Mad Moth: The Bobby Lees
Sister Dynamite: Alice Bag
Acetone: Mudhoney

Sharaf: Sahra Halgan
Ouroboros: GOAT

Area 51: Dead Moon
Danny: Heavy Blanket
Sweet Jane (live): Lou Reed

Whiskey In The Jar (acoustic): Thin Lizzy
Back In Judy's Jungle: Brian Eno
I Am Damo Suzuki: The Fall

Well, you know, it's always a protest, even in the best of times. Use it, or lose, amiright?

Having a radio show on a Monday means I get to host a lot of national holidays. This isn't my first go-round on President's Day, but it sure feels like an extra special one, if you ask me. And it being Black History Month I felt that I could do a pretty good mash-up to boot.

Folks, it's official, we have a fascist for president. You can't say we don't. Even when people were claiming Shrub (George W. You, know: little Bush) was one, I was always quick to point out that he didn't fit the definition well enough, but if we aren't careful he'll set the stage for some else to come in who truly is one. Well, what do ya know?

You disagree? That's fine. Tell me all about it in the comment section. I've been teaching history, civics and law for over 20 years now. When you have seen and taught what I have, the boxes get checked.

So luckily I have this here radio show that I can use, until they pry away from my cold, dead hands, to play you the music and share the commentary that you just aren't getting on other radio stations. Even the non-comms like KEXP, KFJC, WFMU, aren't talking openly about the politics of the day. And though Radio Valencia does not endorse a specific political point of view, we allow our DJs to share how they're feeling about the issues of the day. Just offer the disclaimer in there somewhere.

As for the music, it's a fabulous grab bag of funky, punky, junky and political delights.

And thank you all once again for contributing to our first ever "on air" fundraiser. We raised just short of $3000, all of which will go right into operations including a new and improved website coming soonish.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

If There's A Hell Below: Curtis Mayfield
I'm A Conservative: Iggy Pop

Democracy: Leonard Cohen
This Is Not Normal: Negativland

My Favorite Mutiny: The Coup
The Pusher: Nina Simone
Prison Song: System of a Down
Nazi Punks Fuck Off: Dead Kennedys
Eric B Is President: Eric B and Rakim

Funky President: James Brown
When The Revolution Comes: The Last Poets
It Is What It Is (remix): Drumpf
I'm So Bored With the USA: The Clash

The American In Me: The Avengers
Freedom of Choice: Devo
Fascists Eat Donuts: Pop O Pies
Blowfly for President (feat. Afroman): Blowfly

My Uzi Weighs A Ton: Public Enemy
Rocket Reducer No. 62 (fa la la la la): MC5
Liilalaw: Sahra Halgar

For The Last Time: Freckle
As Tears Go By: Marianne Faithful

Talk To God: GOAT
Good Night, Sleep Tight: Lawrence Welk

There are a lot of educators in Gaza who are suffering not only for their family but for the families of the children they teach. San Francisco Unified School district has a number of educators who have started a grass roots Palestine Solidarity Committee, where they are teaching one another about what is happening in Gaza and how they can support the teachers who are there trying to care for their students.

I have three members of this committee on my show Monday night, in the first hour, talking about the work they are doing and how others can join in.

If you want more information about this committee and how you can participate, please go to the website linktr.ee/supportgazanteachers and email them melodiesforgaza@gmail.com

The second hour continues my time paying tribute to Black History Month. There's far too much music to play; I'll never get it through everything I want to share by the end of the month. Luckily I have this show every Monday night!

Check it out at the link above.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

Bring the Noize: Brownout
Nimerudi: GOAT + MC Yallah

Sharaf: Sahra Halgan

These Are The JBs: The JBs

Original Faubus Fables: Charles Mingus

Red House: Jimi Hendrix
Bumble Bee: Big Mama Thornton

America's Most Blunted: MF Doom and Madlib
Mama Roux: Dr. John
Fantasy: Pir Square
Cold Sweat: Bernard "Pretty" Purdie

Mannish Boy: Muddy Waters
Summertime: Ella Fitzgerald

My Way: Elvis Presley

Starting out Black History Month with a BANG! Sweet sounds of funk and soul punctuate more than the first half of the show, and I know I'm going to have to keep this going all month. And why wouldn't I?

Growing up I was always put off that Black History Month was during the shortest month of the year. I thought it was an insult to African-Americans! Being a history teacher I learned this started out as Black History Week by Carter G. Woodson in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. It is in February to commemorate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.

I've got some classic soul and funk peppered throughout the sets.

The second half of the show features some library adds (meaning not new, but new to me), including the first Shannon and the Clams release, French Punk/New Wave Plastic Bertand, early Barbara Manning World of Pooh and more.

It's always a pleasure bringing music to you, week after week. I truly live for this. Your contributions help keep Radio Valencia rolling. We are wrapping up our very first "on air" fundraiser, which has brought in $2000+. This is a really great start, and we will use each dollar to pay for upkeep of the equipment, purchase new tech, pay for streaming and website needs, and any emergencies that pop up (and they always pop up).

We had a blast entertaining the masses at The Kilowatt last Thursday for the Pavement afterparty. Thanks to everyone who came out. We sold a bunch of Radio Valencia shirts!!! We have more! Want one? Let us know.

Just because the live fundraiser is coming to an end this weekend doesn't mean we won't take your money. Please click on the link to our PayPal and help keep Radio Valencia's turntables spinning. You can find it on our homepage.

Think you have what it takes to host a weekly radio show? No experience necessary. We can train you! Send us a show proposal to station@radiovalencia.fm

Coming up Monday, February 10th I'm interviewing members of the SFUSD Palestinian Support Committee about the work they are doing supporting Palestinian teachers during this horrible time in Gaza and the West Bank. They'll be on during the first hour talking about their work and an upcoming event that you are invited to.

Enjoy and please share.

jh

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

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Gil Scott-Heron
Compared To What: Les McCann and Eddie Harris

The Hands of Time: The Perfect Circle
Suicide: Ice

Funky Woman: Parliament
Mighty Mighty (Spade and Whitey): Curtis Mayfield
Black People Whatcha All Gon' Do: The Last Poets
Don't Tell It: James Brown

Don't Call Her No Tramp: Betty Davis
Hey Pocky Way: The Meters
Brother's Gonna Work It Out: Willie Hutch

Fulton Street: Eddie Gale
You Don't Belong Here: Fantastic Negrito

Bambino: Plastic Bertrand
The Cult Song: Shannon and the Clams
Someone Wants You Dead: World of Pooh
Child Heart O'Dirt Pump: Caroliner

Gotta Get Back: Chuck Prophet
Halloween: MX80 Sound
Eye-Shaking King: Amon Duul II

Well, January arrived, so I figure I better pull out what I bought last year and give all a spin.

King Gizzard released its 26th album in 2024. And what an amazing show they put on at The Frost. Dale Crover came back from neck surgery to record and tour with Redd Kross, put out his third solo album and 27th with the Melvins. I can't wait to see them in April and again coming up in June. I love me some Melvins!

Nick Cave seems to be emerging from his deep grief-stricken period with Wild God. I'll be seeing him in May. Great albums from Billy Strings, WAND, Ty Segall, OSEES, GOAT (so many bands using allcaps?!?!?!), Shannon and the Clams, and more!

Monday night I'll be back with new music and music that's new to you.

Tune into the station you have come to rely on to play the best of whatever genre you're into.

And while you're listening we could really use your support. We have been around since 2010 and keeping our equipment operating, along with increased costs for just about everything, makes it a challenge to keep paying for this out of our pockets.

This is why we decided to have an "on air" fundraiser, through February 8th. Head over to Radio Valencia's website, scroll down and click the PayPal link on the right to show us a little love. This is a tax deductible donation, and every dollar goes straight to paying to keep our radio home running.

Thanks in advance.

Enjoy and please share the Best of 2024.

jh

Hog Calling Contest: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Resolution/Revolution: The Linda Lindas

Bean Fields: Shannon and the Clams
I Waited Forever: Dale Crover with (Ty Segall)

Stunt Queen: Redd Kross
Snakes: Bell Rays
My Alice: Billy Strings
Luck and Strange: David Gilmore

Void: Ty Segall
Smile: WAND

Also the Gorilla...: OSEES
Silly Cybin: Meatbodies
Ouroboros: GOAT

Wild God: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Grind: The Jesus Lizard

She's Got Weird Arms: Melvins
Confluence: Slift

Me and the Girls: Amyl and the Sniffers
How To Ruin Your Life: False Flag
Comme Tu Le Souhaites (Ding Dong): Population II

Psycho Killer (Acoustic Version): Talking Heads

What a treat having my fabulous daughter Lauson in the studio tonight. This was her first visit to Radio Valencia since December 2023. I'll share the links to all of her previous shows at the end of this post.

I have always had a lot of music playing around the house, so I did my best to raise her on lots of great music from as many genres as I could fit in. I knew I was doing well when I heard the Beastie Boys bumpin' from her room during high school. Though she still gives me a hard time for the Sex Pistols lunchbox she carried in elementary school. What parent does that to a child?!?!?!?

Tonight Lauson pulled out a lot of artists she was listening to when she was 7-10 years old, told lots of silly stories, and held me to task for not giving her enough space to talk on the mic. Sorry about that, Lauson.

I placed an "L" next to her selections.

Lauson is also a state licensed cosmetologist in San Francisco. She does her own hair!!!! And she's a recognized make up artist as well. I love her so much!

It was also MLK Day, so I peppered in a few tunes in celebration of Dr. King.

Enjoy and please share

jh

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

History Repeating: Propellerheads with Shirley Bassey - L

Supersonic Rocket Ship: The Kinks - L
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Gil Scott-Heron

1985: Paul McCartney and Wings - L
Crocodile Rock: Elton John - L
Obl Di Obla Da: The Beatles - L

That's Not My Name: Ting Tings - L
Girls: Beastie Boys - L
Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud): James Brown

Art Pop: Lady Gaga - L
Gravel Pit: Wu Tang Clan - L
Move On Up: Curtis Mayfield
People Get Ready: Aretha Franklin

Istanbul: They Might Be Giants - L
Sloop John B: The Beach Boys - L
Somebody To Love: Queen
Moondance: Van Morrison

Why?(The King of Love is Dead): Nina Simone
It Was A Good Day: Ice Cube

Ball and Chain: Big Brother and the Holding Company - L