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I never enjoy missing my show, and last week was going to two hours of some serious celebrating, but family first, last, and always. So there ya go. I saved it all up for this show…kinda. I mean, the polish has sort of worn off, since el douche bag (I won’t even capitalize that) won’t concede. What a little prince he is.
I admit, the slow burn is fun to watch, but not at the cost of our democracy, which this fool doesn’t care a lick for. It’s all about the ratings, and possibly because he knows that he’s about to have a few indictments handed down within the next year. So long, Donnie. I would really love to see him taken out of the White House in handcuffs, but that’s not going to happen, and it really shouldn’t end that way for this guy. Not that he doesn’t deserve it. It’s just not good for the country. The world isn’t exactly laughing at us right now as much as looking on with eyes wide and mouth agape.
So I do what I always do when the adulting gets too much, I listen to music. And just take a gander of what I have in store for your next two hours. I want to thank my dear friend, singer/songwriter and all around fabulous human, Adam MacKinstosh for throwing a bunch of recommendations my way tonight. Some days I get so overwhelmed with my music library that it helps to have someone else’s ears around to lend a hand. Thank you Adam.
New music from FUZZ, Neil Young, and local power trio KnightressM1. There’s also a celebration for the 45th anniversary release of Patti Smith’s “Horses”, and much much more to satisfy even the pickiest listener, including a 16 minute funky/acid-drenched Grateful Dead “Dancin’ in the Streets”, that’s sure to get you shakin’ your groove thang until the orange cheeto vacates 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
In the meantime, enjoy.
jh
Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family Crow Black Crow: Adam McKintosh
Simple Life: Louise Goffin Working Poor: Fantastic Negrito Making Plans for Nigel: Primus
End Returning: FUZZ Evil New War God: Melvins
Lookin’ for a Leader 2020: Neil Young Birdland: Patti Smith Working For A Dead Man: Eric McFadden
Bleeding Heart: Two Ton Boa Grandma Song: People Like Us Living Proof: Cat Power Licking Stick Licking Stick: James Brown I Wanna Be Your Dog: The Stooges
Friction (Alternative version): Television Big Boss Man: Mercury Rev ft. Hope Sandoval 500 Mujeres: Guadalupe Plata Black Mountain: Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Fountains on Fire: Elysian Fields Zero Point: KnightressM1
Dancing in the Street: Grateful Dead (May 2, 1970 Harpur College – Binghamton, NY, State University Of New York) What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
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So here we are, four years later, and another election where we tell ourselves “this is the most important election of our lives”. And yet I think it is. Let’s go into Tuesday with our hopes held high, regardless of the outcome. No matter who wins we have a lot of work to do. Get involved in this great American experiment. Get to have a working knowledge of the US Constitution, as well as your state Constitution. Know who your elected representatives are and hold them accountable, regularly.
If you’re going to be watching the results tonight, please be wary of the “blue mirage”. Most mail-in ballots are from Democrats, so it’s going to look like Biden is in the lead and will win the state, just to have much of that lead disappear once the election day-cast ballots are counted.
Take a deep breath, it’s going to be a long night.
I’m going to be watching North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin. These are the states that can throw the election from one candidate to the other.
There’s more I could say about this (and I have to my students), but you’re an adult, and you know we have to be patient.
Enjoy the ride.
jh
Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
I’m So Bored With The USA: The Clash Blowfly for President: Blowfly South Park Vote Song Eric B Is President: Eric B and Rakim
Message From Our Sponsor: Jello Biafra Nazi Punks Fuck Off: Dead Kennedys This Is Not Normal: Negativland Funky President: James Brown
Don’t Worry (If There’s A Hell Below, We’re All Gonna Go): Curtis Mayfield C’Mon Man (Joe Biden remix): WTFBRAHH When The Revolution Comes: The Last Poets The Way of the World: Flipper
Deep in the Heart of a Racist Nation: MDC Freedom of Choice: Devo Vote or Die: South Park I’m A Conservative: Iggy Pop White Minority: Black Flag
Absolute Dissent: Killing Joke It Is What It Is (Donald Trump remix): WTFBRAHH Science: Flat Earthers Alright: Kendrick Lamar
Masters of War: Bob Dylan Politician: Cream Fortunate Son: Creedence Clearwater Revival
All The Madmen: David Bowie What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
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We have two more days until…? I would hate to think back to this day and think it was better then. Ugh. I know how you’re feeling; this sucks. And sitting here right now I know that it feels that it’s going to get worse if he wins again. And there are ways that it just might.
But it can also be an awakening. More people are voting in this election than in any previous election. Think about that. More votes on local and state propositions. More votes for local and state candidates. And if he wins, there’s the possibility that he’ll lose the Senate. He’ll be more of a lame duck than ever.
Get your ballot in, or yourself to the polls on November 3rd, and be prepared to wait as long as it takes to get your vote in.
Are you a geek for polls? 2016 was a horrible election cycle for polling, but the pollsters swear they learned their lesson. We’ll find out, won’t we?
Check out 270toWin for a fun little interactive electoral college mapping along with recent polling.
If you want to check in with master polling guru Nate Silver, check out his site FiveThirtyEight right here.
And take every poll with a HUGE grain of salt. And then vote. Vote. Oh yeah, vote. Vote even if you cannot stand Joe Biden, vote for him if you care even an smidge for democracy.
OK, time for music. You need this show in your life. Make the next two hours special.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Trouble at the Cup: Black Randy and the Metrosquad Loner with a Boner: Black Randy and the Metrosquad Mon Menage A Moi: Edith Piaf Gallows Pole: Willie Watson
Call For All Demons: Sun Ra Maya: John McLaughlin
Les Amour Perdues: The Elysian Fields Chariot Choogle: Fantomas with Mike Patton Season of the Witch: Donovan Maggie’s Farm: Solomon Burke
Honey, Don’t You Want A Man Like Me?: Frank Zappa Nothing Compares 2U: Donald Trump Deep Fake Come On, Come Over: Jaco Pastorius
Canopnr ’74: Oh Sees Tear the Fascists Down: Woody Guthrie Handle with Care: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins Saint Judas: Mark Growden
Everything I Say Just Goes Right Through Her Heart: Peter Laughner I Can See For Miles: Petra Haden Tattoo: The Who Mon Amour: Dungen
Milk Bird Flyer: Ty Segall and Cory Hansen Starship Narrator: Boris Telephone Girl: Assagai
Download My Cure HERE! Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
This is a quirky show. Just take a look at the play list. I’m all over the place! But that’s why you tune in. You just can’t put Hellboy in a corner.
You’re voting, right? Seriously, I don’t care if you have to break out of jail, VOTE! And tell everyone you know to vote. Our democracy is slipping away. You don’t want this orange buffoon in charge anymore. He doesn’t know and isn’t interested in how our institutions work. It would be one thing if he did, and he systematically tore them down, as Republicans will do. This idiot doesn’t even know what the Constitution says, and he’s proud of it.
Toss him out, November 3rd (well actually January 20th, but I’m not going to split any hairs here).
Download The “Art” HERE! Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
Sometimes taking a week off is great for recharging my creative juices. Radio is an artform. You think you could do this? Well, actually you probably could. It’s not brain surgery. If you tune in regularly, then you know that I like mixing up genres, and tonight is a perfect example. Garage, grunge, proto-punk, LA punk, Americana, Experimental, and too many more for my brain to consider right now.
I add some tasty live treats in there for the special sauce, and you get two hours of the finest audio stew your earbuds can handle.
I sprinkle in my share of covers and some local Bay Area faves too! My goodness there’s something here for everybody, including your retched GOP uncle. You should really kick him in the head when you get a chance.
Speaking of the election, you are registered aren’t you? Get registered, get your ballot, fill it out, and get it in ASAP!!! And sign that damn thing!!!
VOTE!!!!
jh
Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
What Happened to the Waltz: Link Wray I’m Spun: Mudhoney Vicious: Lou Reed
Human Touch: Feist We The Ones: Big Boi and Sleepy Brown To Be Young, Gifted and Black: Yola
Southern Girls: Old 97s Callaloo: Jenny Lewis TV Party: Black Flag Fascist: Minutemen Fuck Authority: Wasted Youth
La Juventud: La Plebe Fiesta: The Pogues The Frisko Freeze: The Mummies Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore: John Prine
Talkin’ Karate Blues: Townes Van Zandt When I Paint My Masterpiece: Jerry Garcia and John Kahn (January 27, 1986) Impressions: John Coltrane Quartet (November 19, 1962 Stockholm, Sweden)
Cross the Breeze: Sonic Youth (March 30, 1989 Theaterfabrik Unterfˆhring, Munich) The Companions: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Spongiform Encephalopathy: Rube Waddell Ghetto Woman: B.B. King (1972-01-10 United Recorders (Sunset Sound Recorders), Hollywood, CA) Hound Dog: Big Mama Thornton (1970 Berkeley, CA)
Ball and Chain: Big Brother and the Holding Company (May 4, 1968 Shrine Expo Center, L.A., CA)
Download The Prophet HERE! Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
So it’s the middle of September, what do you have to show about it? Will another month go by before you get your ass up and finish all those projects you said months ago you would get to? What’s your deal?!?!?
September is supposed to feel crisp; the smell of fall in the air. I think it’s getting warmer? I also have to remember that I live in the Bay Area and our summer doesn’t arrive until now anyway. Here come the warm jets! Let’s hope they leave the orange sky out of it.
I celebrate my birthday month during the first hour with songs of September. Some are even hits!!! Don’t tell my boss or they’ll take my cool underground radio card away. Check out the live cuts in the first hour: Buster Poindexter??? Big Star???
The second hour is all about the late, great Jimi Hendrix, who passed away 50 years ago on September 18th. I was to pop out of my momma 12 days later on the 30th. That’s right, I’m about to hit the big 5-0!!!
It’s all good. I’m having too much fun to stop now.
Check out the all-live Jimi Hendrix hour. Sheeeeeeeeeit, you have never heard this stuff, is my guess. I have dozens of amazing Jimi bootlegs. I didn’t even scratch the surface. But you knew that already.
Get your guitar God headphones on and enjoy this second hour.
Tomorrow, September 22, is my wedding anniversary. Saucy Hell and I have hit the magical seventh year of matrimony. Where has the time gone. I performed “Kathy’s Song” on acoustic guitar, at my wedding reception (making certain not be nervous in front of all the amazing musicians in the room like Eric McFadden and Mark Growden). What a wonderful day and long night that was. I share a story about that night during my show. Be sure to take a listen.
Keep music in your life, it’ll help see us through.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF http://radiovalencia.fm
Good Morning, Judge: Buster Poindexter and his Banshees of Blue (1985.11.06 Bottom Line, NYC) September Song: Frank Sinatra One September Day: Nina Simone
September: Earth, Wind and Fire Papa Was A Rolling Stone: The Temptations Maggie May: Rod Stewart
September Gurls: Big Star (1996-11-16 Tramps, NYC) What Keeps Mankind Alive: William S. Burroughs September Song: Lou Reed Groupie (Superstar): Delaney and Bonnie
Kathy’s Song: Simon and Garfunkel Speedy Gonzales: David Dante
Intro/Foxy Lady (1967-03-18 Studio 1 / NDR Radiohouse, Hamburg)
Morrison’s Lament: Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison (drunk) Johnny Winter (maybe), Randy Hobbs, Randy Z (1968-03-07 The Scene Club, NYC) Here My Train A’Comin’: Jimi Hendrix and All-star cast (69-06-22 San Fernando Valley State College, Devonshire Downs) Red House: Jimi Hendrix Experience (69-02-24 Live at the Royal Albert Hall, London)
Machine Gun: Band of Gypsies (70-01-01 Fillmore East, NYC) News Of Hendrix’s Death – Veronica Dutch Radio (70-09-18)
Dig Jimi at the Newport Pop Festival, June 22, 1969
Download The Torture HERE! Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
None of this makes sense. We should have been so over prepared for this pandemic that the course the government took would have been ballyhooed as overblown! But nope, not us. We’re like a comic book that no one wanted to read anymore. I blame the TV show 24. Remember that show? That’s the show that made torturing to get the confession OK. I am not OK with that. I think ever since that show (which was on FOX by the way), our nation started deeper on a path nationalism.
The terrorists have won.
We are a nation ripped apart and polarized like never before in modern history.
We need music now more than ever. We need music to ground us, and to lift us up. We need music to remind us that it’s ok to cry and it’s ok to laugh. We need to get lost in the music. It’s lustful, and it’s spiritual. Music can be your lover or your god. It can be both at once. Allow yourself to fall into it.
We need things to look forward to. I look forward to Monday nights at 8pm when I can share a couple of hours with you away from this sick, sad, crazy world. It won’t be this way forever, but while it is, look towards the music and remember that you are alive.
Johnny Cash died 17 years ago. Where has the time gone? I open up show with two sets of the Man in Black. He deserves many hours of celebration. I actually hosted a Cash/Cave show a few years ago that you might enjoy. Check it out here.
I close out the show with a tribute to Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals who passed away this past weekend. Thanks for all the love, Toots.
See you Monday at 8.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF
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This heat is just too much. Plague, fires, and now the heat? What the hell is this about?!?!?! If I believed in God I would think that it’s just one huge cosmic joke. And by Wednesday the sky was the color of blood. Where are the frogs?
I wanted to host my annual labor day show, and I was thinking that now with so many office workers working from home, what are they going to do with all of those empty office buildings, like the Salesforce lingham that penetrates the San Francisco sky? I wonder how many homeless people it could house?
And what about all those frontline workers in the grocery stores? Now that we have the world’s richest douchebag, Jeff Bezos owning Whole Paycheck, don’t you think he can afford to pay them a living wage? I mean, thanks for the banner hanging on the store front telling us how much you care for your workers, but seriously dude, put your money where your mouth is.
And so goes this show. I mix some Labor Day-themed tunes in with few other treats to keep your toes tapping.
Just take a listen to the first daughter, Tiffany Trump (the one Heir Donny-britches forgot he had) singing her autotuned heart out on the dance number “Like A Bird”. And then there’s our former Attorney General, John Ashcroft, who lost his Missouri governor’s bid to a dead guy. True story. He sings a live version of “Let Eagles Soar”. To his credit, he didn’t need autotune. Watch out Tiffany.
There’s some new music from legendary punk vocalist, Alice Bag; something new from the latest acoustic King Buzzo/Trevor Dunn release; new from Japanese power trio Boris, and a whole heap of music that I’m excited to share with you.
I have come to the realization that I have a lot of music. More than I really know what to do with. I guess this is why I host a radio show. I may need two more hours a week though. I’m just getting warmed up after two.
See you this Monday night, 8-10PM (PDST), where I’ll be paying tribute to the late, great Toots Hibbert, of Toots and the Maytals, who passed away Saturday, September 11, 2020, from complications with COVID-19. RIP Toots and thanks for the musical memories.
Enjoy,
jh
Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF
Take This Job And Shove It: Johnny Paycheck TV-Glotzer: Nina Hagen Let Eagles Soar: Attorney General John Ashcroft
Career Opportunities: The Clash Fried Grease: Greyboy Allstars ft. Fred Wesley Fire In The Hole: General Patton vs The X-Ecutioners Old Mary: Dead Weather I Am A Union Woman: Rosalie Sorrels Get Back In Line: The Kinks
Gate Crasher: Alice Bag Like A Bird: Tiffany Trump Wild Mountain: Itchy-O San Francisco Bay Blues: Jesse Fuller
I’m Glad I Could Help Out: King Buzzo and Trevor Dunn Kolbasti: Altin Gün Rope Burn: Damaged Bug All Out of Catastrophes: Marissa Nadler
There Is Power In The Union: Utah Phillips Loveless: Boris Indian Summer: The Doors Rolling Thunder/Shoshone Invocation: Mickey Hart
Ace of Spades: Link Wray Woodstock: Joni Mitchell Gonna Die With A Hammer In My Hand: The Williamson Brothers and Curry Working Class Hero: John Lennon
More Than A Paycheck: Sweet Honey In The Rock Get Behind The Mule: Tom Waits Mean Old Frisco: John Hammond
Work Song: Nina Simone What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong.
Download My Tribute To Mikl Em HERE! Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
I’ve been dreading writing this post. If you’re reading this, it means my dear dear friend Michael McElligot aka: Mikl-em has kicked this mortal coil.
He passed away from brain cancer on Sunday, August 30th. 2020. This has hit our community hard. I’ve known Mikl since 1996 or so, through our mutual admiration of everything SF Cacaphony Society had to offer. We hit every event we could find. It didn’t take long until Mikl began producing as many events as he attended.
Mikl was deeply involved in many stage performances at Dark Room Theater on Mission in SF, as well as SF Fringe Fest, Laughing Squid’s Tentacle Sessions, Popcorn Anti-Theater, attended many Burning Man events, produced Speechless-SF, and the regular salons featured at Long Now Foundation at Fort Mason in SF.
So many of the best events I attended or were associated with over the past 25 years were partly or
mostly colored by Mikl Em. He was the epitome of inclusion. He was the essence of “let’s put on a show”. He was love and light.
As a teacher I have been told that I teach to infinity, since I don’t know where or when my teachings will end. Mikl entertained to infinity. He inspired so many of his friends, and even more who were in the audience.
We were super lucky Mikl chose to join Radio Valencia in our infancy. He started Can Haz DJ the second week we were on the air. He produced 50 shows, and I’m excited that we are currently re-running these shows Saturday’s 8-10PM. Please tune in. Mikl was an exceptional DJ, who modeled himself after the legendary BBC-1 DJ, John Peel.
This show before you is a tribute to great musical mind. These are artists that Mikl loved, many of whom he turned me onto. We used to talk music in the most rambling and sensational way, often meandering in a tangential way across genres, and eras, always ending long before we wanted to. Our conversations were always ones for the ages. And now I guess they’ll have to be.
He leaves behind his magnificent life-partner, Danielle, who I’ve known even longer than he. She’s a vision of strength in life that has seen her share of challenges. If ever there is a person who is the model character, it is she. We love you, Danielle.
I miss you my dear friend. Thank you for shining such a beautiful light on all of us. I hope wherever you may be that there are songs to fill the air.
KQED offered a beautiful memorial for him following his passing last week.
Your friend always,
jh
Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell Mondays 8-10PM Radio Valencia in SF
Download the Show of Your Life HERE! Listen into all my shows here! Subscribe to my show, via Subscribe to my Spotify Podcast HERE!
Now that the RNC is over we all need a really good cleanse. That’s where I come in. Hell is good for what ails ya. Really though, what can I say that the pundits haven’t already said about the shit-show that was the RNC week long mouth diarrhea? Blech!
And now comes the race to the finish line. I picture Trump and Biden running through a grocery store, Trump ahead, and throwing items off a shelf to block Biden from catching up. He throws down old ladies, and shopping carts to move farther ahead of Biden. And Biden finds some way to keep the pace. He’s not leaping over any of this though. Biden is pushing the old lady aside so he can catch up to Trump. Biden grabs a chilled salmon and slaps Trump in the face before shoving him into the salad bar.
Who will make it to the finish line first? And in what shape will they be in when they arrive there? How many condiments will their pressed suits be covered in? And will Dr. Jill and Melania be wrestling nearby? What about Mamala and Mothers-Little-Boy?
And what about the rest of us? November 3rd is only a little over nine weeks away. Are you registered? Get registered! Get your ballot, fill it out, and get it in the mail, ASAP! Or maybe drop it off at city hall? Anyway you choose, VOTE as if your life depends on it, because voting is not only patriotic, it’s how we remind those who govern, that they only get to do so because we allow them to. Don’t let them take that from us.
Back to the music.
Brand new song from my favorite local post-metal-power-trio, KnightressM1. I thought the last release was good (and it is), but “Lock and Key” is blowing my mind!!! These are three amazing musicians playing at the top of their game. The musicianship is professional, the sound is driving and pulsating, and the production is second to none. Damn, I want to see them live!
I was sent a track by my buddy, musician and producer Travis Kaperbauer, featuring himself and a few friends over at Lucky Recording, with a delightful little diddy: “I Fucked A Republican”. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
There are lots of treats throughout this show, I’m certain you’ll find a way to enjoy.
Mongoloid: Devo Can’t Get It Out Of My Head: Telekinesis Funkier Than A Mosquita’s Tweeter: Nikka Costa I’m Losing You: Rare Earth
Song For The Bearded Lady: Nucleus Yarrow: Bert Jansch You Hit The Spot, Baby: Gloria Walker Soul Brother’s Testify: Charles Randle’s Soul Senders Bonnacons of Doom: Argenta
The Majesty of Rock: Vertacyn Arc Materializer Prayer Difficulty: National Hardwood Floor Association Elected: Alice Cooper
Lock and Key: KnightressM1 I’m Not There: Sonic Youth
Movin’ On: Douglas Nelson Michigan Girls: Califone I Fucked A Republican: Travis Kasperbauer, Jane Wiedlin, Joe Gore
Para Elisa: Los Destillos El Guapo: Los Diablos Rojos Beware: BLO Miss Pamela and Miss Sparky discuss STUFFED BRAS and some of their early gym class experiences: GTO’s Montana: Frank Zappa and the Mother’s of Invention
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
If you want to take a look at what Travis and team put together to show their love for the GOP, click below and enjoy.
