Hell's Kitchen Radio #590: 15th annual Annual Annual: 1981

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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. Do me a favor and leave a comment letting me know which year you think I should do. You can see below the other years I've already hosted. I'm not planning on repeating any of those.

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

2011 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1971
2012 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1972
2013 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1973
2014 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1974
2015 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1975
2016 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 2006
2017 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1992
2018 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1983
2019 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1969
2020 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1980
2021 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1978
2022 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1968
2023 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1991
2024 - ANNUAL ANNUAL - 1994

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

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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")

Hell's Kitchen Radio #589: Rolling Through The Wax

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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
http://radiovalencia.fm

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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)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #588: Celebrate Naked

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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

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

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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)

Hell's Kitchen Radio #587: From Hell To Eternity

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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 powdery and 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 shared that story here and it's worth your time.  

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. Just look at that smile on her face!

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. More pictures at the bottom of this post.

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. I write about it here.

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
http://radiovalencia.fm

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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) 

    

Hell's Kitchen Radio #586: Frolic In Hell

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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
http://radiovalencia.fm

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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)