RKO – Radio Knockouts: KDHX’s Valis Hertel

RKO (Radio Knockouts) seeks to profile hosts and producers of real radio . Think of these features as a guide to finding those who present diverse programming that can’t be found on mainstream media outlets. These are real people who love sharing the music and/or content they are providing.

Today, we feature Valis Hertel. Valis hosts the show Trip Inside This House, which can be heard every Tuesday from 5am to 7am CST operating from 88.1  KDHX,  independent media for St. Louis and beyond.

Tell me a little bit about the history of you and your radio show Trip Inside This House?

The complete truth behind the genesis of the show is this: my wife and I moved back to St. Louis in 2005, after a 14-year odyssey,  or  “Odessey” if you like, away.  A great friend of mine would come over for adult beverages and I’d play new music for him, mixed in with older stuff.

Photo by Sara Finke

After a few years of this he and my wife began urging me to give KDHX, the local community radio station a try.  This went on for some time, the constant badgering. My trepidation wasn’t with speaking on-air, nor with any lack of a musical focus for a show; it was the technology which drove the production. I thought it would be too much for me to sit there amidst all that gadgetry and try and breathe, too.   Finally, my friend offered to go through the orientation with me and go through this process so I could at least rely on him if it got to be too much “techno-fear”, to quote the immortal Neil. 

CLICK HERE
to LISTEN to the last two broadcasts of Trip
Inside This House

On the day of the orientation I called him and said,  “I’ll do it but I need to go alone.”  He agreed. So, orientation went well, I chose the “DJ Track” with its path to producing a show and set up my meetings with the production manager.  He assured me, once I started, I’d perhaps use only four buttons -tops, ever.  He was right!  I made a demo disc of my show for the station’s  Show Selection committee, along with play lists for four complete shows and a presentation package, too.  I got called about two and a half months later and was offered the Tuesday, 5am to 7am, time slot. I leaped.  That was nearly four years ago and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Click here to visit the Trip Inside This House Blog.

Let me also add… I’d been sending out the “-valis Pick of the Week” for close to six years prior to my own show to various other psychedelic-oriented radio show DJs who I knew and interacted with.  Then the blog, of the same name, continued and expanded the opportunity to create content exploring the genre.

What is the philosophy of the show?

Present the psychedelic genre as THE most creative and meaningful music ever recorded; from the original 1960s purveyors right up to the minute.

How do you view your role as host/producer?

Guide/Sherpa. To present as wide a scope of the genre as is possible each week given a two-hour format.

How does you show fit into KDHX’s programming?

I hope the show adds to the diversity of voice and perspective, not only for the local community but far far afield via the web site’s access to streaming audio.

When you aren’t doing your show, where can you be found?

Most of the time I’m down in my subterranean,  that’s “basement”, lab’/office space, on the computer or scanning and reading new and old magazines and books on psychedelic music.  I usually listen to around 40 hours of music a week and my shows reflect those listening habits, whether some new tidbit of trivia has excited me and I want to get that out there for listeners, or some great new band’s album has come across my Sennheisers.

In the evenings I spend that time with my wife, watching the sunset, talking, or listening to the St. Louis Cardinals.  That’s the greatest team in National League history to you. 11-time World Champions. 18-time N.L. pennant winners…

I am asking all my on air guest these same eight questions relating to records , so will ask you them as well.  Ready?

What is a record you have loved since you were a kid?

Their Satanic Majesties RequestDepends on what age “kid” stops, but a few of my first loves, record-wise are Diana Ross & The Supremes . I had an Aunt who played it for me all the time; the Rolling Stones Satanic Majesties, another Aunt had it when my Uncle left for Vietnam service, and as a single Sam The Sham’s “Woolly Bully” was a first love.

 

What is a record you haven’t heard from since high school?

Quite a lot of albums from this period come to mind as “I’ve not heard the entire thing since ____”, e.g., the self-titled Ted Nugent album; Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours;  most any AC/DC album and Van Halen’s first.   On the opposite side, there are quite a few I still listen to.

What is a record that always wants to have a good time?

The debut B-52s album, with “Planet Claire”, etc.

B-52's

What  is a record that is way to smart for you?

I guess any Radiohead. I just don’t get all the hullabaloo over the band or their records. Never have.

What is a record whose coolness you have tried to imitate?

Hmmm, perhaps Primal Scream’s Screamadelica.

Screamadelica

 

 

 

 

 

What is a record your other friend’s can’t stand?

Those people are not my friends.  That said, my wife can’t stand now – nor back when I’d actually play it, Planet P. I don’t play it anymore.

What is a record that helps you relax?

Passages, by Shankar & Glass

Passages, by Shankar & Glass

What is a record you are trying to the get the courage to listen to?

Unsure any such record exists.

Turn the tables, if you’d like, and ask me a question.

What album best sums up your 20’s?

Wow…I am going to say Big Soul by The Original Sins.  The band hailed from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and I was living in that area for most of my 20’s,  so maybe it is the shared water supply.  The album is a mix of loud and snotty combining and conflicting  with moody and introspective songs that are emotionally intense in sound and substance.  Yeah, that sums up ones 20’s

Trip Inside This House Tuesday 5am to 7am with Valis Hertel

Trip Inside This House Blog

Radio Knockouts

Look for a new blog only feature coming soon.  I will be profiling other hosts and producers of radio programs you can hear via this internet contraption.

With the rise of a mobile web, you no longer need to be plugged in to hear great shows around the world.  You no longer are reliant on your local media that gives you an illusion of choice.  It is the dawn of a new age in radio and it isn’t driven by a computer algorithm with no personality deliberately trying to ensnare your soul by deciphering  you into some kind of marketing demographic.

I hope to turn you on to some great hosts, great shows and great music and ideas.

Show 011: A Lazy Psychedelic Afternoon – Playlist And Archived Stream

This Monday’s Show (August 20th): Lie down in a field of brightly colored flowers below a bright yellow sun and an endless neon sky…or if you don’t live around any places like that just close your eyes and let your mind interact with the music and make something beautiful and maybe even a little strange.

Follow the Listen Up! Blog and/or “like” the show on Facebook . Both serve as an addendum and a means to interact with the program.

Playlist (Artist -Title- Album – Year of song)

Opening Theme

Man or Astroman – Maximum Radiation Level – Experiment Zero – 1996

Background Music

The Sounds of Nature – Birds Chirping

 Opal – My Only Friend – Early Recordings – 1989

The Brian Jonestown Massacre – All Around You (Into) – Their Satanic Majesties Other Request – 1996

The Doors – Indian Summer – Morrison Hotel – 1966

Tim Buckley – Phantasmagoria in Two –Goodbye and Hello – 1967

Faine Jade – People Games Play – Introspection: A Faine Jade Recital -1968

ANNOT RHÜL – Ghost Children (The Haunted Mansion Part II) – Lost In The Wood – 2007

Mud Pie Sun – Worrisummer – Wooden Circle – 2012

The Honey Pot – Sweet Orange Sunshine –  Trip Inside This House Present Summer Solstice Volume V – 2012

Pink Floyd – Grantchester Meadows – Ummagumma – 1969

Asteroid # 4 – My Love – These Flowers of Ours – 2008

Sand Pebbles – Entrance To Stream  (Will Carruthers Remix) – Dark Magic – 2011

Eden Ahbez – Full Moon – Eden’s Garden – 1960

Mercury Rev – Tonite It Shows – Deserter’s  Songs – 1998

The Monkees – Porpoise Song – Head – 1968

The Beatles – Long, Long, Long – The Beatles (White Album) – 1968

The 13th Floor Elevators – Splash 1 – The Psychedelic Sound Of The 13th Floor Elevators – 1966

The House of Fire – Crystal Gazing – The Morning Light – 2012

The Church – Locust – Block EP – 2005

The New Mystikal Troubadours – Morning High – The New Mystikal Troubadours III – 2011

Super Furry Animals – Gathering Moss – Fuzzy Logic – 2006

Cardinal – Silver Machines – Cardinal -2005

The Espers – Flaming Telepaths – The Weed Tree – 2005

The Hooterville Trolley – No Silver Bird – Beyond The Calico Wall – 1968

Background Music:  The Brian Jonestown Massacre – All Around You (Outro) – Their Satanic Majesties Other Request – 1996

 

Click on the Mixcloud button to hear the archived stream.

Show 010: Motor City is Burnin’ – Playlist and Archived Stream

This Monday’s Show (August 13th) Motor City Is Burnin’ and we are gonna get raw, rough, and messy as we feature the high energy rock sounds of Metro Detroit from the late 60’s and 70’s spitting out a healthy dose of anger, determination and attitude.

Follow the Listen Up! Blog and/or “like” the show on Facebook . Both serve as an addendum and a means to interact with the program.

Playlist (Artist -Title- Album – Year of song)

Opening Theme

Man or Astroman – Maximum Radiation Level – Experiment Zero – 1996

Background Music

THAT MOTOWN SOUND – 29 Detroit Instrumentals by Choker Campbell bands Earl Van Dyke

The  MC5 – Ramblin’ Rose – Kick out The Jams -1969

The Amboy Dukes – You Talk Sunshine, I Breathe Fire – Journey To The Center of The Mind -1968

Terry Knight and The Pack  – How Much More?  – The Pack Anthology: The Singles 1965-1968 – 1967

The Rationals – Guitar Army – Think Rational – 1969

Detroit – Rock  ‘n’ Roll – Detroit With Mitch Ryder – 1971

The Up – Together – Killer Up – 1970

Bob Seger and The Last Herd – Heavy Music (part 1) – Lost Jukebox – 1967

Frigid Pink – House of The Rising Sun – Frigid Pink – 1970

A Jack Van Impe Warning

The Stooges – I Wanna Be Your Dog – The Stooges – 1969

Savage Grace – All Along The Watch Tower – Savage Grace -1970

Alice Cooper  – Long Way To Go – Love It To Death – 1971

The Third Power – Persecution – Believe -1970

SRC – Black Sheep – SRC -1968

The Pleasure Seekers – What A Way To Die – What A Way To Die – 1966

Don and The Wanderers – On The Road – 1968

Southbound Freeway – Psychedelic Used Car Lot Blues – Michigan Nuggets – 1967

The Amboy Dukes – Journey To The Center of Your Mind – Journey To The Center of The Mind -1968

Frost – Rock and Roll Music – Rock and Roll Music – 1969

Ormandy – Good Day – Michigan Nuggets – 1970

The Underdogs – Love’s Gone Bad – Michigan Nuggets – 1967

The Woolies – Who Do You Love? – Michigan Nuggets – 1966

The Unrelated Segments – Story Of My Life – Nuggets – 1967

Tidal Waves – Farmer John – Michigan Nuggets – 1966

Flaming Ember – Gotta Get Away – Sunshine – 1967

The MC5 – Looking At You – Borderline – 1970

Sonics Rendezvous Band – Electrophonic Tonic – Motor City Is Burnin’ – 1977

Ascension – Get Ready –  Detroit Michigan 1972 – 1972

Wayne Kramer – Get Some – 1977

The Stooges – Down On The Street – Funhouse – 1970

Click on the Mixcloud button to hear the archived stream.

This ain’t no Pandora, this ain’t no Grooveshark…no Spotify, this ain’t no foolin’ around!

Over in the right hand column, you will see a list under the “Sites and Sounds” headline.  The list contains a number of radio stations and radio shows.  All of the  shows listed are programmed and hosted by REAL people.  Real Radio is not a  jukebox driven by a computer algorithm with no personality.

They are REAL people who care and love the music they are sharing and not a single one of them is deliberately trying  to ensnare your soul by deciphering  you into some kind of marketing demographic, so that you may be more handily squeezed.  Consider that when making your listening choices.

If you know of any shows/stations not listed, share them here. Your input is welcome.

Look for a more detailed editorial on this topic coming soon.

Show 009: August Au-Go-Go -Playlist and Archived Stream

This  Monday’s Show (August 6th) is August Au-Go-Go, unleashing an audio avalanche of crazy rock AND roll, garage rock, hopped up and drunk rockabilly, hillbilly horrors, raunchy soul, voodoo R & B, insane instrumentals and more. The wild, the weird and the wonderful mix it up for two hours of afternoon fun.

Follow the Listen Up! Blog and/or “like” the show on Facebook . Both serve as an addendum and a means to interact with the program.

Playlist (Artist -Title- Album – Year of song)

Opening Theme

Man or Astroman – Maximum Radiation Level – Experiment Zero – 1996

Background Music

The music of Vic Mizzy

The Sonics – Maintaining My Cool – Maintaining My Cool – 1966

Electric Prunes – Never Had It Better – Underground – 1967

The Alarm Clocks – No Reason To Complain –  Yeah!: Savage  Ohio Garage Raunch – 1966

Faron Young – I’m Gonna Live Some Before I Die – Live Fast, Love Hard: Original Capitol Recordings – 1956

Nervous Norvus – Dig – Transfusion/Dig – 1956

Roscoe Gordon – Let’s Get High – Let’s Get High: The Man About Music From Memphis –  195?

Lovin’ Spoonful – Pow! – What’s Up Tiger Lily – 1966

The Devils – Devil Dance – 196?

Brice Coefield – Cha Cha Twist – Cha Cha Twist / Tempted – 1960

Don Gardner – My Baby Likes To Boogaloo – Shakin’ Fit – 1967

Hoodoo Gurus – Like Wow, Wipeout – Mars Need Guitars – 1985

Ann Margret – 13 Men – The Vivacious One -1962

Elvis Presley – Adam and Evil – Spinout  -1966

The Cramps – Like A Bad Girl Should – Big Beat From Badsville -1997

Radio Stars – Dirty Pictures – Submarine Tracks & Fool’s Gold -1977

Frankie Laine – Jezebel –  Greatest Hits – 1951

Annette Funicello – Don’t Stop Now  – Beach Party -1963

Thee Headcoatees – Fish Pie – We Got 7 Inches, But We Wanted Twelve! -1992

Little Phil and The Night Shadows – Sixty Second Swinger –  Sixty Second Swinger / In the Air -1966

Ike and Tina Turner – Contact High – Come Together – 1970

The Standells – Medication – The Very Best of The Standells – 1966

The Sorrows – You Got What I Want – Take a Heart -1965

Nick Lowe – Truth Drug –  Keep It Out Of Sight /Truth Drug – 1976

The Wailers – Hung Up –Wailers Wailers Everywhere – 1965

Allen Toussaint – Java – The Wild Sound of New Orleans -1958

Slim Gaillard – Potato Chips – Laughing In Rhythm -1952

Little Milton – Grits Ain’t Groceries – Grits Ain’t Groceries -1969

Dave Clark Five – Concentration Baby – The History of the Dave Clark Five -1967

Eddie Noack – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – Hillbilly Boogie  -1949

Freddie Hart – Snatch It and Grab It – Whistle Bait: 25 Rockabilly Rave-Ups -1956

Jack Donovan and the Knight Cap – Time Machine – Big Itch Vol. 8 – 195?

Gene Dunlap – Made In The Shade – ’50s Rockabilly Pioneers Vol. 2 – 1958

The Shy Ones – 12 Months Later – How Strong My Love Is / 12 Months Later  -1967

The Troggs – You Can’t Beat It – Archeology (1967-1977) – 1966

DMZ – When I Get Off – Relics – 1976

Chocolate Watch Band – Don’t Need Your Lovin’ – The Best of The Chocolate Watch Band – 1967

The Animals – Outcast – Animalisms – 1966

The Breakers – Don’t Send Me No Flowers – Pebbles,  Vol. 12 – 1965

Teenage Head – You’re Tearing Me Apart – Teenage Head – 1979

Steppenwolf – Faster Than The Speed of Life – The Second – 1968

Click on the Mixcloud button to hear the archived stream.

Show 008: The Key to Science is Prog Rock – Playlist and Archived Stream

This Monday’s Show (July 30th) found the program dusting off recordings that fall into the category of Prog Rock. Lots of windswept guitar histrionics, gushing keyboards, lyrics full of mystical allusions and song and album titles bearing no relation to the music and almost as long as the music itself! Streaming live From 2pm 4pm EST.

Follow the Listen Up! Blog and/or “like” the show on Facebook . Both serve as an addendum and a means to interact with the program.

Playlist (Artist -Title- Album – Year of song)

Opening Theme

Man or Astroman – Maximum Radiation Level – Experiment Zero – 1996

Background Music

Suspiria: The Complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack performed by Goblin

Gong – You Never Blow Yr Trip Forever – You – 1974

Caravan – Water Wine – In The Land of Grey and Pink – 1971

Genesis – Firth of Fifth – Selling England By The Pound – 1973

Chris Squire – Hold Out Your Hand – Fish Out Of Water – 1975

Khan – Space Shanty – Space Shanty – 1972

Renaissance – Mother Russia – Turn Of The Cards – 1974

King Crimson – Cirkus – Lizard – 1970

Van Der Graaf Generator – Killer – H To He Who Am The Only One – 1970

Matching Mole – O’ Caroline – Matching Mole – 1972

Gentle Giant – Experience – In A Glass House – 1973

Nektar – Desolation Valley/Waves – A Tab In The Ocean -1972

Premiata Forneria Marconi – E’ Festa – Storia di un Minuto -1972

Le Orme – Una Delecezza Nuovo – Uomo Di Pezza – 1972

Camel – Another Night – Moonmadness – 1976

Click on the Mixcloud button to hear the archived stream.

Show 007: Insert Subconscious Title Of Choice Here – Playlist and Archived Stream

This Monday’s show (July 23rd) is an intoxicating blend of music filled with tributes to those in the music world who have recently departed (Jon Lord, Kitty Wells, Lol Coxhill, Bob Babbitt), some swell now and new sounds, lost gems of yesterday and whatever other tunes accumulate in the hallways of the Listen Up! labyrinth.

Follow the Listen Up! Blog and/or “like” the show on Facebook . Both serve as an addendum and a means to interact with the program.

Playlist (Artist -Title- Album – Year of song) 

Opening Theme

Man or Astroman  –  Maximum Radiation Level  – Experiment Zero – 1996

Background Music

The Space Negros Do Generic Ethnic Muzak Versions of All Your Favorite Punk/Psychedelic Songs From the Sixties

Santa Barbara Machine Head – Rubber Monkey – Blues Anytime Vol  3. – 1968

Deep Purple – Lazy – Machine Head – 1971

The Temptations  – Ball of Confusion – Greatest Hits Vol 2. – 1970

Kitty Wells – It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels – Kitty Wells Golden Favorites – 1952

Kevin Ayers – May I? – Shooting At The Moon – 1970

The Damned –  Creep  (You Can’t Fool Me) – Music For Pleasure – 1977

Pink Floyd – Candy and a Currant Bun – Arnold Layne/Candy and a Currant Bun – 1967

The Flaming Lips – I’m Working at NASA on Acid (featuring Lightning Bolt) – The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends – 2012

The Impossible Years – Attraction Gear – Battle of the Garages, Vol. II: America’s Psychedelic Underground – 1984

Father John Misty – Hollywood Forever Cemetery – Fear Fun – 2012

King Tuff – Unusual World – King Tuff – 2012

Comet Gain – The Ecstatic Library – Howl Of The Lonely Crowd – 2011

Dan Kibler – Never Good News – Dan Kibler – 2012

David Neil (Steve Kilbey & Ricky Maymi) – Looking For Myself – The Wilderness Years – 2011

Teenage Fanclub – Planets – Songs from Northern Britain – 1997

The Byrds – Triad – The Notorious Byrd Brothers (Reissue Bonus Track) – 1968

Big Star – Kangaroo – Third/Sister Lovers – 1974

Terry Adams – A Girl Who Loves The Stooges – rhythm spell – 2007

The Kinks – Animal Farm – The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society – 1968

Bob Dylan – I’ll Keep It With Mine – Biograph – 1965

John Cale – Andalucia – Paris 1919 – 1973

Sixto Rodriguez – Crucify Your Mind – Cold Fact – 1970

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians – My Wife and My Dead Wife – Gotta Let This Hen Out! – 1985

Abby Travis – Rosetta – IV – 2012

Blondie  – Shayla – Eat To The Beat – 1979

Lou Reed – Perfect Day – Transformer – 1972

Cleaners From Venus – Illy Kuryakin Looked At Me – Living With Victoria Grey -1986

Click on the Mixcloud button to hear the archived stream.

Show 006: If You Can’t Beatle Them, Join Them – Playlist and Archived Stream

This week’s show (July 16th), is “If You Can’t Beatle them, Join Them” as we crisscross geography and time and play songs that sound a lot like The Beatles…but they aren’t. It isn’t Meet The Beatles, it is Repeat The Beatles.

Follow the Listen Up! Blog and/or “like” the show on Facebook . Both serve as an addendum and a means to interact with the program.

Playlist (Artist -Title- Album – Year of song) (Geographic Origin)

Opening Theme

Man or Astroman  –  Maximum Radiation Level  – Experiment Zero – 1996

Background Music

Yellow Submarine film instrumental music

The Bee Gees – In My Own Time – Bee Gee’s 1st – 1967 (Australia)

Ronnie Burns – Coalman – Sixties Down Under – 1967 (Australia)

Bjorn & Benni, Agnetha &  Anni-Frid (ABBA)  –  Santa Rosa – He Is Your Brother/Santa Rosa  – 1972 (Sweden)

Czerwone Gitary – Nie Zadzieraj Nosa – To Walsnie My – 1966 (Poland)

Los Shakers – Rompan Todo – Los Shakers – 1966 (Uruguay)

Utopia – I Just Want To Touch You – Deface The Music – 1980 (New York, USA)

The Kaisers – No Other Guy – Shake Me – 2002 (Scotland)

Peter Berry & The Shake Set – Alright – For Goodness Shake – 2007 (Norway)

Guess Who – Till We Kissed – Shakin’ All Over – 1965 (Canada)

The Sneetches – Love Comes My Way – 1985-1991 – 1989 (California, USA)

The Raspberries – Nobody Knows – Fresh – 1972 (Ohio, USA)

The Spongetones – Now Your Gone – Torn Apart – 1984 (North Carolina, USA)

The Db’s – From a Window To A Screen – Repercussions – 1982 (North Carolina, USA)

NRBQ – A Better Word For Love – Message For The Mess Age – 1994 (New York, USA)

Badfinger – Know One Knows – Wish You Were Here – 1974 (Wales)

Squire – No Time Tomorrow – The Singles Album – 1982  (England)

Chemical Brothers – Let Forever Be – Surrender – 2003 (England)

Justin Heathcliff – You Know What I Mean – Love, Peace & Poetry, Asian Psychedelic Music – 1971 (Japan)

Jim Boggia – Peter Pan – Fidelity Is The Enemy – 2001 (Pennsylvania, USA)

World Party – She’s The One – Egyptology – 1997 (England)

Aerovons – World Of You – Aerovons – 1969 (Missouri, USA)

Lazy Smoke – There Was A Time – Corridor of Faces – 1969 (Massachusetts, USA)

Jade – Wait Till I Come Home – Faces Of Jade – 1970 (Ohio, USA)

Ellie Pop – Sometime Ago – Ellie Pop – 1968 (Michigan, USA)

Sleepy Hollow – Sincerely Yours – Sleepy Hollow – 1972 (Pennsylvania, USA)

The Gants – I Wonder – Nuggets – 1967 (Mississippi, USA)

The Knack – That’s What The Little Girls Do – Get The Knack – 1979 (California, USA)

The Flamin’ Groovies – Please Please Girl – Shake Some Action – 1976 (California, USA)

The Poppees – Jealousy – Jealousy/She’s Got It – 1985 (New York, USA)

The Beagles – Sharing Wishes – Meet The Beagles (Cartoonland, USA)

The Dukes of Stratosphere – The Mole From The Ministry – 25 O’Clock – 1985 (England)

The Gurus – Big Sea – Big Sea – 2003 (Spain)

Klaatu – Sub – Rose Subway – 3:47 EST – 1976 (Canada)

The Rutles – I Must Be In Love – The Rutles – 1978 (England)

Click on the Mixcloud button to hear the archived stream.