About this episode

The episode explores the impact of rock music on culture through the lens of the animated film Rock & Rule and features Paul Collins discussing his contributions to power pop.

There was a moment not that long ago when rock ’n’ roll didn’t just soundtrack reality. It tried to change it. This week’s Movie of the Week is Rock & Rule (1983), the strange, ambitious animated rock opera that emerged from a time when music still felt mythic, dangerous, and world-altering. We’re also kicking off a new featured-artist arc focused on the members of The Nerves — beginning with Paul Collins. From power pop urgency to post-punk polish, Collins helped define a sound that still echoes through indie rock today. Plus a clip from the legendary Greg Shaw of Bomp! Records...and plenty of melodic noise from the margins. New year. Same mission. Digging deep into cult cinema, power pop history, and the music that refuses to disappear. Be good. Be weird. Today's tracks: The Leopards - Block Party The Voltz - Over and Done Kim Theory - Child Star Teenybopper The Webstirs - King of Distortion Joe Glass - Freight Train Woman Joint Pains - Everything Considered The Goods - Back to You The Vandalias - Buzzbomb! The Go-Go's - Turn to You Paul Collins Beat : Rock N Roll Girl That's What Life Is All About I Still Want You Paul Collins: Kind of Girl All Eyes to See Uni Boys - I…

More episodes of Pop Rocks Radio

• From The Nerves to the Badlands: Jack Lee & Dudes (1987) · March 5, 2026 · 1h 13m
• Mistress of the Mixtape · October 8, 2025 · 1h 20m
• Talk Hard. Steal the Air. · September 17, 2025 · 1h 18m
• The Hook in the Hurt: Pop Rocks Radio Ep. 55 · September 10, 2025 · 1h 13m
• We Don’t Put Out (We Do Turn Up) · August 27, 2025 · 1h 20m
• Dom Mariani: Never Done · August 22, 2025 · 1h 3m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Pop Rocks Radio podcast page.