Pop Rocks Radio

Lace up your Beatle boots and follow the fuzzed-out trail back to one of music’s strangest, most beautiful dead ends...This week we slip sideways into The Paisley Underground — the dreamlike LA scene where ’60s psychedelia collided with ’80s attitude, creating some of the most shimmering, jangled, and criminally overlooked sounds in underground rock.Movie of the Week: The ‘Burbs (1989)Dim the lights. Some neighborhoods were never meant to feel safe...Links:Bomp! RecordsGirls Rock Camp AllianceThe Numbers by Mathew StreetTodays Tracks:Tommy Keene- Carrie AnneYoung Fresh Fellows- Two LivesThe Numbers- She Is EverythingThe Peppermint Kicks- Too Sweet (Oh Yeah!)The Barracudas- Somewhere OutsideThe Jimmy C- Start All OverThe Gypsy Moths- And You Know I DoEric Barlow- BurnThe Three O'Clock- Stupid EinsteinRain Parade- What's She Done To Your MindThe Bangles- Talking in My SleepOpal- Fell From The SunThe Long Ryders- Lights of DowntownThe Dream Syndicate- Drinking ProblemGreen On Red- That's What DreamsTime Thieves- Stare at the SunEdward Sillinsky Implosion- A Dream Ain't Perfect65MPH- Didn't You Know?The Scientists- Frantic RomanticSeventh Saint- I'd Do Anything to See You Once AgainDrugs In Sport- Gravitational CrushThe Sugar Beats- Beat To My HeartThe Martial Arts- Empty out Here (Single Version)Dan Murphy & High on Stress- TetheredDennis Schocket & Cliff Hillis- Violet Blue

We’re back with Episode 51! Season 2 kicks off with a full tank of fuzzed-out guitars, melodic hooks, and cult movie mayhem.This week’s featured artist is Dom Mariani—power pop icon and garage-rock lifer behind The Stems, DM3, Datura4, and more. We trace his musical trail from Perth, spinning tracks across decades and projects.Our Movie of the Week is Garage Days (2002)—a messy, heartfelt ode to underdog bands chasing the dream one grimy gig at a time.Plus: brand-new jams from Sharkeologist, Beta Trip, and Hotel Saturn, classic cuts from The Friggs and Artful Dodger, and a few weird gems you’ll be humming for days.Be good. Be weird. And welcome back to Pop Rocks Radio!🔗 Links:Bomp! RecordsRazor CakeRemember the LightningBig Stir RecordsToday's Tracks:Lolas- Underneath the WavesSharkeologist- Forget About ItAcapulco Lips- Slowly DisappearingThe Spongetones- Help Me JanieJosephine Network- Static WallsColor TV- Anybody's GirlThe Stems- The OthersideThe Someloves- Know You NowDM3- Second Floor (Jeff Murphy Mix)Dom Mariani- At Full SpeedDatura4- Get OutThe Stems- Get So BadDom Mariani- Apple Of LifeThe Kowalskis- Oh Dee DeeThe Friggs- ShakeHotel Saturn- Can't Be Wrong This Time (IPO Vol. 25 mix)Monogroove- Hello EveryoneBeauty- DaisyBeta Trip- JulietNahuel Pisano- Birds In the NightThe Memos- Born AgainDeadlights- Running WildArtful Dodger- Remember

We made it to Episode 50 — so of course we blew up the school. For our season finale, we’re celebrating Rock ’n’ Roll High School — the 1979 cult classic where teenage rebellion comes with blow-up dolls, exploding mice, and the Ramones..We also have tracks from The Coolies, Sharkeologist, HAIM, and so much more. Plus: a shoutout to Kim Shattuck, a track from Joey Ramone’s solo album, a nod to the Paley Brothers, and one final burst of noise before we close the book on Season One.Blow off your homework and join us. Gabba Gabba Hey. 🎓💥🔗 Links:Bomp! RecordsWicked Cool RecordsFind Your Local Record Store!🎧 Today's Tracks:The Dogmatics- You’ve Got What I WantRon Flynt- 3rd Street Girl Sharkeologist- Told You SoThe Blusterfields- Be Your ManSloan- You Don't Need Excuses to Be GoodJoey Ramone- Maria BartiromoNick Lowe- Raging EyesPaley Brothers- EcstasyEddie & The Hot Rods- Quit This TownSoraia- Alright OKThe Replacements- Shiftless When IdleBikini Kill- Rebel GirlHAIM- Take me backGreg Pope- FanboyThe Coolies- Bad Bad BoySharp Pins- Every Time I HearNo Tears- Echo In My HeadThe Beths- Dying to BelieveTombstones in Their Eyes- I Am ColdErik Voeks & The Ghosters- Hazy MazeAdam Schmitt- Looking for Fate

Love in the food court. Heartbreak on the Sunset Strip. This week, we honor Valley Girl (1983)—the film, the myth, the neon-drenched fever dream—and the bands that made it shimmer.We’ve got Josie Cotton, The Plimsouls, Sparks, Bonnie Hayes, and some present-day weirdos keeping the eyeliner spirit alive.Come for the mall music. Stay for the dive bar dreams. And maybe cry a little in the parking lot.🔗. Links:Bomp! RecordsBig Stir RecordsS.W. Lauden on SubstackAustin Pets Alive!World Central Kitchen🎧 Today's Tracks:The Jive- Heart O' GoldSteve Allen- In + Out of the LightThe Cle Elum- Something In The WaterEarth Quake- Fever DreamPowerslide- PrimadonnaJosie Cotton- Everything Is Oh YeahSparks- Nothing Is As Good As They Say It IsBonnie Hayes- Still WildThe Plimsouls- 12 O'Clock MidnightThe Chelsea Curve- KindawannaBeauty- Acid Baby GirlPopsicko- No Better TimeHobsons Bay Coast Guard- MonsoonTHE ROOKS- MaybePeter Holsapple- FirefliesThe Beths- No JoyThe Meanies- ZamboniThe Callbirds- Love Leftover (Radio Mix)The Airport 77s- Don't Let Go

This week, we’re going full VHS cult chaos with a tribute to the 1988 film Tapeheads—a weird, wonderful satire about two misfit video-makers on a mission to resurrect their favorite forgotten soul duo, the Swanky Modes. If you’ve ever fallen in love with a band no one else seems to remember, this movie (and this episode) is for you.Also featuring music from Bacci Pouch, Tamar Berk, Geoff Palmer, Yee Loi, our featured artist, Stiv Bators, and more—and of course, no episode would be complete without a song by my favorite band, 20/20.🔗 Links:Bomp RecordsBig Stir RecordsToday's Tracks:bacci pouch- Running Around20/20- When The Sun Goes DownYee Loi- Poor GirlGeoff Palmer- BYE BYE BABYSloan- Live ForeverHard-Ons- What Would Stiv Bators DoDead Boys- Flame Thrower LoveStiv Bators- It's Cold OutsideLords of the New Church- Livin' On Livin'Stiv Bators- Not That Way AnymoreBarracudas- Middle Class BluesNearly Skulls- Only In AmericaThe Possibilities- You Don't Mean ItMarshall Crenshaw- Television LightSplitsville- A Glorious LieThe dB's- Amplifier (2024 Remaster)Cosmo Topper- For... The Time BeingMyracle Brah- Action ReactionTamar Berk- Tragic EndingsThe Rallies- Love

This week on Pop Rocks Radio, we’re celebrating Scott McCaughey with music from Young Fresh Fellows and The Minus 5, plus we've got tracks from R.E.M., SEXFACES, Mustard Service, and more — delivering a sonic ride from indie rock to punk to pure pop. 🌟Our Movie of the Week is the 1987 classic Back to the Beach 🎬 . Pee-Wee Herman and Stevie Ray Vaughan in the same movie? Where do I sign???Thanks for listening!🔗 Links:Bomp RecordsBig Stir RecordsLive on KEXPToday's Tracks:Jesika Von Rabbit- Go Back to L.A.20/20- Backyard GuysSEXFACES- FEED MACHINEMustard Service- Going NowhereKathy Valentine- We Don't Get Along (feat. Rhett Miller)R.E.M.- Living Well Is the Best RevengeYoung Fresh Fellows- This Little MysteryYoung Fresh Fellows- How Much About Last Night Do You Remember?The Minus 5- In the GroundThe Minus 5- We Shall Not Be ReleasedHayley and the Crushers- UnsubscribeThe Replacements- Lay It Down ClownTestors- Let's Get Zooed Out (1977)Peter Baldrachi- Sometimes I Just Gotta Get AwayBarry Walsh- Suddenly JuneYou Am I- Cathy's ClownThe Last- Looking At YouSplitsville- Beth SteelThe Autumn Hearts- Mr SunshineBrian Wilson- Melt Away

Buckle up for Pop Rocks Radio Episode 46, where power pop, punk, and indie collide in a glorious mix of unapologetic weirdness. We’re also diving into The Spirit of '76, a film about the beautiful, chaotic, colorful mess that was the 1970s. Our featured artist this week is Redd Kross – a band as whimsical as it is genre-defying, consistently delivering offbeat, timeless rock that never fails to surprise and delight.This episode has it all: ghosts, vampires, Pop Rocks (the non-radio one), and the metric system—because why not?🎥 Movie of the Week: The Spirit of '76🎙️ Today's Tracks:Yee Loi- Ghost Of Vegas20/20- Fast Car (Remix Version)Muck & the Mires- Because of YouHutchie- The Summer Your Dog DiedThe Bablers- One Of Those DreamsThe Jive- Shoulda Known BetterThe ChrisVandalay Project- This Modern AgeDrugs In Sport- Frequently SidewaysThe Jack Knives- Heartbreak QueenBroadway Calls- Back to OregonThe Bouncing Souls- UnitedRedd Kross- Annette's Got the HitsRedd Kross- Blow You a Kiss in the WindRedd Kross- Shonen KnifeRedd Kross- Vanity MirrorRedd Kross- Dracula's DaughtersDavey Lane- Never Ever Comin' Back AgainCosmo Topper- For... The Time BeingNelson Bragg- Forever Days

Episode 45 is live and packed with bubblegum grit, garage snarl, and power pop perfection with new tracks from The Grogans, Davey Lane, The Minus 5, and more. And, of course, no episode would be complete without a song from my favorite band, 20/20.Our featured artist is the one and only Nikki Corvette, whose sugar-rush punk still echoes through speakers 45 years later. And our movie this week is the cult chaos of Desperate Teenage Lovedolls — a punk rock cautionary tale with a body count.Movie of the Week: Desperate Teenage Lovedolls🔗 Links:Bomp! RecordsBig Stir RecordsOur YouTube ChannelPunk Rock Saves LivesToday's Tracks:The Grogans - Social Cue20/20 - Nuclear BoyThe Beaches - Did I Say Too MuchThe Mayflies USA - Calling The Bad Ones HomeStrangers In A Strange Land - World In ActionThe Stems - Sad GirlDavey Lane - Over, Over & OutLiquid Mike - Groucho MarxThe Airport 77s - Make 'Em Pay (Don't Make it Easy)Strange Neighbors - Beer at the BarRadio Birdman - Anglo Girl DesireBad Religion - New AmericaNikki & The Corvettes - You're the OneNikki & The Corvettes - Girls Like MeThe Courettes - California (feat. La La Brooks)Bleached - Keep on Keepin' OnThe Minus 5 - Words & BirdsGigolo Aunts - BloomLone Justice - Sweet, Sweet Baby (I'm Falling)

What do Rodney Bingenheimer, Circle Jerks, and an alien-powered Chevy have in common? Repo Man (1984), of course — our Tuesday Movie of the Week (on Wednesday). Episode 44 is your favorite weirdo mixtape with tracks from Iggy Pop, The Spongetones, The Tearaways, and more. And no episode would be complete without a song by my favorite band, 20/20.Enjoy the show? Consider supporting us on Ko-fi!Thanks for listening!🎥 Movie of the Week:Repo Man (1984)🔗 Links:Bomp! RecordsBig Stir RecordsARealLulu on TikTokMusiCaresToday's Tracks:Les Lullies - A L'Etroit20/20 - Watching the Headlights BurnThe Tearaways - Married and SingleScott Riley - Bring On TomorrowThe Real Kids - My Baby's BookIggy Pop - Cold MetalIggy Pop & James Williamson - Kill CityMoonroof - 2 AMTime Thieves - Cover My EarsLime Spiders - Out of ControlEven - 24 Hour CynicLunison - Shelly's RoomThe Voltz - New FacesBugs Tomorrow - SummercampCosmo Topper - Just Say KnowThe Spongetones - Lulu's In LoveThe Connection - Crawling from the Wreckage of a Saturday NightYours & Mine - I'm Not Ready to GoMuzzle - Obvious

Welcome to another episode of Pop Rocks Radio! I'm your host, Bijan. Hard to believe we can fit so much goodness into just over an hour — but we did it! This week, we've got killer tracks from The Beths, The Muffs, Hoodoo Gurus, Linkwells, and more.Our featured artist is L.A. music scene mainstay Morley Bartnoff, and we’re spinning songs from his work with Cosmo Topper, Burning Sensations, and Dramarama. And yes — no episode is complete without a track from my favorite band, 20/20.If you are able, please consider supporting Women Who Rock and their incredible work promoting women in music, health, and empowerment.Also — if you’re not already doing so, try listening on Fountain where you can support the show directly by sending boosts. And don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for more music content and extras.Thanks for listening and supporting the show!Movie of the Week:Thunder Alley (1985)Links:Bomp! RecordsBig Stir RecordsToday's Tracks:Motorbike – Quite Nice20/20 – We Can FlyThe Beths – MetalShannon & The Clams – Wax & StringHammerbox – TripThe Muffs – Saying GoodbyeMovieland – Just a SecondMilkMaiden – King for a DayCosmo Topper – The Law of AttractionBurning Sensations – Belly of the WhaleDramarama – What’s Your Sign?Linkwells – For The First TimeThe Greenberry Woods – ParachuteTsar – I Don’t Wanna Break-UpCrossword Smiles – Falling All Over MyselfMonkeyCat – No SenseHoodoo Gurus – My GirlThe Churchills – Everybody Gets What They Deserve

Welcome and thanks for joining us here on Pop Rocks Radio!  As always, I am your host, Bijan.  As I hope you've come to expect, we have some great music for you today with tracks from The Alarm, Taxi Girls, The Minus 5, The Bangles, The Stems, and so much more!  And of course, no episode would be complete without a song by my favorite band, 20/20. Thanks for listening and supporting the show!  And check out our YouTube channel, as well! Movie of the Week: The Alarm - Spirit of '86   Links: Bomp! Records Big Stir Records   Today's Tracks: Greg Antista and the Lonely Streets – Black and Blue 20/20 – Solid Ground Nelson Bragg – We’re Gonna Laugh About It Taxi Girls – The Lion’s Share Rinehearts – Powerlines The Alarm – Marching On The Bangles – September Gurls Susanna Hoffs – Under a Cloud Susanna Hoffs & Matthew Sweet – She May Call You Up Tonight Matthew Sweet – Stars Explode Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill - Downtown The Minus 5 – Let the Rope Hold, Cassie Lee The Runaways – American Nights The Boys – Terminal Love The Dickies – (I’m Stuck In a Pagoda With) Tritia Toyota Ty Segall – Possession The Stems – Under Your Mushroom The Cowsills – Some Good Years

Welcome back to Pop Rocks Radio!  Today we have an embarrassment of riches for you with music from Hollow Horse, The Briefs, Matthew Sweet, Hot Nun, and so much more.  And, of course, no episode would be complete without a song by my favorite band, 20/20! Thanks for listening and supporting the show!  And check out our YouTube channel, as well! Movie of the Week: Boom: A Film About The Sonics Links: Bomp! Records Big Stir Records Today's Tracks: The Briefs – Mary Ann 20/20 – Lucky Heart Matthew Sweet – Sick of Myself Scott Riley – Garden Path My Raining Stars – For Good The Sonics - Strychnine The Dentists – I Had an Excellent Dream The Rubinoos - Phaedra Hollow Horse – I Died For You Once Hot Nun – Back of the Van Black Diamond Heavies – Solid Gold Richard Barone – Where the Truth Lies The Bongos – The Bulrushes The Bongos – In The Congo Wyatt Funderburk – If I Ever Wanted Easier Perilous – Dear Heart Waxahatchee - Crowbar GospelbeacH – Hangin’ On The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Pen & Paper Jude Cole – Worlds Apart

My friends and neighbors, welcome back to Pop Rocks Radio!  Hope you enjoyed our first bonus episode with my interview with Ainsley Costello!  We are back to business as usual today with awesome music from The Stems, Sugar Bones, Nikki & The Corvettes, The Wigs, Ainsley Costello, and so much more.  And, of course, no episode would be complete without a song by my favorite band, 20/20! Thanks for listening and supporting the show!  And check out our YouTube channel, as well! Movie of the Week: Stiv: No Compromise, No Regrets Links: Bomp! Records Big Stir Records Today's Tracks: The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs – Long Haul 20/20 – The Night I Heard a Scream Lines of Drift – Feel Bad Hit of the Winter Buddy Wynkoop - Zugzwang The Wigs – I Can See It Now The Wanderers – Ready To Snap Bunch of Ace – No Trouble Fountains of Wayne – The Valley of Malls Nikki & The Corvettes – Just What I Need The All-American Rejects – Dirty Little Secret Ainsley Costello – Exless Sugar Bones – Everything You Know The Everythings – Non Essential The Plimsouls – Playing With Jack Hotel Saturn – Just The Way Jody and the Jerms - Severance The Stems – Deep Freeze Danny Wilkerson – Enough for Somebody Cotton Mather - Password

🎧 Episode Description: At just 21, Ainsley Costello is already crafting some of the most emotionally resonant and hook-laden songs in the indie scene. With a sound that blends confessional songwriting, polished pop rock, and power pop sparkle, she’s not just “one to watch” — she’s one you need to hear right now. In this episode, Ainsley joins us for a candid and fun conversation about her creative process, how she balances vulnerability with songwriting craft, and why Exless — her upcoming album, dropping May 9 — is set to be a defining moment in her fast-rising career. 💥 If you love killer hooks, honest lyrics, and artists who are already blazing their own trail, this one’s for you. 🔗 Follow Ainsley Costello: 🎧 Wavlake: https://www.wavlake.com/ainsley-costello 🌐 Website: https://ainsleycostello.com/home 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ainsleycostello_official/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ainsleycostelloofficial 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3bUYu6ZgtImljj9FBrnTmF 🍏 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ainsley-costello/1490902850 📩 Like what you hear? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow music lover — especially one who still believes in great songs and great songwriting.

Happy Spring everyone, and welcome back to Pop Rocks Radio!  I'm hoping this finds you all well, and if not, I hope the glory that is what we have for you today will cheer you right up!  We've got tracks today from The Jellybricks, Julez and the Rollerz, Gary Kaluza, The Strokes, Ainsley Costello, and so much more.  And, of course, no episode would be complete without a song by my favorite band, 20/20! Thanks for listening and supporting the show!  And check out our YouTube channel, as well! Movie of the Week: The US Festival 1982: The US Generation Documentary Links: Extreme Rare Vinyl: Matthew Street on The Numbers Bomp! Records Big Stir Records Today's Tracks: Prima Donna - Demoted 20/20 – Spark Julez and the Rollerz – Call Me Up Gary Kaluza – I Like How That Sounds Poppyheads – All I Want The Strokes – Barely Legal Melina Blanco – Siren Song The Jellybricks – Corner of My Eye The Jellybricks – Dreaming In Stereo Pyramidiacs – Tuesday’s Girl Ainsley Costello – Rescued SOFTJAW – Undercover Lover Big Midnight – Doin’ All Right The Pandoras – It Just Ain’t True The Muffs – Sad Tomorrow Silver Sun – Julia Brendan Benson – Cold Hands (Warm Heart)