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 Don't Wanna Dream Anymore

Sharp Pins - I Could Find Out

The Darts (U.S.) - Apocalypse

Drugs In Sport - Cooked

The Arcs - She's Just That Kind of Girl

Bellvie - Feels So Far Away

The Primitives - Way Behind Me