The Hook in the Hurt: Pop Rocks Radio Ep. 55

The Hook in the Hurt: Pop Rocks Radio Ep. 55

Author: Pop Rocks Radio September 10, 2025 Duration: 1:12:41

This week, Pop Rocks Radio takes it to Times Square — our Movie of the Week. Allan Moyle’s 1980 cult classic follows two girls who find their voices in the grit and chaos of New York. It’s messy, uneven, and unforgettable — just the way we like it!

We’re also featuring the brilliant Tamar Berk, tracing her journey from the Starball days through her solo work, and closing with a brand-new track from her latest album, OCD. Tamar’s music is equal parts jagged poetry and irresistible hooks.

🔗 Links:

https://tamarberkmusic.com/

https://tamarberk.bandcamp.com/

https://indivisible.org/

https://substack.com/@swlauden

Playlist:

The Chelsea Curve - Never Come Down

Fastbacks - My Letters

Smokey Brights - All in Who You Know

Shannon & The Clams - The Moon Is In The Wrong Place

PONY - Somebody Kill Me Please

PONY - Chokecherry

Starball - Say About Me

Tamar Berk - Over and Done

Tamar Berk - Better off Meditating

Tamar Berk - Dandelions in My Flowerbed

Tamar Berk - Chicago

Tamar Berk - i'm in the day after

The Cords - Fabulist

Radhika - Future Me

The Anti Groupies - Not My Problem

The Hellflowers - Spanish Bombs

Hunx & His Punx - Wild Boys

Momma - I Want You (Fever)

The Shivvers - Remember Tonight

👉 Listen now: listen.poprocksradio.com

💛 Share it, support it, and as always: Be good. Be weird.


Tune into Pop Rocks Radio for a journey through the sounds that often fly under the radar. This isn't a lecture from a critic; it's a shared passion project from someone who genuinely loves digging through crates and hitting play. The host's personal collection fuels every episode, celebrating the crunchy guitars of power pop, the raw energy of punk, the lo-fi charm of garage, and the spirit of indie. Think of each installment as a carefully crafted, slightly offbeat mixtape passed from one fan to another, designed purely to spark your curiosity and maybe introduce you to a new favorite band. The whole point of this podcast is to channel that excitement directly back to the artists themselves. So if a song grabs you, you're encouraged to seek it out and support the musicians who made it. The show itself is a labor of love, and if you find value in these sonic explorations, there are simple ways to offer a tip for a coffee or directly through certain podcast apps. At its heart, Pop Rocks Radio is a personal invitation to discover the vibrant music thriving just outside the mainstream, hosted by a guide who’s as enthusiastic about sharing it as you hopefully are about hearing it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 59

Pop Rocks Radio
Podcast Episodes
What Would Stiv Bators Do? Tales from the Swanky Modesverse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:10
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.…
Pee-Wee, Power Pop, and the Fabulous Sounds of the Pacific Northwest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:34
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 i…
Vampires, Ghosts, and the Metric System: Pop Rocks Radio - Episode 46 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:31
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…
Hooked on Nikki, Hunted by Lovedolls – Pop Rocks Radio Ep. 45 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:24
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 f…
Iggy Pop, Repo Man & Power Pop in the Wild – Pop Rocks Radio Ep. 44 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:05
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…
Pop Rocks Radio - Episode 43 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:43
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, Hoodo…
Pop Rocks Radio - Episode 42 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:48
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, Th…
Pop Rocks Radio - Episode 41 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:49
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…
Pop Rocks Radio - Episode 40 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:21
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…
Big Hooks, Bigger Future with Ainsley Costello! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:02
🎧 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,…