Music Raygun

After some time off for social distancing, the boys are back, sort of. Paul and Kirk are recording from their respective homes to bring you an extra-long miniepisode, giving you something to do while you're social-distancing/self-isolating/self-quarantining. There's talk of the recently deceased musicians Adam Schlesinger and John Prine, reflections on Luther Vandross and the "Breakin'" film series, "Don't at Me," "Tribute" and, as a special treat, Paul's dad joins the show to facilitate the music trivia quiz. All that and slightly more on this special pandemisode of "Music Raygun." Keep washing those hands, babes.

Every 10 episodes, we throw away the "themed shows" premise of our podcast and dive into the grab bag. For the eighth installment, meet the most legendary Los Angeles punk band to never made a record; watch a "Soul Train" ripoff hosted by James Brown; hear a Prince-affiliated R&B group Kirk somehow doesn't like; remember the time when New Kids on the Block went "gangsta"; and much more. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

The Chainsmokers, Gotye and the Human League: Who ripped of whom? Which nation had the best charity supergroup charity single? Prince invites U 2 "purple church" with a party at the Glam Slam 2 follow, but U will have 2 listen 4 the password. And last but not least, the stakes raise in the ongoing music trivia quiz content.

It's time for another dance episode of "Music Raygun," so you know we brought Isabel back to the studio. This is a dance-movie-heavy episode featuring clips of films from the 1940s, '60s, '80s, '90s and 2010s; plus music videos from Tuxedo and Chill Rob G (NOT Snap!); choreo by Tricia Miranda and Lia Kim; and a little bit of "Flirty Dancing" is just the cherry on top of this dance sundae. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Our friend Isabel Nelson came by to give us her opinion about noodly white-boy singer-songwriters while Kirk pits Danity Kane against the Pussycat Dolls and Paul has a hunch about the Police's audience. In "Trading Card Corner," enjoy an exploration of the cards of Elvis' life. And an expo mission trivia quiz goes 2-1-0, but you'll have to listen to find out who scores what.

As another season of "Music Raygun" comes to an end, we're wrapping things up with one of our regular "B-sides" episodes. Every six months, we revisit that season's episode topics and choose one more video for each of the topics. And those are the B-sides. This one features bonus clips from "Heavy Metal Parking Lot," "Asylum Records," "Your Grandmother Should Know," "Florida," "Music Videos 1989-91," "Drums," "Stevie Wonder," "Music Movies," "Best New Music 2019," "Cover Songs" and "Godley and Creme." To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

A correction, hot takes about double albums and Mariah Carey, the debut of a new (sort of) game, and Paul fights fiercely to keep Kirk from winning a fourth-in-a-row round of the music trivia quiz.

Kevin Godley and Lol Creme weren't just inventive musicians — they first came to fame as members of the band 10cc before leaving to continue making records as a duo — they also were at the vanguard of music video innovation in the 1980s. The videos Godley and Creme directed together still influence music video production 40 years later. In “Godley and Creme,” we revisit some of their most interesting work, including videos for Duran Duran, Herbie Hancock, Howard Jones, George Harrison and more. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Paul talks about seeing Nada Surf at the Troubadour. Hot takes about MC Hammer and Selena Gomez. Prince tweets 2 U, yes U. And Kirk seeks to extend his winning streak in the never-ending music trivia quiz. All that plus more in just 20 minutes of your time.

An episode about cover songs was long overdue, so here it finally is. Paul and Kirk each discuss five of their favorite cover versions, which ones outshine the originals and which ones are just weird. Covered artists include the Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, Lil Nas X, the Cure, Gloria Gaynor, Ike and Tina Turner, the Time and Sonic Youth. Which artists do the covering? Listen and find out. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

We're back from the holiday break. Kirk gives Orville Peck a second chance. Hot takes about The Boyboy West Coast and Heart. Paul tries to prevent Kirk from building a winning streak in the music trivia quiz. And, because you demanded it, the return of "Trading Card Corner."

Just under the wire, Paul and Kirk are sneaking in one last end-of-year best-of list for you. Here you'll find each of their top five — possibly top three? no, top five — new songs/music videos of 2019, counted down. Happy New Year! To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Whose sax-pop '80s classic is better: Spandau Ballet's or Wham's? Kirk settle the debate. Meanwhile, Paul defends a list of songs "considered the worst" according to Wikipedia. And in the music trivia quiz, Paul tries to extend his three-game winning streak into an elusive four-game streak.

The idea for this episode has been around for almost as long as the show's existed, and now it's finally here. Paul and Kirk talk about some of their favorite music movies. Not documentaries, and not biopics, but movies that are about fictional bands, music fans, the music industry, etc. Some surprising choices and some strange films to add to your list of must-watch movies. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Who didn't direct the music video for Stevie Wonder's "Fun Day"; Alanis Morissette on tour with Liz Phair and Garbage; Cheap Trick as rock 'n' roll frozen yogurt; the Billie Eilish/Van Halen controversy; Paul tries to extend his two-game winning streak in the trivia quiz.

By special request from a "Music Raygun" fan, this week's episode is all about Stevie Wonder. That it took us 73 episodes to get to this topic with or without a special request is a shame on us. Mea culpa. This one starts at the beginning, i.e., 1963, and moves through 40 years of Stevie Wonder magic. Some hits and some surprises, as always. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

An encounter with Pat Smear, the 2019 Soul Train Awards, plaudits from Straya, hot takes about Prince and the Fugees, and of course the music trivia quiz. All in just 20 minutes.

The next in our ongoing series of instrument-focused shows, the drums episode has been a long time coming. This one features music lessons from greats like Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Sheila E, Charli Persip and guitar-famous drummer J. Mascis. There are also great performances by Tony Thompson, John Bonham, Questlove, Karen Carpenter and even Stevie Wonder. Plus: the most sampled drum break in music history. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Kirk and Paul talk about the announced Bee Gees biopic. Hot "Don't @ Me" takes about John Mayer and Prince. And Kirk defends his two-win streak in the never-ending music trivia quiz.

Take a trip back in time to look at some cool music videos from 1989, 1990 and 1991. Kirk supplies R&B and pop from Chuckii Booker, Jane Child, Mint Condition and more. Paul brings music by Beat Happening, Sonic Youth, and a nostalgic clip from cable TV's legendary "Night Flight." Enjoy these 12 gracious melodies from the cusp years between the '80s and '90s. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.