Rock

Part I of Terry Gross's interview with filmmaker Penelope Spheeris. Spheeris talks about her new movie, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: the Metal Years, a documentary about the heavy metal scene. She thinks stereotypes of the inarticulate and unskilled metal musicians are unfair -- though it's often true that they embrace a drug-fueled, self-destructive lifestyle.

The band's frontman Mick Jagger turns 45 this year. Ed Ward celebrates by looking at some of the music that shaped the Stones' sound.

Rock critic Ken Tucker has seen most of the heavy metal acts on the package tour's bill. He admires Metallica and the Scorpions; Van Halen has its merits, but he says Dokken and Kingdom Come are bland. Collectively, the bands' popularity shows that metal is a genre that should't be ignored -- though Tucker prefers to enjoy it from the comfort of his own home.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new documentary The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: the Metal Years. He says the compelling movie is a revealing look at how fans and musicians participate in the decadent culture of heavy metal music.

Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerry Casale were still in art school when they founded their band DEVO, which is equally inspired by high and low culture. They join Fresh Air to talk about their music's role in the current corporate-sponsored rock culture.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at the history of Jamaican reggae music, which he says began as a reinterpretation of 1950s American rock and roll before becoming a style uniquely its own.

Critical darling Marti Jones's new album is a clear, straightforward declaration of her talents, says rock critic Ken Tucker. Yet it's her vagueness that makes her so interesting.

Record producer Huey Meaux opened a barber shop before becoming a record producer. He worked hard to turn regional Texas and Louisiana music -- made by both black and white artists -- into national hits.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers The Dominoes, an early rock group led by pianist Billy Ward. The band helped launch the careers of Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson.

The husband-and-wife rock duo -- with a boombox for a rhythm section -- joins Fresh Air for an in-studio concert. They recently found commercial success with their hit, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades."

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the 1960s British rock band, whose members later founded several other groups, most notably the Electric Light Orchestra.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "I'm Real," the new album by JAMES BROWN, the self-proclaimed "Godfather of Soul."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Ike Turner, whose career in rock and roll began long before he met Tina.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker looks at several women rock musicians who reject female rock stereotypes and work in highly idiosyncratic and original styles. The groups and individuals includes the Sugarcubes, Jane Wiedlin and M.C. Lyte.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles The Kinks, one of the first of the British Invasion groups, and their 1966 album Face To Face.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Vivid," the debut album by the black rock group Living Colour.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Down in the Groove," the new album by Bob Dylan.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles "The Flamin' Groovies," a band that fought all the trends in the late 60s by putting out three-minute pop songs with anti-drug lyrics. Their best-known song was "Teenage Head."

Rock musician Joan Jett. Since 1979, Jett has led the group Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and earned the description as "the toughest, grittiest, hardest-working woman in rock and roll." She won praise for her film debut in 1987 when she co-starred with Michael J. Fox in the film "Light of Day." Time magazine's film critic Richard Corliss hailed her "mesmerizing surliness" and said Jett's presence dominated every scene she was in. Joan Jett and the Blackheart's new album is titled "Up Your Alley."

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums from rockers Rod Stewart and Boz Scaggs.