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PODCAST

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

You may know Chris DeMakes as a founding member of the band Less Than Jake, but what you may NOT know is that he"s a true music historian. On Chris DeMakes A Podcast, he welcomes accomplished songwriters to sit in and discuss the writing and recording of beloved songs from their back catalogs.

music music commentary

All Episodes

62:38

Ep. 292: The 68th Grammy Awards Song of the Year...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2026/01/19

In what has become tradition on the show, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios explore the eight nominees for Song of the Year at the upcoming 68th Grammy Awards, set to take place on February 1st, 2026. After a discussion about each song, they share which song they WANT to win, as well as which song they think WILL win. The nominees this year include: Lady Gaga “Abracadabra” Doechii “Anxiety” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars “APT.” Bad Bunny “DtMF” Kendrick Lamar & SZA “luther” HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, &

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75:22

A Band Called Punchline Ep. 3: The Rewind EP

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2026/01/17

By 2002, things had kicked into high gear for Punchline. They had decided to pursue music full-time, and relentless touring soon followed. Grassroots promotion and a DIY outlook had helped them gain a strong following, especially in their hometown of Pittsburgh, and a follow-up to 2001’s Major Motion Picture album was the next step. The 4 musically ambitious tracks on The Rewind EP would help propel Punchline to the next level, and they soon signed to a growing independent record label. The

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62:33

Throwback Thursday: Reese Roper discusses Five Iron...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2026/01/15

This week's Throwback Thursday was originally released on May 30th, 2022, as Episode 105 of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, and it features a conversation with Reese Roper of Five Iron Frenzy about the song “Zen and the Art of Xenophobia.” Chris and Reese unpack how the song came together, why humor and sarcasm were essential tools for tackling heavier themes like faith, hypocrisy, and cultural frustration, and what was happening creatively for the band at the time. It’s an interesting look at the mindset

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75:25

Ep. 291: Ryan Key discusses Yellowcard’s “Better Days”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2026/01/12

In this episode, Chris sits down with Ryan Key of Yellowcard to explore the band’s surreal return after what had once been a definitive breakup. Ryan reflects on the emotional and creative spark that led to their comeback single “Better Days” and explains how collaborating with Travis Barker brought a fresh perspective to the studio. He shares how an open and experimental approach shaped the songwriting, why vulnerability fueled some of his strongest vocal work to date, and how kindness within the

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65:30

Throwback Thursday: Chad Price discusses All’s...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2026/01/08

This week’s Throwback Thursday rewinds to Episode 107 from June 13th, 2022, when Chad Price stopped by to unpack All’s rip-roaring opener “Original Me,” the song that kicked off 1993’s Breaking Things and ushered in his era as the band’s new vocalist, even if his memory of the finer details was a little fuzzy. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at

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70:31

Ep. 290: Nick Thompson discusses Hit the Lights...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2026/01/05

This week, Hit the Lights vocalist Nick Thompson joins the show to discuss the writing and recording of the band’s beloved 2006 single “Bodybag.” With tongue-in-cheek lyrics paying tribute to the beatdown hardcore bands that inspired Nick and his bandmates during their formative years in the Ohio suburbs, the song captures the spirit of that era perfectly. Combined with its catchy melodies, memorable guitar riffs, and slick Matt Squire production, “Bodybag” has stood the test of time and continues

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72:51

Throwback Thursday: Ben Lee discusses his song “Catch...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2026/01/01

This week’s throwback is to Episode 144, first released February 27, 2023, when Australian singer-songwriter Ben Lee sat in to unpack “Catch My Disease,” the irresistible 2005 single that earned Song of the Year at the APRA Awards and picked up a whole new audience after landing on Grey’s Anatomy. In this episode, Ben breaks down how the song came together, the ideas behind its feel-good energy, and why it became such a defining moment in his career.Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by

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70:54

The 2025 Year-End Wrap

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/29

Chris and Chris are once again joined by One Hit Thunder’s Matt Kelly to reflect on all the songs that were featured on the show in the past year. Together, they crown the Chris DeMakes A Podcast SONG OF THE YEAR, an honor that went to “Peaches” by The Presidents of the United States of America in the 2024 Wrap. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at

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55:05

Ep. 289: A discussion on Elton John’s “Step Into...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/22

In the final episode of their four-part December series, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios wrap things up with Elton John’s festive classic “Step Into Christmas.” They talk about the song’s spontaneous feel, the lighthearted lyrics, and the unmistakable style shaped by Elton’s longtime collaborators Gus Dudgeon and Bernie Taupin. The conversation touches on the Phil Spector-inspired wall of sound production, the standout bass line, and that gloriously chaotic outro that perfectly captures the energy

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28:00

SNEAK PREVIEW of The After Party “Chris, Chris, and...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/18

This is a sneak preview episode of The After Party. In this episode, Chris and Chris dive into how we got the Santa Claus (aka SINTERKLAAS) that we know and love today. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free

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51:16

Ep. 288: A discussion on The Waitresses “Christmas...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/15

In the 1981 holiday season, The Waitresses delivered a refreshingly offbeat gift with their single “Christmas Wrapping.” Written by Chris Butler, who openly admitted his dislike for the holidays, the song was pieced together from leftover riffs and lyrics he scribbled down in a taxi on the way to the studio. With Patty Donahue’s cool, talk-sing delivery and a groove that blended sarcasm with sincerity, the track perfectly captured the chaotic mix of exhaustion and joy that defines the season. Though

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93:55

THE THUNDRED: The Top 100 Albums of All Time (#20 - #1)

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/13

From the One Hit Thunder podcast (originally released on 11/29/2024)In this final installment of THE THUNDRED, Chris and Matt reveal the Top 20 Albums of All Time, closing out their five-part countdown with the most legendary records ever made. Without giving anything away, expect albums packed with unforgettable guitar riffs, raw lyrics that hit straight to the heart, and genre-defining songs that shaped entire eras. From game-changing alt-rock classics to soul-stirring records that brought

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72:38

Throwback Thursday: Eric Bazilian discusses Joan...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/11

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we’re revisiting Episode 185 from December 11th, 2023. In this episode, Eric Bazilian makes his triumphant return to the show, this time to dive into the fascinating backstory of his iconic song “One Of Us,” made famous by Joan Osborne in 1995. Eric recounts the spontaneous genesis of the track, revealing that he composed it in a single night after his then-girlfriend expressed interest in his recording process. Despite some controversy about the song from a few

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47:57

Ep. 287: A discussion on Darlene Love’s “Christmas...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/08

Darlene Love’s 1963 classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” remains one of the most beloved holiday songs of all time, but it wasn’t an instant hit. Produced by Phil Spector, the track eventually found success thanks to its heartfelt lyrics and Love’s powerful performance, though it took years to catch on. Its release was also overshadowed by the tragic timing of the JFK assassination, which happened on the same day the album came out. Still, the song proves that truly great music always finds a

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80:04

THE THUNDRED: The Top 100 Albums of All Time (#40 - #21)

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/06

From the One Hit Thunder podcast (originally released on 11/22/2024)THE THUNDRED is back! In this exciting installment, Chris and Matt count down from #40 to #21 of the greatest albums of all time, celebrating records that have left a mark across musical history. From an album that defined a band’s breakup to another that set new standards for experimental production, this episode covers a hip-hop masterpiece made from over 100 samples, a concept album about the human condition, and a record that

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42:52

Throwback Thursday: A discussion on Brenda Lee's...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/04

In this festive Throwback Thursday episode from December 23rd, 2024, Chris DeMakes and co-host/producer Chris Fafalios dive into the story behind the beloved 1958 holiday classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." They trace the song’s origins from the pen of Johnny Marks to Brenda Lee’s unforgettable vocal performance at just 13 years old, recorded under the guidance of Nashville legend Owen Bradley. The conversation explores the song’s rockabilly roots, nostalgic lyrics, and the standout

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54:44

Ep. 286: A discussion on The Kinks “Father Christmas”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/12/01

This week, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios dive into The Kinks’ 1977 holiday classic “Father Christmas,” a song that manages to sound as punk as it does festive. It features sharp cultural commentary within the angry and funny lyrics, and despite its anti-holidays sentiment, it still brings about an undeniable uplifting feeling. Often called the godfathers of Britpop, The Kinks left a mark that still resonates, and “Father Christmas” stands as a perfect example of how a Christmas song can pack both

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71:22

THE THUNDRED: The Top 100 Albums of All Time (#60 - #41)

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/11/29

From the One Hit Thunder podcast (originally released on 11/15/2024)In part three of THE THUNDRED, Chris and Matt continue their epic countdown of the Top 100 albums of all time, with rankings based on the Top 20 lists of over 100 contributors. This episode covers albums 60 through 41, diving into a wild variety of genres and eras. From an artist’s leap into a full-blown pop transformation to a massive solo debut, hard-hitting funk, classic rock, hip-hop, and beyond, this installment is packed

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68:10

Throwback Thursday: Karl Alvarez discusses...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/11/27

In this Throwback Thursday episode from November 27th, 2023, Descendents bassist Karl Alvarez dives into the creation of the band’s 1996 single “I’m The One,” a punk anthem of unrequited love that has resonated with fans for decades. Karl reveals the real-life stories of romantic frustration—some his own, some from close friends—that helped shape the song’s painfully honest lyrics. As the final member of the legendary band to appear on the podcast, Karl offers rare insight into the group’s creative

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66:43

Ep. 285: Anastasia and Maxamillion Haunt discuss The...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/11/24

In this episode, Chris is joined by siblings Anastasia and Max Haunt to discuss the writing and recording of The Haunt’s 2025 single, “Masochistic Lovers.” Despite the song’s undeniable pop hooks, it still maintains a solid rock edge, which was especially important to them during the creative process. The addition of guest vocals from Escape the Fate’s Craig Mabbitt elevates the track even further, adding an intensity and depth that leaves listeners wanting more when it wraps after just over two

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