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PODCAST

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes A Podcast, hosted by Chris DeMakes of the legendary punk rock band Less Than Jake, features guests who have written iconic songs, exploring their backstory, creation, inspiration, and significance. Each episode offers an in-depth exploration into a specific track from renowned artists, with guests providing untold stories and fascinating details. From chart-toppers to hidden gems across various genres and eras, the podcast offers a rich listening experience. Chris"s passion for music

music music commentary

All Episodes

44:06

SNEAK PREVIEW of The After Party “Album Tracks That...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/07/03

After Party Week keeps rolling here at Chris DeMakes A Podcast, and today’s spotlight is on a more recent fan-favorite episode of The After Party. Originally released on November 11th, 2024, Episode 183 features a special guest appearance by One Hit Thunder’s Matt Kelly, as he joins Chris and producer Chris Fafalios to dig into a fun and often-debated topic: album tracks that should’ve been singles. The trio shines a light on overlooked gems—songs that had all the makings of a hit but somehow never

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45:11

SNEAK PREVIEW of The After Party “Classic Albums...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/07/02

After Party Week rolls on at Chris DeMakes A Podcast, and today’s episode takes it all the way back to one of the earliest installments of The After Party! Originally released on October 11th, 2021, Episode 21 is a deep dive into the album that redefined rock music in the early '90s—Nirvana’s Nevermind. Chris and producer Chris Fafalios revisit this game-changing release, sharing stories, favorite tracks, and reflecting on the massive cultural impact it had. If you’re loving these bonus episodes,

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32:26

SNEAK PREVIEW of The After Party “80s Lyrics Trivia”...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/07/01

It’s Tuesday, and After Party week continues with another gem from the Patreon archives! Originally released on March 11th, 2024, “80s Lyrics Trivia” features producer Chris Fafalios putting Chris DeMakes’ knowledge of 1980s lyrics to the test with a custom-made quiz that covers everything from pop anthems to deep cuts. Listeners can play along and see if they can beat Chris to the punch—or at least not embarrass themselves as badly. If you’re enjoying this week of bonus content, head over to

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44:48

SNEAK PREVIEW of The After Party “Hits and Misses of...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/06/30

To kick off a full week of After Party episodes on the main feed, here's a sneak peek at one of the fan favorites from the Patreon archive! Originally released on July 17th, 2023, “Hits and Misses of the Summer of ’83” finds Chris and Chris diving into one of the most unforgettable seasons in pop music history. From the undeniable chart-toppers to the criminally overlooked gems, they reflect on what made the summer of 1983 so iconic—sharing memories, trading laughs, and sprinkling in a little trivia

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70:58

Throwback Thursday: A discussion on Freddie Mercury...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/06/26

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is widely regarded as one of rock’s all-time greatest songs, despite breaking just about every rule of what a hit single is supposed to be. In this Throwback Thursday episode (originally aired August 15th, 2022), Chris and Chris dive deep into Freddie Mercury’s six-minute masterpiece—dissecting the song’s bold arrangement, ambitious production, and soaring dynamics. They go beyond the surface to unpack the opera section’s lyrics, revealing layers of meaning that most listeners

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79:38

Ep. 264: Tim Williams discusses Vision of Disorder’s...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/06/23

On this episode, Vision of Disorder vocalist Tim Williams discusses the creation of their 2001 single "Living to Die" from the album From Bliss to Devastation. Tim opens up about the deeply personal lyrics, written during a difficult time when he was dealing with his father's illness and his own inner struggles. He also reflects on working with producer Machine, whose boundless enthusiasm and creative energy—especially when it came to capturing vocal performances—made a lasting impact during the

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98:32

Throwback Thursday: Aaron Barrett and Scott...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/06/19

In this Throwback Thursday episode—originally released as Episode 162 on July 3rd, 2023—Chris sits down with Aaron Barrett and Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish to talk all about their 1996 hit, “Sell Out.” The song became an instant ska-punk anthem, blasting onto radio and MTV while poking fun at the music industry’s obsession with, well, selling out. Aaron and Scott share the story behind writing and recording the track, what it was like suddenly finding themselves in the mainstream spotlight,

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86:59

Ep. 263: Limahl discusses Kajagoogoo’s “Too Shy”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/06/16

In this episode, Limahl shares the story behind Kajagoogoo’s 1983 smash hit “Too Shy,” reflecting on the band’s rapid rise from local gigs to global stardom. He details his chance meeting with Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, whose mentorship helped land them a deal with EMI, and breaks down the experimental recording process that gave “Too Shy” its distinct synth-pop sound. Limahl also opens up about his early days working as a waiter at a celebrity hotspot, the playful inspiration behind the lyrics,

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82:21

Throwback Thursday: John Feldmann discusses...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/06/12

In this Throwback Thursday episode, originally released on June 5th, 2023, John Feldmann of Goldfinger sat in for Episode 158 to break down the writing and recording of their 1997 single “Superman.” He shares how the song evolved in the studio, the creative choices that shaped its energetic sound, and how it became an unexpected fan favorite—thanks in part to its inclusion in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at a track that continues to resonate with listeners more than two

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85:22

Ep. 262: Ian Dench discusses EMF's "Unbelievable"

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/06/09

In this episode, Ian Dench of EMF joins the show to discuss the writing and recording of the band’s explosive 1991 hit, “Unbelievable.” From its instantly recognizable hook to its genre-blending sound, the song became a cultural phenomenon and an enduring stadium anthem. Ian offers a look behind the curtain at the song’s construction, including its layered instrumentation, unique pre-chorus, and the clever use of samples—most notably the shout of “Oh!” lifted from Andrew Dice Clay’s stand-up album

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69:32

Ep. 261: Roger Lima discusses Less Than Jake’s “Sunny...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/06/02

On this episode, Chris is joined by his Less Than Jake bandmate Roger Lima to dive into the writing and recording of their 2024 single "Sunny Side." The conversation explores the song’s layered instrumentation, dynamic horn arrangements, and emotionally resonant lyrics that center on self-realization, identity, and personal growth. Inspired by a fan’s encouragement to “keep your sunny side up and your dirty side down,” the track blends heavy riffs with melodic textures, channeling arena rock energy

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67:14

Ep. 260: Elyse Rogers discusses Dance Hall Crashers...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/29

On this episode, Elyse Rogers of Dance Hall Crashers joins Chris to talk about the writing and recording of the band’s 1997 fan favorite single, “Lost Again.” Elyse reflects on the group’s collaborative dynamic, the comfort and shared vision she found working with producer Stoker, and how the song’s lyrics touch on personal and industry struggles faced by artists trying to stay true to themselves. The conversation dives into the technical side of recording, including the band’s use of tape to

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65:26

Ep. 259: J Navarro discusses The Suicide Machines...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/26

In this episode, J Navarro of The Suicide Machines joins the show to discuss the origins and last-minute magic behind “S.O.S.,” a fan-favorite track from their 1996 debut Destruction By Definition. J reveals that the song nearly didn’t make the album, coming together late in the recording process after a scramble to finish it. At the time, the band was young and more interested in diving into the L.A. punk scene than soaking in the legacy of A&M Studios, where they recorded among the ghosts of

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77:53

Throwback Thursday: Tahlena Chikami discusses Bite Me...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/22

It’s a special Throwback Thursday edition of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, and while the show usually digs deep into the archives, this week’s rewind only takes us back a few months to a standout February episode featuring Tahlena Chikami of Bite Me Bambi. With her band hitting the road on Less Than Jake’s Summer Circus tour, it’s the perfect time to revisit her breakdown of the ska-pop gem “Bad Boyfriend.” Tahlena dives into the real-life inspiration behind the lyrics, working with producer Cameron

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72:30

Ep. 258: Brittany Luna and Tim Hildebrand discuss...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/19

On this episode, Tim Hildebrand and Brittany Luna of Catbite dive into the creation of their 2025 single “Tired of Talk (feat. Patrick Stump),” unpacking the experimental production process, the emotional layers of the lyrics, and the evolution of their ska-meets-pop sound. They reflect on the joys and challenges of writing as a couple, the magic of vocal harmonies, and how Patrick Stump’s contributions elevated the track’s dynamic energy. From crafting a five-string bass and synth-driven groove to

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82:41

It's May 16th! Revisiting Ep. 51: Joey Cape discusses...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/16

It’s May 16th, so it’s only fitting to revisit Episode 51 of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, featuring Joey Cape of Lagwagon. Originally released on May 16th, 2021, this fan-favorite episode dives deep into the creation of the band’s beloved anthem “May 16.” Joey shares the real-life events that inspired the song, and reflects on the emotional headspace he was in when recording it—raw feelings that still come through every time the track plays. With “May 16” now celebrated by fans around the world as an

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87:30

Throwback Thursday: Angelo Moore discusses Fishbone's...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/15

This week’s Throwback Thursday takes us back to Episode 245 of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, originally released on February 17th, 2025, with none other than Angelo Moore of Fishbone. In this lively and eye-opening chat, Angelo breaks down the making of their explosive 1985 single “Party At Ground Zero”—a wild mix of ska, punk, funk, and soul with an end-of-the-world twist. He shares stories about the musical and cultural forces that inspired the song, and gives a glimpse into the creative energy that

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74:47

Ep. 257: JR Wasilewski discusses Less Than Jake’s...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/12

This week, Chris is joined by his Less Than Jake bandmate JR Wasilewski to break down the writing and recording of "Walking Pipebomb" from the band's Uncharted EP. JR shares how a Dance Hall Crashers song sparked the initial idea, how his signature guitar style shaped the sound, and why the demo remained nearly identical to the final version. The conversation explores the band's collaborative songwriting process, the balance of musical tension and release, and how impactful lyrics can elevate a

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80:36

Throwback Thursday: Bert McCracken discusses The...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/08

In this Throwback Thursday episode of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, originally released on May 1, 2023, Bert McCracken of The Used sits down with Chris to unpack the writing and recording of the band’s breakout single, “The Taste of Ink.” McCracken takes listeners back to the early 2000s, when the song—written in a basement in Provo, Utah—captured the restless energy and emotional urgency that would come to define The Used’s sound. He shares how a crucial studio session with producer John Feldmann

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85:57

Ep. 256: Stacy Jones discusses American Hi-Fi’s...

Chris DeMakes A Podcast ·

2025/05/05

This week, Stacy Jones sits in to share the story behind American Hi-Fi’s 2001 breakout hit, “Flavor of the Weak.” From his early days as Veruca Salt’s touring drummer to stepping into the spotlight as a frontman, Stacy discusses the evolution of his career, the challenges of reinvention, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He reflects on the spontaneous songwriting process that led to the band’s signature track, the impact of working with producer Bob Rock, and the raw energy captured in

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414 results

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