Chris DeMakes A 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 and songwriting fuels engaging discussions on lyrics, melodies, production techniques, and cultural context. Combining informative storytelling, interviews, and analysis, the podcast appeals to music lovers, die-hard fans, and anyone curious about the songwriting process. It provides insight into the artistry behind timeless songs, making it perfect for those seeking inspiration or simply wanting to immerse themselves in musical magic.

Episodes

Ep. 295: Christian “MC Bat Commander” Jacobs discusses The Aquabats! “Fashion Zombies!”

February 9, 2026 • 72 mins
In this episode, Christian “MC Bat Commander” Jacobs of The Aquabats! dives into the writing and recording of “Fashion Zombies!”, the fan-favorite single from the band’s 2005 album Charge!! that marked a sharp turn in their sound. The conversation traces the group’s early struggles, the collaborative and experimental approach that shaped the song, and how blending solid musicianship with absurd humor became their secret weapon. Chr...
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Throwback Thursday: KT Tunstall discusses her song “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”

February 5, 2026 • 75 mins
This week’s Throwback Thursday was originally released as Episode 141 on February 6th, 2023, and it features KT Tunstall discussing the writing and recording of her hit 2004 single “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.”  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 ...
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Ep. 294: Tom McFaull discusses The Bar Stool Preachers “Pick a Side”

February 2, 2026 • 73 mins
In the first of four episodes leading up to the Less Than Jake UK Winter Circus Tour, vocalist Tom McFaull discusses the writing and recording of the brand new 2026 single from The Bar Stool Preachers, “Pick a Side.” He and Chris talk about how a moment of personal disappointment turned into one of the band’s most lyrically direct songs yet, unpacking its heavy real-world themes and the challenge of separating the art from the arti...
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Throwback Thursday: Dan Estrin discusses Hoobastank’s “Crawling In The Dark”

January 29, 2026 • 73 mins
This week’s Throwback Thursday, which was originally released on February 28th, 2022, as Episode 92 of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, features Hoobastank guitarist Dan Estrin discussing the writing and recording of the band’s hit 2002 single “Crawing In The Dark.”  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...
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Ep. 293: Mike Harder discusses Pulley’s “Insects Destroy”

January 26, 2026 • 64 mins
In this episode, guitarist Mike Harder discusses the writing and recording of “Insects Destroy,” Pulley’s 2004 single born from a combination of frustration and observation. Mike breaks down how his time working in the corporate world shaped the song’s lyrical perspective, as well as a real-life run-in with insects in his home. He also opens up about how producer Matt Hyde helped refine Pulley’s sound and the many lessons the band ...
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Throwback Thursday: Ace Enders discusses The Early November’s “Decoration”

January 22, 2026 • 66 mins
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode was originally released on July 15th, 2024, and features Ace Enders of The Early November discussing the writing and recording of the fan-favorite single “Decoration,” from the band’s ambitious 2006 triple album The Mother, The Mechanic, And The Path, which is an album the band will be touring in celebration of this February and March 2026 alongside Hellogoodbye and Punchline. Hailing from tha...
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Ep. 292: The 68th Grammy Awards Song of the Year Preview and Predictions

January 19, 2026 • 62 mins
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 “D...
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A Band Called Punchline Ep. 3: The Rewind EP

January 17, 2026 • 75 mins
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...
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Throwback Thursday: Reese Roper discusses Five Iron Frenzy’s “Zen and the Art of Xenophobia”

January 15, 2026 • 62 mins
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 creative...
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Ep. 291: Ryan Key discusses Yellowcard’s “Better Days”

January 12, 2026 • 75 mins
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 so...
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Throwback Thursday: Chad Price discusses All’s “Original Me”

January 8, 2026 • 65 mins
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. G...
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Ep. 290: Nick Thompson discusses Hit the Lights “Bodybag”

January 5, 2026 • 70 mins
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 Sq...
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Throwback Thursday: Ben Lee discusses his song “Catch My Disease”

January 1, 2026 • 72 mins
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 mo...
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The 2025 Year-End Wrap

December 29, 2025 • 70 mins
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. ...
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Ep. 289: A discussion on Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”

December 22, 2025 • 55 mins
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, ...
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SNEAK PREVIEW of The After Party “Chris, Chris, and Kris (Kringle)” episode

December 18, 2025 • 28 mins
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, a...
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Ep. 288: A discussion on The Waitresses “Christmas Wrapping”

December 15, 2025 • 51 mins
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 ...
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THE THUNDRED: The Top 100 Albums of All Time (#20 - #1)

December 13, 2025 • 93 mins
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-c...
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Throwback Thursday: Eric Bazilian discusses Joan Osborne's "One Of Us"

December 11, 2025 • 72 mins
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 re...
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Ep. 287: A discussion on Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”

December 8, 2025 • 47 mins
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 c...
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