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
July 7, 2025 • 83 mins
On this episode, Tracy Bonham sits in to break down her explosive 1996 single "Mother Mother." From her early days as a classical violinist to the raw vocal power that defined her biggest hit, Tracy shares how the song evolved both lyrically and emotionally. She opens up about the recording of her debut album, navigating sudden success in the '90s alt-rock scene, and even featuring her real-life mom in the song’s iconic video. It’s...
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July 4, 2025 • 46 mins
After Party Week wraps up in heartfelt fashion here at Chris DeMakes A Podcast with a lovingly selected gem from the archives. Originally released on February 13th, 2023, Episode 91 of The After Party brings the romance with a celebration of love songs—those perfect tracks that make you swoon, cry, or sing your heart out. It’s the kind of episode that’ll have you revisiting your favorite slow dances and mixtapes. If you’ve enjoyed ...
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July 3, 2025 • 44 mins
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 overl...
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July 2, 2025 • 45 mins
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 mass...
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July 1, 2025 • 32 mins
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 badl...
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June 30, 2025 • 44 mins
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 iconi...
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June 26, 2025 • 70 mins
“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...
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June 23, 2025 • 79 mins
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...
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June 19, 2025 • 98 mins
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 i...
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June 16, 2025 • 86 mins
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 ...
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June 12, 2025 • 82 mins
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...
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June 9, 2025 • 85 mins
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 notab...
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June 2, 2025 • 69 mins
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 bl...
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May 29, 2025 • 67 mins
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 te...
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May 26, 2025 • 65 mins
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...
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May 22, 2025 • 77 mins
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-l...
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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...
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May 16, 2025 • 82 mins
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 ...
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May 15, 2025 • 87 mins
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 in...
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May 12, 2025 • 74 mins
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 mus...
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