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Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

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.

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Avg 1 hr 6 min
English

Episodes 28

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Yesterday · 1 hr 18 min
Throwback Thursday: Nick Thomas discusses The Spill Canvas “All Over You”
This episode was originally released as Episode 231 on November 4th, 2024, and it features Nick Thomas of The Spill Canvas discussing the writing and recording of the band’s fan favorite 2007 single, “All Over You.” From the Neal Avron-produced album No Really, I’m Fine, the song explores the themes of infatuation, longing, and unrequited love, complete with an unforgettable chorus and Nick’s powerful vocal delivery.
S1 · E318
Monday · 1 hr 5 min
Ep. 318: David McWane discusses Big D and the Kids Table’s “Opportunity”
“Opportunity” is a laid back, feel-good track off of the new Big D and the Kids Table album The Good Ole American Saturday Night. Though this reggae-infused song doesn’t necessarily stick to a typical pop structure, it’s an uplifting piece of music that truly shows how this long-running band can get together in a room and create the ultimate mood for anything from a house party to a festival. In this episode, vocalist David McWane opens up about the creation of “Opportunity,” from its somewhat m
September 3 · 1 hr 15 min
THE THUNDRED: The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time (#20 - #1)
Compiled from the Top 10 lists of listeners of the One Hit Thunder podcast, this is the final installment of the Thundred series counting down the 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time! Be sure to subscribe to One Hit Thunder wherever you get your pods so that you can contribute a Top 10 list for whatever the next Thundred happens to be.
S1 · E317
August 31 · 57 min
Ep. 317: Gerry Beckley discusses America’s “Sister Golden Hair”
This week, the very prolific Gerry Beckley sits in to discuss the writing and recording of the 1975 #1 hit single from America, “Sister Golden Hair.” Despite the song’s upbeat feel, the lyrics present a slightly sadder and more reflective theme, and this magic combination has helped the song stand the test of time over 50 years later. In this episode, Gerry shares the story behind the creation of this classic track, from his original four-track demo to his experience in the studio with legendar
August 27 · 1 hr 4 min
Throwback Thursday: Rou Reynolds discusses Enter Shikari's "(pls) set me on fire"
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode was originally released as Episode 177 on October 16th, 2023. In this episode, Enter Shikari vocalist Rou Reynolds takes center stage as he unravels the compelling story behind the writing, recording, and release of their 2023 hit single "(pls) set me on fire," hailing from the chart-topping album A Kiss for the Whole World. As both the album's producer and visionary artist, Rou dives into the intricacies of their groundbreaking sound, shedding light on the
S1 · E316
August 24 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 316: A discussion on Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al”
To celebrate the 40 year anniversary of Paul Simon’s beloved 1986 album Graceland, Chris DeMakes is joined by producer and co-host Chris Fafalios to explore every aspect of the record’s most well-known track, “You Can Call Me Al.” In what has to be the most joyous song ever written about a midlife crisis, Paul enlisted the help of a wide array of South African musicians to create one of the most unique pop gems of the 80s. In this episode, Chris and Chris dive into every lyric and musical choice
August 20 · 1 hr 18 min
Throwback Thursday: Anthony Raneri discusses Bayside's "Sick, Sick, Sick"
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode was originally released as Episode 227 on October 7th, 2024. In this conversation, Bayside guitarist and vocalist Anthony Raneri discusses the writing and recording of the fan favorite 2011 single "Sick, Sick, Sick." Together, they dive into the band's signing with Wind-up Records, working with legendary producer Gil Norton, and the inspiration behind the song's lyrics. Tune in for a deep dive into the production and songwriting process behind one of Baysid
S1 · E315
August 17 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 315: Garrett Klahn discusses Texas Is The Reason’s “Back And To the Left”
It only took one album for Texas Is The Reason to leave a highly influential mark on the world of indie rock for decades to come. Produced by J. Robbins, Do You Know Who You Are? was nine tracks of heavy guitars, intense drums, and emotional vocals that resonated with listeners across an assortment of genres. In this episode, guitarist and vocalist Garrett Klahn discusses the writing and recording of “Back And To the Left”, a standout track that is still pulling on heartstrings 30 years later.
August 13 · 1 hr 20 min
Throwback Thursday: Trevor Reilly discusses A Wilhelm Scream's "Boat Builders"
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode was originally released as Episode 221 on August 26th, 2024. In this conversation, A Wilhelm Scream guitarist Trevor Reilly discusses the creation of their fan-favorite 2013 single, “Boat Builders.” Trevor dives into the song’s seamless blend of metal, punk rock, and thrash, revealing how its diverse influences come together to create a powerful and unique sound. He also shares the personal connection behind the track, which serves as a love letter to their
S1 · E314
August 10 · 1 hr 20 min
Ep. 314: Howi Spangler discusses Ballyhoo!’s “Bad Summer”
When it was time to record a new album, Ballyhoo! knew that they needed to shake things up. When the opportunity to work with acclaimed producer John Feldmann was presented, the band jumped on it, and the results were undeniable. The title track “Bad Summer” is an over-the-top, catchy-as-hell pop masterpiece, simultaneously capturing the vibes of summer and the feeling of relationship anxiety. In this week’s episode, vocalist and guitarist Howi Spangler sits in to discuss the creation of the son
August 6 · 1 hr 5 min
THE THUNDRED: The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time (#40 - #21)
Chris DeMakes A Podcast producer Chris Fafalios also co-hosts One Hit Thunder, which is the sister podcast to this show. Every year on One Hit Thunder, they roll out their beloved Thundred series, in which listeners of the show submit their Top 10 lists of a certain subject, and then those results are compiled into an ultimate Thundred list. This year, they very fittingly gathered together data to create the list of the 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time. This is the fourth installment, co
S1 · E313
August 3 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep. 313: Aaron Barrett and Scott Klopfenstein discuss Reel Big Fish’s “The Set Up (You Need This)”
In October of 1998, Reel Big Fish released their third full-length album Why Do They Rock So Hard?, which captured the band at a time of peak musical exploration. One of the standout tracks from the album was “The Set Up (You Need This)”, and although the song didn’t necessarily fit into the mold of classic ska-punk, the catchiness and signature style of the band was undeniable. From the energetic intro (featuring the first riff that Aaron ever wrote on guitar) to the falsetto hooks of the choru
July 30 · 51 min
Throwback Thursday: A discussion on The Outfield's "Your Love"
This week’s Throwback Thursday was first released as Episode 218 on August 5th, 2024. In this episode, host Chris DeMakes and producer Chris Fafalios reminisce about The Outfield's unforgettable 1986 hit single, "Your Love" , paying tribute to guitarist and backing vocalist John Spinks and lead singer and bassist Tony Lewis. They dive deep into the anatomy of the song, examining its musical composition and lyrical nuances, inviting listeners to rediscover the magic of The Outfield and their time
July 27 · 35 min
Defeat DeMakes Episode 14: MTV Edition
If MTV still existed, it would be celebrating its 45th anniversary this week. To celebrate, friend of the show Matt Albert sits in as the challenger to Chris DeMakes in a battle of MTV-centric music trivia. If you’d like to be a future contestant on the world’s best music trivia game show podcast, head to ChrisDeMakes.com to sign up for the Patreon!
July 23 · 53 min
Throwback Thursday: Nikola Šarčević discusses Millencolin's "No Cigar"
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode was first released as Episode 236 on December 9th, 2024. In this episode, Millencolin vocalist and bassist Nikola Šarčević discusses the writing and recording of the band's fan-favorite 2000 single "No Cigar." Nikola shares insights into the band's journey from their Swedish roots to their rise in the punk rock scene, propelled by their signing with Epitaph Records and the influence of skate culture. He reflects on the last-minute songwriting process for "N
July 20 · 35 min
Defeat DeMakes Episode 13: Metal and Hard Rock Edition
Since it’s the 13th episode of Defeat DeMakes AND Chris currently holds a .666 winning percentage after 12 showdowns, this week’s game is based around ALL heavy metal and hard rock questions! To make it even more interesting, this episode’s challenger is a man who was immortalized in song by Less Than Jake: Mr. Chevy Celebrity himself, Mark Cruce. Tune in and play along at home, and if you’re interested in being a future contestant, head to the Chris DeMakes A Podcast Patreon at ChrisDeMakes.com
July 16 · 1 hr 7 min
Throwback Thursday: Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn discuss Local Natives “When Am I Gonna Lose You”
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode was first released as Episode 207 on May 20th, 2024. In this episode, Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn of Local Natives unveil the behind-the-scenes journey of crafting their 2019 single, "When Am I Gonna Lose You." They reveal that the song underwent a staggering 57 different versions, each a labor of love to achieve perfection. From Taylor's raw personal inspiration to Ryan's lyrical contributions and producer Shawn Everett's innovative techniques, they showcase
S1 · E312
July 13 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 312: Greg Camp discusses Smash Mouth’s “Walkin’ On the Sun”
Smash Mouth made an instant impact with the release of their 1997 debut single “Walkin’ On the Sun.” The song had a unique throwback vibe that stood out, not only from the other songs on the Fush Yu Mang album, but also from the band’s radio and MTV contemporaries. What became a launchpad for a huge career started as a years-old forgotten cassette demo in a closet, and in this episode, Smash Mouth guitarist Great Camp makes his return to the show to share how this unforgettable track came to be.
July 9 · 1 hr 6 min
THE THUNDRED: The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time (#60 - #41)
One Hit Thunder is the sister podcast to Chris DeMakes A Podcast. Recently, One Hit Thunder listeners chose their 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time in the beloved series known as The Thundred. The results were released over the course of five episodes, and this is the third installment, listing off #60 through #41.
S1 · E311
July 6 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 311: Joel Reader discusses The Plus Ones “All the Boys”
Emerging as a sort of supergroup of Bay Area punk rockers in the early 2000s, The Plus Ones wrote catchy songs that weren’t overthought by any means. After a four album stint in The Mr. T Experience, bassist Joel Reader formed the group, and one of the first songs he brought to the table was “All the Boys,” a fictional look at what playing at The Troubadour might be like for a stereotypical rock n’ roller. To the band’s surprise, they later received a call from Asian Man Records owner Mike Park

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