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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471 episodes
Updated Monday
Explicit

Episodes471

Newest first

Monday · 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
Thursday · 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
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.
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
July 2 · 1 hr 10 min
Throwback Thursday: Sonny Sandoval discusses P.O.D.’s “Youth of the Nation”
In an episode that was first released as Episode 208 on May 27th, 2024, P.O.D. vocalist Sonny Sandoval sat in to discuss the creation of their iconic 2001 hit single, "Youth of the Nation." Against the backdrop of tragedies like Columbine and other shootings that shook the nation, Sandoval shares how the band was inspired to craft a powerful and inspiring anthem that resonated with a generation in turmoil. With the guidance of producer Howard Benson, P.O.D. entrusted their vision to explore new
June 29 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep. 310: Deanna Belos discusses Sincere Engineer’s “Trust Me”
The feeling of being overwhelmed is something that Sincere Engineer’s Deanna Belos can tell you all about. She began her somewhat unexpected music career during a real crossroads in her life, in which she was deciding whether or not to pursue a career in the world of dentistry. It was around this time that she met producer Matt Jordan, who not only helped Deanna reach her musical potential, but also introduced her to the fellow musicians who would become the band. The song “Trust Me” was born ou
June 25 · 1 hr 9 min
Throwback Thursday: Matt Skiba discusses Alkaline Trio’s “Time to Waste”
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode was first released as Episode 209 on June 3rd, 2024, and it features Alkaline trio guitarist and vocalist Matt Skiba. In this conversation, he takes listeners behind the scenes of the band's fan favorite 2005 single, "Time to Waste". Matt opens up about the writing and recording process, shedding light on the band's bold approach to incorporating big production elements, exemplified by the haunting piano intro that sets the tone. He pays homage to the late
June 22 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 309: Shawna Potter discusses War On Women’s “Messages Unsent”
War On Women are generally known for the politically charged subject matter of their songs, but with the 2026 single “Messages Unsent”, the band couldn’t resist the pull of what has inspired musicians and songwriters since the dawn of time: LOVE. Two different types of love came together to inspire vocalist Shawna Potter’s lyrics, both the romantic kind that she feels for her partner, as well as the unconditional affection she has for her dog Rosie. In this episode, she discusses how the song ca
June 18 · 1 hr
THE THUNDRED: The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time (#80 - #61)
Over on the One Hit Thunder podcast (which is the sister show to Chris DeMakes A Podcast), the listeners recently chose their top 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time in the series known as The Thundred. The results were released over the course of five episodes, and this is the second installment of those results.
June 15 · 1 hr 23 min
Ep. 308: John Hampson discusses Nine Days “If I Am”
In this episode, John Hampson makes his return to the show to discuss the writing and recording of the hit 2000 single from Nine Days, “If I Am.” Though the song didn’t hit the massive mainstream heights of “Absolutely (Story of a Girl),” it was a successful follow-up single that remains a fan favorite to this day. Written from real-life relationship experience, the song is earnest, heartfelt, and still resonates decades later, as the muse for the lyrics is now John’s wife.
June 11 · 1 hr
Throwback Thursday: Roger Lima discusses Less Than Jake’s “Sunny Side”
Originally released as Episode 261 on June 2nd, 2025, this week’s Throwback Thursday episode features Chris’s Less Than Jake bandmate Roger Lima. Together, they dive into the writing and recording of their 2024 single “Sunny Side.” Inspired by a fan’s encouragement to “keep your sunny side up and your dirty side down,” the track blends heavy riffs with unforgettable melodies, all while remaining rooted in ska-punk sensibility. Tune in for a fun conversation about the creation of a newer fan favo
June 8 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 307: Peter Stuart discusses Dog’s Eye View’s “Everything Falls Apart”
In this episode, songwriter and vocalist Peter Stuart discusses the writing and recording of the hit 1996 single from Dog’s Eye View, “Everything Falls Apart.” Written quickly (and with a hangover) after a disappointing meeting with a potential producer, the song describes a young Peter’s tendency to be his own worst enemy. Torpedoing his own life for excitement may have been a subconscious way of coming up with good subject matter for his lyrics, and fortunately in this instance, it worked. Tun
June 4 · 1 hr 3 min
Throwback Thursday: JR Wasilewski discusses Less Than Jake’s “Walking Pipebomb”
Originally released as Episode 257 on May 12th, 2025, this week’s Throwback Thursday episode features Chris’s Less Than Jake bandmate JR Wasilweski discussing the writing and recording of “Walking Pipebomb” from the band’s Uncharted EP.
June 1 · 1 hr 53 min
Ep. 306: Dee Snider discusses Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock”
Despite his recent retirement from the touring circuit, Dee Snider most definitely still rocks! This week, he makes his return appearance to the show to discuss the writing, recording, and legacy of Twisted Sister’s classic 1984 single “I Wanna Rock.” The spirit of the music still burns in Dee now, just as it did when he was recording song ideas into a cassette recorder as a young frontman. Tune in to both laugh and be inspired as Chris and Dee turn back the clock to the creation of this iconic
May 28 · 1 hr
THE THUNDRED: The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time (#100 - #81)
Over on One Hit Thunder (sister podcast of Chris DeMakes A Podcast), Matt and Chris compiled the Top 10 lists of listeners to arrive at the list of the 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time. You can hear ALL of the episodes over on the One Hit Thunder feed, but to give you a taste, this is #100 through #81 of the countdown.