Chris DeMakes A Podcast
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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,...
Recent Episodes
414 episodes
Ep. 292: The 68th Grammy Awards Song of the Year Preview and Predictions
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...
A Band Called Punchline Ep. 3: The Rewind EP
By 2002, things had kicked into high gear for Punchline. They had decided to pursue music full-time, and relentless touring soon followed. Grassroots...
Throwback Thursday: Reese Roper discusses Five Iron Frenzy’s “Zen and the Art of Xenophobia”
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 wi...
Ep. 291: Ryan Key discusses Yellowcard’s “Better Days”
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...
Throwback Thursday: Chad Price discusses All’s “Original Me”
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...
Ep. 290: Nick Thompson discusses Hit the Lights “Bodybag”
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...
Throwback Thursday: Ben Lee discusses his song “Catch My Disease”
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 Diseas...
The 2025 Year-End Wrap
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. Tog...
Ep. 289: A discussion on Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”
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...
SNEAK PREVIEW of The After Party “Chris, Chris, and Kris (Kringle)” episode
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 kn...
Ep. 288: A discussion on The Waitresses “Christmas Wrapping”
In the 1981 holiday season, The Waitresses delivered a refreshingly offbeat gift with their single “Christmas Wrapping.” Written by Chris Butler, who...
THE THUNDRED: The Top 100 Albums of All Time (#20 - #1)
From the One Hit Thunder podcast (originally released on 11/29/2024)
In this final installment of THE THUNDRED, Chris and Matt reveal the...
Throwback Thursday: Eric Bazilian discusses Joan Osborne's "One Of Us"
For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we’re revisiting Episode 185 from December 11th, 2023. In this episode, Eric Bazilian makes his triumphant return...
Ep. 287: A discussion on Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
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 hi...
THE THUNDRED: The Top 100 Albums of All Time (#40 - #21)
From the One Hit Thunder podcast (originally released on 11/22/2024)
THE THUNDRED is back! In this exciting installment, Chris and Matt c...
Throwback Thursday: A discussion on Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
In this festive Throwback Thursday episode from December 23rd, 2024, Chris DeMakes and co-host/producer Chris Fafalios dive into the story behind the...
Ep. 286: A discussion on The Kinks “Father Christmas”
This week, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios dive into The Kinks’ 1977 holiday classic “Father Christmas,” a song that manages to sound as punk as it d...
THE THUNDRED: The Top 100 Albums of All Time (#60 - #41)
From the One Hit Thunder podcast (originally released on 11/15/2024)
In part three of THE THUNDRED, Chris and Matt continue their epic co...
Throwback Thursday: Karl Alvarez discusses Descendents "I'm The One"
In this Throwback Thursday episode from November 27th, 2023, Descendents bassist Karl Alvarez dives into the creation of the band’s 1996 single “I’m T...
Ep. 285: Anastasia and Maxamillion Haunt discuss The Haunt’s “Masochistic Lovers”
In this episode, Chris is joined by siblings Anastasia and Max Haunt to discuss the writing and recording of The Haunt’s 2025 single, “Masochistic Lov...
THE THUNDRED: The Top 100 Albums of All Time (#80 - #61)
From the One Hit Thunder podcast (originally released on 11/8/2024)...
THE THUNDRED continues! In this second episode of the five-part se...
Throwback Thursday: Mick Conroy discusses Modern English's "I Melt With You"
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode revisits Episode 148 from March 27th, 2023, in which Modern English bassist and vocalist Mick Conroy shares the...
Ep. 284: Austen Gray discusses Joker’s Republic’s “Gin and Tonic”
In this episode, Chris sits down with Austen Gray of Joker's Republic to unpack the writing and recording of their 2022 single, “Gin and Tonic.” From...
A Band Called Punchline Ep. 2: Major Motion Picture
By late 1999, there was no turning back for Punchline. They had made the
important step of adding a fourth member, and they wasted no time getti...
Throwback Thursday: John Hampson discusses Nine Days "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)"
This week's Throwback Thursday episode revisits Episode 147 from March 20th, 2023, which features Nine Days frontman John Hampson sharing the story be...
Ep. 283: Rob Rufus discusses Blacklist Royals “Punk Rock Survivors”
In this episode, Blacklist Royals drummer Rob Rufus sits in for a heartfelt conversation about the band's powerful new single, "Punk Rock Survivors."...
Throwback Thursday: A discussion on George Michael's "Faith"
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode revisits Episode 118 from August 29th, 2022, where the spotlight is on George Michael’s genre-blending smash hi...
Ep. 282: Legends Amplified: Ozzy Osbourne’s “Shot in the Dark” (feat. Jaret Reddick)
In this week’s special episode, Chris is joined by Bowling For Soup’s Jaret Reddick to share their mutual love for the late Prince of Darkness, Ozzy O...
Throwback Thursday: Michael Sweet discusses Stryper’s “To Hell with the Devil”
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode revisits Episode 77, originally released on November 15th, 2021, featuring Stryper frontman Michael Sweet. As t...
Ep. 281: Spencer Charnas discusses Ice Nine Kills “A Work of Art”
Just in time for Halloween, Ice Nine Kills frontman Spencer Charnas returns to the show for the third time to discuss the writing and recording of the...
Throwback Thursday: Matt Thiessen discusses Relient K's "Be My Escape"
This week’s Throwback Thursday revisits Episode 108, originally released on June 20th, 2022, featuring Matt Thiessen of Relient K. In this episode, Ma...
Ep. 280: Kellen McGregor discusses Memphis May Fire’s “Make Believe”
In this episode, Memphis May Fire guitarist Kellen McGregor discusses the creation of their 2022 single “Make Believe” from the album Remade in Misery...
Throwback Thursday: Travis Shettel discusses Piebald's "American Hearts"
This Throwback Thursday revisits Episode 120, originally released on September 12th, 2022, featuring Travis Shettel of Piebald. Travis dives into the...
Ep. 279: Jason Vena discusses Acceptance’s “Take Cover”
Former MTV VJ and A&R rep Matt Pinfield signed Acceptance to Columbia Records after hearing a demo the band recorded with producer Aaron Sprinkle, pav...
Throwback Thursday: Sean "Slug" Daley discusses Atmosphere's "The Best Day"
This week’s Throwback Thursday heads back to Episode 157, originally released on May 29th, 2023, featuring Sean “Slug” Daley of Minneapolis hip hop du...
Ep. 278: John Feldmann discusses blink-182’s “Bored to Death”
Goldfinger frontman and producer John Feldmann returns for his third appearance to talk about the making of blink-182’s 2016 single “Bored to Death.”...
Throwback Thursday: Bill Manspeaker discusses Green Jellÿ's "Three Little Pigs"
This Throwback Thursday revisits Episode 71, originally released on October 4th, 2021, featuring the wildly inventive Bill Manspeaker of Green Jellÿ....
Ep. 277: Beau Bokan discusses blessthefall’s “mallxcore”
This week, blessthefall vocalist Beau Bokan sits in to discuss the story behind the 2025 single “mallxcore.” The song is an in-your-face return to for...
Throwback Thursday: Kenny Vasoli discusses The Starting Line's "Island"
This week’s Throwback Thursday revisits Episode 165, originally released on July 24th, 2023, featuring Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line. In this deep...
Ep. 276: A discussion on Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys “God Only Knows”
In this episode, Chris and Chris dive into Brian Wilson’s life leading up to the creation of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and take a closer look at the...