Chris DeMakes A Podcast
By Chris DeMakes
Categories: Music, Music Commentary, Music History, Music Interviews
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.
498 episodes indexed on PodSearch.
Recent episodes
- Throwback Thursday: Dr. Frank discusses The Mr. T Experience’s “Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba”
Originally released as Episode 223 on September 9th, 2024, this episode features Dr. Frank (aka Frank Portman) of The Mr. T Experience discussing the creation of the fan favorite 1996 single “Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba.” Inspired by The Partridge Family, the song was initially imagined as a folk tune arrange…
- Ep. 326: Brandon Saller discusses Atreyu’s “All For You”
Atreyu’s 2026 single “All For You” takes the band’s sound to a whole new level. The production work of Matthew Pauling highlights the band’s signature, riff-heavy style with vocalist Brandon Saller’s soaring and emotional delivery, delivering a song with mass appeal that doesn’t compromise the…
- Throwback Thursday: Michael Bishop aka Blöthar the Berserker discusses GWAR's "The Road Behind"
This week’s Throwback Thursday was first released as Episode 230 on October 28th, 2024. In this episode, Michael Bishop aka Blöthar the Berserker sits in to discuss the writing and recording of the fan favorite 1992 single from GWAR, "The Road Behind." Michael and Chris dive into the song's…
- Ep. 325: A discussion on Alice Cooper’s “He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask)”
In 1986, the Friday the 13th franchise released the sixth installment in their beloved slasher film series. Jason Lives brought Jason Voorhees back from the dead, gave him supernatural powers, and even gave characters the ability to occasionally break the fourth wall. This over-the-top, borderline…
- Throwback Thursday: Aaron Bruno discusses AWOLNATION’s “Sail”
This edition of Throwback Thursday was originally released as Episode 217 on July 29th, 2024. In this episode, Aaron Bruno discusses the creation of AWOLNATION's 2011 hit single "Sail," offering an inside look at his songwriting process during a challenging period in his life. Aaron shares how he…
- Ep. 324: Rev Peters discusses The Drowns “Them Rats”
Honesty has long been a trademark of The Drowns, from their thought-provoking lyrics to their raw and aggressive album production. Their 2020 single “Them Rats” is no exception on either counts, and in this episode, guitarist and vocalist Rev Peters sits in to discuss how the song came to be…
- Throwback Thursday: Joseph Milligan discusses Anberlin’s “Feel Good Drag”
This week’s Throwback Thursday edition was originally released as Episode 225 on September 23rd, 2024. It features Anberlin guitarist Joseph Milligan discussing the writing and recording of the band’s hit 2008 single “Feel Good Drag.” The song, which was initially intended as a fun re-recording of…
- Ep. 323: Travis Shettel discusses Piebald’s “Gentlemen Callers”
Piebald’s 2026 full-length Tales For The Rages was a long time coming, considering the band’s last LP came out close to 20 years prior. Despite the time between releases, the spirit and unique songwriting of this Massachusetts indie band shines through on the album, especially on the standout…
- Throwback Thursday: A discussion on Dolores O'Riordan and The Cranberries "Zombie"
This week’s Throwback Thursday episode was originally released as Episode 229 on October 21st, 2024. In this conversation, Chris DeMakes and co-host/producer Chris Fafalios dive into the hit 1994 single "Zombie" by The Cranberries, written by the late Dolores O'Riordan. They explore the song’s…
- Ep. 322: A discussion on Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”
Dolly Parton was known far and wide as the Queen of Country Music, which is a title that was well-earned when you look back at her prolific career that spanned six decades. It was in 1980 that she made the leap onto the silver screen, starring alongside fellow female icons Lily Tomlin and Jane…
- THE THUNDRED: The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time (The SNUBS!)
Over on the One Hit Thunder podcast, Chris and Matt compiled the Top 10 lists of listeners to arrive at the 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time. In this episode, they discuss some of the songs that did NOT make the list. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate…
- Ep. 321: Chris Cresswell discusses The Flatliners “Good, You?”
Chris Cresswell makes his return to Chris DeMakes A Podcast, this time to discuss the writing and recording of the 2026 single from The Flatliners, “Good, You?” Lyrically, this hard-hitting, 90s-influenced song is built around a familiar scenario: someone asks how you’re doing, and despite the…
- Throwback Thursday: Craig Wedren discusses Shudder to Think’s “X-French Tee Shirt”
Originally released as Episode 206 on May 13th, 2024, this edition of Chris DeMakes A Podcast features Shudder to Think’s Craig Wedren discussing the creative process that led to the band’s fan favorite 1994 single, “X-French Tee Shirt.” Craig has long been a mastermind behind scores for film and…
- Ep. 320: Patty Walters discusses As It Is “Live, Laugh, Love, Los Angeles”
Even though he has lived in the UK from a very young age, a part of As It Is vocalist Patty Walters’ heart still remains in the United States. The band’s 2026 single “Live, Laugh, Love, Los Angeles” marries ultra-catchy, Springsteen-inspired pop with deeply reflective lyrics about the current…
- Throwback Thursday: Michael "Fitz" Fitzpatrick discusses Fitz and The Tantrums "Out of My League"
This week’s Throwback Thursday was originally released as Episode 214 on July 8th, 2024. In this episode, Michael "Fitz" Fitzpatrick sits in to discuss the writing and recording of the hit 2013 single from Fitz and The Tantrums, "Out of My League." Fitz opens up about his long road to success in…
- Ep. 319: John Corabi discusses Mötley Crüe’s “Hooligan’s Holiday”
When John Corabi stepped in as the new singer of Mötley Crüe in the early 90s, the band was at a true crossroads. As if replacing a lead singer isn’t already an uphill battle for any band, they also had to contend with radio and MTV’s move away from the hard rock and metal of the 80s. Despite the…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
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