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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 ...
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Ep. 252: Anty Horgan discusses The Bennies “Party Machine”
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This week, Anty Horgan of The Bennies sits in to break down the spontaneous creation of the band’s 2016 fan-favorite single, "Party Machine." From their early days performing under the name Madonna to their signature blend of psychedelic reggae and ska punk, Anty shares how the band's anything-goes attitude fueled the song’s infectious energy. He a…
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Introducing David Blaine: I Nearly Died Doing This (How to Conquer Fear and Push Your Limits) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty What’s a fear you want to overcome? How do you stay calm under pressure? What if the only limits you had were the ones you refused to break? Today, in this spellbinding episode, w…
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Ep. 251: Martin Fry discusses ABC's "The Look of Love"
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In this episode, Martin Fry gives a look behind the scenes of ABC’s dazzling 1982 hit, “The Look of Love.” With Trevor Horn at the helm, the song’s lush, high-gloss production helped ABC stand out in the new wave explosion, pushing sonic boundaries with cutting-edge techniques. Martin shares how the band approached the track like a stage production…
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Ep. 250: Josh Goldman discusses The Raging Nathans “The Grudge”
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This week, Josh Goldman of The Raging Nathans joins the pod to discuss the writing and recording of their 2025 single "The Grudge." Josh shares how the song evolved from a casual idea into a powerful track, shaped by thoughtful arrangement choices, layered harmonies, and even some intentional literary references. He also reflects on the recording p…
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Ep. 249: Legends Amplified: Ric Ocasek
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In the first episode of Legends Amplified, Chris DeMakes is joined by co-host and producer Chris Fafalios for an in-depth exploration of Ric Ocasek, the legendary frontman of The Cars. The duo explores Ocasek's early life, the formation of The Cars, and the band's meteoric rise to fame, fueled by their innovative sound and the massive impact of MTV…
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Throwback Thursday: Dave King discusses Flogging Molly’s “Drunken Lullabies”
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This week’s Throwback Thursday revisits Episode 146, originally aired on March 13th, 2023, with special guest Dave King of Flogging Molly. Renowned for their unique blend of punk rock energy and traditional Irish folk music, Flogging Molly captured the hearts of fans worldwide with their 2002 anthem “Drunken Lullabies.” In this episode, Dave shares…
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Ep. 248: Brendan B. Brown discusses Wheatus "Lemonade"
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This week, Brendan B. Brown of Wheatus sits in to discuss the writing and recording of the band's 2003 single "Lemonade," a fan-favorite song that blends raw emotion with undeniable hooks. He and Chris explore the song’s evolution, from its themes of jealousy and heartbreak to the production choices that gave it its signature sound—including why Br…
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Ep. 247: Danbert Nobacon discusses Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping”
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This week, Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba sits in to break down the writing and recording of the band's massive 1997 hit, "Tubthumping." He and Chris explore the song’s punk-influenced origins, its anthemic structure, and how its themes of resilience and working-class pub culture resonated worldwide. Danbert shares insights into the band's approach…
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Throwback Thursday: John Parr discusses his song "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)"
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This Throwback Thursday episode of Chris DeMakes A Podcast revisits Episode 143, originally released on February 20, 2023, featuring John Parr discussing the creation of his iconic 1985 hit, “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion).” While widely recognized from the St. Elmo’s Fire film soundtrack, the song was actually inspired by the remarkable journey o…
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Ep. 246: Tahlena Chikami discusses Bite Me Bambi’s “Bad Boyfriend”
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Tahlena Chikami of Bite Me Bambi sits in this week to break down the writing and recording of their 2024 single "Bad Boyfriend," a song inspired by friends' relationship woes and brought to life with the help of producer Cameron Webb. She and Chris discuss the evolution of ska, the challenge of keeping songs fresh in an era of short attention spans…
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Ep. 245: Angelo Moore discusses Fishbone's "Party At Ground Zero"
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In this episode, Angelo Moore of Fishbone stops by to talk all about the writing, recording, release, and legacy of their iconic ska punk anthem “Party At Ground Zero.” Angelo shares how the song came together in a bedroom, blending the band’s wide range of influences—blues, rockabilly, ska, and jazz—to create something totally unique. He and Chris…
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Throwback Thursday: Brian Fallon discusses The Gaslight Anthem’s “45”
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For this week’s Throwback Thursday, and this week we’re revisiting Episode 91 of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, originally released on February 21st, 2022, featuring Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem. Representing New Jersey with their signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and rock 'n' roll grit, the band reached new heights with their 2012 album H…
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Ep. 244: Eric Cannata discusses Young the Giant's "Mind Over Matter"
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In this episode, Eric Cannata of Young the Giant dives into the writing and recording of their 2014 hit single "Mind Over Matter," a pivotal track that showcased the band’s evolving sound and emotional depth. Eric reflects on the surreal experience of achieving success, the collaborative nature of the band's songwriting, and the challenges of creat…
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Throwback Thursday: Jon Foreman discusses Switchfoot’s “Meant to Live”
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For this Throwback Thursday episode, we revisit Episode 95 from March of 2022, when Jon Foreman of Switchfoot joined the podcast to discuss the writing and recording of the band’s 2003 breakout hit, “Meant to Live.” Exploring themes of existential longing and the search for meaning, the song became an anthem that resonated deeply with fans and prop…
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Ep. 243: Stacey Dee discusses Bad Cop/Bad Cop's "Womanarchist"
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In this episode, Stacey Dee of Bad Cop/Bad Cop shares the story behind their 2017 single "Womanarchist," exploring its empowering message of feminism, personal choice, and activism. Stacey discusses the historical influences behind the lyrics, including figures like Nancy Morgan Hart, and highlights the collaborative songwriting process with input …
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Throwback Thursday: Dan Wilson discusses Semisonic’s “Closing Time”
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In this Throwback Thursday episode, originally released in September 2022 as Episode 122, Dan Wilson of Semisonic shares the story behind the writing and recording of their iconic 1998 hit, "Closing Time." A two-time Grammy winner, Dan brings unmatched insight into the art of songwriting, having won Song of the Year in 2007 for co-writing The Chick…
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Ep. 242: The 67th Grammy Awards Song of the Year Preview and Predictions
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In this episode, Chris DeMakes and producer/co-host Chris Fafalios dive into the nominees for Song of the Year at the upcoming 67th Grammy Awards, set to take place on February 2, 2025. They share insights, predictions, and personal connections to each track, including Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," Billie Eilish's “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” Lady Gag…
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Throwback Thursday: Brendan Kelly discusses The Lawrence Arms "The YMCA Down The Street From The Clinic"
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Episode 61 of the podcast, first aired in July 2021, features Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms sharing the story behind the writing and recording of their 2014 fan-favorite track, "The YMCA Down The Street From The Clinic." Known for his razor-sharp wit and knack for crafting unforgettable lyrics, Brendan dives into the inspiration for the song, …
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Ep. 241: Blag Dahlia discusses Dwarves "Everybodies Girl"
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In this episode, Blag Dahlia of the Dwarves joins Chris to discuss the writing and recording of their 1997 fan-favorite single, "Everybodies Girl." Blag reflects on the song's pivotal role in the evolution of the band, blending punk energy with pop elements, and how producer Eric Valentine helped shape its sound. They dive into Blag's diverse music…
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Throwback Thursday: Max Rainer discusses Wilderado's "Surefire"
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Episode 70 of the podcast, originally aired in September 2021, features Max Rainer of Wilderado diving into the writing and recording of their mesmerizing track, “Surefire.” At the time, the band was beginning to make waves, but their trajectory has only soared in the years since. With relentless touring and a growing fanbase, Wilderado has cemente…
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Ep. 240: Matt Collyer discusses The Planet Smashers "Too Much Information"
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In this episode, Chris is joined by Matt Collyer of The Planet Smashers to discuss the writing and recording of their 2019 fan-favorite single, "Too Much Information." Together, they explore the song's creation, from the collaborative songwriting process to the production choices that gave it a polished yet energetic sound. Matt reflects on the rol…
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Throwback Thursday: Raine Maida discusses Our Lady Peace's "Clumsy"
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On this Throwback Thursday episode (originally released on January 31, 2022), Raine Maida dives into the writing and recording of Our Lady Peace’s 1997 single “Clumsy.” Produced by Arnold Lanni, the song became a career-defining hit, spending three weeks at number one in Canada and reaching number five on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Rai…
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Ep. 239: Nick Diener discusses The Swellers "The Best I Ever Had"
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In this episode, Nick Diener of The Swellers joins Chris to discuss the writing and recording of the band’s 2011 fan-favorite single, "The Best I Ever Had." Nick shares the unlikely inspirations behind the track, from the storytelling style of Meat Loaf to the influence of Lynyrd Skynyrd's use of slide guitar. The conversation dives into the song’s…
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In this special year-end wrap episode, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios are joined by special guest Matt Kelly to reflect on all the songs featured on the show throughout 2024. Together, they dive into their monthly favorites, exploring the diverse genres, memorable stories, and personal connections behind each track. As they discuss the production…
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Throwback Thursday: Eric Bazilian discusses The Hooters "And We Danced"
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It’s Throwback Thursday, and this week we’re revisiting Eric Bazilian’s first appearance on the show from January 10, 2022. Eric sat in to break down The Hooters’ infectious 1985 hit “And We Danced,” sharing stories about its creation, recording process, and the unique blend of rock, folk, and new wave that made the song an enduring classic. Eric’s…
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Ep. 238: A discussion on Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
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In this special holiday episode, Chris DeMakes and co-host/producer Chris Fafalios discuss the classic 1958 single "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree." They explore the song’s history, from its creation by songwriter Johnny Marks to Brenda Lee’s remarkable recording at just 13 years old. They dive into the song's rockabilly influences, its nostalgi…
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