Chris DeMakes A Podcast

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, the spotlight returns to Episode 156 (originally released on May 22nd, 2023) for a standout conversation with John Oates, one half of the most successful musical duo in pop history. With 29 charting hits and six #1 singles, Hall & Oates left an unforgettable mark on the music world, and their 1982 smash “Maneater” spent four weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. In...

In this week's episode, Mike Tramp of White Lion reflects on the writing and recording of the band’s 1987 hit “Wait,” a song that helped catapult them into the mainstream after years of grinding it out in clubs. He shares the story behind the track’s evolution, from early edits to its polished final version, and offers insight into his unique, ego-free songwriting partnership with guitarist Vito B...

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels joins Chris DeMakes in this Throwback Thursday episode of Chris DeMakes A Podcast to unpack the story behind Run‑DMC’s classic 1987 single, “It’s Tricky.” DMC dives deep into the song’s creation—recounting the writing sessions with Joseph “Run” Simmons and producer Rick Rubin, the fusion of hip‑hop and rock elements (including the famous “My Sharona” sample), and the recordi...

On this episode, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Bella Peadon opens up about the inspiration and creative process behind her 2025 single “Ms Montana.” Written during a pivotal transition in her life, the song captures Bella’s leap of faith as she left behind expectations and followed her instincts to Montana—a move that deeply shaped both her sound and perspective. She shares how her background in...

It’s July 31st, and fans around the world are observing Tony Sly Day in remembrance of the late Tony Sly, beloved frontman of No Use for a Name, who passed away in 2012. This year marks the first official Tony Sly Day, and to honor the occasion, this Throwback Thursday episode revisits Episode 144, originally released on August 1st, 2022, which takes a deep dive into every aspect of “International...

On this episode, Jason McMaster of Dangerous Toys takes us behind the scenes of the band’s 1989 hit “Scared,” a track born from fear, adrenaline, and a deep love for theatrical rock. Inspired by Alice Cooper and crafted in a quirky home studio setting, “Scared” blends personal storytelling with pounding percussion and a structure that wastes no time getting to the hook. Jason shares how the lyrics...

On this Throwback Thursday episode, originally released as Episode 150 on April 10th, 2023, Josh Caterer of Smoking Popes joins the show to discuss “Megan,” a fan-favorite deep cut from the band’s 1997 major label debut Destination Failure. Though tucked near the end of the album, the song found a lasting connection with listeners thanks to its tender melody and emotionally elusive lyrics. Josh sh...

In this week’s episode, Nick Wheeler of The All-American Rejects joins Chris to unpack the wild and rewarding process behind their 2008 chart-topper “Gives You Hell.” From its uncertain beginnings to becoming the band’s biggest hit, Nick shares how quirky chords, a tongue-in-cheek lyrical edge, and a shift from punk roots to pop polish shaped the track’s identity. He reflects on recording to tape...

This week, Chris DeMakes A Podcast is throwing it back to Episode 104 from May 23rd, 2022, when Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion joined the show to talk about the writing, recording, and legacy of their 1994 single "Stranger Than Fiction." Taken from the album of the same name, the song showcases Brett’s sharp lyrical voice and knack for melody, and in this conversation, he opens up about everything...

In this episode, Chris is joined by Fred LeBlanc, the high-energy frontman and drummer of Cowboy Mouth, to break down the story behind their signature song “Jenny Says.” Originally written during Fred’s stint in Dash Rip Rock, the song went through several incarnations before becoming a crowd-commanding anthem and a staple of Cowboy Mouth’s famously explosive live shows. Fred shares how the track...

For Throwback Thursday this week, we’re revisiting Episode 102—originally released on May 9, 2022—when Milo Aukerman sat in to share the story behind the 1982 Descendents fan favorite “Hope.” Milo talks about writing the song as a young, awkward romantic, how it found its way onto Milo Goes to College, and what it was like recording one of the most unexpectedly tender tracks in early punk. It’s a...

On this episode, Tracy Bonham sits in to break down her explosive 1996 single "Mother Mother." From her early days as a classical violinist to the raw vocal power that defined her biggest hit, Tracy shares how the song evolved both lyrically and emotionally. She opens up about the recording of her debut album, navigating sudden success in the '90s alt-rock scene, and even featuring her real-life m...

After Party Week wraps up in heartfelt fashion here at Chris DeMakes A Podcast with a lovingly selected gem from the archives. Originally released on February 13th, 2023, Episode 91 of The After Party brings the romance with a celebration of love songs—those perfect tracks that make you swoon, cry, or sing your heart out. It’s the kind of episode that’ll have you revisiting your favorite slow danc...

After Party Week keeps rolling here at Chris DeMakes A Podcast, and today’s spotlight is on a more recent fan-favorite episode of The After Party. Originally released on November 11th, 2024, Episode 183 features a special guest appearance by One Hit Thunder’s Matt Kelly, as he joins Chris and producer Chris Fafalios to dig into a fun and often-debated topic: album tracks that should’ve been single...

After Party Week rolls on at Chris DeMakes A Podcast, and today’s episode takes it all the way back to one of the earliest installments of The After Party! Originally released on October 11th, 2021, Episode 21 is a deep dive into the album that redefined rock music in the early '90s—Nirvana’s Nevermind. Chris and producer Chris Fafalios revisit this game-changing release, sharing stories, favorite...

It’s Tuesday, and After Party week continues with another gem from the Patreon archives! Originally released on March 11th, 2024, “80s Lyrics Trivia” features producer Chris Fafalios putting Chris DeMakes’ knowledge of 1980s lyrics to the test with a custom-made quiz that covers everything from pop anthems to deep cuts. Listeners can play along and see if they can beat Chris to the punch—or at lea...

To kick off a full week of After Party episodes on the main feed, here's a sneak peek at one of the fan favorites from the Patreon archive! Originally released on July 17th, 2023, “Hits and Misses of the Summer of ’83” finds Chris and Chris diving into one of the most unforgettable seasons in pop music history. From the undeniable chart-toppers to the criminally overlooked gems, they reflect on wh...

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is widely regarded as one of rock’s all-time greatest songs, despite breaking just about every rule of what a hit single is supposed to be. In this Throwback Thursday episode (originally aired August 15th, 2022), Chris and Chris dive deep into Freddie Mercury’s six-minute masterpiece—dissecting the song’s bold arrangement, ambitious production, and soaring dynamics. They go bey...

On this episode, Vision of Disorder vocalist Tim Williams discusses the creation of their 2001 single "Living to Die" from the album From Bliss to Devastation. Tim opens up about the deeply personal lyrics, written during a difficult time when he was dealing with his father's illness and his own inner struggles. He also reflects on working with producer Machine, whose boundless enthusiasm and crea...

In this Throwback Thursday episode—originally released as Episode 162 on July 3rd, 2023—Chris sits down with Aaron Barrett and Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish to talk all about their 1996 hit, “Sell Out.” The song became an instant ska-punk anthem, blasting onto radio and MTV while poking fun at the music industry’s obsession with, well, selling out. Aaron and Scott share the story behind writ...

In this episode, Limahl shares the story behind Kajagoogoo’s 1983 smash hit “Too Shy,” reflecting on the band’s rapid rise from local gigs to global stardom. He details his chance meeting with Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, whose mentorship helped land them a deal with EMI, and breaks down the experimental recording process that gave “Too Shy” its distinct synth-pop sound. Limahl also opens up about...

In this Throwback Thursday episode, originally released on June 5th, 2023, John Feldmann of Goldfinger sat in for Episode 158 to break down the writing and recording of their 1997 single “Superman.” He shares how the song evolved in the studio, the creative choices that shaped its energetic sound, and how it became an unexpected fan favorite—thanks in part to its inclusion in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skate...

In this episode, Ian Dench of EMF joins the show to discuss the writing and recording of the band’s explosive 1991 hit, “Unbelievable.” From its instantly recognizable hook to its genre-blending sound, the song became a cultural phenomenon and an enduring stadium anthem. Ian offers a look behind the curtain at the song’s construction, including its layered instrumentation, unique pre-chorus, and t...

On this episode, Chris is joined by his Less Than Jake bandmate Roger Lima to dive into the writing and recording of their 2024 single "Sunny Side." The conversation explores the song’s layered instrumentation, dynamic horn arrangements, and emotionally resonant lyrics that center on self-realization, identity, and personal growth. Inspired by a fan’s encouragement to “keep your sunny side up and...

On this episode, Elyse Rogers of Dance Hall Crashers joins Chris to talk about the writing and recording of the band’s 1997 fan favorite single, “Lost Again.” Elyse reflects on the group’s collaborative dynamic, the comfort and shared vision she found working with producer Stoker, and how the song’s lyrics touch on personal and industry struggles faced by artists trying to stay true to themselves....