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Artwork for Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes
Distrokid
Punk Rock
Music Production
Music Industry
Punchline
Less Than Jake
Songwriting
Christmas
Queen
Nirvana
Weezer
The Beatles
Bohemian Rhapsody
80s Music
We Are Young
Descendents
Fun
Green Day
Shopify
Lemonade

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes472Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic History

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Artwork for Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Latest Episodes

Chris DeMakes A Podcast producer Chris Fafalios also co-hosts One Hit Thunder, which is the sister podcast to this show. Every year on One Hit Thunder, they roll out their beloved Thundred series, in which listeners of the show submit their Top 10 li... more

YouTube

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 althoug... more

YouTube

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 guitar... more

YouTube

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 ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Matt Albert
Contestant on Defeat DeMakes
Independent artist / supporter of the show
Episode: Defeat DeMakes Episode 14: MTV Edition
Nikola Šarčević
Lead vocalist and bassist for Millencolin
Millencolin
Episode: Throwback Thursday: Nikola Šarčević discusses Millencolin's "No Cigar"
Mark Cruce
Contestant and musician historically linked to Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake
Episode: Defeat DeMakes Episode 13: Metal and Hard Rock Edition
Taylor Rice
Lead vocalist and guitarist, Local Natives
Local Natives
Episode: Throwback Thursday: Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn discuss Local Natives “When Am I Gonna Lose You”
Ryan Hahn
Guitarist and vocalist, Local Natives
Local Natives
Episode: Throwback Thursday: Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn discuss Local Natives “When Am I Gonna Lose You”
Greg Camp
Guitarist for Smash Mouth, discussed as a guest to break down Walkin On the Sun
Smash Mouth
Episode: Ep. 312: Greg Camp discusses Smash Mouth’s “Walkin’ On the Sun”
Joel Reader
Bassist and vocalist for The Plus Ones
The Plus Ones
Episode: Ep. 311: Joel Reader discusses The Plus Ones “All the Boys”
Sonny Sandoval
Lead vocalist of POD, introduced as the guest for the episode
POD
Episode: Throwback Thursday: Sonny Sandoval discusses P.O.D.’s “Youth of the Nation”
Deanna Belos
Lead vocalist and guitarist of Sincere Engineer
Sincere Engineer
Episode: Ep. 310: Deanna Belos discusses Sincere Engineer’s “Trust Me”

Hosts

Chris DeMakes
Host of the show
Chris Fafalios
Producer and co-host

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • I guess I’m A Fake Fan

    I honestly didn’t realize I never left a review, but having been a listener and supporter since day one, here it is 300+ episodes later.

    Listen to this podcast. Don’t think about it, just listen. Enjoy the ride. You won’t regret it.

    With now over 300 episodes to choose from, there’s something for everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HeyHeyHeyItsMattAlbert
    United States3 months ago
  • Loving it!

    Just listened to your latest episode with Will Gold (Lovejoy has been my favorite band since 2023) and I was absolutely hooked. Im a 17y/o girl that’s been unofficially studying music for nearly 9 years and the way you broke things down was so easily digestible and engaging. Safe to say you’ve gained a new fan of the show :3

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Queen_Blockhead
    United States4 months ago
  • Easter Egg podcast

    Every episode I listen to I learn something new about the song I don’t know before. (It blew my mind to find out Aaron Barrett sang back up on Superman?!) It’s nostalgia and new all wrapped into one. Keep it up guys.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Florida Is Sinking Podcast
    United States5 months ago
  • Like fine wine this podcast gets better over time!

    I love the passion & fascination Chris and Chris have for music when it comes to breaking down songs of all different genres with each episode. I dig the relaxed fun when it comes to getting interesting tidbits from guests and how their appreciation for songs can change or evolve over time. Plus, I discover the occasional new artist here there too! Keep rockin’, I’ll keep listening, cheers!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    midwest mike wazowksi
    United States6 months ago
  • Best music breakdown podcast out there!

    Would love to hear an AFI, Rancid or Op Ivy song broken down! Or all of the above!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rivenstein
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is valued for its breadth across genres and eras, with strong production and storytelling.
Listeners praise the detailed songcraft breakdowns and guest insights.
Guests and hosts bring a respectful, knowledgeable tone that educates without alienating casual fans.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#33
United States/Music/Music Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#141
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/Music/Music Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#39
Canada/Music/Music Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#189
United Kingdom/Music
Apple Podcasts
#199
Canada/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Throwback Thursday: Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn discuss Local Natives “When Am I Gonna Lose You”
Q: Take us back to when you guys wrote it.
The track emerged from a long process during which the band refined the arrangement, with the piano coming in late and the production evolving through many takes and experiments under Shawn Everett's guidance.
Ep. 312: Greg Camp discusses Smash Mouth’s “Walkin’ On the Sun”
Q: Take us back to initially writing the song and its journey from a prior band to Smash Mouth.
Greg Camp explains that the track was written for a band prior to Smash Mouth, was rejected for not fitting their vibe, but was later revived by Smash Mouth with producer Eric Valentine, ultimately becoming the breakout hit of the album.
Ep. 309: Shawna Potter discusses War On Women’s “Messages Unsent”
Q: What inspired Messages Unsent, and who is it about?
Shawna explains it is a love song about her dog Rosie, using the concept of saying what you would want to say if you were on a plane going down to convey the depth of care and fear about losing a loved one.
Throwback Thursday: JR Wasilewski discusses Less Than Jake’s “Walking Pipebomb”
Q: What was the band's writing process like for this track?
The song started as a demo with skeletons; different members added parts, with JR contributing the initial idea and others like Roger adding horn parts and a bridge that evolved during the production.
Throwback Thursday: JR Wasilewski discusses Less Than Jake’s “Walking Pipebomb”
Q: When did you write Walking Pipebomb and how did it fit into your writing timeline?
JR explains it was written around 2019-2020, sat on a studio file, and was developed after they finished recording Silver Linings, with additional songs written afterward.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Chris DeMakes A Podcast

What is Chris DeMakes A Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on deep-dive conversations with songwriters, producers, and musicians about the writing and recording of notable tracks. Across episodes, listeners get technical breakdowns of arrangement, recording gear, and production choices, paired with personal stories from artists and the era surrounding each track. It's notable for its songwriter-focused lens, thoughtful storytelling, and the casual, insightful banter that makes complex musical ideas accessible. The format is likely to appeal to aspiring musicians, music industry professionals, and fans who crave behind-the-scenes details and meaningful context around beloved songs.

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Which podcasts are similar to Chris DeMakes A Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Chris DeMakes A Podcast:

1. One Life One Chance with Toby Morse
2. Turned Out A Punk
3. The First Ever Podcast
4. HardLore
5. The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

How many episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast are there?

Chris DeMakes A Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 472 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Chris DeMakes A Podcast?

Recent guests on Chris DeMakes A Podcast include:

1. Matt Albert
2. Nikola Šarčević
3. Mark Cruce
4. Taylor Rice
5. Ryan Hahn
6. Greg Camp
7. Joel Reader
8. Sonny Sandoval

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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