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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
Music History
Bohemian Rhapsody
80s Music
We Are Young
Fun
Descendents
Pop Music
Green Day

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 weeklyEpisodes455Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic History

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Artwork for Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this episode, songwriter and vocalist Peter Stuart discusses the writing and recording of the hit 1996 single from Dog’s Eye View, “Everything Falls Apart.” Written quickly (and with a hangover) after a disappointing meeting with a potential produ... more

Originally released as Episode 257 on May 12th, 2025, this week’s Throwback Thursday episode features Chris’s Less Than Jake bandmate JR Wasilweski discussing the writing and recording of “Walking Pipebomb” from the band’s Uncharted EP.

Chris DeMake... more

YouTube

Despite his recent retirement from the touring circuit, Dee Snider most definitely still rocks! This week, he makes his return appearance to the show to discuss the writing, recording, and legacy of Twisted Sister’s classic 1984 single “I Wanna Rock.... more

YouTube

Over on One Hit Thunder (sister podcast of Chris DeMakes A Podcast), Matt and Chris compiled the Top 10 lists of listeners to arrive at the list of the 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time. You can hear ALL of the episodes over on the One Hit Thu... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Dee Snider
Lead vocalist for Twisted Sister, discussant on Stay Hungry era and I Wanna Rock
Twisted Sister
Episode: Ep. 306: Dee Snider discusses Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock”
Geoff Downes
Keyboardist for Asia and former Buggles/Yes member
Asia; The Buggles; Yes
Episode: Ep. 305: Geoff Downes discusses Asia’s “Heat of the Moment”
Duncan Redmonds
Lead vocalist and drummer for Snuff
Snuff
Episode: Throwback Thursday: Duncan Redmonds discusses Snuff’s “Nick Northern”
Steve Soboslai
Guitarist and vocalist, Punchline
Punchline
Episode: Ep. 304: Steve Soboslai discusses Punchline’s “Heart Transplant”
Geoff Rickly
Lead vocalist for Thursday, discussing Signals Over the Air and War All the Time
Thursday
Episode: Throwback Thursday: Geoff Rickly discusses Thursday’s “Signals Over the Air”
Josh Fiedler
Guitarist for The Juliana Theory
The Juliana Theory
Episode: Ep. 303: Josh Fiedler discusses The Juliana Theory’s “Do You Believe Me?”
Linus Dotson
American singer, songwriter, multi‑instrumentalist, and record producer
Episode: Ep. 302: Linus Dotson discusses Linus of Hollywood’s “Thank You for Making Me Feel…Better”
Ken Block
Guitarist and lead vocalist for Sister Hazel
Sister Hazel
Episode: Ep. 301: Ken Block discusses Sister Hazel’s “Change Your Mind”
Jacoby Shaddix
Lead vocalist for Papa Roach
Papa Roach
Episode: Throwback Thursday: Jacoby Shaddix discusses Papa Roach’s “Last Resort”

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 Statesa month 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 States2 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 States3 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 States4 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 States5 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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Throwback Thursday: Duncan Redmonds discusses Snuff’s “Nick Northern”
Q: Was Nick Northern written specifically for the De Masse Be Bonk era or was it developed after the Guns N Wankers project?
It was written during the period when the band reformed, drawing on Northern Soul influences and built around the live-feel instrumentation, with the track evolving as the reunion took shape.
Ep. 302: Linus Dotson discusses Linus of Hollywood’s “Thank You for Making Me Feel…Better”
Q: What was it like to realize this with no Pro Tools and in a bedroom setup?
It was a real challenge and learning curve, manually tuning and timing bottles, burning through a lot of takes, and then bouncing tracks to ADAT to mix on a pro console. It was a labor of love that proved it could be done with nothing but determination and good ears.
Ep. 302: Linus Dotson discusses Linus of Hollywood’s “Thank You for Making Me Feel…Better”
Q: How did you map out the instrumentation and justify the bottle sounds as the core percussion?
It started with test runs to see if the bottle pitches could align with a melody and rhythm; after confirming it could work, I meticulously re‑recorded and tuned each note, then layered in the rest to support the vocal melody, with the bridge emphasizing the glass smashing for dramatic effect.

Audience Metrics

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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. The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
5. HardLore

How many episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast are there?

Chris DeMakes A Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 455 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. Dee Snider
2. Geoff Downes
3. Duncan Redmonds
4. Steve Soboslai
5. Geoff Rickly
6. Josh Fiedler
7. Linus Dotson
8. Ken Block

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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