Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Over on the One Hit Thunder podcast (which is the sister show to Chris DeMakes A Podcast), the listeners recently chose their top 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time in the series known as The Thundred. The results were released over the course of five episodes, and this is the second installment of those results.

In this episode, John Hampson makes his return to the show to discuss the writing and recording of the hit 2000 single from Nine Days, “If I Am.” Though the song didn’t hit the massive mainstream heights of “Absolutely (Story of a Girl),” it was a successful follow-up single that remains a fan favorite to this day. Written from real-life relationship experience, the song is earnest, heartfelt, and still resonates decades later, as the muse for the lyrics is now John’s wife. 

Originally released as Episode 261 on June 2nd, 2025, this week’s Throwback Thursday episode features Chris’s Less Than Jake bandmate Roger Lima. Together, they dive into the writing and recording of their 2024 single “Sunny Side.” Inspired by a fan’s encouragement to “keep your sunny side up and your dirty side down,” the track blends heavy riffs with unforgettable melodies, all while remaining rooted in ska-punk sensibility. Tune in for a fun conversation about the creation of a newer fan favorite single.

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 producer, the song describes a young Peter’s tendency to be his own worst enemy. Torpedoing his own life for excitement may have been a subconscious way of coming up with good subject matter for his lyrics, and fortunately in this instance, it worked. Tune in for a simultaneously inspiring and entertaining look into the creation of this mid-90s classic. 

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.