In the summer of 2003, Punchline headed to Chicago to record their Fueled By Ramen debut full-length Action with up-and-coming producer Sean O’Keefe. These 12 heartfelt and energetic songs would expose the band to a bigger audience than ever before, both through rigorous touring and widespread distribution. While a growing fanbase and a huge hometown release show for the record brought a lot of momentum, the constant self-comparisons to successful peers added crazy amounts of pressure. Coupled with serious issues within the band, Punchline hit a breaking point in early 2005. For the first time ever, the people who lived the Action era talk openly and honestly about the peaks and valleys of this unforgettable time.

Subscribe to A Band Called Punchline wherever you get your podcasts.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5chEn3nnF3pSv2zIzPUPMo?si=d7a75149007a47f0

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-band-called-punchline/id1609331063

Check out the new Punchline album Somewhere To Land.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3Wy3NVQerLtyRm4sn27dOv?si=AMrDmylVRbKxNljgOWKr_g

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/somewhere-to-land/1821472685

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Back when Less Than Jake released their landmark album Hello Rockview in 1998, they chose “History of a Boring Town” and “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads” as the record’s singles. Tucked away at track 13 was “Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin,” a song that had been previously released by the band and became something of an afterthought during the recording sessions. Decades later, it has endured as a fan favorite, thanks to its heartfelt lyrics and raw energy. This week, Chris DeMakes A Podcast producer Chris Fafalios steps into the host chair to dig into the mind and songwriting process of Chris DeMakes, breaking down every detail of this ska punk classic.

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This episode was originally released on February 26th, 2024, as Episode 195 of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, and it features Jonathan Higgs discussing the writing and recording of Everything Everything’s 2023 single “Cold Reactor.” 

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This week, Bouncing Souls guitarist Pete Steinkopf sits in to unpack the writing and recording of the band’s fan favorite 2009 single, “Ghosts on the Boardwalk,” a song steeped in the spirit of their hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey. What started as a quiet sleeper has since become a full-on set list staple, and Pete explains how his eerie EBow lines helped shape the song’s emotional pull while sharing the behind-the-scenes story of how it all came together.

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This week’s Throwback Thursday, which was originally released as Episode 94 on March 14th, 2022, features acclaimed songwriter Holly Knight discussing the writing of Pat Benatar’s hit 1983 single, “Love Is A Battlefield.” Holly is a Grammy Award winning member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame who has written for everyone from Aerosmith to Tina Turner, and this episode is a fascinating look into her mind and process. 

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In this episode, Christian “MC Bat Commander” Jacobs of The Aquabats! dives into the writing and recording of “Fashion Zombies!”, the fan-favorite single from the band’s 2005 album Charge!! that marked a sharp turn in their sound. The conversation traces the group’s early struggles, the collaborative and experimental approach that shaped the song, and how blending solid musicianship with absurd humor became their secret weapon. Christian breaks down the song’s playful but pointed commentary on fashion and youth culture, and the instantly memorable “whoas” in the chorus that made it explode with live crowds. This episode captures how “Fashion Zombies!” fit into a pivotal moment for The Aquabats!, proving they could evolve while staying true to what made them unmistakably themselves.

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For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com

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This week’s Throwback Thursday was originally released as Episode 141 on February 6th, 2023, and it features KT Tunstall discussing the writing and recording of her hit 2004 single “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.” 

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In the first of four episodes leading up to the Less Than Jake UK Winter Circus Tour, vocalist Tom McFaull discusses the writing and recording of the brand new 2026 single from The Bar Stool Preachers, “Pick a Side.” He and Chris talk about how a moment of personal disappointment turned into one of the band’s most lyrically direct songs yet, unpacking its heavy real-world themes and the challenge of separating the art from the artist. They also get deep into the choices made during recording that helped shape this aggressive yet danceable track. 

The Bar Stool Preachers are raising money to help those in need of medical aid in Palestine. If you'd like to help, you can contribute HERE.

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For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com

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This week’s Throwback Thursday, which was originally released on February 28th, 2022, as Episode 92 of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, features Hoobastank guitarist Dan Estrin discussing the writing and recording of the band’s hit 2002 single “Crawing In The Dark.” 

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In this episode, guitarist Mike Harder discusses the writing and recording of “Insects Destroy,” Pulley’s 2004 single born from a combination of frustration and observation. Mike breaks down how his time working in the corporate world shaped the song’s lyrical perspective, as well as a real-life run-in with insects in his home. He also opens up about how producer Matt Hyde helped refine Pulley’s sound and the many lessons the band took away from their experience working with him. Tune in for a fascinating look at a song that continues to resonate with Pulley fans decades later.

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