One Hit Thunder

From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 266 on 7/14/25)...

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 evolved over time, why emotional honesty matters more than perfection, and how a
great hook can outlast just about anything. From vocal delivery to
production decisions, this conversation offers a raw, insightful look at
a song that’s connected with fans for decades—and proves that sometimes
shouting “let it go, let it go, let it go” is exactly what we all need.

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2025 is in the books, and now it’s time to RANK the last 50 songs that were featured on the show. This time, Chris and Matt are joined by CLASSIC One Hit Thunder guests Matt DiStefano, Johnny Yetsconish, and Jim Logrando to put the songs in order from worst to best. What will come out on top? Tune in to find out!
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From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 262 on 6/9/25)...

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 the clever use of
samples—most notably the shout of “Oh!” lifted from Andrew Dice Clay’s
stand-up album. He also recounts how a chance encounter with Rick Rubin
at a New York restaurant led to Rubin casually granting sample clearance
with the words, “Fax my office in the morning.” The conversation
explores the emotional and musical influences that shaped the track, the
challenges of creating in the analog era, and how personal experiences
and playful experimentation helped fuel the song’s unforgettable energy.

One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder⁠

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Modern English’s “I Melt With You” is one of those songs everyone knows, but most people don’t realize how much is packed into its seemingly happy 80s charm. On the surface, it’s a catchy love song, but listen closer and you catch hints of nuclear anxiety and darker undertones that make it surprisingly layered. In this week’s episode, we explore how a band blending punk and new wave turned a modest chart hit into a timeless anthem that still shows up in movies and commercials decades later. Modern English faced breakups, reunions, and changing music trends, yet the song’s combination of pop hooks and emotional depth has kept it alive. Tune in as we dive into all things Modern English, a band that realized the power of a great hum solo in a song.

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From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 256 on 5/5/25)....

This week, Stacy Jones sits in to share the story behind American
Hi-Fi’s 2001 breakout hit, “Flavor of the Weak.” From his early days as
Veruca Salt’s touring drummer to stepping into the spotlight as a
frontman, Stacy discusses the evolution of his career, the challenges of reinvention, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He reflects on
the spontaneous songwriting process that led to the band’s signature
track, the impact of working with producer Bob Rock, and the raw energy
captured in the song’s live-off-the-floor recording. Stacy and Chris
also dive into the song’s lasting legacy, the importance of authenticity
in music, and what’s next for American Hi-Fi.

One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder⁠

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