Punk rock heavyweight and renowned folksinger Chuck Ragan joins host Chris DeMakes for this week's episode of Chris DeMakes A Podcast to discuss, critique and analyze Hot Water Music's driving single "Remedy" - a song about rough times during Ragan's adolescence. The track appeared on 2002's Caution (Epitaph Records).
"I grew up in a great home, two wonderful loving parents, but at the same time they were very conservative," explains Ragan. "A Southern Baptist household and I was a punk rocker. That's pretty much that story."
DeMakes' compelling discussions and songwriting knowledge has landed his podcast in the mix with NPR, Rolling Stone, and Vox among others. Recent episodes include Rick Nielsen(Cheap Trick), Bill Stevenson (Descendents, ALL, Black Flag), Mark Hoppus (Blink-182), Tim McIlrath (Rise Against), Joe Escalante (The Vandals), Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio), Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional, Further Seems Forever), Robin Wilson (Gin Blossoms), Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids), Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!), and Deryck Whibley (Sum 41). Subscribe here.
Less Than Jake has sold over 2 million albums worldwide. Their groundbreaking ska-punk albums Pezcore, Losing Streak, and Hello Rockview have stood the test of time and continue to connect with younger generations. Borders and Boundaries was released in 2000 and contained the singles “Look What Happened” along with their hometown anthem “Gainesville Rock City” which received some airtime on MTV2. 2003’s Anthem debuted at #45 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and spawned three major singles in the US and UK. “She’s Gonna Break Soon” spent a couple weeks on MTV’s TRL, “The Science of Selling Yourself Short” spent five weeks on Billboard’s Top 40 Singles Chart and peaked at #37, and “The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out” featuring Billy Bragg spent time on the UK Singles Chart.
A few of DeMakes’ most memorable tours include Bon Jovi’s The Crush Tour (2000), Descendents’ Caffeine Nation Tour (1997), and Linkin Park’s Projekt Revolution (2004). The band also holds the record for most performances on Vans Warped Tour at 441 (nobody is even close). Less Than Jake has been a staple on the international festival circuit as well which includes Reading and Leeds Festival, Download Festival, Fuji Rock Festival, Soundwave Festival, Pukkelpop, Hurricane Festival, Frequency Festival, and Greenfield Festival.
When DeMakes isn’t on tour, he’s busy in his home studio doing custom songs, jingles, and voiceovers. In addition, he’s available for music business consulting and motivational speaking at high schools and universities.