One Hit Thunder

The people have spoken! Tune in for the results to the FINAL MATCHUP in our annual March Madness tournament, this time pitting singles from the year 1996 up against each other. Listeners voted in a battle for the ages between Smashing Pumpkins "1979" and Gin Blossoms "Follow You Down." 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever been SO inspired by a comic strip that you can’t HELP but write a song about it? Well, if you were a funnies enthusiast in 1960, you could end up topping the charts. Yes, that’s right…”Alley Oop” by The Hollywood Argyles, who were BARELY even a real band, hit #1 on the Hot 100. How did this happen? And WHY did this happen? Secure your loincloths, because we’re going to try to make sense of this strange moment in music history on this week’s episode. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to get the final showdown songs!!! Voting starts tomorrow on the One Hit Thunder on the Facebook Page 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 2009, La Roux released “Bulletproof,” an irresistible pop gem that combined a synth-heavy 80s sound with an instantly memorable chorus. The English duo’s androgynous vocalist Elly Jackson also provided a visual aesthetic that stood out from the crowd, and the single could be heard everywhere from dance clubs to public pools. With a hit song and soon a Grammy in hand, La Roux seemed on track for a long and prolific career…so why does this episode of One Hit Thunder exist? This week, we’re joined by Joshua Napier who has INDEED been there, done that, messed around with the music of La Roux for over a decade, but why didn’t the rest of their catalog sweep the world off its feet? Tune in to find out. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Final 4 Time! Matt shares the results from Round 3 with Chris after his tour! Voting starts tomorrow on the One Hit Thunder on the Facebook Page 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Deee-Lite dropped “Groove Is In the Heart” in 1990, it was simultaneously a throwback to the style and vibes of the late 60s while futuristic in its sound and worldview. A product of an open-minded New York City club scene, the group just oozed fun and positivity, and you couldn’t escape the unforgettable green-screened music video that featured Bootsy Collins, bodysuits, platform shoes, and the disembodied floating head of Q-Tip. Front and center for Deee-Lite was Lady Miss Kier, whose soaring vocal hooks were supported by everything from slide whistles to samples from the Green Acres theme song. This week, we’re joined by Mark Popeney to learn everything we can about this beloved dance band and see if WE couldn’t ask for another. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Elite 8 Time! Matt shares the results from Round 2 with a rotating door of guests from the Punchline Green Room before their Philly show last night! 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of disco, a lot of names come to mind: Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Bee Gees, Chic. The name Yvonne Elliman, however, might not be one you’ve even heard…but you’ve certainly heard her biggest hit. “If I Can’t Have You” hit #1 on the Hot 100 in May of 1978, and it was part of a parade of hits from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Though the song was originally intended to be another Bee Gees single, they wisely made the decision to let Yvonne Elliman’s passionate vocal performance be the definitive version of the song, making it a tune that still resonates with people today. But when it comes to the rest of Yvonne’s catalog, were we strong enough to see it through? Tune in to find out. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Down to the Sweet 16! Matt shares the results from Round 1 with the guys from Punchline, and he gets their live reactions to them while they ride in the van. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2015 was a blissfully oblivious moment in America, when the future hadn’t yet caught up to us and all we wanted to do was dance, party, and eat dessert in the sand. It makes sense, then, that DNCE’s hit “Cake By the Ocean” would become a massive success, with its funky grooves and sugary melodies. Fronted by a shoeless Joe Jonas, the song was born from a hilariously mistranslated drink order and was completely unavoidable, whether you liked it or not. This week, Joe Ferejan sits in to help decide whether DNCE brought the thunder beyond their hit, or if eating baked goods on the beach is just a relic of days long gone. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Matt introduce the brackets for this year’s One Hit Thunder March Madness tournament, where various singles from 1996 will all compete to try to take the crown! Listeners will determine who advances, and YOU can make your voice heard by voting in the One Hit Thunder Facebook group. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1985, MTV was in the thick of the rock revolution. You couldn’t turn on the channel without seeing guys with big hair and loud guitars playing to sexy, scantily clad women, and Y&T’s “Summertime Girls” was no exception. This long-running Bay Area band was well respected in the world of hard rock and had amassed legions of fans around the globe, yet they remained somewhat under the radar in the American mainstream. Although the band wrote “Summertime Girls” as a joke, their record label insisted they record it, a decision that initially seemed like a stroke of genius when the song became their most well-known hit in the States. It wasn’t long, however, before a backlash set in, and the fiercely determined band was forced back to square one. This week, we’re joined by Horror Movie Night’s Scott Roger to dive into the life and times of Y&T, a prolific band that may have made one huge, albeit catchy, mistake. 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2013 marked the peak of “Stomp Clap Hey” music, a wave of indie anthems built on folksy instruments, group choruses, and irresistible stomping and clapping. Right in the thick of it was Of Monsters and Men, whose Top 20 single “Little Talks” became instantly recognizable from its opening horn melody alone. The Icelandic band quickly found themselves everywhere, being featured in commercials, woven into blockbuster films, and even performing in a memorable episode of Game of Thrones. But more than a decade later, are they still worth checking out? This week, Chris and Matt are joined by podcaster and musician Jake Noonan to decide whether it’s time to have little talks with friends to tell them to check out more Of Monsters and Men. 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 ⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was originally recorded for the One Hit Thunder Patreon where Matt tasked Chris to build a Punchline Essentials album. The rules were every album needed to be represented but no songs off the newest album Somewhere to Land. Join our Patreon for more bonus conversations like this one Go see Punchline during their tour Feb 24th until March 15th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1987, an up-and-coming film director named Spike Lee was working on his first major film after achieving success in the indie world. School Daze was based on Spike’s own college experiences, and he needed the ultimate party jam for the soundtrack. He commissioned D.C.’s favorite go-go funk band, E.U., to record “Da’ Butt,” and the world was never the same. The song sounds like a party because it really kind of is. Spike brought members of the film’s cast to the studio, and all the energy and laughter captured on the track is real.Tune in to learn more about E.U., and never forget what people in 1988 were shouting on dance floors from coast to coast: “Ain’t nothin’ wrong if you wanna do the butt all night long!” 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 ⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s bonus episode, Chris and Matt give their thoughts and opinions on Bad Bunny’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. They also dive into Green Day, Charlie Puth, Coco Jones, Brandi Carlile, the cultural conversation, the commercials, and of course, the game itself! 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 ⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Chris and Matt are joined by their friend Moose to revisit Steriogram’s 2004 breakout hit, “Walkie Talkie Man.” They dig into the band’s mix of punk and rap that KINDA works (depending on who you ask), as well as their unforgettable Michel Gondry-directed music video. In the end, they seems to be yet another victim of the cruel and unforgiving world of major labels, but should you dig up an old iPod to listen to their trilogy of albums? Tune in to see if they think you should be movin’ and a groovin’ and a hippin’ and a hoppin’ and a pickin’ and a boppin’ to the music of New Zealand’s very own Steriogram. Also, be sure to check out Moose’s new album Threads at http://www.punkcovermoose.com 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 ⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Immediately following the Grammys on Sunday, February 1st, 2026, Chris and Matt recap the night and give their reactions on what was a big night for Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Olivia Dean, Lola Young, and many more. 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 ⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The DREAM TEAM is back! One Hit Thunder hosts Chris Fafalios and Matt Kelly are joined once again by draft regulars Matthew Milligan and Tony Hartman, this time to each try to get the very best collection of records from the STACKED year of 1996. Each drafter starts with 100 theoretical dollars, and they’ll try to outbid each other on albums like Pinkerton, Evil Empire, Tidal, The Score, Odelay, and Bad Hair Day…all records so iconic that you don’t even need to say the name of the artist! Tune in to hear who walks away with the best batch. 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 ⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 265 on 7/7/25)... On this episode, Tracy Bonham sits in to break down her explosive 1996 single "Mother Mother." From her early days as a classical violinist to the raw vocal power that defined her biggest hit, Tracy shares how the song evolved both lyrically and emotionally. She opens up about the recording of her debut album, navigating sudden success in the '90s alt-rock scene, and even featuring her real-life mom in the song’s iconic video. It’s a candid look at the creative process behind a track that blended vulnerability with ferocity—and still resonates decades later. 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not to toot our own horn, but this is our 300th episode of One Hit Thunder, so we HAD to focus on a song about tooting your own horn. It’s unclear if anyone has ever actually referred to masturbating as “tooting their own horn”, but that’s not the point here. The point IS that in 1991, you could be riding in the car with your grandparents and hear “I Touch Myself”, an ode to self-pleasure from Australia’s Divinyls. In their home country, the Divinyls were a long-running and successful band, but it wasn’t until their collaboration with the writers of “Like a Virgin” that they crossed over to the US. So why didn’t the States continue to bust a nut over the band after this unforgettable hit? Tune in to find out. 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 Buy some Merch⁠ ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠ ⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! 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 Buy some Merch⁠ ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠ ⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. 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 Buy some Merch Join our Patreon Join our Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling optimistic about the new year? We hope so, because we thought it was the perfect time to dive into Timbuk 3’s “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades.” On the surface, it sounds hopeful, but the lyrics reveal something much darker once you really listen. In this week’s episode, we explore how a married couple with a drum machine managed to break into the Top 20 with the first single from their debut album. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Timbuk 3 stood their ground and turned down huge offers from companies who wanted to use the song in commercials. They created a timeless track that’s both catchy and deep, all the while maintaining their artistic integrity. Things are goin’ great and they’re only gettin’ better, so get ready to learn more than you ever thought you would about Timbuk 3. 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 Join our Patreon Buy Some Merch Join Our Facebook Group Follow Us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 247 on 3/3/25)... This week, Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba sits in to break down the writing and recording of the band's massive 1997 hit, "Tubthumping." He and Chris explore the song’s punk-influenced origins, its anthemic structure, and how its themes of resilience and working-class pub culture resonated worldwide. Danbert shares insights into the band's approach to songwriting, the unexpected mainstream success of the track, and how Chumbawamba balanced their political ethos with commercial visibility. The conversation also touches on the lasting impact of "Tubthumping" and Nobacon's latest musical projects, offering a fascinating look at a song that continues to take on new life decades after its release. 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, we dig into NewSong’s “The Christmas Shoes,” a holiday hit that somehow became a cultural phenomenon despite being, frankly, awful. The song relies on emotional manipulation instead of real storytelling, and we still cannot understand how it convinced so many people that it was profound. We take apart the lyrics, talk through the bizarre narrative choices, and then go down the rabbit hole of the YouTube comments, which are almost as unbelievable as the song itself. Even more shocking is the legacy it left behind, spawning multiple novels and made-for-TV movies. Whether you want to or not, you will probably hear it at least once every holiday season. So get ready, because we are kicking off our Christmas shoes AND taking off our Christmas gloves, and we are NOT holding back on this musical disaster. Merry Christmas, everyone! 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 Join our Patreon Join our Facebook Group Buy some Merch Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Chris and Matt discuss the new HBO Original Documentary from their Bill Simmons-produced Music Box series. Using the categories from Bill’s very popular The Rewatchables podcast, the guys discuss their favorite parts of this look into the meteoric rise of Counting Crows in the early 90s. Join our Patreon Buy a Shirt Follow us on Instagram Join our Facebook Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 288 on 12/15/25)... In the 1981 holiday season, The Waitresses delivered a refreshingly offbeat gift with their single “Christmas Wrapping.” Written by Chris Butler, who openly admitted his dislike for the holidays, the song was pieced together from leftover riffs and lyrics he scribbled down in a taxi on the way to the studio. With Patty Donahue’s cool, talk-sing delivery and a groove that blended sarcasm with sincerity, the track perfectly captured the chaotic mix of exhaustion and joy that defines the season. Though it was only a modest hit at first, “Christmas Wrapping” has since become a perennial favorite, standing tall among the countless festive tunes that come and go each year. In this episode, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios unpack what makes this unlikely holiday anthem continue to resonate more than four decades later. 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doesn’t escaping into the hills to do nothing but write music with your friends sound like the ultimate dream? By the mid-60s, this was a reality for Black Oak Arkansas, a Southern rock band that refined their sound and mastered their instruments while living off the land. Led by charismatic frontman Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, they built a reputation for their wildly entertaining live shows. By early 1974, it was a cover of a 1957 LaVern Baker song that brought the band to the mainstream. The single, appropriately titled “Jim Dandy,” is a great needle drop in a Dazed and Confused chase scene, but does the song (or any of the other music from their impressively large back catalog) hold up? This week, we’re joined by special guest Josh Ireson to decide if Jim Dandy still comes to the rescue or if it’s just a relic of a weird and psychedelic time. 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 Buy some Merch Join our Patreon Join our Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 224 on 9/16/24)... This week, Mike Edwards sits in to discuss the writing and recording of the 1991 hit single from Jesus Jones, “Right Here, Right Now." The conversation explores the creation and impact of the song, including the inspiration behind it and the cultural context of the time. Mike opens up about the poignant lyrics, highlighting references to Tracy Chapman and the Cold War. He also discusses the band's deliberate blending of rock, house, and hip-hop influences, which helped them stand out in the early 90s alternative rock scene. The episode examines the production techniques used and touches on the band's success, having created a song that still lives on in pop culture today. 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1972, Bill Withers wrote, produced, and performed the #1 hit “Lean on Me,” a timeless single about being there for someone you care about. Fifteen years later, Club Nouveau flawlessly brought the song into the 80s, achieving a modern sound without losing its signature heart and soul. Despite topping the charts and even winning a Grammy for their cover, the group was never able to replicate that success. This week, we dive into their career and catalog to decide whether we all need a little more Club Nouveau in our lives, or if we should just new jack swing ‘em on outta here. 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 Buy some Merch Join our Patreon Join our Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 137 on 1/9/23)... Glasgow's Del Amitri has had a long and storied career, releasing five albums that reached the Top 10 in the UK and selling over 6 millions albums worldwide. In the United States, it was the 1995 hit single "Roll To Me" that showcased the band to the whole country via pop radio. In this episode, bassist and vocalist Justin Currie discusses the writing, recording, and release of this 90s classic. 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you were living in Gainesville, Florida, in the late 90s, Sister Hazel’s “All For You” was probably a hit song to YOU way before it was a hit for the rest of the country. The band had already sold tens of thousands of copies of their album …Somewhere More Familiar when they signed to Universal and re-released it. The album would go platinum, thanks mostly to the one of the catchiest songs of the decade. The many years that followed should be referenced in college courses about how to maintain a successful career after being considered a one hit wonder. This week, we’re joined by special guest Caleb George to “finally figure out” if we’re Hazelnuts or not! 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 Buy some Merch! Join our Patreon Follow us on IG Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 139 on 1/23/23)... In this episode, Toadies vocalist and guitarist Vaden Todd Lewis discusses the writing, recording, and release of the band's 1994 hit single "Possum Kingdom". The song's eerie lyrical content matched with its unique composition made it stand out in an era of inventive rock music, leading to a long and storied career for the legendary Fort Worth band. 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 1993, an up-and-coming Brooklyn hip-hop trio collaborated with an NBA rookie sensation to create a Bugs Bunny-inspired track that cracked the Top 40. In a world of athletes releasing embarrassing novelty singles, “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock?)” had people far and wide asking if Shaq was as diesel on the mic as he was on the court. It was the undeniable track from FU-Schnickens, however, that laid the groundwork for Shaq’s “alidocious” bars. This week, we’re joined by CLASSIC One Hit Thunder guest Matt DiStefano to discuss the short-lived career of FU-Schnickens, and to figure out if there was more to them than this “Looney Tune”. 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 Buy Some Merch! Join Our Patreon! Follow us On Instagram! Join our Facebook Group! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices