Ep. 183: Karl Alvarez discusses Descendents "I'm The One"

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 27 November 2023

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Descendents bassist Karl Alvarez takes center stage in this episode, focusing on the band's 1996 single, "I'm The One." An enduring fan favorite, the song is driven by its raw and relatable lyrics that navigate the complexities of unrequited love. Drawing from real-life tales of romantic struggles shared by friends at the time, he unveils the personal inspiration behind the track. As the last member of the band to sit in for Chris DeMakes A Podcast, Karl provides a unique perspective on the unparalleled songwriting and musicianship that defines the Descendents' legacy. If you love Chris DeMakes A Podcast and would like to help support the show, head to http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com . Not only will you help the show continue, but you'll also get weekly bonus episodes of The After Party podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Distro Kit.
0:03.0	Hey everybody, today's guest is bass guitarist Carl Alvarez from the Fort Collins
0:13.6	Colorado punk rock band Descendants.
0:16.9	Together we tackle the writing, recording, and inspiration
0:20.4	behind the fan favorite hit.
0:22.2	I'm the one, taken from their 1996 album
0:24.8	Everything Sucks Now we've heard this a lot here on Krista Makes a podcast
0:29.7	But one of the very first things that Carl said about this track is that it was written in about 20 minutes.
0:35.0	Descendants well-known Rhodian stage manager, Daniel Bugs Snow, had complained to Carl about his ongoing relationship struggles,
0:42.0	and it wasn't long after that the idea for the song came.
0:45.4	And who can't relate to the lyrics? Seeing someone you care about dearly continue to put
0:49.6	best in interest in the wrong people. This song is a mere two minutes and 15 seconds.
0:54.0	But there's not a speck of fat on the bone here.
0:57.0	Every note, word, and feeling has its own spot and purpose.
1:01.0	Drummer Bill Stevenson and guitarist Stephen Egerton produced and engineered this masterpiece. and
1:05.0	B
1:07.7	Drummer Bill Stevenson and guitarist Stephan Egerton produced and engineered this masterpiece, and Andy Wallace absolutely slayed the mix.
1:08.0	27 years later and the track doesn't sound dated at all.
1:12.0	So for all, this and a whole lot Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:25.0	Krista makes a podcast.
1:27.0	Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:30.0	Krista makes a podcast.
	...

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