Ep. 261: Roger Lima discusses Less Than Jake’s “Sunny Side”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 2 June 2025

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On this episode, Chris is joined by his Less Than Jake bandmate Roger Lima to dive into the writing and recording of their 2024 single "Sunny Side." The conversation explores the song’s layered instrumentation, dynamic horn arrangements, and emotionally resonant lyrics that center on self-realization, identity, and personal growth. Inspired by a fan’s encouragement to “keep your sunny side up and your dirty side down,” the track blends heavy riffs with melodic textures, channeling arena rock energy while remaining rooted in ska-punk sensibilities. From the tension-building breakdown to the soaring vocal finale, Roger and Chris break down every element of the collaborative process that brought “Sunny Side” to life—both in the studio and on stage. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes 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 Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/ 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 Kid.
0:08.1	Hey everybody.
0:09.0	Welcome to the fourth and final episode of our month-long lead-up to the Less than Jake
0:13.5	Summer Circus Tour with the Suicide Machines, Fishbone, Bite Me Bambi, and Catbite.
0:19.5	The tour starts this Saturday, June 7th in Atlanta, Georgia at The Masquerade.
0:23.6	For tickets to this and all other dates, visit less than Jake.com.
0:27.6	Today's guest is none other than Roger Lima, bassist and co-lead vocalists for our band,
0:32.5	Less Than Jake, from Gainesville, Florida.
0:34.8	Together we discussed the writing, recording, and inspiration behind
0:38.4	the single, Sunnyside, taken from the 2024 EP, Uncharted. To say this song was a collaborative
0:45.3	band effort would be an understatement. Sunnyside was all hands on deck. The origins
0:50.3	of the tune date all the way back to 2004, and the fact that the idea ever came to fruition is a bit of a head scratcher.
0:57.0	Typically, song ideas don't stick around very long in the less than J-camp.
1:01.0	We usually use them immediately, or they get left on the cutting room floor.
1:05.0	We're constantly writing and moving forward, so it's both odd and really cool that we stayed the course and saw this one through.
1:12.7	I have a feeling we're going to be playing this song live for a long time to come. So for all this
1:17.6	and life advice from a random in Atlantic City, stick around. Hey, hey, have you heard Christa makes a podcast? Hey, hey, have you heard Christa makes a podcast?
1:28.2	Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:30.9	Christa makes a podcast.
1:33.5	Hey, hey, have you heard?
1:36.1	Christa makes a podcast.
1:38.7	Hey, hey, have you heard?
	...

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