Ep. 291: Ryan Key discusses Yellowcard’s “Better Days”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music Interviews, Music, Music Commentary, Music History

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 12 January 2026

⏱️ 79 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Chris sits down with Ryan Key of Yellowcard to explore the band’s surreal return after what had once been a definitive breakup. Ryan reflects on the emotional and creative spark that led to their comeback single “Better Days” and explains how collaborating with Travis Barker brought a fresh perspective to the studio. He shares how an open and experimental approach shaped the songwriting, why vulnerability fueled some of his strongest vocal work to date, and how kindness within the band has been essential to their evolution. The conversation also looks at the growing generational crossover in their audience, with new fans singing alongside longtime listeners while Yellowcard stays true to the sound that first defined them. 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	Hey, it's me, Krista Makes, and I'm returning once again to Las Vegas to give guided tours at the Punk Rock Museum.
0:06.6	Friday, February 13th, Saturday, February 14th, and Sunday, February 15th.
0:11.5	That's right, Valentine's Day weekend, 2006.
0:14.5	And I can't think of a better gift for your significant other than all of us sharing punk rock memories together.
0:20.1	I'll be giving two guided tours a day.
0:22.2	Get your tickets at the punk rock museum.com. Join me as I guide you through six decades of punk rock
0:27.7	music, memorabilia, artifacts, musical instruments, merchandise, mementos, and so much more.
0:33.8	Get your tickets now at the punk rock museum.com. Can't wait to see you.
0:41.9	300 years of expertise in every twining sleep blend.
0:47.8	100 hours of craft in every cup.
0:51.7	Eight natural ingredients in every sip. One night of winding down in every drop. Your moment of serenity.
1:01.6	Brought to you by twining sleep. Twinings. Alive in every drop.
1:19.0	Hey everybody.
1:20.9	Today's guest is Ryan Key,
1:25.7	guitarist and lead vocalists for the Jacksonville, Florida pop punk band, Yellow Card.
1:29.9	Together, we tackle the writing, recording, and inspiration behind their 2025 smash hit single, Better Days, taken from the album of the same name. After
1:37.0	coming off a five-year breakup in 2022, Yellow Card found themselves playing a comeback show at
1:42.4	Riot Fest in Chicago, and from there,
1:45.0	this domino effect started to happen. The shows got bigger, their reaction got better, and
1:50.6	the band was getting along again. From there, the gifts kept coming, first in the form of
1:56.2	an amazing songwriter-producer, Nick Long. And then it was Nick who introduced the band to his
2:01.8	longtime collaborator Travis Barker, who took a vested interest in the project almost immediately.
	...

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