Throwback Thursday: Kenny Vasoli discusses The Starting Line's "Island"

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 25 September 2025

⏱️ 87 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week’s Throwback Thursday revisits Episode 165, originally released on July 24th, 2023, featuring Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line. In this deep dive, Kenny unpacks the writing and recording of “Island,” the band’s highest-charting single from their 2007 album Direction. With producer Howard Benson helping to shape its sound, the song marked a distinct evolution for the group. Kenny shares a never-before-heard demo along with fascinating insight into a track that still resonates just as strongly today as it did upon release. 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, hey, have you heard?
0:02.0	I'm going back to Las Vegas and the Punk Rock Museum to give guided tours.
0:06.0	This happens to coincide with the When We Were Young Festival.
0:09.0	I'll be there over the course of four days, October 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th.
0:15.0	Two tours a day, one at 1.30 p.m. and 1 at 4.30 p.m.
0:19.0	These tours will sell out. Space is limited, so grab your
0:23.3	tickets now at the punkrockmuseum.com. I got stories for days, and I can't wait to share them with you.
0:30.1	So don't miss your chance to walk the halls of the museum and share punk rock memories with me.
0:35.4	Head over to the punkrockmuseum.com and get your tickets now.
0:38.6	See you soon.
0:40.4	This episode is brought to you by Distro Kid.
0:47.4	Hey everyone, it's Throwback Thursday, and I'm Chris to makes a podcast producer Chris Fafalias.
0:55.8	Here to take you back in time to July 24, 2023, when Kenny Vasoli set in for episode 165
1:03.1	to discuss the writing and recording of the starting line's 2007 single, Island.
1:09.2	Island was the first single from their album, Direction, which was released on July 31st of 2007,
1:15.0	so I thought I'd get you in a July 2007 state of mind before we jump into the episode here.
1:20.5	So what was happening around the time of Directions release?
1:24.1	Well, if you're in England, you'll remember that July 1st of 2007, smoking was banned in all public indoor places.
1:32.5	Australia also implemented a similar ban around that time.
1:36.8	On July 7th, the worldwide charity concert called Live Earth took place at 12 venues on seven continents. The performers included Genesis,
1:47.0	food fighters, John Legend, the police, crowded house, Shakira, Lincoln Park, Dave Matthews
1:53.6	band, Melissa Etheridge, and lots more. I was wondering who played Antarctica for Live Earth,
	...

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