CORE

Andy sits down in the WCZR studio with Mike Gomoll, the founder of Joey's Song — a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that has raised over $1 million to support families affected by epilepsy and fund research toward a cure. Mike shares the deeply personal story behind the organization: how he lost his son Joseph just days before his fifth birthday to Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that left Joe...

What happens when a pandemic hobby like birdwatching crashes into the DIY indie-rock scene of Madison, Wisconsin? You get Lifer—the bird-themed album you didn’t know you needed. In this live Interview on Fox Cities Core, we talk with the members of Quokka to peel back the layers of their unique sound and history. From the technical hurdles of recording vocals in a thin-walled apartment to the &quo...

In this latest monthly update from the Appleton Beer Factory, Mark Mader joins the show to recap a wild month of weather and music in the Fox Cities. The conversation kicks off with a look at how the area handled the recent 27.5-inch snowstorm before diving into a successful St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring the Third Class Minstrels. Mark shares details on several upcoming performances at t...

Andy McNamara is joined by Kev, Luke, Caleb, and Devin of the Wisconsin-based band Offend Your Friends. After two decades, the band is celebrating a major milestone with the release of a full-length album, aptly titled Almost Didn’t Make It. In this deep dive, the members share the fascinating story of their 20-year journey, from their early days as a skateboard crew in Fond du Lac to their latest...

Rock legends Vicki Peterson of The Bangles and John Cowsill of The Cowsills took some time to talk about a wide-ranging series of topics prior to their performance at Round Lake Farms in Brillion. The two talk about their collaborative album Long After the Fire — a heartfelt tribute to the songwriting of Barry and Bill Cowsill — and share the full story of how they met as teenagers at the Sweetwat...

It's ABF Monthly on WCZR's Fox Cities Core! Mark Mader from Appleton Beer Factory joins us to catch everyone up on what's happening at one of the Fox Cities' favorite venues — from packed shows and exciting new programming to big upcoming announcements you won't want to miss. We're also joined by Conner and JT from The Dead Buddhas, who stop by fresh off the release of thei...

The Dead Buddhas stopped by Fox Cities Core on Code Zero Radio (WCZR) to celebrate the release of their debut album Sludge Americana. The Dead Buddhas are a band from Oshkosh, Wisconsin — Connor (vocals/guitar), JT (bass/vocals/recording & mixing), and Kevin (vocals/guitar) — who have been playing together since their high school days at Oshkosh West. They describe their sound as "sludge...

In this episode of Fox Cities Core on WCZR Code Zero Radio, we sit down with David Pietila, the owner and operator of SourceTrack Studio in Appleton, Wisconsin. David, who is also a member of the band Noetic, joins us to discuss the growth of his studio since moving from a home-based setup to his current professional location. We dive deep into David’s philosophy on recording, the importance of &q...

In this episode of Fox Cities Core on WCZR Code Zero Radio, we sit down with three-quarters of the progressive rock powerhouse Noetic. Join Ben Baertschy (drums), David Pietila (bass/harmonies), and Derrick Kroener (guitar) as they dive deep into the world of prog-metal and the history of one of Wisconsin’s most intricate original bands. In this Interview:- Band Origins: Discover how Noetic's...

Step inside Honeytone Studios, one of the Fox Valley's most unique recording studios, housed in a historic Victorian mansion in Appleton, Wisconsin. Join Andy McNamara from Code Zero Radio's Fox Cities Core as he interviews Patrick Boland and Jeff Patlingrao, the talented team behind this world-class analog recording facility. In this in-depth studio tour and interview, discover: The story...

Join us for a full house at the Code Zero Radio studio in Appleton, Wisconsin, as we sit down with the five-piece rock band Big Oil. In this deep-dive interview, the band discusses their latest single "New Candy," their transition from a four-piece to adding a synth player, and how they landed their debut recording session by simply showing up at a studio. We cover everything from their...

In this episode of Fox Cities Core on WCZR Code Zero Radio, we sit down with a true staple of the Wisconsin media scene—Cutter. Known for his decades on the airwaves at WAPL and Razor, Cutter joins us to discuss his journey through the radio industry and what it takes to keep multiple "irons in the fire" today. Cutter is a veteran radio personality, host, and producer. He is currently th...

We got to spend a bit of time with the musical powerhouses who form the engine room of the annual Joey's Song Freezing Man Festival: Frank Anderson, Sam Farrell, and Alex Drossart! Joey's Song is a music event that raises money for epilepsy research and support for families affected by the condition. Over the last fifteen years, the event has raised an incredible $1,700,000 for the cause....

In this fascinating episode of Fox Cities Core on WCZR Code Zero Radio, we're joined by filmmaker Oliver Franklin Anderson, musical director Alex Drossart, and audio specialist Sam Farrell to dive deep into The Natatorium: and the 6 Dolphins of John J. Garlic — a forthcoming documentary uncovering one of Milwaukee’s strangest forgotten landmarks. The conversation explores the bizarre true stor...

In this episode of Fox Cities CORE on WCZR Code Zero Radio, Andy welcomes rising Midwest comedian Abe Auer, whose journey from a ninth-grade talent show to performing on the Meyer Theatre stage is both inspiring and hilarious. Abe shares how COVID downtime and discovering Nate Bargatze sparked his comedy career, leading him to open mics at Christian coffee shops and eventually paid gigs at the ico...

Oshkosh-based rock band Traveling Suitcase returns to Fox Cities Core on WCZR Code Zero Radio to talk about their long-awaited new EP, Moonlit Nights, dropping October 28. Known for their fusion of blues, rock, and psychedelic textures, the band has spent over a decade evolving through lineup changes, DIY recordings, and emotionally charged live shows — all while staying rooted in the Fox Valley m...

In this episode of Fox Cities Core, we kick off our new monthly segment with Mark Mader of Appleton Beer Factory. Mark shares the story of how he became a partner at ABF, his mission to bring original music to the venue, and how the brewery has evolved into one of the Fox Cities’ most active live music spaces. From expanding the stage to hosting national touring acts, Mark dives into the logistics...

Age of Fable is a Green Bay–based indie/prog collective that blends melodic songwriting with expansive post‑rock, progressive textures and atmospheric arrangements that build into cinematic crescendos. We had the chance to talk with Age of Fable about the band origins, lineup changes, and how their sound evolved from an acoustic duo into a full‑band project. The group recounts recording multiple p...

Join Code Zero Radio’s Fox Cities Core for an in‑depth conversation with Holly and the Nice Lions as the band breaks down Dolores, their new album. Hear how a short demo (Tease) signaled a louder, fuzzier direction; why they traveled to New Mexico to record with veteran engineer Patrick Haight; how the band writes by bringing song skeletons and fleshing them out together; and how limited rehearsal...

The Mascot Theory is a Madison, Wisconsin–based alt-folk/rock band led by singer songwriter Erik Kjelland; the core lineup includes Erik (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Cory Swadley (lead guitar), Nick Fry (bass), and Paul Metz (drums). They appeared on Code Zero Radio's Fox Cities Core for a candid, wide‑ranging interview about their new concept album Cosmic Hit And Run — a deeply personal reco...

The Tom Thiel Trio (Tom Thiel, Jeremy Rechner and Patrick Wydeven) joined us live on Code Zero Radio’s Fox Cities Core for a conversation just one day before the release of their new album titled "Waiting on the Weather"! Joining the trio was longtime collaborator and engineer Marc Golde, adding depth and behind-the-scenes insight to the discussion. In this episode, we dive into:- The cr...

Frank Hermans is a Green Bay icon — founder of Let Me Be Frank Productions, host of Frankly Green Bay, and a tireless champion of Wisconsin’s arts and music scene. With over 150 original musical comedies to his name and decades of performances across the state, Frank blends humor, history, and heart into everything he does. Whether he’s impersonating Elvis, writing a new show, or spotlighting loca...

Broadcast from WCZR Code Zero Radio – Appleton, WIOriginally aired: September 8, 2025Get ready for a deep dive into Midwest indie rock history as Cookie Bug reunites for what might be their final show ever. Formed in 1994, this Oshkosh-based band tore through the '90s with raw energy, unforgettable live sets, and two full-length albums. In this interview, Steve, Dean, Todd, and Matt reflect on...

In this in-depth panel discussion, Fox Cities Core welcomes Jason Goessl, Jeff Davis, and stories from Randy Darabosh, the three creative minds behind TRS Recording Studio in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. From the studio’s roots in a historic 150-year-old building to its rebirth as a hub for independent artists, this episode dives into the passion, purpose, and punk spirit driving TRS forward. Hear how thes...

On this episode of Code Zero Radio’s Fox Cities Core, Executive Director Mark Hudson gives us a closer look at the upcoming Irish Fest of the Fox Cities. From the music and dancing to the food and family-friendly activities, Mark shares what makes the festival such a vibrant celebration of Irish culture and community. He reflects on how the event has grown over the years into one of the Fox Valley...