CORE

Broadcasting live from our studio in Appleton, Wisconsin, we sit down with the Fox Cities treasure Frank Anderson—filmmaker, musician, and historian—for a fun conversation on Fox Cities Core!Frank shares his unique perspectives on music, life, and the arts scene, featuring:A Special Guest: Frank's son's dog, who makes a special appearance and offers a humorous glimpse into the challenges of babysitting a heat-averse rescue dog.Zebra Mussel's "Mix-Proof" Philosophy: As a member of the Fox Cities-based band Zebra Mussel, Frank dives into their unconventional approach: no lyrics, no microphones, just pure, unadulterated sound driven by big amps. Hear why he believes "real music" needs to be felt and experienced live, and why in-ear monitors signify the "death of bands." Don't miss their next show in August!The True Meaning of "Rocking": Frank vehemently argues that "rocking" isn't a genre, but an attitude—it's how you play, not what you play. He champions the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, proclaiming they "rock" with immense heart and emotion, especially after a powerful performance of Mahler's second. He critiques "smoothness" and "sappy lyrics," urging musicians to keep music alive and impactful.New Musical Ventures: Get an exclusive peek into Frank's latest projects, including a collaboration with Amos (Crutch of Memory) on a new vinyl release for Hotline TNT, featuring his steel guitar (an iconic instrument invented right here in Wisconsin!). Plus, hear about his plans for a new solo album, including his unique interpretation of Paw's "Jesse."Houdini, Hardeen, & Debunking the Supernatural: As a keen historian, Frank shares insights into the lives of Harry Houdini and his lesser-known but equally talented brother, Theo (Hardeen), who had roots in Appleton. Discover their contrasting personalities and why Houdini's legacy as a debunker of fake supernatural phenomena is more relevant than ever today. Frank even shares a personal anecdote about levitating a table at a Houdini exhibit!The State of Style in Music: In a call-in segment, Frank and listener Drew discuss the need for boldness and individuality in the local music scene. They challenge bands to break from convention, incorporate "style points," and amaze audiences with unique performances, arguing against watered-down acts and the lack of stylistic flair in much of today's Americana.This interview is packed with wit, wisdom, and unfiltered opinions from one of the Fox Cities' most compelling figures. Tune in to hear why Frank Anderson believes music should always be alive!#FrankAnderson #FoxCitiesCore #ZebraMussel #LiveMusic #MusicPhilosophy #Houdini #Hardeen #PedalSteelGuitar #AppletonWI #WisconsinMusic #MusicHistory #BehindTheMusic #Interview #NoMicrophones #RockAndRoll #Debunking #codezeroradio #foxcitiescore

Join us on Fox Cities Core for an inspiring conversation with Appleton musician Isiah Driessen! He shares his unconventional journey into music, starting at 27 to avoid the "27 club," and how taking vocal lessons sparked a passion that led to a full-blown career.In this interview, Isaiah dives deep into:His Musical Evolution: From early saxophone and guitar dabbles, through his folk duo Salmon Run (and a hilariously disastrous gig story!), to his current exciting projects.Isaiah and the New People: Get the exclusive details on his brand new band project! He reveals the collaborative recording process with members of The Tunes at the legendary Rock Garden Studio, the quick turnaround (7 songs in 6 hours!), and his plans for a unique video series for each track.The Art of Promotion: Discover Isaiah's refreshingly personal approach to promoting his music, including going door-to-door with flyers and his belief in the power of video to capture attention.The Cedars Festival: Learn all about the two-day music festival he hosts annually in Little Chute (September 12th & 13th!) right in his backyard – a renovated historic home overlooking the river! He shares this year's impressive lineup, featuring Feed the Dog, Joseph Huber, Loose Shields, and Valley Fox, and his vision for bringing diverse music to the Fox Valley.Behind the Scenes: Insights into his songwriting process (mostly personal experiences), his positive Mile of Music experiences, and his thoughts on the closing of Rock Garden Studio and its impact on the local scene.Connect with Isaiah and learn about his journey from "accidental musician" to a driving force in the Fox Valley music community!Watch the full interview to hear it all!Find Isaiah's Music & Projects:Website: Isaiah and the New Peopleisaiahnewpeople.comThe Cedars Festival Tickets: thecedarspro.comPast Music: Salmon Run music is available on Spotify.#Isaiah #IsaiahAndTheNewPeople #TheCedarsFestival #NewMusic #RockGardenStudio #FoxCitiesCore #WCZR #CodeZeroRadio #AppletonMusic #LittleChute #WisconsinMusic #MusicInterview #FestivalFounder #SingerSongwriter #SupportLocalMusic

Crazy Todd with Charlie and Collin from Modern Haunting

We've got a fantastic double-header today on Fox Cities Core as we're joined by two talented Fox Cities musicians, Brad Bordini and Michael Grabner! Broadcasting live from Appleton, they share hilarious tales from recent scorching hot gigs and dive into their exciting new projects.In this interview, you'll hear about:Playing in the Heat: Their experiences performing in 90+ degree weather, the challenges for instruments and performers, and Brad's signature stage banter about hydration (and his "unintentional" Australian accent!).Banter & Pranks: The fun (and sometimes confusing) art of making up fake origins for their cover songs, inspired by fellow musicians like Kurt Gunn.Michael Grabner & The Ghost of Electricity: Michael introduces his new full band project, his excitement about playing distorted electric guitar again, and his recent Gretsch guitar purchase (inspired by a very dedicated fan!).The End of an Era: Rock Garden Studio: Both musicians reflect on the upcoming closure of Marc Golde's studio, the impact it has on their recording plans, and their immense appreciation for Marc's talent as an engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.Mile of Music & Beyond: They tease their upcoming performances at the Mile of Music Festival (Michael with his full band!), discuss the unique challenges of festival sets, and share a glimpse into their busy schedules, including new singles and future album plans.This is a must-watch for anyone interested in the Wisconsin music scene, full of humor, candid insights, and the passion that drives these artists!#BradBordini #MichaelGrabner #TheGhostOfElectricity #FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #AppletonMusic #GreenBayMusic #SingerSongwriter #RockGardenStudio #MileOfMusic #MusicInterview #LiveMusic #WisconsinMusic #24HourMarathon #SupportLocalMusic

Kurt Gunn and Marc Golde

Join us for this compelling interview with Green Bay-based musician Erin Bernhardt, recorded live during Andy's epic 24-hour broadcast marathon on Fox Cities Core!Erin shares her unique journey, starting with learning guitar just three years ago (despite a tricky first instrument!). She dives into:Her DIY Music Journey: How she went from early lessons to self-taught progress, even recording her upcoming EP with NWTC's audio production class (and getting four different mixes of each song!).Diverse Songwriting: Discover the inspirations behind her music, from mental health themes to incredibly creative "fan songs" for podcasts and pop culture, including her song "The Exiled" which was featured in "Of Monsters and Mixed Successes"!Beyond Music: Learn about her "jack-of-all-trades" creative life, including graphic design, photography, and running interactive fan panels at anime conventions where she helps groups write songs on the spot.The Wisconsin Scene: Hear her take on the Green Bay music scene, playing at venues like GBFO (and designing a poster for it!), and her desire to play more across the Fox Valley.It's an honest, insightful, and often humorous look at a rapidly rising talent in the Wisconsin music scene!Watch the full interview for all the details!#ErinBernhardt #GreenBayMusic #FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #MusicInterview #NewMusic #FanSongs #DIYMusic #WisconsinMusic #24HourMarathon #SupportLocalMusic #AnimeConvention #BehindTheMusic

Watch this special episode of Fox Cities Core, recorded live during Andy's epic 24-hour broadcast marathon! We talked with the one and only Walt Hamburger for an engaging conversation about his music and career.

Adding even more insight to the discussion, Walt brought along Eric Hurm from Fox Cities Live! Eric shared some fantastic perspectives on Walt's journey and gave us a deeper look into Fox Cities Live, which serves as an incredible archive for audio versions of shows and photos from the active Fox Valley music scene.

Walt Hamburger has released his brand new full-length album titled "...And Louie!"This album, which came out via Thousand Island Records on June 20, 2025, marks an exciting evolution for Walt, as it's his first full-band offering since his "One Week Record" in 2019. "...And Louie!" features an all-star lineup of punk rock musicians, including Neil Hennessy (The Lawrence Arms), Asher Simon (Joey Cape's Bad Loud), Mikey Erg (The Ergs / The Unlovables), and Jon Snodgrass (Drag The River / Scorpios).

The album is described as a gritty, heartfelt, and infectious punk jam, showcasing Walt's continued blend of sharp wit, emotional depth, and infectious energy. While known for his acoustic records, this new release highlights a bold new chapter, fusing his DIY ethos with the muscle of a seasoned full band. It explores themes like the isolating realities of modern dating culture, exemplified by his single "Insolence.""...And Louie!" is available on 45RPM colored vinyl record and CD, and via streaming platforms. Walt Hamburger is also scheduled to tour in Canada next month, including appearances at Ontario's Buddies Fest.

Dive into this interview for behind-the-scenes stories, industry insights, and a celebration of local music!

Watch the full interview now!

#WaltHamburger #EricHurm #FoxCitiesLive #FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #LiveMusic #MusicInterview #Appleton #FoxValley #WisconsinMusic #24HourMarathon #LocalMusicScene

The Independent Variable is a rock band based out of Green Bay, WI. Their latest album is called 3:15. The band consists of Fred Matthew on Vocals and Guitar, Johanna on Bass, Dan Squires on Vocals and Drums.During the interview the band talked about what drew them together, how they decided to form a band, writing music, and the recording of their debut album 3:15. They also let us know what they're planning for the future!Code Zero Radio is an independent streaming rock station broadcasting out of Appleton, WI. Listen on the website or anywhere using your smart speaker.CodeZeroRadio.com#TheIndependentVariable #foxcitiescore #CodeZeroRadio #GreenBayMusicScene

The Senie Hunt Trio is a musical group fronted by Senie Hunt, a self-taught singer-songwriter and percussive guitarist who was adopted from Sierra Leone. His music is heavily influenced by his inherent passion for West African rhythms and percussion, which he initially explored through djembe drumming to process early childhood traumas from Sierra Leone's Diamond wars.Senie's unique guitar style merges traditional techniques with a percussive groove. He was influenced by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, The Allman Brothers, Michael Hedges, Tommy Emmanuel, and Andy McKee. His experimentation with drumming on the guitar sets him apart from other acoustic guitarists, often incorporating live looping.The trio consists of:Senie Hunt on guitar and vocalsJenna Kopitske on drumsVictor Gonzalez on bassThe Senie Hunt Trio's music spans genres including Americana, Blues, Folk, Percussive Guitar, Reggae, and World Music. They are known for spreading "love & light while rocking out and embracing the power of music to bring people together". Senie Hunt himself has been recognized for his guitar mastery, receiving the Innovators award at the GSM Music Awards in 2020 and a nomination for best male act of the year by the New England Music Awards in 2021. They have shared the stage with notable artists like Richard Thompson and The Wailers.Subscribe!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcvkZLJoveb8UNdXMLSZAXA?sub_confirmation=1Fox Cities Core is a live interview show that airs live on WCZR Code Zero Radio.CodeZeroRadio.com#FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #seniehunt #JennaKopitske #victorgonzalez

Colin Crowley of PBS Wisconsin joined us for an in-depth interview where he discussed the long awaited "Mile of Music Film"! We got into the creative process, the stories behind the camera, what it was like to direct such a project and what made this cinematic journey a must-watch for Mile of Music veterans and and newcomers alike.We also got into some of the other musical projects that Colin has worked on in the past.Plus, we were thrilled to be joined by special guest host Kim Mauthe from Mile of Music, who brought her insider view and passion for the festival to the discussion.Learn more:pbs.org/show/mile-of-musicmileofmusic.comcodezeroradio.comSubscribe!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcvkZLJoveb8UNdXMLSZAXA?sub_confirmation=1Fox Cities Core is a live interview show that airs live on WCZR Code Zero Radio.CodeZeroRadio.com#MileOfMusic #PBSWisconsin #FoxCitiesCore #ColinCrowley #KimMauthe #MusicFilm #Documentary #AppletonWI #FoxCities #Interview