CORE

Andy McNamara

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Music Interviews
Updated twice weekly

Core is a weekly interview and music show on Code Zero Radio WCZR. The show airs live Saturday mornings from 9-10am CST. We focus on artists from the Fox Cities area of Wisconsin. You can listen to the show live by searching "Code Zero Radio" in the TuneIn app.

12 hr ago

The Morbs

The Morbs make their media debut on Fox Cities Core! Jasmin Folkesson and Charlie DeVillers — both bass players by trade, from Green Bay and Stockholm — sit down for their first-ever long-form interview to talk about how a joke ("what if two bass players started a band?") turned into a real project a year after they met.In this conversation, Jasmin and Charlie break down:- How the band name came from a Victorian term for temporary melancholia ("the morbs") — and how a Spotify playlist made as a joke became a real band within the hour- Writing and finishing debut single "Plague" remotely between Green Bay and Stockholm, with Jonathan (7000 Apart) handling recording, vocals, and mix/master- Their noisy, post-punk-leaning sound, inspired by bands like Viagra Boys and Parquet Courts- Jasmin and Charlie's shared history in 7000 Apart — Charlie played bass in the band for three years before starting Modern Haunting, and Jasmin stepped in as her replacement- Charlie's new stint on drums, including a U.S. drumming debut with Nightmares for Angels (featuring Robyn Kate of Before Dawn) at Mile of Music- Upcoming shows: Modern Haunting at the Green Bay UFO Invasion Fest (Thursday, July 23rd, - Badger State Brewing) with Carly from 7000 Apart sitting in on drums, and The Morbs playing August 7th with French Irish CoalitionThe Morbshttps://open.spotify.com/track/5y7EZ702JzqW9Qwy8qNzDC?autoplay_ok=1Fox Cities Core airs on WCZR Code Zero Radio, covering the Fox Valley live music scene through interviews, venue spotlights, and show previews.
1 day ago

Rökker Smith on AtwoodFest, Onstage Cardiac Arrest and Max Ink: Code Zero Radio Interview

Rökker Smith has been a part of the Madison, Wisconsin music scene for nearly four decades. In 1996 he founded Maximum Ink Music Magazine, a statewide monthly publication that ran for 27 years. In 2011 he brought that same mission to the airwaves with Max Ink Radio, now broadcasting statewide every Saturday and Sunday night on the Civic Media Network. He's also the drummer for Madison rock band Iron Plow and the longtime programmer and stage director for Atwood Fest. In this in-depth interview, recorded at the Civic Media studio in Madison — home of Max Ink Radio's live weekend broadcasts — Andy McNamara of Code Zero Radio sits down with Rökker to talk about the 27-year run of Maximum Ink, the leap into radio, playing Bratfest and Summerfest with Iron Plow, his WAMI Wall of Honor induction, and the sudden cardiac arrest he survived on stage mid-set with his band last December. Rökker opens up about the "chain of survival," CPR and AED awareness, the PulsePoint app, and his comeback show less than a year later. We also dig into Atwood Fest 2026 (Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26 in Madison), including how Rökker books three stages of local, regional, and national touring artists, his "wedding strategy" for lineup building, "Rocker's Torture" scheduling conflicts, and what first-time festivalgoers need to know before they go. Learn more about Atwood Fest: https://atwoodfest.com Learn more about Max Ink Radio & Maximum Ink Music Magazine: https://civicmedia.us/shows/max-ink-radio Follow Iron Plow for new music and show updates https://ironplow.rocks This interview is part of Fox Cities Core on WCZR Code Zero Radio, covering the regional and statewide live music scene through artist interviews, venue spotlights, and show previews.
6 days ago

Candlebox's Kevin Martin on "Far Behind," Peter Klett's Return & New Music | Code Zero Radio

Candlebox frontman Kevin Martin talks with Code Zero Radio's Andy McNamara ahead of the band's show at EPIC Event Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Thirty-plus years after their quadruple-platinum self-titled debut, Candlebox is back with original guitarist Peter Klett back in the fold — and new music on the way. In this candid conversation, Kevin opens up about the true story behind "Far Behind" and its connection to Mother Love Bone's Andy Wood, what it was really like getting played on MTV every hour during the Seattle grunge explosion, and the wild Maverick Records marketing stunt that had Candlebox's name on billboards outside Madison Square Garden. He also talks about nearly retiring from music, why Peter Klett coming back reignited his passion for the band, life on the road (PlayStation golf and Spotify roulette included), and what fans can expect from the new songs the band is tracking this August in Palm Springs. Kevin also shares his deep ties to the Midwest — born in Chicago, raised in Seattle — and says he'd love to finally bring Candlebox to Appleton, Wisconsin. In this interview: - The real meaning behind "Far Behind" and Andy Wood - Getting played on MTV during Candlebox's rise - The Maverick Records / Madison Square Garden billboard story - Peter Klett's return to Candlebox - Recording at Robert Lang Studios & London Bridge Studio - New music coming this fall from a Palm Springs studio session - Candlebox's touring rituals and songwriting evolution since the '90s - An invite for Candlebox to play Appleton, Wisconsin Watch, listen, and follow Code Zero Radio for more artist interviews, local music coverage, and everything happening in the Fox Cities and Green Bay live music scene. #Candlebox #KevinMartin #FarBehind #PeterKlett #CodeZeroRadio #SeattleGrunge #90sRock #GreenBayWisconsin #EPICEventCenter #RockMusic #LiveMusic #FoxCitiesCore #WisconsinMusic #MTVGrunge #RockInterview
7 Jul

Mile of Music 13 Preview

Mile of Music is back — and this year it's officially a nonprofit! With Mile 13 less than a month away, Fox Cities Core host Andy McNamara sits down with three of the people who make it happen: founder Dave Willems, Director of Talent & Partnerships Ian Thomson, and Venue & Artist Relations lead Melissa Freeman.In this episode of Fox Cities Core — Code Zero Radio's weekly deep dive into the Fox Valley live music scene — the team breaks down what's new for Mile 13, including the shift to full 501(c)(3) nonprofit status as Mile of Music Inc., the ongoing search for the perfect August festival weekend, the strict 5-mile artist radius rule protecting downtown venues, why the Mile Bus won't be rolling this year, and how they balance genres beyond the festival's Americana roots — including the hardcore punk legends The Crosses. They also dig into the wild story of Mile One (60 planned artists turned into 107), the Artist Care Program that keeps musicians coming back, and why "more music, better community" drives everything they do.Mile of Music 13 takes over downtown Appleton, Wisconsin this August with hundreds of original artists across dozens of venues — bars, coffee shops, theaters, and parking lots all turned into stages for one unforgettable weekend of musical discovery.#MileofMusic #Appleton
16 Jun

Ryan Vander Sanden - General Manager and Entertainment Director at EPIC Event Center in Green Bay

Ryan Vander Sanden — General Manager and Entertainment Director at EPIC Event Center in Green Bay — joins Fox Cities Core on WCZR Code Zero Radio for a wide-open conversation about the business of live music, the stories behind the shows, and why Northeast Wisconsin's concert scene is better than ever.Ryan pulls back the curtain on everything from his first (hilariously disastrous) national booking — an LA Guns show where he bought every item on the rider, including the band's socks — to landing Megadeth and Obituary for the only two Wisconsin dates on their farewell tour. If you've ever wondered why your favorite band skipped Green Bay, why ticket prices are what they are, or what really happens backstage after the show, this episode is for you.HIGHLIGHTS:- How Ryan got his start in the music business — with zero experience and even less idea what "backline" meant- The behind-the-scenes reality of booking national acts: routing, rider riders, production costs, and why not every band can play every market- Landing Megadeth + Obituary for two exclusive Wisconsin stadium shows (August 1)- The story behind the Marilyn Manson show — protesters in the parking lot, a smoke machine that tripped the fire alarm, and fans who didn't flinch- GWAR on Easter. Marilyn Manson on Mother's Day. The cleanup crew. The Faygo. All of it.- EPIC's Friends of Epic Display — how stage-worn memorabilia from Jesse Dupree (Jackyl) to Corey Taylor ends up in the venue (and why it stays there)- Sleep Token as an opening act, and other "lightning in a bottle" moments before a band blows up- The origins of Behind the Curtain, EPIC's podcast with co-host Don Jamieson (That Metal Show), featuring guests like Wolfgang Van Halen, Chad Gray, Edwin McCain, and Ricky Rachman- Why Buddy Guy (October 9) might be your last chance to see a living blues legend — and why you shouldn't sit this one out- Lynyrd Skynyrd with Mark Farner and The Beach Boys — September 3, fully seated outdoor show- Napoleon Dynamite interactive screening — what to expect from the cast Q&A- Why EPIC has free parking, some of the lowest ticket fees in the region, and a liquor selection that rivals venues twice its size- Gene Simmons. Ozzy Osbourne. Wayne Newton's guitar inscription. The Avatar singer who wiped out mid-show. Rock and roll is still very much alive.Fox Cities Core is a live interview program on WCZR Code Zero Radio, an independent streaming rock station based in Appleton, Wisconsin. New episodes feature in-depth conversations with artists, industry insiders, and the people who make the regional music scene run.EPIC Event Center: https://www.epicgreenbay.comBehind the Curtain Podcast: Search "Behind the Curtain EPIC" wherever you listen#EPICEventCenter #GreenBayMusic #LiveMusic #FoxCitiesCore #WCZRCodeZeroRadio #BehindTheCurtain #RyanVanderSanden #Megadeth #BuddyGuy #LynyrdSkynyrd #MarilynManson #WisconsinMusic #ConcertVenue #MusicIndustry #FoxCities #Appleton #GreenBay #RockMusic #LiveMusicWisconsin #ConcertBooking
7 Jun

Bronson Arm

Kalamazoo noise rock duo Bronson Arm — Blake Bickel (baritone guitar/vocals) and Garrett Yates (drums) — stop by the studio in Appleton, Wisconsin for a wide-ranging conversation on Fox Cities Core, the weekly live interview show on WCZR Code Zero Radio, hosted by Andy McNamara. The band is on the road supporting their latest album Casket Schwagg (Learning Curve Records).In this interview, Blake and Garrett break down how two guys from opposite coasts ended up forming a powerhouse two-piece in Kalamazoo — meeting through their kids' school and a chance conversation at a brewery. Garrett opens up about a decade-long drumming hiatus while serving in the Navy on submarines, and how Blake immediately knew something special was there within the first 30 seconds of Garrett sitting back behind a kit. Blake reflects on his previous band The Great Goddamn in Seattle, his background in audio engineering and pedal-building, and his BFA in visual arts — which directly informs Bronson Arm's creative, concept-driven music videos.The conversation covers recording their self-titled debut in Blake's basement during COVID lockdown, the meaning behind the album title Casket Schwagg, their prolific music video output (including a burning couch, a karaoke dive bar, and a darker disclaimer-worthy clip), touring logistics as a DIY two-piece, playing to a click track live, and plans to take their sound to new territory on the next record. Plus — they're headed to Fest in Florida with 350 bands.Stick around for Ryan Fluke joining as a surprise co-host, comparisons to White Stripes, Black Keys, Sonic Youth, and Rage Against the Machine, and Blake revealing the KARP lyric behind the band name. Follow Bronson Arm:Website: bronsonarm.com Instagram: instagram.com/bronson_arm_noise Facebook: facebook.com/bronsonarm.noise
20 May

Horace Greene

Sam and Tony from Horace Green stop by Code Zero Radio's Fox Cities Core with host Andy McNamara to talk all things Powerlounge — their brand new full-length album dropping June 6th, recorded entirely in their own home studio over the course of two-plus years. In this episode, the guys break down the origins of their self-invented genre "Powerlounge" (yes, they looked it up — they're the first), the marathon 600+ hours of recording sessions, and how dialing in the drum sound for lead single "Nighttime Boi" set the tone for the rest of the album. They also talk about the other singles — "Cream" and "Hush" — and tease their upcoming fourth single, "Cosmic Bodies" (don't ask Tony what it's about). Plus, the big news: Stone Arch Brewery has brewed a limited-run Horace Green cream ale exclusively for the album release show — on tap for one night only. Album Release Show — June 6thGibson Community Music HallWith Scorched Waves & Hang TenLimited Horace Green Cream Ale on tapVinyl & CDs available at the show Tickets are moving fast — grab yours now before the door sells out! Fox Cities Core airs on Code Zero Radio, your home for local Fox Cities music. YouTube Chapters: 0:00 Intro – Horace Green Returns to Code Zero Radio Fox Cities Core0:30 New Album "Power Lounge" – Release Date & Album Release Show June 6th1:47 How Does the Band Feel With the Album Finally Done?2:16 Singles "Nighttime Boy," "Cream," and "Hush" – What to Expect on the Album2:38 What Is "Power Lounge"? Horace Green Invents a New Genre7:04 Band Photography & Visual Aesthetic Behind the Power Lounge Era8:14 The "Summer of Cream" & "Fall of Cream" – Fan Reaction8:45 Horace Green Gets Their Own Craft Beer from Stone Arch Brewery13:05 Recording "Power Lounge" in Their Own Home Studio14:35 How Long Did It Take? The $30,000 Recording Decision15:32 How a Horace Green Song Is Born – Tony's Songwriting Process18:29 10 Years of Horace Green – Surviving the "Great Filters" of Band Life19:43 West Coast Tour Announced – Dates, Cities & Jam in the Van (LA)22:54 Atwood Festival Madison 2026 & the Fox Cities Music Scene29:33 Live Band Setup – Keys, Todd the Utility Player & the Four-Piece Era33:34 Ghost Ko – Horace Green's Secret Side Project with 100 Unreleased Songs35:01 Does a Band Still Need a Website in 2025?36:44 First Full Vinyl Release – Behind the Scenes of Pressing "Power Lounge" on Vinyl47:14 Mile of Music Announcement & What Makes the Festival Special49:26 Bucket List Goals – Playing the Sphere, the Moon & Dream Collaborations52:18 New Single "Cosmic Bodies" Out This Friday53:36 Tickets, Cream Ale on Tap & What to Expect at the June 6th Show54:53 Thanks & Outro
3 May

Tim Schweiger

Tim Schweiger talks about his early days with Yesterday's Kids — how a homemade Everly Brothers pop-punk tape landed them a deal on Ben Weasel's Panic Button Records — and the lessons learned from years of grinding tours, before finding his footing as a solo artist and frequent collaborator with Tommy Stinson of The Replacements.Tim digs into the realities of the modern music industry, the rotating cast of musicians that make up the Middlemen, the joy of slipping covers (Madonna's "Borderline," The Beatles' "Hey Bulldog") into live sets, and talks about an unreleased track featuring Dan McMahon. He also opens up about raising a musically gifted daughter, his 75 voice memos worth of songs waiting to be recorded, upcoming shows in Milwaukee and Madison, and a summer run of dates back on the road with Tommy Stinson.Plus: the Fox Cities band Tim wishes would reunite and what he says makes a show — or a song — truly successful.https://timschweigerandthemiddlemen.bandcamp.com0:00 Introduction & Tim's Background1:11 Coming Out of Hibernation Post-COVID2:14 Yesterday's Kids & The Obsoletes: Are They Done?4:02 Panic Button Records & the Realities of Early Touring4:33 Has Touring Changed? Playing with Artists Who Have Hits5:19 Justin Perkins: Still in Touch?6:18 Early Songwriting with Justin — Learning from Records7:05 The Mission Statement: Ramones Meet the Everly Brothers8:04 How an Everly Brothers Tribute Tape Got Them Signed9:03 Throwing Covers into the Set — Madonna's "Borderline"10:02 Tribute to Dan McMahon10:27 Owning the Covers: "Hey Bulldog" & Slide Guitar11:06 Getting Ready for a Show — Vocal & Finger Warmups11:50 Can You Tell If a Show Will Be Good Before It Starts?12:36 Watching Other Bands (Or Not) & Musician Egos14:10 Daughter Beatrix — Saxophone State Competition15:15 Growing Up in the Fox Cities Music Scene16:48 Meeting Justin Perkins & Learning First Chords17:24 Collaborating with His Daughter & Horn Arrangements18:16 Analog vs. Digital Recording Through the Years20:28 The Upside of Being an Independent Musician on Bandcamp22:01 Tim Schweiger & the Middlemen — A Rotating Cast of Friends23:47 Recording at Smart Studios & the Blueheels24:43 Drumming for Walt Hamburger: Guitar vs. Drums26:13 The Year He Played 100+ Shows & Needed to Decompress27:23 Music His Daughter Introduced Him To — DJO & Mitski28:44 The Fox Cities Band Tim Wishes Would Reunite: Vesicular Basalt31:17 What Makes a Song Last? The Legacy of Good Art31:34 How Tim Writes a Power Pop Song — The Voice Memo Process33:37 How Long Should a Song Be? Hey Jude vs. Bohemian Rhapsody34:20 One Song to Nuke Forever: Mustang Sally34:51 Upcoming Shows in Milwaukee & Madison36:03 The June Tour with Tommy Stinson37:37 Merch Plans for the Tommy Tour — CDs, Shirts & Tote Bags45:24 Playing with Tommy — His Work Ethic & Calling Audibles47:01 Tommy Stinson's Fanatic Fans on the Road47:37 Were You a Replacements Fan Growing Up?48:45 Dream Collab: Tim Picks Jack Black50:20 Actors Who Make Music — Keanu Reeves, Kevin Bacon & Dave Grohl52:14 Reigniting the Creative Spark — 75 Voice Memos & New Music53:13 What Does Success Look Like to Tim?54:19 Will New Music Sound Different from the Power Pop Days?55:47 Where to Find Tim & the Tommy Stinson Tour Dates57:15 Final Words & Sign-Off

Core is a weekly interview and music show on Code Zero Radio WCZR. The show airs live Saturday mornings from 9-10am CST. We focus on artists from the Fox Cities area of Wisconsin. You can listen to the show live by searching "Code Zero Radio" in the TuneIn app.

Creator

Andy McNamara
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

223
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Andy McNamara
Show Website

CORE