CORE

February Episode of Mark Mader on Code Zero Radio's ABF Monthly

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 their brand new album Sludge Americana — a two-year project blending the beauty of Wisconsin with a heavy, industrial sound. They'll be hitting the Appleton Beer Factory stage on April 6th for Manic Mondays alongside Smoke Free Home!In this episode:- The Dead Buddhas talk about Sludge Americana and their upcoming shows- Manic Mondays is off to a huge start — and it's not stopping anytime soon- Upcoming shows including Chicago Farmer & the Field Notes, Myles Nielsen & the Arrested, Weird Pals (Weird Al cover band), The Lowdown Drifters, Lo Lo, and a mysterious July 5th return of one of Appleton's most beloved bands- New Thursday night jazz series coming in late May-Open Mic Comedy Night is underway every Tuesday — free to attend!- ABF Happy Hour: Buy one, get one beer + appetizer deals, Tue–Thu, 3–4 PM- Mark's strangest rider request, dream booking (Tesla!), and brewery triviaCheck the full Appleton Beer Factory calendar appletonbeerfactory.com and find The Dead Buddhas on Spotify — search Sludge Americana!0:00 Intro & Welcome0:33 Meet The Dead Buddhas – Conner & JT1:37 Sludge Americana – New Album Overview2:40 Manic Mondays Update5:01 Why Appleton Beer Factory is a Great Venue5:59 Manic Mondays – Biggest Night & Upcoming Shows9:42 Manic Mondays Future – Opening for National Acts10:23 Cooley Boys Sold Out Show & Eddie Danger21:35 St. Patrick's Day Show at ABF22:17 Chicago Farmer & Myles Nielsen Show24:15 The Frustration of Under-Attended Great Shows26:35 Ticket Giveaway – Weird Pals & Lowdown Drifters28:07 Dead Buddhas Upcoming Shows29:47 Lo Lo Show & New VIP Experience at ABF30:47 Live Caller – Weird Pals Ticket Winner31:48 Weird Pals (Weird Al Cover Band) Preview33:41 Uncle Lucius Returning May 14th34:32 Strangest Band Rider Request35:39 Mark's Dream Booking36:53 Has ABF Ever Had to Dump a Batch of Beer?37:43 Beers Named After Artists – Banjo Strings39:03 ABF Happy Hour – 3 to 4 PM Tue–Thu41:22 Open Mic Comedy Night – Tuesdays at 7:30 PM45:54 Wrap Up & July 5th Mystery Announcement47:03 Final Thoughts & Goodbyes

The Dead Buddhas

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 shoegaze" — a genre-bending collision of heavy, abrasive noise, dreamy post-rock atmospherics, and rootsy Americana influences. Think Black Sabbath meets the Grateful Dead, with a healthy dose of Johnny Cash and Korn thrown in for good measure. There's no single frontman here — all three members share vocal duties, which means any given song can swing from delicate, melodic singing to full-on aggressive screaming. Listening on headphones is strongly recommended.Sludge Americana was recorded and engineered at TR's Recording Studio in Oshkosh, a space the guys have deep connections to through longtime Fox Valley music community figure Uri Weber. JT handled all the recording, mixing, and mastering himself — a testament to the band's fully DIY approach. The album was written mostly on acoustic guitars, which is actually how the album got its name: when Connor and JT first started playing those heavy riffs acoustically, they looked at each other and said, "that kind of sounds like sludge Americana." The name stuck.In this interview we get into the full story — from their early open mic nights at New Moon in Oshkosh (where they were influenced by artists like Sarah Vos Winkle of Dead Horses and Nick Raymond of Traveling Suitcase) to their previous projects (Trying Tribals, Everything Went Silent... don't look those up, they said), to the making of Sludge Americana and what's coming next. We talk about the richness of the Oshkosh music scene, the DIY ethics driving the Fox Valley underground, and why they believe this region could become a legitimate hotbed for alternative music.We also get into the deeper themes of the album — nature, loss, urbanization, the anxiety of watching the world change around you — as well as some lighter moments: dream instruments (saxophone, cello, and lap steel), JT's hiccup phobia, the story behind the song "The Stairwell," Connor's dad and his bagpipes, and the band's whiteboard that doesn't have any markers yet.Sludge Americana is available now on all major streaming platforms and on physical CD.Fox Cities Core airs on Code Zero Radio (WCZR) — broadcasting live from Appleton, Wisconsin.

David Pietila of SourceTrack Studio

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 "vibe" and coffee in the studio, and his experience working with a wide range of Fox Valley talent—from heavy-hitting rock bands to local literacy projects and even the occasional polka group.In This Episode:- The Studio Space: David describes his new location, featuring a high-quality live room and a lounge equipped with a Nintendo 64.-Recording Process: Why David prefers starting with a simple phone demo and his focus on "modern punch" in his mixes.- Gear & Technique: Insights into miking real amps versus using sims, the benefits of hardware compression, and why your guitar setup is crucial for a smooth session.- The Local Scene: Reflections on the legacy of the former Studio H building and collaborating with artists like Kirk Gunn, Amelia Ford, and Michael Grabner.- Advice for Artists: How to prepare for your first session and the importance of treating your music like a business.Connect with SourceTrack Studio:Website: sourcetrackstudio.com Booking: Book a call or a studio tour directly through the website.Resources: Ask David about his Free Studio Prep Guide to help your band get recording-ready.About WCZR Code Zero Radio:Broadcasting from Appleton, Wisconsin, WCZR is an independent streaming rock station dedicated to shining a light on the incredible talent in the Fox Cities.Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more interviews with the artists and producers shaping the local music scene.0:00:05 Introduction & Welcome0:00:32 David Pietila & SourceTrack Studio Overview0:01:06 Life at the New Studio Location0:01:48 How David Got Started Recording Professionally0:02:34 New Gear & Moving Baffles from Rock Garden0:03:10 Impact of Rock Garden Closing on Local Studios0:03:56 How Bands Prepare (or Don't) for Recording0:04:52 Does Pre-Production Change the Session Time?0:05:32 The Fox Valley Literacy Project0:06:24 Long Tracking Days & Working with Local Artists0:07:49 Tyler SJ's Christmas Song & Word of Mouth Growth0:09:15 How Bands Find SourceTrack (Facebook Videos & Tips)0:10:27 The Home Studio Course & Podcast0:11:18 Why David Went Full-Time at the Studio0:12:11 Open House Events at the New Location0:18:03 Local Inspirations: Mark Goldy, Tony Enders & HoneyTone0:19:21 Competition vs. Collaboration Among Local Studios0:20:44 The Role of Gear in Getting Great Sound0:21:35 Reading a Session: Good Projects vs. Difficult Ones0:22:02 Screening Bands & Vocal Coaching Philosophy0:24:10 Keeping the Vibe Fun in the Studio0:25:53 The Studio Layout & Plans for a Video Room0:28:37 Real Amps vs. Amp Sims: David's Take0:29:44 The Secret Sauce of SourceTrack Studio0:30:55 Why Appleton? Choosing the Fox Cities0:32:37 Where Bands Eat: Tipsy Taco & Studio Life0:35:48 What Draws David to the Producer Side of the Glass0:36:37 Recording a Polka Band — Way Outside the Wheelhouse0:38:05 Keeping It Human: Imperfection in Mixes0:39:05 Thoughts on Auto-Tune and Modern Vocal Trends0:40:10 Collecting Physical Music from Studio Sessions0:40:57 Recording vs. Mastering: Working with Justin Perkins0:43:03 Helping Bands Think Beyond the Recording0:44:28 Dream Artists & Cold Outreach (Or Not)0:45:57 Rock & Metal as David's Sweet Spot0:47:03 SourceTrack Merch & the Famous Coffee Mugs0:48:06 Where to Find SourceTrack Studio Online0:48:45 Advice for Bands Recording for the First Time0:49:22 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Noetic

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 core ideas started over a decade ago and how the current lineup finally gelled.- The "Stupid Genius": Drummer Ben Berche explains why he gave guitarist Derek Kramer this endearing nickname and how they navigate complex time signatures like 13/16 and 7/8.- SourceTrax Studios: David discusses running his own studio and the unique challenges (and 8-hour tuning sessions) of recording progressive music.- Defining "Prog": The band discusses why they don't feel restricted by genres and how they incorporate everything from Latin rhythms to funk into their metal sound.- Prodrome: A look back at their 2024 album and the recording process that required tracking drums in a practice space because the kit was too big for the studio.About NoeticBased between Fond Du Lac and Appleton, Noetic is a four-piece progressive rock band known for their proficient musicianship and intricate compositions. Their latest album, Prodrome, was released in 2024.About Fox Cities CoreBroadcasting live from Appleton, Wisconsin, Fox Cities Core on WCZR Code Zero Radio is an independent streaming rock station dedicated to the mainstream and local talent of the Fox Cities.0:00 Introduction0:47 Meet the Band Members1:48 Source Track Studios Update2:18 Band Origins & History4:30 Finding the Right Band Members6:49 The Noetic Sound & Influences9:15 Songwriting Process & Collaboration12:45 Prog Metal & Musical Complexity16:20 Recording Pearl Jam Album21:30 Working with Connor (Vocalist)25:40 Live Performance Setup28:15 Band Chemistry & Practice32:45 Challenges of Progressive Metal36:20 Musical Influences & Inspirations40:50 Gear & Equipment Discussion45:15 Local Music Scene48:30 Future Plans & Goals51:40 Ten More Years in the Tank54:00 Upcoming Show at Pet Skull Brewing58:25 Where to Find Noetic & Closing#Noetic #ProgMetal #FoxCitiesCore #WCZR #WisconsinMusic #SourceTrax #ProgressiveRock #LocalMusic

Honeytone Recording Studio

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 behind Honeytone's iconic Neve 5088 console Over 500 vintage effects pedals and curated gear collection The historic mansion setting with on-site lodging for artists Analog recording philosophy: intention over perfection Pre-production process and artist collaboration Recording credits including The Head and the Heart, Dusk, Spy Spy, and more How Patrick and Jeff help artists achieve their unique visionABOUT HONEYTONE STUDIOS:Honeytone is a destination recording studio in Appleton, WI, specializing in analog recording with modern digital integration. Founded by Patrick in 2012, the studio features vintage recording equipment, a warm and inviting atmosphere, and expert production from Patrick and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Portland (originally from NYC). Artists can stay on-site while recording in this inspiring creative space.SERVICES OFFERED: Analog & Digital Recording Mixing & Mastering Pre-Production Consultation Session Musicians Available Guitar Tech & Repair Services On-Site Lodging for Touring ArtistsCONTACT HONEYTONE STUDIOS:🌐 Website: honeytonemusic.com📸 Instagram: @honeytonemusicgFEATURED ARTISTS & PROJECTS:The Head and the Heart, Dusk, Spy Spy, Cedar Well, Frank Anderson, Julia Blair, and many more Wisconsin and regional artists.0:00 Introduction to Honeytone Studios1:25 Patrick and Jeff introduce themselves2:09 Patrick's background in radio and broadcast journalism3:05 How Jeff moved from New York to Wisconsin5:03 First impressions of Honeytone Studios5:21 Finding the Victorian mansion location7:09 Opening in 2012 and the home studio origins8:07 The analog recording process and philosophy10:11 Intention vs. perfection in recording11:41 Choosing gear to match an artist's vision13:02 The pedal collection and interpersonal skills15:28 Acquiring the Neve 5088 console18:19 Kevin Costner connection and board history19:44 Frank Anderson and session musicians20:59 Pre-production process explained23:00 Roller coasters and building engaging songs23:53 Working with artists' visions25:20 Band lodging and studio atmosphere28:03 Honeytone record label29:14 Setup time and efficiency31:10 Drum tuning and preparation31:58 Working together as a team33:11 Patrick's touring experience35:00 Family and music influences36:36 Getting to know bands intimately39:27 Recording at The Refuge with The Head and the Heart41:19 Jeff's musical journey and influences44:40 Guitar tech and repair work45:58 Moving to Honeytone from New York48:05 Jeff's solo EP project51:15 Notable studio equipment52:10 Spy vs Spy, Dusk, and other local artists53:19 Photography and videography at the studio54:35 Balancing studio work and life55:12 Patrick's mineral collecting hobby59:04 Contact information and closing#HoneytoneStudios #RecordingStudio #AppletonWI #FoxCities #WisconsinMusic #AnalogRecording #NeveConsole #MusicProduction #RecordingEngineer #StudioLife #VintageGear #MusicStudio #WisconsinMusicians #AudioEngineering #MusicProducer #IndieMusic #StudioGear #AnalogGear #MusicRecording #LocalMusic #FoxValley #WIMusicScene #RecordingSession #StudioVibes #MusicCommunity #SoundEngineering #ProducerLife #StudioTour #HomeRecording #MusicBusiness #IndieArtist #RecordingArtist #StudioSession #AudioProduction #MusicIndustry #CreativeSpace #VictorianMansion #DestinationStudio #CodeZeroRadio #FoxCitiesCore