CORE

Neenah native Phil Johnston, the Academy Award-nominated writer of Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia and co-director of Ralph Breaks the Internet, joins Andy McNamara in the Code Zero Radio studio in Appleton, Wisconsin to talk about Rally for the Valley, the free benefit event in Menasha supporting Fox Cities neighbors still recovering from the storm.Phil explains how a phone call from his mom in Neenah turned into a day of live music, comedy, and community with help from his friend and Garbage drummer Butch Vig, Soul Asylum, and comedian Charlie Berens. He also covers event-day details: shuttles and parking, food vouchers for people who were impacted, a silent auction with Brewers and Packers items, a story-catching portrait booth at Menasha City Hall, and a live stream of the whole event.Then the conversation widens to Phil's career: growing up in Neenah and playing in a band, using a Marcus Theatres pass long after it expired, leaving TV journalism for Columbia film school, making Cedar Rapids with Ed Helms, and convincing John C. Reilly to voice Ralph. He also talks about the Fox Cities touches hidden in his films, working with David Byrne on The Twits, and the Wisconsin dark comedy he wants to direct next.Fox Cities Core is hosted by Andy McNamara on WCZR Code Zero Radio, an independent streaming rock station based in Appleton, WI. The show is the Fox Cities' connection to the region's live music scene, with artist interviews, venue spotlights, and show previews.Subscribe for more Fox Cities and Wisconsin music, film, and community conversations, and follow Code Zero Radio to hear the show.#FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #PhilJohnston #RallyForTheValley #WreckItRalph #Zootopia #Neenah #Menasha #Appleton #FoxCities #WisconsinMusic #ButchVig #SoulAsylum #CharlieBerens #Wisconsin

Andy McNamara spends a bit of time with Briscoe — Austin, Texas duo Philip Lupton and Truett Heintzelman — ahead of their show at Appleton Beer Factory, in the middle of a busy fall tour that's taken them through Milwaukee and Chicago on the way to Asheville, NC. The guys open up about how they first met as middle schoolers at summer camp (matching sandals and all), and the on-the-road disaster of showing up to a headline tour without a saxophone.They dig into the making of their ATO Records album Heat of July, produced by Grammy-nominated Brad Cook, including the story behind fan favorite "The Well" and the meaning behind the title track. Philip and Truett also talk about writing "Texas Flood" to honor the resilience of the Kerrville, TX community after the 2025 floods, the ongoing debate over releasing singles versus full-length albums in today's music industry, and what it was like to open for Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge in Washington State.Fox Cities Core is Andy McNamara's show on WCZR Code Zero Radio, an independent streaming rock station out of Appleton, Wisconsin — the Fox Cities' connection to the region's live music scene, with artist interviews, venue spotlights, and show previews.Catch Briscoe tonight at Appleton Beer Factory, and hear the full conversation on Fox Cities Core, Code Zero Radio, Appleton, Wisconsin, Americana, folk-rock, Texas music.Subscribe for more Fox Cities Core interviews, and follow Code Zero Radio for the latest from the Fox Valley music scene.#Briscoe #HeatOfJuly #FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #Appleton #WisconsinMusic #FoxCities #AmericanaMusic #FolkRock #TexasMusic #AppletonBeerFactory #ATORecords #BradCook #LiveMusic

A tornado hit the Fox Cities on July 27 — and this community is answering back with music, comedy, and giving. Andy McNamara talks with some of the team behind Rally for the Valley, a free benefit taking over downtown Menasha on Saturday, October 3rd from 2-10pm.In studio: Event Organizers Alex Drossart and Adrienne Palm. Calling in: Wisconsin legend and Garbage drummer/producer Butch Vig — and fellow Neenah native Phil Johnston, the Oscar-nominated writer behind Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia, whose one text to an old friend snowballed this from a small event at a pizza parlor into a massive free block party.They talk through how the lineup came together (Soul Asylum, Freedy Johnston, Fountains of Wayne, Duke Erikson, LOLO, Hang Ten, Cory Chisel and more, with plenty of collaborative guest sets planned), why the event is free with ways to donate to three different organizations: LEAVEN, Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, and Pillars, and everything else on tap: storytelling booth for the History Museum, a live auction, Brewers mascots for the kids, and yes — a custom "Rally for the Valley" beer from Stone Arch.If you've got a story to share, want to volunteer, or just want to show up and support downtown Menasha, this episode is for you.Fox Cities Core airs on WCZR Code Zero Radio, an independent streaming rock station out of Appleton, Wisconsin, bringing you the artists, venues, and stories shaping the valley's music scene. Subscribe for more Fox Cities Core interviews, and tune in to Code Zero Radio for the show live.#RallyForTheValley #FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #Appleton #WisconsinMusic #FoxCities #Menasha #ButchVig #PhilJohnston #SoulAsylum #TornadoRelief #FoxValleyStrong #LiveMusic #Wisconsin

Irish Fest of the Fox Cities returns to Jones Park in Appleton, WI on September 18–19, 2026! On this episode of Fox Cities Core (Code Zero Radio), Mark Hudson — Executive Director of Irish Fest of the Fox Cities — joins Andy to break down everything happening at this year's festival.Mark talks ticket prices and the advance-sale deadline, the push to finally crack 5,000 attendees, this year's headlining lineup (Gaelic Storm, Skerryvore, The Drowsy Lads, The Bow Tides, The Conor Mallon Band, and Boxing Banjo), the Wee Ones kids' area, the Celtic Mass at St. Mary's, festival food, sponsors, and what it's really like running a two-day Irish festival 300+ days a year. Plus: a Guinness pour demo, favorite Irish beers and movies, and how to volunteer.🍀 Festival dates: September 18–19, 2026📍 Location: Jones Park, Appleton, Wisconsin🎟️ Tickets & info: IrishFestFoxCities.com🎙️ More Fox Cities Core: CodeZeroRadio.com#IrishFestFoxCities #AppletonWisconsin #FoxCitiesCore #IrishFestival #CelticMusic #GaelicStorm #Skerryvore #JonesPark #WisconsinEvents #IrishCulture

Descartes a Kant (DAK) — the theatrical rock band from Guadalajara, Mexico — joins Fox Cities Core on Code Zero Radio during their Mile of Music run in Appleton, WI. Band members Sandra, Memo, and Leo dig into the philosophy-inspired origin of their name, the wild theatrical concept behind their live show (choreography, and "the machine"), and the story behind recording with legendary producer Steve Albini on their album "Victims of Love Propaganda."In this interview, the band talks about:- Where the name "Descartes a Kant" actually comes from- Starting the band in 2001 as a school project inspired by riot grrrl bands- How the band's theatrical, costume-driven concept evolved album by album- Writing their album "After Destruction" through a lineup change, isolation, and grief- Recording on analog tape with Steve Albini and remembering his legacy- Getting vouched for by Mike Patton to play with Mr. Bungle- Sharing stages with Sonic Youth, the Melvins, St. Vincent, and Slayer's Dave Lombardo- How they get their massive live sound without traditional amps- Their first impressions of Appleton, Wisconsin — tornado damage, sound baths, and Wisconsin gifts- What's next for the band, including upcoming UK, Mexico, and US tour datesDescartes a Kant played Mile of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Catch their music videos, including their Steve Albini recording sessions, on their YouTube channel.Fox Cities Core is Code Zero Radio's show covering the Fox Cities and Wisconsin live music scene through artist interviews, venue spotlights, and show previews.Subscribe for more Fox Cities Core interviews with touring and local artists.#DescartesaKant #DAK #FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #MileOfMusic #AppletonWisconsin #SteveAlbini #MikePatton #MexicanRockBand #TheatricalRock #IndieRock #TouringMusicians #GuadalajaraMusic #LiveMusic #AfterDestruction