Big Oil episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 18, 2026 · 54 MIN

Big Oil

from CORE · host Andy McNamara

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 "synth punk" sound to the "panic writing" sessions that produced their best work. Whether you're a gearhead interested in their tone-chasing secrets or a fan wanting to know about their upcoming EP, this interview has it all.Support the Band:Socials: @BigOilInc (Instagram, etc.)Video Chapters0:00 Big Oil Band Interview - Fox Cities Wisconsin Rock Band1:42 How Big Oil Started - Band Origin Story & Member Backgrounds4:00 Big Oil Sound - Alt Rock Punk Blues Prog Influences5:58 First Live Performance at The Lobby Recording Session7:22 Frontman Stage Presence Tips & Performance Confidence7:46 Guitar Tone Secrets - How to Get Great Band Tone9:04 Band Photography & Building Social Media Presence10:10 Bratz Single Breakdown - Writing Longer Progressive Songs13:06 Live Q&A - Fans Ask Big Oil Questions13:24 How to Write Songs Fast - Songwriting Under Pressure15:03 Band Practice Tips - Writing New Music Together17:05 Upcoming EP Announcement - Big Oil New Music17:25 Best Venues to Play - Wisconsin Music Scene19:56 What Makes a Great Live Show vs Bad Show22:24 Milwaukee Music Scene vs Fox Cities Comparison24:42 How to Book Band Shows & Social Media Marketing Tips27:07 Band Merch Tips - T-Shirts Vinyl & Physical Products28:12 Musical Influences - Chris Cornell Viagra Boys Bad Suns31:07 Family Support for Local Musicians32:23 Recording at Rock Garden Studio - Professional Recording Tips34:29 Absent Minded & New Candy Singles Recording Process37:03 DIY Recording Mistakes - What We Learned at Spider's Barn39:08 Album Cover Art Design - Graphic Design for Musicians41:13 Vinyl vs Digital Release - Physical Music in 202543:06 Why We Named Our Band Big Oil - Band Name Story45:08 Dream Venues - Summerfest Coachella & House Shows47:04 New Candy Single Review - Big Oil's Most Aggressive Song48:09 Playing Shows with Missing Band Members51:03 Guitar Collaboration - Two Guitarists Working Together52:54 Big Oil Tour Dates 2025 - Upcoming Wisconsin Shows53:09 Follow Big Oil - Social Media Links & Streaming#BigOil #FoxCitiesCore #LocalMusic #AppletonWI #SynthPunk #NewCandy #WisconsinRock

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 "synth punk" sound to the "panic writing" sessions that produced their best work. Whether you're a gearhead interested in their tone-chasing secrets or a fan wanting to know about their upcoming EP, this interview has it all.Support the Band:Socials: @BigOilInc (Instagram, etc.)Video Chapters0:00 Big Oil Band Interview - Fox Cities Wisconsin Rock Band1:42 How Big Oil Started - Band Origin Story & Member Backgrounds4:00 Big Oil Sound - Alt Rock Punk Blues Prog Influences5:58 First Live Performance at The Lobby Recording Session7:22 Frontman Stage Presence Tips & Performance Confidence7:46 Guitar Tone Secrets - How to Get Great Band Tone9:04 Band Photography & Building Social Media Presence10:10 Bratz Single Breakdown - Writing Longer Progressive Songs13:06 Live Q&A - Fans Ask Big Oil Questions13:24 How to Write Songs Fast - Songwriting Under Pressure15:03 Band Practice Tips - Writing New Music Together17:05 Upcoming EP Announcement - Big Oil New Music17:25 Best Venues to Play - Wisconsin Music Scene19:56 What Makes a Great Live Show vs Bad Show22:24 Milwaukee Music Scene vs Fox Cities Comparison24:42 How to Book Band Shows & Social Media Marketing Tips27:07 Band Merch Tips - T-Shirts Vinyl & Physical Products28:12 Musical Influences - Chris Cornell Viagra Boys Bad Suns31:07 Family Support for Local Musicians32:23 Recording at Rock Garden Studio - Professional Recording Tips34:29 Absent Minded & New Candy Singles Recording Process37:03 DIY Recording Mistakes - What We Learned at Spider's Barn39:08 Album Cover Art Design - Graphic Design for Musicians41:13 Vinyl vs Digital Release - Physical Music in 202543:06 Why We Named Our Band Big Oil - Band Name Story45:08 Dream Venues - Summerfest Coachella & House Shows47:04 New Candy Single Review - Big Oil's Most Aggressive Song48:09 Playing Shows with Missing Band Members51:03 Guitar Collaboration - Two Guitarists Working Together52:54 Big Oil Tour Dates 2025 - Upcoming Wisconsin Shows53:09 Follow Big Oil - Social Media Links & Streaming#BigOil #FoxCitiesCore #LocalMusic #AppletonWI #SynthPunk #NewCandy #WisconsinRock

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Big Oil

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This episode was published on January 18, 2026.

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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...

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