You can hear Zack Skyler, Working Stiff, Weekdays from 9-7 on ALT 99.5 and 102.3fm!
Alright, Zack Skyler, what’s your story?
I’m Indiana born and raised!
I’ve got great kids named Emily and Andrew. My kids rock!
Since I was a kid, my passion has always been playing the drums, radio, music, movies and tv to an extent. My first radio job was at 14. It’s a part of me. For a while now, I’ve been Programming Assistant for some of the radio stations in our hub, one of which is ALT 99.5 and 102.3fm and I LOVE it! Sharing my passion of songs means so much.
I’m a complete info. junkie. I watch, listen to and read everything. I’m somewhat of a history geek. I follow news and sports a lot.
Single. Dating Life Sucks.
What’s Your Broadcasting History?
I’ve worked at a few Fort Wayne radio stations over the years, plus spent many years living and working in radio in Orlando, Florida and Minneapolis, Minnesota. I’ve also had a tv stretch too along the way with the radio. One thing is for sure, radio will forever be a part of me in one way, shape or form.
What do you love about alternative?
Well, I love alternative. I’m always interested in the history of things and when you look at alt, I think the earliest days could be some 60’s garage bands, plus acts like The Velvet Underground and then you go into the 70’s with the arrival of punk: The Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Buzzcocks etc and then in the late ‘70’s, Joy Division brought an interesting sound, which lead to New Order. I do believe power pop rock like Big Star helped shape much of what has arrived over the years. 80’s gave us Depeche Mode, The Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen, plus one of my all time favorites, The Replacements, and as the 80’s moved along we got The Pixies and Sonic Youth. By the very late 80’s, here comes Green River and Mother Love Bone out of Seattle, which lead to Nirvana and Pearl Jam. I was a subscriber of the very first Sub Pop singles club and many great singles and many from Seattle bands came my way back then and it was refreshing. I dig the 90’s alternative because it’s got more guitar and I like that a lot. I much prefer the rock side of ALT. The format as a whole has shifted somewhat, but it’s all great in its own way. There’s a lot of great ALT music now! It’s an exciting time now with some of my favorites…The Black Keys, Cage The Elephant, The Head & The Heart etc.
You’re The Person Behind ALT Homegrown Spotlight.
What Are Your Thoughts On It?
I’ve always been a huge believer in the local music scene. There’s so much talent in Fort Wayne and it’s getting even better. I’ve pushed to feature local artists for a while and we’ve been doing it for some time now. It’s exciting to see their fan bases grow too. We feature all styles of artists too for AHS: straight ahead alternative, indie, folk, punk, electronic/synth, shades of funk, rock & roll of all kinds. People can submit stuff to me too homegrown@altfortwayne.com
Favorite Things About Fort Wayne?
#1 is the people!
I enjoy all of Fort Wayne’s sports teams: Komets, Tin Caps and Mad Ants.
I like seeing live music any time I can and you might find me at the Brass Rail, the Ruin, Muse on Main, the Glory Pub or any of the other great places for bands.
I dig a lot of films too as I am a movie buff, so Cinema Center is a perfect place.
There’s a lot of great festivals: Middle Waves, Hobnobben, TRF and Johnny Appleseed are a few of my favorites.
Sweetwater is a one of a kind spot!
There’s some great record shops here, both Neat Neat Neat and Wooden Nickel are excellent.
My kids and I like the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo a lot.
Great food here too and Coney Island is special.
What Are Your Hobbies?
Anything outdoors, reading (avid reader), traveling, drawing, writing, art, listening to music, movies, hockey, playing the drums, discovering things…whatever that may be.
Favorite TV Series?
The Sopranos is my #1 of all time.
I like a few classics like Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Home Improvement, Frasier and The Office.
I dig Stranger Things on Netflix, HBO Max’s GOT and House Of The Dragon, AMC’s TWD and all their sequels and prequels, Amazon Prime’s Lord Of The Rings.
I enjoy cartoons and animation..
Favorite Music?
I love nearly all music. My tastes are all over the place. I enjoy most genres and styles and dig many decades,, even a lot of stuff before my time. I’d say my favorite bands ever are The Beatles, The Doors, The Kinks, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex, Big Star, Badfinger, The Sweet, The Ramones, The Replacements, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana and Teenage Fanclub.
I’m a rock & roll guy at heart. Guitar driven, REAL. Some pop is fine with me. Classic outlaw country is nice… Johnny Cash, Waylon, Merle.
I have a great love for classic soul and R&B, especially Sam Cooke. Marvin Gaye and all of the Motown classics are special.
I like Beck, Foo Fighters, TV On The Radio, Jellyfish, Radiohead, Material Issue, Primal Scream, Faith No More and a million others.
Anything Jack White does rocks: White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Dead Weather, solo stuff…all of it.
Favorite Movies?
I dig mob flicks, so The Godfather, Goodfellas, Scarface, A Bronx Tale.
I like many of the Superhero flicks, especially Avengers and Justice League projects.
Documentaries!
Favorite Books?
Charles Fleming’s High Concept is a fine and INSANE read.
Any rock & roll, radio, record label, film studio stories.
I love the interesting stories throughout history, whether former Presidents, news or sports related, classic Hollywood.
Must Reads include: George Orwell’s 1984, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Machiavelli’s The Prince.
Favorite Websites?
Join Zack Skyler on the socials…
Zack Skyler Twitter (@RadioZack)
Zack Skyler Instagram (radiozack)
You can email Zack…