Porky's Groove Machine and WURK at Appleton Music Factory

Name: Porky's Groove Machine and WURK at Appleton Music Factory
Start: 2025-09-12T20:00:00-05:00
Location: 603 W College Ave, Appleton, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54911

Schedule

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025 at 08:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

603 W College Ave, Appleton, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54911 | Appleton, WI

7:30 - Doors
8:00 - WURK
9:30 - Porky's Groove Machine
$15 - Advance / $20 - Day of
Porky's Groove Machine
Porky's Groove Machine is a licensed supplier of the silliest corn-fed, environmentally sustainable Midwestern *nerd-funk.* Since forming in 2011, we've been entertaining audiences of all ages from Minneapolis to New York City with interactive shows that put on display our mature musiciality and not so mature sense of humor. From sold out shows at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI, to middle school band camp, we always bring a party that is sure to get audience members dancing and laughing.
Releases include "Porkus" (April, 2017), our 2016 presidential campaign platform, “Make America Funk Again” (July 2016), "Magic Brunch" (May 2014), and "This Would Be A Great Present For My Grandma” (November 2011).
WURK
Wurk is a 6-piece funk-fusion group which formed in Madison, WI in 2016. Inspired by Umphrey’s McGee, Snarky Puppy, Lettuce, Phish and many others, their innovative original songs and ambitious interpretations of popular covers offer an impressive blend of jazz fusion, prog rock, jam rock and more, all with the consistent underlying grooves of funk. Wurk has opened for acts including The Motet and Andy Frasco & the U.N. and helped pack venues across the Midwest. Described by Isthmus Magazine as “summer-jam-perfect” and two-time recipient of the Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) Artist of the Year Award (2019, 2022), Wurk fills the gap between complexity and groove, impressing fans and keeping them dancing all night.
Frank Laufenberg uses his electric guitar to provide funky rhythms and dense chord structure while filling the role of principal songwriter and vocalist. He leads the charge alongside Daniel Haschke (saxophones/flute) who hypes the crowds by leaping off of the stage and spreading his infectious joy to the dance floor. Max Morkri’s blend of solid grooving and intricate drum chops and Jory Carlin’s powerful bass lines glue the band together. Carl Hipenbecker (trumpet/synth/vocals) and Brandon Jensen (keys/synth) offer a diverse range of skills to make each tune fresh and unique. Most of Wurk’s members grew up in Mount Horeb, WI, just west of Madison; their shared background creates the band’s closeness and ability to communicate complicated ideas musically.