First look! Mazi, South End Mediterranean

A first look at Mazi, the South End restaurant from Built On Hospitality featuring Mediterranean flavors and southern ingredients. Mazi, a new Mediterranean restaurant in South End, is energetic and contemporary, evoking the feel of a buzzy city bistro. Tufted green banquettes run along one side of the deep rectangular space, while artichoke-shaped lights cast a warm glow. Back in February, Built on Hospitality chef and partner Chris Coleman was deep into the physical buildout and menu […]

First look! Mazi, South End Mediterranean Read More »

Poison The Well ‘Opposite of December’ Golden Nugget + YCBY Test Press

I present the seminal Trustkill era metalcore record that influenced a whole decade. None other than Poison The Well’s the ‘Opposite of December a Season of Separation’ – I’ve been eyeing original pressings on eBay over the past year. Most were selling from $150-200. So when I heard they were re-pressing in three color variants, needless to say I was excited. Only snag was you could only pick one up on a tour stop. With no North

Poison The Well ‘Opposite of December’ Golden Nugget + YCBY Test Press Read More »

Sound (+) bites: Orosoko Sound Bar

Cocktail bar Orosoko brings a multisensory dining experience to South End.  Amid the ubiquitous mid-rise apartment and office buildings in South End, Orosoko Sound Bar stands out, precisely, by not standing out. Even the sign is enigmatic, a simple script “O” on the corner of the small one-story building at the corner of Bland and Winnifred streets. Full Feature story at https://southparkmagazine.com/sound-bites/

Sound (+) bites: Orosoko Sound Bar Read More »

Schuylar Croom – Burn All Your Rock Records – Neptunes 02.28.25

For decades I have been privy to watching my dudes in He Is Legend shred their witchy, southern Hardcore. So when the opportunity arose to photograph frontman Schuylar Croom spin a guest DJ set – I took it. Super fun night. Mr. Croom adorning a Cramps shirt, shaking and grooving – while spinning at 33 RPM. He kicked off the evening with Jim Carroll’s “People Who Died” .  Might I add it was rather refreshing to see

Schuylar Croom – Burn All Your Rock Records – Neptunes 02.28.25 Read More »

StefTone x MojoTone – Around The Super Strat

My first venture outside Les Paul’s & Offsets. Behold the SC-20 (MH style) LTD. I swapped out the ESP stock pups for MoJo Tone Magnum 44 & 58’ Quiet Coil (bridge) in the neck position. NEW output 21k-11.2k-11.6k. Thank you Mr. Keith Mcandrews for the pairing suggestions. As Keith elegantly put it – “Stephen Carpenter used that guitar in the ’90s before he switched over to a 7-string. That Neck single coil can be heard

StefTone x MojoTone – Around The Super Strat Read More »

Beloved – Failure on (Original Press) 2009 Edition – Broken Circles

Another NC Hardcore / SolidState grail I’ve been hunting for the better part of a year. I first heard Beloved when given a copy of 2001’s “The Running” – produced by NC audio legend Mr. Jamie King of Swift (BTBAM, Glass Casket, He is Legend). Was fortunate to track a few records with him at The Basement Studio in Rural Hall, NC.   This particular record turned a lot of heads upon its highly anticipated release.

Beloved – Failure on (Original Press) 2009 Edition – Broken Circles Read More »

First Look! Albertine Uptown – SouthPark Magazine

From the fine folks who brought you Kindred, Milkbread and Hello Sailor  – Uptown’s polished and popular new Mediterranean fine-dining Albertine! Albertine is the fourth concept and sixth eatery for the Davidson-based culinary power couple. Their eponymous Kindred, the wildly successful Davidson neighborhood haunt, debuted 10 years ago. Hello, Sailor in Cornelius, a nod to Carolina fish camps, followed in 2017. Next came Milkbread, a casual café with three locations — including one adjacent to Albertine. Check out the full

First Look! Albertine Uptown – SouthPark Magazine Read More »

Tale of the plate: Okonomiyaki – Dozo

Great food doesn’t have to be predictable. Boundaries are meant to be pushed, flavors are meant to be fused, and it’s OK to sometimes break from tradition. In fact, in the heart of Charlotte, that kind of thinking is celebrated. And it’s why chefs Perry Saito and John Gamble are building a partnership at the intersection of Japanese and American cultures to bring something new to the city’s dining scene with DOZO. Full Article at South Park

Tale of the plate: Okonomiyaki – Dozo Read More »

BLACK FLAG 1984 FIRST edition pressing – MISPRINT “My War”

Undeniably my favorite record from the Henry Rollins era of Black Flag. And my gateway into true punk rock & Hardcore (yes, I like both types of music). But growing up as a kid in the suburbs – Nirvana helped me find the underground ( aka Black Flag), and Black Flag helped me discover all the other bands: Misfits, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys, etc… Ya know, the typical roster. I actually snagged this

BLACK FLAG 1984 FIRST edition pressing – MISPRINT “My War” Read More »

All We Need is Just a lil’ Patience – The Gibson Quest

Big thank you to Henry Conlon (instagram.com/henryconlonmusic) at Carter Vintage Guitar (cartervintage.com )for his help (and patience) on my YEARS long quest to find the perfect Gibson  😍 I was a stickler for Slash MTV 1991 looks and modern hi-gain / split coil electronics. Like most in the hardcore scene… I’ve always modified Studio LPs- nothing fancy but they sounded amazing. EMG or Duncan bridge, done! A few years ago I decided “I want a ‘pretty’ cherry burst” No Reverb or

All We Need is Just a lil’ Patience – The Gibson Quest Read More »

Scroll to Top