Nine Inch Nails & Soundgarden Perform at Charlotte's PNC Music Pavilion

The crowd starts to fill up at the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte for 
Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By Dathan Kazsuk | Aug 11, 2014

Twitter: TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: trianglearoundtown

Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden recently played the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte to celebrate some historic milestones. For Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, it's been 25-years since he released the critically-acclaimed masterpiece, Pretty Hate Machine in 1989. And for Seattle's Soundgarden, it's been 20-years since the release of the 1994 hit album, Superunknown.

So when I saw that NIN had a link on their Facebook page for $20 tickets to the Charlotte performance on Aug. 7, I jumped on the opportunity to buy a couple tickets for Jen and myself. 

Taking a half-day off work that day ... I came home and got ready for the night.

Am I ready for the two-and-a-half hour drive to Charlotte? Not really. But let's do it!

Traffic wasn't bad at all. I was shocked. It was 5:30 p.m. heading into Kannapolis ... traffic is very sparse on Highway 85.

Do you think we can hit up NoDa Brewing Company before the show? Let's check the GPS. Twenty minutes away from the concert and close to downtown Charlotte. No, we'll pass this time. Let's get to the show.

Arrived at the PNC Music Pavilion with no problems. Easy to park. Some idiot hits the side of my car getting out of his car in the parking lot. No damage, so it's not all good ... but good. Let's see how this crowd will be tonight.

Made it inside with no problem and found our way towards the front of the lawn. Wow! $11 for Bud Light! I'm not buying that! Then 5 minutes later and $22 out of my wallet, we're sitting on the lawn with a Bud Light and Bud Light Lime!

First band takes the stage. Dillinger Escape Plan. Didn't know who they were until the singer announced it half way through the set. OMG ... the band was horrible! The music was 30-minutes of the lead singer screaming at the top of his lungs while one of the guitarists jumped around like a fool. I look over at Jen. She must be thinking, "What the Hell did I get myself into?"

Luckily the band only played for half-an-hour. Thank you, Lord ... the noise is now over! Next is Soundgarden. This should be pretty good. Chris Cornell and gang played some of their radio-friendly hits such as "Black Hole Sun," "My Wave," "Spoonman," and "Fell on Black Days." Thirteen songs total. The sound, in my opinion, wasn't that great. Should have been better for a band with the caliber of Soundgarden. "Just wait until Trent comes out," I tell Jen. "The sound will be amazing." Oh yes! It was.

The band I came to see takes the stage. Trent walks out and starts the show with "Copy of A" on just one keyboard. One-by-one, the rest of the band comes out to their instruments. The crowd goes crazy. Looking over at Jen, I'm thinking she'll enjoy this performance. She did!

NIN performed 17 songs that night. "Sanctified," "Came Back Haunted," "Closer," "March of the Pigs," "Eraser," "Wish," "The Hand that Feeds" and "Head Like a Hole" were some of the favorites. I really enjoyed the part of the set that featured "Disappointed," "Find My Way" and "The Great Destroyer." You can't beat that. Such diversity!

Even though I liked Soundgarden, I wish they weren't there and NIN could have performed a 2-hour set that night and done more of my favorites like "Suck," "The Day The Whole World Went Away," "We're in this Together," and "Somewhat Damaged."

The concert ends and I prepare myself for the two-and-a-half drive back to Raleigh. I think we might have had a contact "high" from all the weed smoke around us ... so tried to stop at a Cracker Barrel. Say what? They close at 11 p.m.? Not fair! Yawn. 1 a.m. by the time we get home. My cat, Sleestak wakes me up at 7 a.m. At work by 9 a.m. I’m tired! Next up, Keith Urban at Walnut Creek shortly after I get off work. 

Fuquay-Varina newcomer – Draft Line Brewing

By Dathan Kazsuk | July 6, 2014

Twitter: @TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: @trianglearoundtown

It seems as if the Triangle is becoming a hot bed for up and rising breweries – especially as of late. One of the newest breweries to enter the scene is Fuquay-Varina's Draft Line Brewing. With Aviator Brewery holding down the Fuquay fort for years, and the all women-owned Bombshell Brewing in the neighboring town of Holly Springs recently celebrating its 1-year anniversary, Draft Line has some catching up to do.

On June 28, Draft Line opened its doors to the general public to an amazing success. The brewery stated on its Facebook page that they handed out over 2,400 wristbands and served over 4,500 glasses of beer. And at $5 a pop, that's an amazing accomplishment for day one.

Jen and I arrived around 5 p.m. and met some friends as we tried pint after pint. We started with the Wilbon American Wheat Ale (5.3%ABV). The beer had subtle hints of orange peels that made this a perfect summer brew. We followed that up with the Graft Pale Ale (5.3%ABV). Then we sampled the SinglePath IPA (6.6%ABV) and the Deep Plunge Porter (5.6%ABV). My friend, Gina, tried the Hemmngs Pilsner (5.1%ABV) as well as the RiverSteam Scotch Ale (7.5%ABV), which she enjoyed. Between the four of us there that afternoon, we tried all six of the beers Draft Line has to offer.

I must admit that I wasn't disappointed in any of the Draft Line beers that afternoon, but I was expecting a little more. With so many craft beers springing up in North Carolina alone, I'm always searching for a brewery to awe me with its ingredients. If you're going for a porter, try adding coconut or curry. If you are aiming for a wheat beer, why not add peaches or Hibiscus flowers.

Draft Line does have the potential, and should keep up with the other breweries sharing its beer with fellow beer-drinkers like me. The next time we're in the F-V, we'll be sure to stop back at Draft Line for another pint or two.

A Tour and Tasting at Williamsburg Winery: Where Wine Meets History

By Jen | June 24, 2014

Twitter: @TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: @trianglearoundtown

In search of a summertime weekend getaway, we visited the Williamsburg Winery in Williamsburg, Virginia for their Extensive Tour and Reserve Wine Tasting. Having done this tour and reserve tasting in the past, we knew we would be in for another treat that only the Williamsburg Winery can deliver. This particular tour and tasting is limited to 8-10 people, must be reserved and purchased in advance, and the tasting takes place in the private wine cellar. It’s an experience not to be missed if you are an avid wine lover.

The Williamsburg Winery sits on over 300-acres of land in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jack Crane, above, is one of the staff members that leads visitors through the grounds of the winery during it's daily tours and tastings.

For anyone visiting Williamsburg, you know it's rich in American history and the site of the winery is no exception. Our day began with lunch at the Gabriel Archer Tavern, named after Gabriel Archer. Archer was 2nd in command, when in 1606, three ships were sent to the New World to settle a permanent English colony.

Throughout the winery, the history talks to you through the names of the wines produced. The James River White, Governor's White, Susan Constant Red, Acte 12 Chardonnay and of course, the Gabriel Archer Reserve - to name a few. What better way to experience history than with a glass of wine. 

We have lunch at the Gabriel Archer Tavern just about every time we visit the winery and can honestly say we've never been disappointed. With a glass of our favorite, the Governor’s White, we shared a cheese plate and grilled chicken sandwich before walking across to the winery to check in for our tour.  

At 1 p.m., we were promptly met by our tour guide, Jack Crane, as well as two other ladies who were also on our tour. Jack took us out to the vineyard on the 300-acre farm, known as Wessex Hundred, where he discussed the history of the winery, the land it resides on and of course the seven different types of grapes grown on the estate.  From there, we were taken to the crush pad where Jack explained the process the grapes go through up to fermentation.  Next up, the museum where Jack taught us about the evolution of the wine bottle, the history of the estate and other tidbits of information worth saving for your own visit one day!

We toured the wine cellar and Jack explained the bottling process and alas, we have arrived at our private wine cellar for our private tasting of the winery’s finest – the reserve and premium wines. Don’t get me wrong, the tour is not to be missed, but I was anxiously awaiting the tasting and with a group of four, it made it even more intimate … and fun!

The four of us sat at the tasting table, and with Jack leading the way, we were presented with a cheese plate and 9 bottles of wine calling our name as we waited for our first taste. We started with the Wedmore Place Cremant de Loire which is made especially for Williamsburg Winery by their partners at Chateau de la Presle. Being a sparkling wine fan, this one was one of my favorites of the day.

We went down the list from whites to reds and finishing with a Late Harvest Vidal Blanc. We were able to taste a side-by-side 2010 Merlot Reserve followed by a 2006 Merlot Reserve as well as a 2010 Gabriel Archer followed by a 2009 Gabriel Archer. A favorite of mine, retailing between $75-$100 per bottle, was the 2009 Adagio, which is a blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This year, the 2010 Adagio was awarded the Virginia Governor’s Cup as the overall winner of the competition.

Included in this tour, guests receive a large etched reserve wine glass, however, on this day they were out so we were given vouchers to come back for their regular tour and tasting. Being from out of state, but also keeping our wine and beer club in mind, we decided to return the next day for the additional tour so we may give our members a “side-by-side” comparison. So, the next day, we returned and began our visit once again with lunch at the Gabriel Archer and then off to the tour and tasting. This tour typically is $10 per person.

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Jack, from the day before, would be our tour guide once again!  The tour begins with a 5-minute video of the history of the winery.  Next, Jack took us down to the wine cellar where he talked about the barreling, aging and bottling process.  Up the spiral staircase we landed back in the museum and then onward to the tasting room. Once in the tasting room, we sampled 7 wines, ranging from whites to reds to a choice of Vin Licoreux de Framboise or the Jamestown Cellars Spiced Wine. The Framboise was to die for, while the spiced wine is great for the holidays. These wines all retail from $9 to $18 per bottle.

The difference between these tours are on the reserve tasting you are able to go to the vineyard, see the grapes, learn about them and hear the history, whereas on this other tour, the video took the place of the personal touch.  On the reserve tasting you are trying the better produced wine – the reserve and premium – and in a private wine cellar with atmosphere and intimacy. On this tasting and tour, you are fortunate to try wines, that some might say, are more affordable.

Do I have a preference? I like “atmosphere” so I would choose the reserve.  However, being budget-minded, the tour and tasting on the second day did allow us to decide what we liked and could walk out the door with a case of Williamsburg wines. To each their own, I say!

The winery offers a total of 5 different tours, including these two. The others are a Fine Wine Tasting for $6 per person. A Reserve Wine Tasting for $15 per person and a Tour and Tasting with Lunch for $35 per person. Next time you’re in Virginia, check them out! You won’t be disappointed!

Raleigh's Sub Noir Brewing celebrates year one with a bang

By Dathan Kazsuk | June 15, 2014

Twitter: @TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: @trianglearoundtown

Celebrating its 1-year anniversary party on June 14, I have to give respect to Sub Noir Brewing Company's Michael and Amy Stagner for blessing us with some fantastic craft beers during its first 365-days in existence.

When you first walk into Sub Noir Brewing, one would think that the gang has a lot to do when it comes to decorating. The brewery has no bar or extravagant barstools and the beer comes out of a chest freezer which has been crafted into a kegerator. They don't have that charming allure of some of the other local breweries – but don't let this fool you! The beer crafted here can stand up next to some of the heavy-hitters in the craft beer world.

And it doesn't hurt to have somewhat of a "cult" following behind the brewery. While only producing small barrel runs, fans of Sub Noir have to pay close attention to Twitter or Facebook as to when the next special beer will be flowing, such as the sour Flanders Red Ale in a cask barrel, which lasted under an hour before it was all gone during it's 1-year anniversary.

Jen and I arrived early to have a pint of Zee Count, a chocolate stout brewed with Count Chocula and aged over cocoa nibs courtesy of Raleigh's own Videri Chocolate Factory. I also tried a pint of the ginger tripel named, Eccentrica. Unfortunately I didn't get an opportunity to try the double IPA, aptly titled "D-Bag" for the trouble Michael and my friend David had with the hops during brewing. Maybe next time, guys.

On that rather humid afternoon, many people gathered in lawn chairs drinking beer outside under canopies, while food trucks supplied the nourishment. Uban Entree, Dump Pho King and Not Just Icing Cupcakes were available through the day, bringing everything from fried pork-chop sandwiches to pork dumplings.

Cheers to the gang at Sub Noir Brewing Company ... I hope to be there when you celebrate year number two.

Bombshell Beer Company

Bombshell Beer Company is located in Holly Springs.

By Dathan Kazsuk | May 26, 2014

Twitter: @TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: @trianglearoundtown

Our first visit to Bombshell Beer Company came courtesy of a Living Social special - but then did half the people on the tour that afternoon when we made our trek over to Holly Springs. 

The night before our tour, Jen and I met Bombshell's head brewer, Steve O'Neill, while at Wine 101 Wake Forest. I told him I would keep my drinking to a minimum, so I can enjoy more beer the next day. He agreed, and so I ordered a pint of Bombshell's Lemongrass IPA. I'll save the rest for tomorrow, I told him.

At the brewery, we sat at the bar looking over the beer menu for several minutes before they announced the start of the 3 pm tour. Bombshell's co-founder Ellen Joyner led the group of 20 people through the doors leading to where the magic happens. Joyner discussed in detail how Bombshell came to fruition to buying steel made here in the USA for brewing materials. After a 30 minute tour of the facility, and another pint of Lemongrass IPA, the tour ended. The group then made it's way back to the bar to pick up the rest of the swag that came with the Living Social special: 2 pint glasses and a growler filled with your favorite Bombshell suds.

Prices range from $4.50 to $5.00 for a pint to as low as $1.50 for a 5-ounce sample. With Bombshell having a selection of 8 beers on tap, we decided to sample a flight of beer, which consist of five 5-ounce pours for $6.50. For our flight, we selected the Polished Pilsner, Hey! Honey! Hefeweizen, Pick-Up Porter and Dirty Secret Stout (both the oatmeal and dry Irish batches).

Our favorite was a toss up between the pilsner and the oatmeal stout. While the hefeweizen was my least favorite, towards the end of the sample it actually started to grow on me. As far as filling up our growler – it was the light-bodied pilsner that wound up in there.

Bombshell is open Thursday 4pm-9pm; Fridays 3pm-11pm; Saturdays 12pm-11pm and Sundays 1pm-6pm. The bear has live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and food trucks out front will supply you with nourishment.

Ellen Joyner, co-founder of Bombshell, leads a tour.