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-- Review: The "New Basement" - LOCO, Sunday morning
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Review: The "New Basement" - LOCO, Sunday morning
I've been hearing a lot about this new Sunday morning afterparty spot, poised to compete head to head with zone for the after-after hours business. Finally, Schmucky made the call after a fantastic night @ footwork (Rene freakin' Amesz-ing) to check this place out. We had attempted a few times before to find it, but it was closed for sound proofing after shopper's drug mart had bitched them out about the noise (Yeah, it used to be above a shoppers, apparently...ironic, i know). The owners then moved it into a club called The Basement, and re-branded the event "Go LOCO at The "New" Basement."
I think that they still have some kinks to work out with their advertising and branding--several people thought LOCO was a new club, separate from The "New" Basement--also a new club. I heard people at footwork debating between the two, not knowing they were one and the same--and they didn't know where either club was either!
So let's set the record straight--The New Basement and LOCO are one and the same... located at the corner of Queen and Bathurst... I think the address is 178 Bathurst? There's no indication of the club's presence except some bouncers at the door and the address on a yellow marquee board above.
We arrived around 5:30 am--a relatively short drive from Footwork, and heard beats pounding out... their hours are 5am - 5pm...open a full hour earlier than COZO. We recognized some of the bouncers as we came in--they used to work at zone. In a way, it's good to know there are experienced veterans involved in this new Sunday morning venture.
We walked down the stairs out of the dawning morning light, and into comfortable darkness with a very similar air and feel to the zone--but with much better ventilation. At the bottom of the stairs an open hallway with a juice bar at one end, and couches scattered throughout to sit, chill and talk in eerie orange glow cast by light fixtures that I swear were taken out of a Castle Vania game (Probably Symphony of the Night, if i had my choice!). Going through an archway, we came to the main dance floor--already filled with strangers smiling at each other and getting down to some serious beats--pumped out by El Duran. Another juice bar near the back served out the Sunday morning staples--gatorade, five alive, pop and water. Up one side of the dance floor, more couches where people reclined talking, cuddling, making out, or bobbing to the tunes, the other side, tables and chairs. I have to admit, chilling in those couches so close to the actual dance floor was way cool--a definite departure from the 'interrogation room' chairs and tables that zone has scattered throughout.
The sound system was good--blessed by low ceilings and enclosed spaces, the bass pounded out hard and definitely gave that rush of sound passing through you as the rolling bass lines came out. The set was great--I didn't recognize any of the tracks; but they were heavy, hard and creepy, the way I like it on a Sunday morning!
At the front of the dance floor, black lights shone down on several girls dressed head to toe in white and glow-paint. That freaked me out, but entertained me too... wonder if that will be a regular site?
We danced it up hard for several hours. It was awesome to hear Paranoid Jack spin again, that guy is really talented, especially given his accolades in the area of production. Around 11ish, the crowd started to thin out a bit, and we made our exit to get some badly needed breakfast. BTW--in/out privledges? Yep!
Lastly, rumour on the street is that DJ Addy will be be spinning an opening set there in the near future. Addy returning to Sunday morning mayhem? I'm DEFINITELY going to be there to hear that set. Set your Sunday morning alarms for 4am people. When I substantiate the rumour, I'll post the details.
Verdict: This place has a lot of potential, already has a small regular crowd building (in its 3rd week!) and the sound is good. I'm definitely excited to see where it goes. After all the drama going down at zone lately, it is good to have a relatively "cleaner" alternative that carries much of the same tone musically and spirit in terms of an underground club. The new owners definitely have a vision of a zone-like environment...I heard on the dance floor that they are determined to keep the danger and the sketch factor out, one of the reasons for using bouncers that used to work for zone--they know the patrons and who to watch out for.
Great review - I always wondered how this new afterhours was and if it was in competition with zone or not!
Love the fact it still has the 'zone atmosphere' and its dark and dirty etc.
Hearing that Addy will possibly spin there adds icing to the cake as I heard he's the ultimate early sunday morning DJ to get things going.
I will definately try to make it out to this new basement sometime in the near future!!
GOOOOOO LOCCCCCOOOOOO
interesting�..very interesting�..Addy in the morning�this could be fun�do keep us posted....
I was there this Sunday morning, the music was great, the crowd was great (girl to guy ratio was 3-1 lol)
But the music was great and the place is really chillen... I honestly really like this place...
Sheldon your review resembled my experience there almost exactly.
Lauren and myself along with a couple of friends checked this place out 2 weeks ago and had a pleasantly good time.
Some of the Pros
- good ventilation and comfortable temperature. However if it was slightly busier that might have been different.
- good sound
- solid solid music. Not only did Rudee surprise me with a banging set when we got in, Paranoid Jack is the "twisted" icing on the cake. Easily my highlight of the morning.
- friendly bouncers
nothing bad to say about the place yet but I've learnt to not judge venues from one visit. lets see how the future pans out. Some better marketing of their events might do them some good.
Nice Review 
How much was cover?
What's cover?
i stayed like an hour.. all i have to say is very very dark!!
lots of nice girlies.. i danced for about half hour and lost all my energy.... gotta bring some electrolytes next time and a banana
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| Originally posted by jsibilin i stayed like an hour.. all i have to say is very very dark!! lots of nice girlies.. i danced for about half hour and lost all my energy.... gotta bring some electrolytes next time and a banana |
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| Originally posted by Jeff Button What's cover? |
Samhouse--agreed, bouncers are nice, but still firm & professional.
Ozmosis is right -- $20 cover, but promoters are carrying reduced passes that will get you in for $15.
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| Originally posted by Ni-Cd but promoters are carrying reduced passes that will get you in for $15. |
Queen and Bathurst ?? is it at the Big Bop or Funhaus ??
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| Originally posted by Djsketchbag Queen and Bathurst ?? is it at the Big Bop or Funhaus ?? |
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| Originally posted by Djsketchbag Queen and Bathurst ?? is it at the Big Bop or Funhaus ?? |
Re: Review: The "New Basement" - LOCO, Sunday morning
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Ni-Cd So let's set the record straight |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Ni-Cd After all the drama going down at zone lately, it is good to have a relatively "cleaner" alternative that carries much of the same tone musically and spirit in terms of an underground club. |
Re: Review: The "New Basement" - LOCO, Sunday morning
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| Originally posted by Ni-Cd 178 Bathurst |
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| Originally posted by rabbitjoker If you can't even figure out where it is - obviously they aren't going to let you in... |
i don't live in toronto RJ so i don't knwo the area all that well henc why i asked
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| Originally posted by �Zm�zis I was there this Sunday morning, the music was great, the crowd was great (girl to guy ratio was 3-1 lol) I honestly really like this place... |
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| Originally posted by Ni-Cd bouncers are nice, but still firm & professional. |
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| Originally posted by jon jon This thread is a promoter circle jerk and I don't believe a word in it. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by jon jon This thread is a promoter circle jerk and I don't believe a word in it. |
Hey Jon Jon,
Nopers, I'm not a promoter--nor do I ever want to get into that game.. merely a fan of the tunes.
By drama, i mean: The last time I was at zone, I saw some stuff go down --unrelated to the quality of music, etc (which has always been great *cough* except the minimal stuff *cough*)-- that didn't make me feel safe. A suitable comfort level wasn't established for me to enjoy myself. So, given my experience (which may not apply to everyone--everyone makes their own way and their own experience), I found it refreshing to find an alternative on Sunday morning while I give zone a break for a bit.
I'm definitely not saying zone is done, or I'll never go there again, etc... I've had some of the BEST times there--and I can't wait for D-Unity to spin there again. I'll be there for that, and for many future events that Raquel, Stan and associated people throw there. I also hear Anas Attia will be spinning at zone soon---WICKED.
Jon, i try to keep it balanced...you know me. I'm surprised you would think my review is a promoter plant. I'm sorry I didn't represent myself properly in this regard.
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| Originally posted by Jeff Button How is this thread any different than a CoZo thread that you are going ape shit about, or a Gallery thread Evan is going off about, or hell, even a Mod Club thread that I post in? |
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| Originally posted by Ni-Cd Nopers, I'm not a promoter--nor do I ever want to get into that game.. merely a fan of the tunes. |
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| Originally posted by Ni-Cd By drama, i mean: The last time I was at zone, I saw some stuff go down |
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| Originally posted by jon jon but don't fucking pose as a regular patron giving an honest and unbiased review. |
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| Originally posted by jon jon Do you not think the credibility of the board (specifically reviews) should come first? |
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