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.