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Posted by: sigma Dec 27 2003, 06:40 AM

TITLE: Syrous #08 - ' Empire Strikes Back '
LOCATION: http://thecommunic8r.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=32
DATE: May 6th 1995
AUDIO: Phantasy {http://www.thecommunic8r.com/sigma7/audio/syrous/empire1a.mp3}{http://www.thecommunic8r.com/sigma7/audio/syrous/empire1b.mp3} - Hype {http://www.thecommunic8r.com/sigma7/audio/syrous/empire2a.mp3}{http://www.thecommunic8r.com/sigma7/audio/syrous/empire2b.mp3}
ATTENDANCE: 1600

FEATURED DJ:
Dj Hype, Dj Phantasy, MC Reality

MEMORIES: The venue for this event has to be my favorite out of them all. So much history with this warehouse. located close to the CNE in and around the old industrial area. It had to be over 100 years old. A single room warehouse with very high ceilings and a glass roof. This particluar warehouse has been used for many Music Videos and other film productions in Toronto. The event was so close to getting shutdown. the property was partially owned by the Police station located near by. To make things worse a Toronto FireMarshall showed up wanting to shut us down. He had been in a fire in the same building over 40 years ago in which he suffered burns to 30 percent fo his body! now how messed up is that. This event hurt us pretty bad finacially but the event went off pretty well concidering all the headaches that night.

DESIGN BY: (concept) Chris Smart, (work) Terry


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Posted by: sigma Jan 2 2004, 01:12 AM

Dj Phantasy audio now online. Hype's set will follow shortly.

Posted by: swindla007 Jan 8 2004, 05:45 AM

i can honestly say that i think i still have blisters deep under my skin from sweeping the floor and setting everything up at this party. but it makes it worth it everytime i see a commercial or a movie/tv show that is filmed there......i can say i helped clean that area. the hardest part about that day was setting the tarp over the glass ceiling so the light wouldnt bug anyone in the morning....(not that it mattered since it blew off during the party.
there was this one guy who was all wasted at that party that was on stage(like 7 feet up) and he just walked off the back of the stage after pushing some chicks around and he fell right on his face with a loud "smack". that was the funniest! like they say bad karma will kick you in the ass!
and having to set up all those exit signs so we wouldnt get shut down? i never wanna do that again! but besides that it was fun ahh, good memories
peace

Posted by: sigma Jan 8 2004, 05:50 AM

lol good times bud. Heres some pictures of the venue

http://thecommunic8r.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=32

Posted by: J DuB Jan 13 2004, 06:30 AM

I was at this party... I remember bass soo ruff that yer rib cage would flex!

That night I went home and saw Ernst Zundler's house in Cabbage town get Fire bombed. I was in a cab driving by when the House blew up. I could feel the heat through the glass.

that was a hot party

Posted by: SmoothOperator Jan 13 2004, 09:47 PM

If ANYBODY has pictures from this night, I would really appreciate seeing them! That party changed my life forever!

Posted by: sigma Jan 13 2004, 10:04 PM

I think I have one or two shots of the crowd but if your looking for empty warehouse shots check this out. I went there last year to take some photos.
I love that warehouse. I think its torn down now.

http://thecommunic8r.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=32

Posted by: SmoothOperator Jan 13 2004, 10:53 PM

I did see those pics....and I felt a sense of nostalgia like I never have before. Is there any way of confirming if it's torn down? Hell, I wouldn't mind going to see it myself!

I'm interested in seeing your crowd shots from the night too!!

Oh, and on a side note...if I recall correctly, I remember going to Pleasure force party there too.....? hmmm no, don't think that's it. Who else used that warehouse for parties?

*edit* I believe I'm thinking of Atlantis!

Posted by: alcid Jan 16 2004, 06:59 PM

Posted by: Variant Jan 16 2004, 07:13 PM

I thought that space looked familiar. Tripomatic Fairytales was held there. Classic venue!

Posted by: alcid Jan 16 2004, 07:16 PM

Posted by: swindla007 Jan 17 2004, 04:10 PM

the funny thing about the empire strikes back party was when scott hardkiss showed up...in drag. It was funny becuz in the afternoon he was all "dude what could i possibly do to fuck everyone up?", i couldnt give him any good suggestions i guess cuz he showed up looking like a REAL cheap hooker!!
he is one of the funniest guys i've ever met

Posted by: sigma Jan 19 2004, 05:13 AM

Massive crowd in a single high ceiling warehouse. One Stage. One crowd.

Dj Hype

Posted by: CyanAura Jan 20 2004, 12:13 AM

This was my first party. I remember getting off the shuttle bus to see a giant warehouse blaring bass across the fields around it; lights flashing through the windows. I recently sneaked onto the site of the venue and it is still standing; I do believe there are condos going up on the property. One of the best venues of the Toronto of old: tall ceiling, one room -perfect. Also caught the Atlantis party there, amazing light show. ahh the memories!

Posted by: catalyst Jan 23 2004, 02:46 AM

Hype looks so young there!

Posted by: swindla007 Jan 23 2004, 07:19 AM

Everybody was young way back then..........but now?

Posted by: SmoothOperator Jan 23 2004, 06:40 PM

Posted by: Michi Jan 24 2004, 12:03 AM

Hype's set from this party was one of my first jungle tapes and a favourite of mine for most of my adolesence. My best friend and I used to joke that if we could go back in time we'd go to this party.

Posted by: sigma Feb 11 2004, 05:24 AM

Found the photos again! Heres a higher resolution scan of a crowd shot. Unknown photographer.

Can anyone recognise the guy in the bottom left corner? Im pretty sure thats Alan from XStatic in the black shirt. lol


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Posted by: SmoothOperator Feb 11 2004, 06:27 AM

Oh shit man...if you have any more of those pics...keep em coming!!!

Posted by: sigma Feb 11 2004, 06:33 AM

unfortunatly no more of the crowd. Just Hype on the decks. I have more from other parties. Theyve been posted but I'll just rescan them to up the res


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Posted by: sigma Aug 13 2004, 04:27 AM

For those who remember or wish they were there.... I visited an old friend today...the Empire Strikes Back Warehouse. I love this place.

Heres some photos I took after work today. I'll add more tomorrow.
http://www.thecommunic8r.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=32



Ive taken lots of photos of this place over the past 2 years. Check them out. Also available in 1600 x 1200 to those who register. Good for Desktops

Posted by: Variant Aug 13 2004, 05:16 AM

venue!

is there like absolutely no way this space can be used? it doens't exactly look like its been touched since Atlantis was in there almost ten years ago.

Posted by: SmoothOperator Aug 14 2004, 08:05 PM

seeing those pictures, damn near brings a tear to my eye.

Posted by: Peecee Pee Aug 15 2004, 08:50 PM

Phantasy's Set Was Fucking Baad!!
Love That Tape

Posted by: sigma Mar 31 2005, 07:41 AM

Just found this shot in my files. unkown photographer.

Mark Oliver at Empire Strikes Back.

in the background.. Dj Hype in the World Dance bomber jacket talking to MC Reality.


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Posted by: sigma Apr 1 2005, 09:02 PM

Dj Hype audio now online. FINALLY!!!

encoded a bit higher this time. 48kbps stereo. sounds good. ive re-encoded the Phantasy Set to match.

CHECK IT!!!

Audio located at the top of this thread.

Posted by: SmoothOperator Apr 9 2005, 01:08 AM

I finally got a chance to visit this warehouse again, just tonight actually....almost 10 years later. VERY nostalgic. Took a bunch of pics which I'll post once I get the chance. Boh!

Posted by: sigma Apr 9 2005, 01:42 AM

Nice one smooth!. Glad you got the chance. I found out this space is now protected by Toronto's Heritage and Preservation Department. They told me they might not keep the whole thing but at least half of it will stay standing for sure. Post those picts!

Posted by: BLEEKA!!! Apr 9 2005, 05:14 AM

WoW!!!
I can't belive that place is still standing!!!
Thats AWSOME!!!!

Maybe we should all get together on this site &
trow a party there again!!! (just kidding!!)

It would be pretty fucking kool if that wuz ever 2 happen!!!!!

Posted by: SmoothOperator Apr 10 2005, 05:56 AM

I can't begin to tell you how fucking crazy my head got being in that warehouse again. Just the smell of the place brought back memories. Wierd mix of emotions...
Anyways, it's the place it all started for me. And it basically molded what would be the past 10 years of my life...
With that being said, here are some of the shots I took. Sorry they're not high res, I don't have my own webspace.













Oh, I totally forgot about the little bathroom in there till I saw it. LOL I CLEARLY remember telling my friend "Dude you HAVE to experience the bathroom in this place". I was trippin something fierce. Last time I ever did acid. haha

*edit* I remember being in what felt like an industrial wasteland when I went to the Empire Strikes Back. Now there's a fucking Dominion Supermarket next to the warehouse! My how things have changed.

Posted by: sigma Apr 10 2005, 03:11 PM

w!cked smooth! thanks for sharing! love the shot with the fence.
and yes, how things have changed. There used to be a path from the south side to the warehouse, like a little ravine. I remember so much.

This space was by far my favorite of all the Syrous Locations. It embodied everything i wanted in a space. Mystery, Atmosphere, Industrial Decay and darkness.

So happy it still lives.

Posted by: Kismet Apr 14 2005, 06:42 PM

Hey there SmoothOperator!

It's Kerry

Are you feeling it? The itch, I think it's time to come out of retirement.

Posted by: SmoothOperator Apr 14 2005, 07:04 PM

hehehe Hey Kerry, glad you found your way here! And yeah I'm feeling a serious itch. I'll be hitting up some DnB jams this summer for sure.

Posted by: Toxic Apr 16 2005, 07:11 AM

Posted by: sigma Apr 16 2005, 02:12 PM

I talked with the Heritage and Preservation people and they say some of it will survive. So maybe half.

Posted by: Kismet Apr 18 2005, 12:38 AM

Posted by: Angelus Apr 27 2005, 11:04 PM

this was my first party & i gotta say im happy that it was cause it was killer.

i ended up pickinup a ticket & non of my other friends did so i went down by myself!

took the bus,gobus, then subway from Heartlake got 2 NathanPhillips & jumped on the bus was alone all the way untill i got into the party, then i hooked up with some older cats from my highschool (NotreDame)

i remember there being soooo many people & the speakers were like a f"nwall they were sick.

Posted by: SmoothOperator May 9 2005, 08:41 PM

Well last Friday was the 10 year anniversary of this jam, and my first party! Woohoo! I celebrated in a serious way, as it was the day after my birthday.

Posted by: catalyst Dec 14 2005, 01:51 AM

^^^ nice

Passed by this venue a couple weeks ago and spoke with some workers there. The place was gutted and it's being converted to a "corporate sales centre". The outside facade remains but inside it's all offices. Looking in the front you can only see 15 feet in cause it's a reception area. Isn't that a sad turn of events for this site? lol.

This old guy said not in only did they make ordinance there, but they "blew it up" (I guess to test it's quality?) in the sprawling building directly South and Southwest.

And by a satisfyingly eerie coincidence, when I got back into my car Hype's set happened to be up next on the mp3 player

that set is rediculous

Posted by: SyKicK Sep 22 2009, 06:40 PM

If this is the building I think it is. I work just down the block from it. If I remember I'll try and bring my camera to work and take a couple pictures.

Posted by: SyKicK Oct 8 2009, 07:52 PM

Just took a break from work and took some quick pictures while walking around.




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Posted by: SmoothOperator Oct 9 2009, 01:27 PM

I guess they had an exhibit in the old half of the building during Nuit Blanch.

Posted by: sigma Oct 10 2009, 01:51 AM

Amazing how much has changed. Hey is that old Red building still there?

http://www.thecommunic8r.com/photos/img87.htm

Posted by: SyKicK Oct 11 2009, 05:37 PM

^ I'm not sure as I can't remember a red building in the area. But of course it might have been painted by now, maybe on Monday I'll have a little walk around and take a look for it.

Posted by: Eddie Machete Oct 12 2009, 03:02 AM

Cool pics!

Posted by: SyKicK Oct 13 2009, 05:03 PM

[quote name='sigma' post='8905' date='Oct 9 2009, 09:51 PM']
Amazing how much has changed. Hey is that old Red building still there?




Just took a look on google street map and it looks like it's still there.


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Posted by: sigma Oct 15 2009, 02:37 AM

awesome. thanks! so happy streetview is in TO now. Its like being home again