Phreakin

Sugar Ray was one of the first DJs in Australia to embrace Acid House culture and more than a decade since, his name is synonymous with the cutting edge of Australia's club and party scene. His influence, not only as a DJ, but also as a promoter and music retailer, is unrivalled.

As a DJ, Ray started doing his thing in 1988, after moving to Sydney from London two years previously at the age of 16. A vinyl addict from an early age, Sugar Ray's open-minded mix of funk, soul and electronica quickly won him a following amongst Sydney's stylish clubbing fraternity. The acid house explosion, and the advent of raves and warehouse parties, saw Ray come into his own. His unique style, together with his reputation for entertaining the crowd, ensured that Sugar Ray's was the name every promoter wanted on their flyer.

Understanding the value of promoting his own events, Ray held his first party in 1990. Called "LOVE", it was a huge success, testament to Ray's meticulous production values, attention to detail and choice of DJs. Held only twice a year since, at Sydney's glorious Metro Theatre, Love celebrated its 10th anniversary at Easter 2000. The overwhelming response to Sugar Ray's 3am set of tough, funky house and techno indicative of the capacity crowd's affection for him.

Constantly searching for new vinyl, but not always able to find it, Ray cut out the middleman and opened his own shop, Reachin' Records, in 1992. Reachin' very quickly established itself as Sydney's, if not Australia's, leading specialist dance music outlet. A decade on, and again testament to Ray's vision, Reachin goes from strength to strength, its 2000 refit even featuring in style bible Monument.

In 1994 Sugar Ray, together with DJ Phil Smart, started Sabotage with a mandate to promote electronic dance music to their own exacting standards. Focussed on nurturing local DJ talent and live acts, Sabotage also introduced Australia to a select few overseas DJs, such as Richie Hawtin, Mr C, and Pure Science. Over eight years Sabotage has been another resounding success, moving quickly from first base to its current 1500 capacity sold out events.

And then there is Tweekin'. Known locally as "the dirty little disco bassment", Tweekin' was the Sydney institution described by DJ Magazine as "coming under the very short list of proper clubs around the world". Tweekin' was Sugar Ray's own weekly club night where, with fellow DJs Phil Smart and Ken Cloud, he presided over an intimate venue with the emphasis on sound, and where the 350 capacity congregation went wherever Ray wanted to take them. House, techno, breakbeat, whatever name you called the music, if it was fat, fresh, funky, sexy, tough and twisted, Tweekin' was where you would hear it played. "Funky beats for music freaks" it said on the flyer, and it is why week in, week out, the club was full of fanatical music loving Tweekers who would tell you that Sugar Ray is the best DJ in the World.

Still only 33 years old, Ray has already achieved much. Recent Djing highlights include Vibes On A Summers Day and Gatecrasher in Sydney, Sunnyside in Melbourne, and internationally, Bedrock's first birthday in London, Renaissance in Tokyo, and parties in San Francisco, Berlin and Prague.