Play For Real do just that. Play for the real love of music.

Play For Real showcases the talents of DJ’s Regal and Liz Ether. Their main objective of each back-to-back performance is to ensure that both they and the crowd have a great time. They keep it simple and don’t impose any routine or regime on their sets. Their flexible approach is also reflected in their music policy. They select tracks from a wide range of genres including hip-hop, new jazz, electro and breaks. One thing that remains consistent is that, above all, the music will be funky.

DJ Regal (Paul Eve) has been DJing since the late 80s and is well known for his Wise Guys and Bronx Dogs collaborations. The Wise Guys focused on hip hop production and in 1994 were signed to the Wall of Sound label. In 1997, Regal left the Wise Guys to form the Bronx Dogs with DJ Richard Sen. The Bronx Dogs ran monthly club nights, remixed the likes of The Sugar Hill Gang and The Jungle Brothers and created a few club classics of their own, including ‘Tribute To Jazzy Jay’ & ‘Mixed Blood’. In 1998 Regal launched the Marble Bar label which put out the Bronx Dogs and many sought after underground hip hop and breaks 12”s. Regal also displayed his support and respect for Aussie hip hop by putting out the UK release of the Resin Dogs and the hip hop compilation ‘The Burning Issue’ (2001).

Liz Ether is relatively new to Sydney but has experience DJing in both Queensland and Melbourne. She worked on community radio stations on the Gold Coast and DJed at the Berlin Bar, the X-Games and at Ric’s in Brisbane. Liz moved to Melbourne in 2001 and scored residencies with the Ace’s High Crew, at E55 and supported Crazy Penis at Revolver. Liz has always enjoyed a rich mix of hip hop, breaks and house while Regal’s experience has focused more centrally around hip hop and breaks. He claims, however, that Richard Sen’s awesome house sets “opened his ears to another frontier of funk music!”

Regal and Liz first met while she was playing support sets for the Two Dogs (Dave Dog and Katch) in Brisbane and Paul was touring the Bronx Dogs to support the release of their 2000 album ‘3 Legged Funk’. They hooked up again properly, when Regal returned to Australia for a solo tour with ‘Vibes on a Summers Day’ (2002) and with an extended visa to stay in Melbourne with Liz. It was then and there that they started to collaborate together on their music.

Play For Real was launched at Honky Tonks in Melbourne only one month after “messing around together on the decks”. Liz lists the launch at Honky Tonks as one of the duos most memorable. They went on to tour Play 4 Real nationally, via Sydney and Perth and settled into a Saturday night residency at Revolver.

The duo were particularly appreciative of the reception they received during a set at the Slip Inn in Sydney and decided to relocate in June last year to develop the Play For Real sound further. The decision to move was a relatively easy one as both were happy to live closer to the beach! Sydney punters are now spoilt to bi-monthly Play 4 Real gigs at Good Vibrations and various guest spots around town. This month (July) sees them at the Opera Bar every Thursday spinning some of their more eclectic selections.

Play For Real list amongst their influences, DJs and producers such as Chris Lum, Chicken Lips, Katalyst, Trevor Jackson’s Playgroup, Jurassic 5 and Jazzanova. Their favourite tracks at the moment include Annie ‘Greatest Hit’, the Chicken Lips latest dub excursions, Troublemen & Jamalski ‘Rollin’ and the Mirwais cover of the Stones ‘Miss You’. During their sets, also expect to hear a wide range of funky new breaks & 80s old-school sounds, including Blondie, Hot Streak and Talking Heads!

Play For Real will soon be heading into the studio to work on a debut single. Regal has been itchin’ to produce some more and Liz is looking forward to her first opportunity to take her talents into the studio. Regal’s experience and flexibility in working with many influences and ideas in the studio will no doubt ensure an excellent single from the dynamic duo.

In the near future, Play For Real will be taking their concept to a whole other level by promoting their own night in Sydney. They have previously toured ex-Bronx Dog Richard Sen and can rely on Regal’s previous club experience & Liz’s keen passion for promoting events. Along with Play For Real, the night will feature selected DJs challenged with the task of stepping out of their comfort zone and creating a different and eclectic set. The Play For Real night will be launched in September at the Burdekin Hotel on Oxford Street.

Any new night the Play For Real duo could create will definitely reflect the three principles they are committed to; funk, flexibility and fun. Until then, those elements remain ever present in their sets. You can always be assured of a good time, no gimmicks and no strings attached.

Play For Real play monthly/bi-monthly at Good Vibrations at the Slip Inn. Upcoming gigs include Splendor in the Grass and C-moog in Bryon Bay (Saturday 19th July), Friction in Canberra and Bustin’ in Wollongong (Friday 26th September). Check ITM whatson for more details.

Play For Real will be launching their own night on Friday 12 September 2003 at the Burdekin Hotel. 10pm – 3am, free before 11pm or $5. Featuring Regal, Liz Ether, Toon and MC Ali Omar. Stay tuned for more details.