In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, Paul “Madders” Madan returns for part two, sharing the raw and brutally honest story behind the rise and fall of Sundissential, one of the most iconic club brands in UK dance music history.
Madders was at the centre of the 90s rave explosion, helping build Sundissential into a phenomenon that packed superclubs across Birmingham and Leeds. But behind the scenes, addiction was taking hold.
What started with early rave culture and Class A drugs slowly spiralled into cocaine, crack addiction, and eventually losing everything.
In this powerful conversation, Madders opens up about the darkest years of his life, the collapse of Sundissential, his battle with addiction, and the long road to recovery.
This is a brutally honest story about rave culture, fame, ego, addiction and redemption.
If you were part of the UK club scene in the 90s and early 2000s, this episode will take you right back to one of the wildest eras in dance music history.
Topics covered in this episode
• The rise of Sundissential and UK hard house culture
• Life behind the scenes of 90s rave promotions
• How addiction slowly took control
• Crack cocaine and the downward spiral
• The collapse of a legendary club brand
• Hitting rock bottom
• Recovery and rebuilding life after addiction
Chapters
00:00 – “Crack Was My Life”
03:02 – When Did It Start Going Wrong?
04:39 – The First Time I Took a Class A Drug
06:55 – The Invisible Line Into Addiction
12:19 – Active Recovery Since 2017
27:39 – The Moment I Started Using Crack Cocaine
33:36 – The Beginning of the End for Sundissential
37:19 – Three Weeks in Birmingham Crack Houses
42:17 – When Sundissential Went Bust
1:00:03 – “If I Thought This Mug Would Change How I Felt…”
1:02:48 – The Moment of Clarity
About Paul “Madders” Madden
Paul “Madders” Madden was a co-founder of Sundissential, one of the most influential hard house club brands in the UK. During the late 90s and early 2000s, Sundissential events attracted thousands of clubbers every week and helped shape the UK dance music scene.
After years of addiction and personal struggles, Madders is now in recovery and works helping others facing similar challenges.
Subscribe for more stories from dance music culture
The Dexter Jones Podcast explores the real stories behind club culture, DJs, promoters and the people who built the dance music scene.
🎧 New episodes every week.
Subscribe here:
https://www.youtube.com/@dexterjonesibiza
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The Wellbourne Clinic
The Wellbourne Clinic is a UK-based addiction treatment centre that provides professional support for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. The clinic offers therapy-based treatment programmes designed to help individuals understand the root causes of addiction and build the tools needed for long-term recovery.
With a focus on personalised care, The Wellbourne Clinic provides a safe and supportive environment where people can begin rebuilding their lives. Their approach combines therapeutic support, recovery guidance, and community-based recovery pathways to help individuals move forward with stability and purpose.
Paul “Madders” Madden now works within addiction recovery support and has been involved in helping others facing similar struggles.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can learn more about their work here:
https://thewellbourneclinic.co.uk/
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Addiction & Recovery Support
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, there are organisations that offer confidential help and support.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Support groups for people struggling with alcohol addiction.
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Support meetings for people recovering from drug addiction.
https://ukna.org
FRANK – UK Drug Advice Service
Free confidential advice about drugs and addiction.
📞 0300 123 6600
https://www.talktofrank.com
Drinkline – National Alcohol Helpline
Free confidential helpline for people concerned about drinking.
📞 0300 123 1110
Samaritans
If you are struggling and need someone to talk to.
📞 116 123
https://www.samaritans.org
The Wellbourne Clinic
Professional addiction treatment and recovery support.
https://thewellbourneclinic.co.uk
Important note
Recovery is possible. If you are struggling, reaching out to one of the organisations above can be the first step toward getting help.
