Dexter Jones

Mark Sherry joins me for a fascinating deep dive into the untold story behind Public Domain, Operation Blade, tech-trance, rave culture, and the realities of surviving decades in dance music.
From the explosive success of Operation Blade, chart success, and touring the world, to the harsh realities of the music industry and learning lessons the hard way, Mark opens up like never before.
We discuss how a scene-defining rave anthem was born after watching the film Blade, how Judge Jules championed the record on Radio 1, the rise of Public Domain, and what really happened behind the scenes.
Mark also reflects on his journey through club culture and how dance music has changed forever.
If you were there during the golden era of clubbing, trance, hard house, and rave culture, this episode is packed with nostalgia, insider stories, and moments you won’t hear anywhere else.
In this episode:
▪️ The true story behind Operation Blade▪️ How Public Domain exploded worldwide▪️ Judge Jules & Radio 1 support▪️ Touring the world & chart success▪️ Learning the hard way in the music industry▪️ Ibiza, club culture & dance music evolution▪️ The reality of surviving decades as a DJ & producer
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro02:08 The Untold Story Behind Operation Blade08:14 How Mark Sherry & Public Domain Exploded13:22 Judge Jules, Radio 1 & UK Chart Success18:47 Touring The World & Top of the Pops24:10 “We Learned The Hard Way” – Music Industry Lessons30:56 The Truth About Dance Music Contracts36:18 Public Domain, Fame & Getting Ripped Off42:35 The Evolution of Trance, Hard House & Rave Culture49:12 Ibiza, Space & How Clubbing Changed Forever55:26 Surviving Decades In Dance Music1:01:18 Mark Sherry’s Advice For DJs & Producers1:05:11 One More Tune

🎧 Nick Rafferty: The Night Clubbing Changed Forever | Godskitchen, 90s Clubbing & The Golden Era
Nick Rafferty joins Dexter Jones for a deep dive into the madness, energy and reality of 90s clubbing culture.
From Godskitchen, Sundissential, Cream tours and Space Ibiza to Tony De Vit, vinyl culture, hard house, trance and the golden era of UK nightlife, Nick shares what life was really like during one of the most iconic periods in dance music history.
We discuss:
⚡ The night clubbing changed forever⚡ Why Millennium changed nightlife⚡ Godskitchen, Sundissential & Birmingham club culture⚡ Tony De Vit and the harder sound revolution⚡ Playing 3 gigs in one night across the UK⚡ Life as a DJ before phones & social media⚡ Vinyl culture and exclusive records⚡ The reality behind the DJ lifestyle⚡ Severe anxiety, burnout & beta blockers⚡ How clubbing culture changed forever
Chapters:
00:00 Intro01:00 What Changed Clubbing Forever?02:15 The Smoking Ban & The End Of An Era04:20 Why Millennium Changed Clubbing07:10 “Promoters & DJs Took The Piss”09:20 Playing 3 Gigs In One Night11:40 The Dawn Of Digital Music14:10 Pete Tong, Essential Tunes & Vinyl Culture17:00 “Nobody Else Had This Record”19:30 DJs Were Clubbers Back Then22:00 Godskitchen, Cream & Touring The UK25:00 Severe Anxiety, Beta Blockers & Burnout29:00 The Dark Side Of DJ Life32:30 Hard House, Trance & The Scene Today35:00 Tony De Vit, Passion & Legendary Last Tracks37:20 Final Thoughts
Whether you were raving at Godskitchen, Gatecrasher, Cream, Passion, Sundissential, Bowlers, Ministry of Sound or Space Ibiza, this episode will bring back memories.
👇 Do you agree with Nick? When did clubbing change forever in your opinion?

Nick Rafferty joins Dexter Jones for a deep dive into the madness, energy and reality of 90s club culture.
From Sundissential, Godskitchen and Cream… to three gigs a night, vinyl culture, Tony De Vit, severe anxiety, beta blockers and the rise and fall of the golden era of clubbing.
Nick opens up about what life was really like behind the packed dancefloors and iconic nights that shaped a generation.
Topics include:
• Sundays Central & Birmingham club culture• Godskitchen at The Sanctuary• Tony De Vit & the harder sound revolution• Space Ibiza & Cream tours• Playing multiple gigs a night across the UK• The reality of “the chemical generation”• Severe anxiety & burnout behind the scenes• Vinyl culture & exclusive record
“You’d turn up at the club like a Cheshire cat with a bag full of records thinking… nobody else has got this little beauty.”
A raw, funny, nostalgic and honest conversation with one of the true figures from the golden era of UK clubbing.
Chapters:
 
00:00 Introduction to Nick Rafferty01:07 Podcast Introduction & How Nick Rafferty Got Into Dance Music04:52 Early Clubbing Days, DJ Culture & Rare Vinyl Records09:57 Collecting Music, Digging For Tracks & DJ Identity14:58 Learning To DJ, Vinyl Mixing & Early Influences19:36 Clubland Culture, Hard House & Packed Dancefloors23:39 The Explosion Of UK Clubbing In The 90s28:17 Sundissential, Promoting & Building A Club Brand32:45 Birmingham Club Scene, Energy & Crowd Atmosphere37:49 The Evolution Of DJs, Fame & Modern Club Culture42:25 Legendary Nights, Residencies & Touring Stories

This week I sit down with Utah Saints, true pioneers of UK electronic music, to break down one of the most important topics in dance music history… sampling.
From making tracks in their bedrooms on Atari computers and Akai samplers, to landing on Top of the Pops six times, Utah Saints share the real story behind how sampling changed music forever.
We go deep into the early 90s rave scene, white labels, Leeds club culture, and the moment electronic music broke into the mainstream. They also open up about the pressure from the industry, the controversy around sampling, and why today’s music landscape feels completely different.
If you’re into dance music, DJ culture, music production, or the history of rave, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.ž
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction01:45 Utah Saints on Top of the Pops (6 Times)04:30 How Utah Saints Met (1991)08:00 Early DJ Days & Winning the DMC12:00 Leeds Club Scene Before the Rave Explosion16:30 First Tracks & Breakthrough Moment21:30 From Bedroom Music to Chart Success26:30 The Truth About Sampling32:30 Utah Saints Classical Event (Leeds)34:00 How the Orchestra Works39:00 Leeds Millennium Square Event42:30 Authenticity in Modern Dance Music48:00 Breaking Through in Today’s Music Industry56:20 Let’s Do a Part 2
🎯 THINGS WE TALK ABOUT
How Utah Saints got started in 1991Winning the DMC and early DJ cultureMaking music on Atari and Akai samplersThe rise of sampling in dance musicThe truth about Top of the PopsPressure to “fake” performances on TVWhite labels and underground club cultureLeeds rave scene and early electronic musicHow tracks were made in bedroomsWhy sampling was misunderstoodThe difference between music then vs nowWhy modern artists struggle to break throughAuthenticity in today’s music industryThe return of smaller club nights and real crowds
🚀 ABOUT UTAH SAINTS
Utah Saints are one of the UK’s most influential electronic acts, known for blending sampling, house, and rave culture into mainstream success. With multiple Top of the Pops appearances and iconic releases, they helped shape the sound of 90s dance music.
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Danny Whittle joins The Dexter Jones Podcast,  the man behind the evolution of Ibiza club culture.
From serving in the Royal Navy during the Falklands War, to becoming a firefighter, to ultimately shaping the global dance music industry… Danny’s journey is unlike anything you’ve heard before.
In this episode, we go deep into the real story behind Ibiza’s transformation. From Renaissance to Pacha, the rise of superstar DJs, building one of the most iconic nightclub brands in the world, and launching IMS Ibiza — the event that changed the business of electronic music forever.
Danny breaks down how Ibiza went from a party island to a global music powerhouse, the realities of running clubs at the highest level, and why the industry today is more complex,  and more competitive, than ever.
This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the decisions, risks, and moments that helped shape modern club culture.
If you’re into Ibiza, dance music, DJ culture, or the business behind it all — this is a must-watch.
Chapters:
0:00 The Danny Whittle Story 1:30 Growing Up in Stoke – Early Life & Music Influence5:00 Why He Joined the Royal Navy at 178:30 Falklands War – Life on the Front Line13:00 From War to Firefighter – A New Chapter17:30 Leaving the Fire Service – Forced Career Change20:30 How He Accidentally Entered the Music Industry25:00 Renaissance Era – Learning the Ibiza Scene30:30 The Stress of Events – “Crisis Management” Explained34:30 Moving to Ibiza – First Major Breakthrough39:00 Taking Over Pacha – The Big Opportunity44:30 Building Pacha Into a Global Brand50:00 Booking Superstars – Guetta, Swedish House Mafia & More55:00 How Ibiza Became the Global Dance Capital60:00 Launching IMS Ibiza – Changing the Industry64:30 Why the Ibiza Season Got Longer69:00 The Reality of the Modern Music Industry73:00 Why Booking DJs Is Harder Than Ever76:30 Building Chinois Ibiza – Starting Again80:00 Finding New Talent & Future DJs83:30 Passion vs Business – The Real Balance86:30 His Biggest Achievement in Life89:00 The One Track That Defines Ibiza92:00 Final Thoughts – Ibiza Then vs Now
🔥 Things we talk about:
• Growing up in Stoke and early music influences• Joining the Royal Navy and serving in the Falklands War• Life after the military and becoming a firefighter• How Danny accidentally entered the music industry• Working with Renaissance and the early Ibiza scene• Transforming Pacha into a global brand• Booking the world’s biggest DJs and building iconic residencies• The rise of David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and superstar DJs• Why Ibiza became the centre of electronic music• Launching IMS Ibiza and extending the season• The business behind clubs, DJs, and global events• Why booking artists is harder than ever today• Building Chinois Ibiza and creating a modern club brand• Finding and developing new DJ talent• The reality of stress and pressure in the events industry• Passion vs business in nightlife• The evolution of Ibiza from underground to global

DJ CASH ONLY joins the Dexter Jones Podcast to break down the real story behind the name, and why it has absolutely nothing to do with money.
From starting out in the underground putting on small community parties, to building a multi-million pound social enterprise that empowered young people, stepping away from music completely, and then returning to play 60+ shows worldwide,  all without a manager or agent, this is a very different kind of DJ journey.
We start with the meaning behind “CASH ONLY”, inspired by art and identity rather than money, and how that idea reflects a deeper mindset around music, culture, and not chasing the obvious.
From there, we get into the early days,  raving at 16, discovering the scene, putting on local events in community centres, and building something from the ground up before things ever scaled.
#DexterJones  #clubculture  #djpodcast 
Chapters 00:00 Is "DJ CASH MONEY" really about the money?04:30 Starting Out: UK Rave Culture & First Steps08:45 How to build a community-led party from scratch14:20 Mixing music with mission: Why I built a social enterprise20:10 The Truth: Why I walked away from the music industry24:30 The Sam Divine meeting that changed everything28:00 Finding my purpose: The "Cash Only" comeback32:40 60 global shows with no manager: How I did it38:15 The Reality of the DJ Industry (What they don't tell you)44:00 Independence & Identity: Staying true to the brand51:10 Networking vs. Talent: How to get noticed today57:45 Burnout, mental health, and the touring lifestyle1:04:30 Developing your signature sound in a crowded market1:10:15 The future of "DJ CASH ONLY" and the next chapter1:18:50 Advice for upcoming DJs: How to play the long game1:24:45 Why it was always about the people (Final thoughts)
We also get into:
• the reality behind the name “CASH ONLY” and why it’s misunderstood• putting on grassroots parties and building a local following• creating a social enterprise and working with young people• turning community projects into something sustainable• stepping away from music and focusing on something completely different• the role Sam Divine played in pushing him back into DJing• returning to music with a new mindset and approach• building a career without a manager or agent• playing 60+ shows worldwide and performing at major festivals• the reality of the DJ industry behind the scenes• why independence matters more than ever in dance music
This is a proper behind-the-scenes conversation with someone who’s taken a completely different path through dance music — from grassroots community work to global DJing.
If you’re into DJ culture, underground music, house music, independent artists, or real stories behind the industry, this one will land.
The Dexter Jones Podcast explores the stories, people and realities behind dance music, Ibiza culture, production, DJing and the electronic music industry.
If you enjoy the episode, drop a comment with your take:Is it better to build independently in today’s music industry, or do artists still need managers and agents to succeed?

Paul Maddox, known for his work across Tidy Trax, hard house, hard dance and studio engineering, joins me for a deep conversation about music production, ghost production, sound engineers, AI, the changing club scene, and why so many roles in electronic music are misunderstood.
We start with one of the biggest misconceptions in dance music: ghost producers and engineers are not the same thing. Paul explains where the confusion comes from, why people get defensive about it, and how professional records are often made through collaboration, technical support, and very different skill sets.
From there, we go deep into Paul’s own story. We talk about starting out as a producer before DJing, learning the craft in the late 90s, working with basic gear, discovering dance music through Radio 1, handing demo CDs to DJs, and eventually breaking through with the Tidy Boys and landing an in-house engineering role.
We also get into:
• the difference between engineering, co-production and ghost production• why some artists need technical help, not a ghost producer• how electronic music blurs the lines between artist, producer and engineer• building tracks in person versus online sessions• how Paul moved across hard house, hard dance, trance, techno and house• working with artists across different genres• AI in music production and why it can enhance creativity but not replace it• why modern music can feel more derivative• the importance of edits, streaming versions and holding attention online• the rise, fall and return of hard house and harder dance sounds• how clubbing culture, festivals, visuals and social media have changed the scene• why producers now have to do everything, from making music to building a brand
00:00 Intro: The Maddox & Glazby Connection05:15 Producer vs DJ: What comes first?08:42 Working with Darius Syrossian & Bryan Kearney12:30 How COVID changed studio sessions forever15:45 Engineering vs. Ghost Producing: The Truth19:20 Why the Dance Industry pulls people down24:10 Starting on a PC in 1998: The early days32:50 That life-changing call from the Tidy Boys40:15 The "Unbaking a Cake" AI Analogy48:20 Is Hard House having a massive resurgence?55:30 The decline of the "Weekly Club" and the rise of the "Show"01:05:10 Why Social Media is killing talented artists
This is a proper behind-the-scenes conversation with someone who has lived it from the inside. If you are into hard house, dance music production, club culture, studio work, or the real mechanics of how tracks get made, this one will land.
The Dexter Jones Podcast explores the stories, people and realities behind dance music, Ibiza culture, production, DJing and the electronic music industry.

In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with William Daniel to break down how he got into the music industry at just 15 years old… and ended up working directly with some of the biggest DJs in the world.
From working in a record shop in Glasgow to sending promos to Judge Jules, Paul Oakenfold, and Radio 1, William shares how he built a network from scratch and earned respect in one of the most competitive industries out there.
We dive into vinyl culture, record shops, and what it was really like selling music to names like Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten… all before most people even know what they want to do with their lives.
This is a real insight into how the dance music industry works behind the scenes — no shortcuts, no hype… just experience.
If you’re a DJ, producer, or trying to break into the music industry, this episode is packed with lessons.
🔑 THINGS WE TALK ABOUT:
* How William Daniel got into the music industry at 15* Working in a record shop during the vinyl era* Sending promos to DJs like Judge Jules and Paul Oakenfold* Radio 1 exposure and early DJ promotion* Building a DJ network from scratch* Selling records to Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten* How record shops shaped the dance music scene* Breaking into the electronic music industry with no connections* DJ culture in the early trance and house scene* How to get noticed as a DJ or producer* The importance of taste, track selection, and music knowledge* Behind the scenes of the DJ industry* Advice for new DJs and producers* The reality of the music business vs social media perception
00:00 AI Is Changing Music Forever… Here’s The Truth01:16 A Surprise Guest From The Dance Music Scene05:56 Getting Into Music From An Early Age08:03 Discovering Record Shops & DJ Culture15:41 Is AI Replacing Music Producers?21:11 The Power Of Vinyl & Old School DJing29:15 How Hard Is It To Break Through As A DJ Today?37:12 Releasing Music On Labels (How It Really Works)45:23 The State Of Trance Music Right Now52:38 Ghost Producing In Dance Music Explained59:08 Artist Fees vs Reality – The Big Disconnect01:05:47 The Last Track Of The Night (DJ Psychology)

From raves to reality… this is what it’s really like working in the dance music industry.
In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Steve Arnold to break down his journey from the early rave scene through to working behind the scenes in dance music. From Godskitchen and Global Gathering to artist liaison roles, interviews, and the real grind it takes to break into the industry… this is the side of dance music most people never see.
We dive into the Midlands rave scene, UK club culture, and what it actually takes to build a career in electronic music. No hype, no filters… just real stories from inside the industry.
If you’re a DJ, producer, or just obsessed with dance music culture, this one’s for you.
🎙️ WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
In this episode, we cover the reality of working in the dance music industry, from the UK rave scene to major events like Godskitchen and Global Gathering.
• How to get into the dance music industry• The UK rave scene and Midlands club culture• Behind the scenes of DJ life and artist liaison work• The grind of becoming a DJ and building a name• Dance music events, touring and industry insights• Then vs now: how clubbing and DJ culture has evolved• Honest advice for new DJs and producers

Micky Modelle joins The Dexter Jones Podcast to share his incredible journey through 4 decades in dance music — from the early days of Belfast’s underground club scene during one of its most turbulent periods, to the rise of vinyl culture, Clubland, and the evolution of the global dance music industry.
In this episode, we dive deep into what it was really like coming up in a time with no roadmap, no social media, and no shortcuts — where DJs built careers from record shops, word of mouth, and pure passion. Micky opens up about the realities of the industry, the shift from vinyl to digital, and why success today isn’t the same as it once was.
This is a raw and honest conversation about longevity, adapting to change, and surviving in one of the most competitive industries in the world.
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🎧 In this episode, we cover:Growing up and DJing in Belfast during a turbulent eraHow club culture thrived despite real-world conflictThe early days of vinyl and what success really looked likeSelling records vs streaming culture todayThe truth about longevity in the music industryWhy you can’t stay on top foreverHow technology has changed everything for DJs and producersStories from the early underground sceneAdvice for the next generation of DJs
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⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – Belfast Was a War Zone03:20 – Early Club Scene Outside the City08:45 – Winging It: No Set Path15:10 – Vinyl Days & Record Sales22:30 – Then vs Now: The Industry Shift35:40 – You Can’t Stay on Top Forever48:15 – Technology Changed Everything58:20 – Stories from the Scene1:10:00 – Advice for New DJs
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🎤 About Micky Modelle
Micky Modelle is a respected DJ and producer with over 40 years in the dance music industry. Known for his influence across multiple eras — from underground club culture to commercial dance — he has witnessed and adapted to every major shift in the scene.