Ecstasy: The Battle Of Rave

Listen to the tale of a man who ran a protection empire which spanned Newcastle and beyond. Viv Graham, a 17-stone man mountain, a man feared and revered in equal measure, came to dominate Tyneside’s nightlife through brutal and uncompromising violence. His murder, in an organised hit on New Year’s Eve 1993, sparked recriminations and repercussions which echo to this day. It remains one of the country’s most notorious unsolved murders. Search for "Gangster" to listen to the whole series now, on BBC Sounds.

Here's a flavour of a new podcast you might like. You can listen to the full series now on BBC Sounds by searching 'Grandest Game'. It’s the game that shocked and thrilled the world: Grand Theft Auto. Its rise to domination is an incredible story. Rapper Bugzy Malone played it through his hardest times. And he’s going deep.

When Ecstasy and Acid House first swept Britain, a group of lives would be changed forever. One Story. Half real life. Half drama. Coming soon... Ecstasy: The Battle Of Rave.

The very first MDMA pills hit Britain. Ecstasy fuses with the music of Acid House - and four ordinary people's lives are changed forever. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

She's Mrs Ordinary now. But offer her an E, and she might just bite your hand off. All because there's a hole she has to fill... #BattleOfRaveAll characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use. Credits Performed by Meera Syal Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

In the music and drug underground of Manchester, the pills have changed everything - all helped along by a famous name. In the Acid House dives and clubs, a special romance begins. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

It started with a few bags of weed on the estate: but the pills turned it into a multinational operation. And the money... was mad. But so too was the life. #BattleOfRaveAll characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Performed by Ian Hart Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

Where do you get a million E's to bring into Britain? At the start, there was one answer: Amsterdam. And this is exactly how the deals were done. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use. Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

She doesn’t believe in God anymore - but behind the decks she was a messiah. When the dancefloor's fuelled by the pills though... the devil can come too close for comfort. #BattleOfRaveAll characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use. Credits Performed by Monica Dolan Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

An empty warehouse... a disused mill... the search is on for anywhere to rave, in the unlikeliest of towns. The technicolour Acid House revolution though will soon meet darkness. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

He saw the need to party - and the cash that could be made from raves. He'd hit it big on both, running parties for thousands every week. Until, as 88 turned to 89, the politicians got involved. #BattleOfRave All characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Performed by Adrian Edmondson Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

It's the second summer of love. E is everywhere, and Acid House has its new national anthems. Warehouses and car convoys come alive. After deaths, the media is outraged: and a battle of wills begins between the police and the ravers. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

Policing the doors used to be easy - but with Ecstasy came a new breed of dealer. Younger. Harder. Just not as hard as his undercover unit. #BattleOfRave All characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Performed by David Morrissey Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

Through the illegal parties, gangsters muscled in on supplying the pills. The ravers are now caught in their grip. The police have to move in. The early years of Acid House - its Ecstasy and its lifelong imprint - are left as a memory. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

How do you change after a life of dealing drugs? Former criminal John Burton is candid about the life he leads now. Danny Brocklehurst also reflects on writing the dramas and the influence of the Rave years. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use. Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey