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Back in November 1996 I
re-read an interview with Mansun that made me
fall hopelessly in love with Paul Draper.
Ironically enough it wasn't Paul's words that
caused this, it was the journalists. Something
along the lines of "They’ve already lost three
members, catch Mansun now before they become a
solo artist." And I thought, "That'll be Paul”.
It struck me as admirable that he was perceived,
as someone who never gives up on what he
believes in, on what he loves doing. And despite
the very best efforts of some to make him turn
his back on music, here he is!
He's a quiet lad but very caring and thoughtful.
During the Mansun years he kept fans happy with
personalised letters, after-show meet ups and
free singles for Christmas. In 1997, he was
asked to co-front a Radio 1 campaign encouraging
people with mental health issues to seek advice
via a special hotline. Paul spoke of his efforts
to get those in need to contact The Samaritans.
A Radio 1 spokeswoman said that they chose
Drapski as he is well known and has a warm and
friendly voice.
Paul was born in Liverpool to his parents, Mr
and Mrs Draper, who brought him up in Connah’s
Quay, North Wales alongside his two older
sisters. Ever the slave to his peripatetic
lifestyle, Paul has also resided in Chester,
Nottingham and currently, posh paradise
Weybridge. He has not forgotten his roots and
become a “middle-class cunt who hangs around
with the Duke of Westminster” though. He remains
a staunch Evertonian who knows a lot about
midfield transfers.
He is very much the type of person you would
want to take home to meet your parents. When he
gave us a ring one time he seemed to think that
my sister was our mum and so put on his poshest
accent: "Um, hello. Would it be possible to
speak to either Ellie or Dominique please?" When
told he was talking to Ellie, out came the
Scouce, "'Ello, It's ME!" You could also always
tell when Paul's mum and dad were in the
audience as he wouldn’t shout “FUCKIN’!!” in
Taxloss. What a polite young man!
Apparently Drapes was born in 1972, but most
fans now believe he’s a bit of a fibber and was
actually born in 1970. Even the man himself got
confused over his supposed year of birth- when
asked his star sign, Paul responded “Libra! I
was born on the 26th of September, Nineteeeeeen
(raises eyes) Seventeeeee Two!” As he didn’t
struggle to remember his star sign we’ll assume
that’s correct- as a Libra Paul is kind, gentle
(“I don’t need to fight really”), self-critical
(“it still worries (sic) me to this day if I
should have put 'The Most to Gain' on 'Attack of
the Grey Lantern' as the second track…” Paul
writing on the official site, Nov, 1998),
observant, sentimental, (‘I could never admit
it, but I miss you.’) empathetic, tolerant,
flirtatious, indecisive, (Melody Maker: Are you
straight then? Paul: “Yeah. Sort of.”), prone to
sudden out bursts of unexpected rage (“we’re all
pussycats, but that doesn’t mean that, inside,
you’re not fizzing up in turmoil”) extravagant
and a gossip.
I always think that people become their opposite
when tipsy and Paul is no exception. Rather than
grimacing when asked for a hug (just me then?)
he's giving you one! (A hug). Just ask the
none-more-bewildered roadie who was on the
receiving end of a big kiss and cuddle from a
tiddly Draper at the end of one tour: "AAAWWW,
are you leaving?!" *Pounce*. Must say I'd have
looked more pleased about it, but there you go.
Paul said in the Mary Ann Hobbs session that he
was a vegetarian, but photos show that he
insists on sitting on a dead animal instead of a
proper sofa. Chad once said that he's back on
the meat, lasagne in this case, and as we all
know, there's nothing worse than a lapsed
veggie.
The former Catholic’s weight has been a constant
source of worry for fans, as it fluctuates
between cute and wobbly to downright skeletal.
In an interview with the Melody Maker he claimed
that he received food and Pot Noodles from fans
concerned that he was “really emaciated and
wasting away”, but hopefully he's looking after
himself better now. In one questionnaire he
wrote that he'd just eaten some fruit! (2 plums
spelt with a 'b', presumably Paul's dyslexia
coming through.) And to help him sleep he drinks
Tranquillity herbal tea. It may be that Drapes
forgot that he was a veggie or even that he
should eat, considering he has the memory of an
absent minded goldfish, and freely admits to
having "the worst memory in the world."
He is notorious for forgetting his songs on
stage and even a lyric book couldn't prevent the
immortal line "Fook, I’ve forgotten the words!"
When asked to name the Skin songs he had
collaborated on Paul spoke of watching her
performing live in London but having no idea
which songs were his, which is hilarious, if a
little worrying. He says he will try to be a bit
more professional on future live dates but at
the time of writing that remains to be seen...
Thanks to Dominique or writing this
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