The former frontman of the biggest band ever to come out of Chester admits he’s not very rock ‘n’ roll these days –  he doesn’t drink , avoids the party scene ‘like the plague’ and even takes vitamin supplements.

Paul Draper, ex-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of rock band Mansun, agreed to talk about his life ahead of a fans’ convention taking place on August 23 at The Live Rooms near Chester Railway Station.

London-based Paul, who grew up in Wavertree, Liverpool, before moving with his family to Deeside, said: “Outside my focus on the recording and writing process, I keep a very quiet life these days so I can stay focussed on what I’m working on at any given time.

This picture of Paul Draper and Dominic Chad performing with Mansun back in their heyday is one of the never-before-seen photographs of the band from the EMI archive that will be displayed for the first time at the Chester convention
This picture of Paul Draper and Dominic Chad performing with Mansun back in their heyday is one of the never-before-seen photographs of the band from the EMI archive that will be displayed for the first time at the Chester convention

“My rock ‘n’ roll days are well and truly a distant memory now, I don’t drink and try to avoid smoking and I avoid the party scene like the plague.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a health freak but I’m a trier, vitamins and healthy food are the norm for me these days.

“I’ve got a great local pub if I get an evening off and understanding friends who are happy for me to disappear for months on end on a project.

“But my life revolves around writing and producing music. I doubt I will ever retire, it’s my life’s passion and I’m really thankful for every day I can carry on pursuing my passion.”

And the predictable question, is there any chance of a Mansun reunion?

“I doubt that could happen. Mansun is a fixed thing in time but luckily it is remembered very fondly today by the fan base and music critics so it would have to be an incredible synergy of events that could change that,” added Paul.

“But my life’s been full of surprises so I never discount anything.”

Paul last saw Mansun guitarist Dominic Chad a few years after the band split in 2003 and catches up with former drummer Andy Rathbone when back in Chester – sometimes visiting old haunts like Telford’s, The Commercial, The Boot and Harker’s  –  but his path hasn’t crossed with that of bassist Stove King. 

“Like most bands, you can’t stand the sight of each other in the end, and we had a good innings for a northern band,” commented Paul, now aged 43, although he remembers those heady days with fondness.

“The bad memories fade in time and what’s left is memories of the concerts and being in the studio and travelling around in the tour bus and waiting round in hotels and airports.

“The screaming fans and photographers were around a bit too, good fun at the time but I’m not sure I'd like to go back to that transient life again, living out of a suitcase for years.

“In terms of the sex ‘n’ drugs ‘n’ rock ‘n’ roll, I’m probably the worst member of the band to ask about that.”

Paul has a studio in a warehouse in west London where the likes of  Pixie Lott and Savages have recently recorded.

He himself has continued to work as a writer and producer with various talented artists and record labels and been “lucky to meet people I’ve liked and like working with on the type of music we like making”.

“I’ve just completed an album with an incredibly talented artist called The Anchoress in there, which was a labour of love to say the least, but we learnt so much about the creative process through doing it, you never stop learning.”

And Paul has just begun curating the Mansun catalogue with ‘big plans’ to introduce the group to a new audience.

“I'll be overseeing the release of hours of unreleased songs and recordings and the release of a full live concert DVD from when the band was at the peak of its live powers when we were consistently voted best live band by the UK music press.”

As for the forthcoming convention, Paul is happy Mansun still means so much to the fans whose mail used to block up a PO Box number at Hoole Post Office prior to the advent of the web.

“I’m not sure if I’ll be popping in, possibly, but it’s not my event, it’s the fans’ event, celebrating themselves, reliving their youth for just a day.

“We were just a vehicle that made people feel free and the 500 or so people going from all over the world will feel free and optimistic again just by being there.”

He concluded: “Because the band lives on in people’s memories of the concerts and the 100 songs we left behind, it will live on through the conventions and on the internet fan groups and through the people it brought together and all the positive things the band brought, and that band meant a lot to a lot of people and still does, including me.

“So who couldn't be proud of all that at the end of the day, and I hope everyone in Chester is proud of that too.”