MANSUN - Paul Draper Interview Posted by AlMachine on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 Was it heartbreaking compiling this 3 CD set? Answer - I did it because I was asked and felt a bit of a duty to the fanbase to do it, it was a bit excruciating putting together unfinished tracks, but I didn't have an emotional attatchment to the band anymore so it wasn't to bad. Were there any tracks you had to miss off? Answer - Yeah one or two that weren't finished enough to be listenable. Why when the new album was so close to completion did you decide to call it a day? Answer - The cons outweighed the pros in the end, I didn't enjoy the making of the album so it was amazing we got so close to finishing How many of the tracks from the sessions for the 4th album are the finished article? Answer - Unfortunately we didn't even finish one trk in full Are you still in contact with the other band members? Answer - I speak to Chad and Andy every now and again. (If yes, will there ever be a reunion?) Answer - No Will there be any other releases under the name 'Mansun'? Answer - No Were you surprised when you were handed the 3000 signature petition demanding the albums release? Answer - Yes very surprised anyone even remembered the band. Can you describe the level of support you've had from the fans during your career and since the split? Answer - Well they always kept us going because we were hated by the critics and didn't get that much airplay, so it was purely a fan thing really. What is your standout memory of your time in the band? Answer - Probably the smaller gigs we played, I enjoyed them better than recording and the bigger gigs If Mansun could only be remembered for one song, which would you choose and why? Answer - Probably one of the songs off the second album, Anti Ecverything, Television or something as I thought they were original, which is whst I was aiming to do most of the time. Do you believe that the band fully met their potential? Answer - No not at all, a complete waste of time and effort really. What are your plans for the future (a new band? solo project?) Answer - Im writing some songs and making demos at the moment, if theyre any good Ill put them out, if not ill just keep em to myself. What are you listening to now? Answer - Damien Rice / The Open You were always considered an innovative band. Which of the current crop of bands would you describe as innovative? Answer - Nothing Ive heard sounds original but I like the Keane record and The Departure singles. You rather famously had Dr Who, Tom Baker feature on 'Witness to a murder part 2' on the album "six". Do you think Christopher Eccleston will make a good Dr Who? Answer - Oh yeah, Im going to buy a tesco bag full off grass and smoke it until March to pass away the time until the new series starts, The Autons are in episode 1, dummies from burtons window take over the world, I think im gonna regenerate! Does the track witness to a murder part 1 actually exist? Answer - Chad had it on a dat tape of his solo stuff but I think he lost it So as a band were Mansun special or did they blow it? (please delete as appropriate) Answer - Most definitely blown it, I could see it comin so wrote the song, I didn't ever want to have to do a greatest hits tour, how sad, Im better off out of it with whatever integrity Ive got left, which is very little anyway. Questions by Greg Thomas