THE FRONTMAN of 90s alternative rock group Mansun is coming to Reading next month.
Paul Draper is touring his new album, Cult Leader Tactics, and plays at Sub 89 on Monday, February 28.
The album, which will be released on Friday, January 28, is a dark satire on self-help books. It explores using dirty tricks and Machiavellian tactics to achieve life goals. The songs cover themes including manipulation, nationalism, lying and back-stabbing, before concluding that the only real answer in life is love.
“It’s really dark,” Paul says.
“The self-help manual I wrote to go with the album carries a disclaimer that it’s not to be taken seriously.”
The album is a reflection on behaviour he has witnessed over a 28 year career in the music industry, as well as on politics and personal experiences.
“Never underestimate the shallowness of the music industry,” he adds.
After Mansun split in 2003, Paul became a record producer. He released his debut album Spooky Action in 2017. Cult Leader Tactics is his second album.
He says “it’s a bit covid rock” due to pandemic restrictions: “I was trapped on my own with it, so there’s a lot of electronic instruments.”
Lockdown prevented Paul from using a choir on the album’s closing song, so instead he appealed to fans to record the end refrain on their mobile phones and email them to him.
A virtual choir of 266 voices was put together instead.
His gig at Sub 89 will be the second time Paul has performed with a band in front of an audience this decade.
Touring again is something he is looking forwards to, as the process of recording and touring the album was disrupted by covid.
“I’d just got going again, so it now feels like a false start,” he says.
“But Mansun was a live band and now, in digital music age, musicians need to tour as we cannot rely on album sales.
“I see myself as a troubadour — I need to get out, sing well and play well.”
Paul is also influenced by conversations he had with David Bowie when Mansun supported his 1997 Earthling Tour.
“He said that by working within your box, you won’t achieve anything,” Paul explains.
“By doing the same thing over and over again, it’s easy to lose interest.
“Bowie moved and assimilated, he changed direction to keep things fresh.
“I think it’s really important.”
One of the things he is looking forwards to about the upcoming tour is seeing the demographic make up of the crowds in person. Paul believes that on of the good thing about music streaming sites is the ability to see what kind of people are listening to his music.
“It’s fascinating,” he says. “Some appeal to fans of prog rock and others to pop fans.
“And it’s not just people who are old enough remember Mansun either.”
Advance tickets for Paul Draper, Cult Leader Tactics at Sub 89, Friar Street, cost £16.50.
The gig takes place on Monday, February 28, at 7.30pm.
For more information, or to book tickets, visit: heavypop.co.uk
