Q: You wrote an article last year for the 10th Anniversary of 'Attack of the Grey Lantern', and this year is the 10th Anniversary of 'Six', you also wrote a blog to reveal lots of secretes behind 'Six', do you think this is a good way to celebrate the anniversaries?
Paul: To share some stories of that time and look back to reveal what the album is about with the fans is the best way I can come up with to celebrate the anniversary, and I believe they are willing to know these stories, besides, also I can adjust my mood when writing this blog, fetch up some old memories and come up with some new ideas at the same time. The fans who are interested in the blog subscribed through the mailing list and I emailed to everyone as soon as the blog was finished, if they have any questions, they can let me know through the official forum. Besides, I also put some singles, b-sides and EPs, demos, videos which are during Six period on MySpace and Facebook for them to download.
Q: So the best way to keep in touch with your fans is through the network?
Paul: Yeah, I guess we are the only band who keeps such a close relationship with our fans.
Q: Do you listen back to Mansun's songs? Which one do you like the most?
Paul: Well….the four albums chronicle the different states of the band. For me, my favorite song is 'Keep Telling Myself' from 'Kleptomania'.
Q: How is your relationships with the former band members? Do you still cannot forgive Stove?
Paul: I meet Andie very often, keep contact with Chad mostly by Email, as for Stove, we have no contact for ages, so i have no idea of where is he and what he's doing.
Q: What's the possibility of Mansun's reforming?
Paul: Not possible as far as i can tell, we have different opinions about the reforming, and seeing the current conditions, there's no meaning to do so, i also think it make no sense. Mansun days are past and gone, we do not like to keep stay in the old times, the anniversary is just for nostalgic and self-examination, I think the fans will understand us.
Q: Back to the old times, Mansun were called as 'post-Oasis','new-Radiohead' and 'Brit-R.E.M', what do you think of such comparison?
Paul: er...i don't care much about it, Mansun has it's own style, we have our great dedicated fans, both the band and the fans know what kind of music that Mansun was doing, and we really have make out something new, those labels, i think are made out by those who are not quite know about Mansun, or just don't know how to describe Mansun.
Q: What's your new album will be like?
Paul: It will be very different from Mansun's albums. A new track will be mailed through the mailing list once it's finished, but still i don't want to set an exact deadline for it, i hope to make it as how it goes.
Q: You have obtained many inspirations for the albums from many philosophies and religions, they also effect yourself in many ways, tell us how dose the philosophy effect on your music producing?
Paul: The East cultures and the the philosophies that i believe in influenced mostly on Mansun's lyrics and song writings, but speak to the inspirations on music, the influences are far more than these. I like to associate freely from a small image, or expend from symbolistic things, or just from some normal daily stuff, like fashions or something.
Q: If you were to choose the greatest ever albums that released in the last decade, what would be in your mind? Do you think AOTGL should be counted in?
Paul: It's hard to say really, everyone have their own taste I suppose. If insisted then I guess our second release 'SIX' is more convincing, as for the others...'The Holy Bible' by Manic Street Preachers and their earlier releases are brilliant. Fact is Brit-pop during that decade saw far more than 10 best works so the answer is varied.
Q: How do you think of the flourishing new bands in Britain, like Arctic Monkeys, Babyshambles etc? As the recording and operational mode of the new bands couldn't be more different.
Paul: I'd appreciate those bands you've mentioned, they really have some thoughts and are open to new stuffs, they are just as impressing as the elder ones.Of course the elders are consistantly breaking the rules and are still taking the lead, like Radiohead. But I still remains on Queens of the Stone Age or The White Stripes or something like that, they never bored me,and that's great.
Q: You've got loads of fans in China, fancy a tour here? I reckon that you once showed your interests in visiting Shanghai, Beijing and the Great Wall.
Paul: Of course, but sadly no one's planning it so it's still a wish by now, also I'm still in my recording procession at present. But if permits, I'd give a go, and make a detailed plan for that.After all it's so big a event for fans and myself.
Q: Have you read the fanzine done by your Chinese fans for the 10th anniversary of SIX? Anything you'd like to say to them?
Paul: yes, I know I have a gang of Mansun diehards in China,and I always want to say thank you for your concernment and passion, you know it's you that keeps Mansun alive. 10 years is a long time but after all these years you still paid such efforts in celebriting this release, making me feel so delighted to find that Mansun is a very lucky band indeed. I can't thank more but keep on doing what I'm doing right now , and do it well.
Q: Tomorrow is your birthday (Sep.26), happy birthday to you Paul!
Paul: oh cheers! Have a nice week.
THE THINGS ON THE MAGAZINE I BOUGHT.
NOTHING MUCH
ENJOY IT
