Paul is, without doubt, one of the greatest talents in drumming around at the moment. Even Doogie admits he is one of the best drummers he has ever worked with.
La Paz had five drummers in total during their career and Paul was drummer number 2. He was unquestionably the loudest though and it was a sad day when he left the band to join Glasgow (the band, not the city...) mainly because we had to invest in a bigger PA to compensate for the volume drop.
He makes very complex drumming set pieces like the intro to "Light The Fire" look effortless and when he kicks the double bass pedals into Rainbow's "Kill The King" the effect is like a controlled stampede.
Now he plays regularly with GUN and it is thanks to his energy and enthusiasm that the La Paz gigs were put together successfully.
So the Winner of The Current La Paz Drummer award goes to: PAUL McMANUS!!!
"Thank you, thank you. I'm not big on speech making or anything but...
My thanks also go to those who keep me playing past my sell-by date:
DW Drums - John Good – undisputed king of drums
Hart Dynamics - The legendary Peter Hart
Sabian Cymbals - Just joined the Sabian family last week – many thanks guys
Vic Firth Drumsticks – whoops, there’s another rainforest gone
Poole Percussion - Austin, Dorset’s coolest surfer
Roddy McKenzie - Livingston goalkeeper and Personal Trainer Extraordinaire
John McCormick – No Dice Manager, life coach and general Sorter Outer of the McManus household.
I'm filling up now so I'll just finish by adding...and anyone else who knows me...I'm here till Tuesday...try the veal"
Alex Carmichael on Paul McManus:
"As a bass player in any type of band, it’s essential that a strong rapport exists with the drummer for various reasons. Anyhoo, over the years I have been very fortunate indeed to play alongside some of the best drummers around, four of whom happened to be in La Paz, although not at the same time. That would have been foolish. (We can’t count Spank…he knows who he is.) Let’s not beat about the bush, Paul McManus is the best that there is anywhere in the country and beyond. It’s always an education to play alongside him, he never fails to surprise and delight. He’s also a great guy, generous and funny. He accepts jibes about his resemblance to a fat Michael Flattley with grace and apparent good humour. By rights he should be a proper rock star. On the down side, he plays VERY loudly and I fear that those of us in the band who stand in front of his kit will soon be quite deaf. I said QUITE DEAF! He also really fancies himself but in an acceptable and amusing way. As long as someone does, eh Paul? "