Paul was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire in the same year as Madonna, Bruce Dickinson and Michael Jackson, but has not been anywhere near as successful (yet).

He is married to Revd Rachel (who leads theREIGN’s Communion On The Rocks event) and they have no kids but 2 wonderful cats and an OKish dog – guess which is whose.

He first failed to learn to play the guitar aged 13, finally managing those three important chords aged 17, the same year he became a Christian in a Methodist church (for whom he became a Lay Preacher).

After 5 years at Loughborough University studying tricky sums, he led a theatre company for Youth for Christ for 18 months before moving to Hull to eventually join the Health Service (as a Computer Scientist) where he’s been for nearly 22 years now. During that time he’s played in several bands, acted on several stages and transferred to the Church of England as a Reader.

He’s ensconced at Victoria Dock Church as part of the leadership team, preaching, leading or playing guitar most weeks.

He has also maintained his interest in theatre, providing mostly technical chops, but also a little acting for local Christian theatre group Credo.

MUSICAL INFLUENCES
Deep Purple; The Buzzcocks; Lemon Jelly and probably a host of others I’ve not acknowledged yet. I’m generally into fast, energetic stuff with intricate melodies and interplay.

PERSONAL GOAL FOR YOUR MUSIC MINISTRY
To play guitar better – hopefully adding a bit more melody to my solos. To do something meaningful that has a long-lasting effect. To tell people about Jesus.

FAVOURITE FOOD
Sushi – I got hooked when I went to Japan.

FAVOURITE MOVIE
Either The Matrix or Monty Python and the Holy Grail – it all depends on what falls off the DVD shelf tonight.

DESERT ISLAND DISCS

THREE SECULAR SONGS
Deep Purple – Child in Time (Live): Probably the greatest guitar solo ever, superb vocal (especially those screams) and an amazing amount of energy. Ritchie Blackmore was probably the reason I play a Strat …

Evanescence – Bring Me To Life: Amazing vocal, great sense of drama. So much energy! The rap offsets Amy Lee’s pure vocal superbly.

The Beatles – Help!: Again, loads of energy. I love the way the backing vocals sing the lead line before the lead vocal does. I also loved the film.

THREE CHRISTIAN SONGS
Matt Redman – Blessed Be Your Name: It says that life isn’t perfect, but God is to be praised anyway.

theREIGN – Where Jesus Touches The Earth: An amazing song, I can’t believe I was allowed to play on it.

After The Fire – Laser Love: Still raises the hairs on the back of my neck. Should have been a massive hit.

ONE BOOK (other than The Bible)
Steven Donaldson – The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: It may not be as original as Tolkien, but I find it more gripping and the characters better.

ONE LUXURY
My Guitar – Whenever I’m down I play guitar. After a couple of years I might even be able to play it better.