Paul Julian Banks, born May 3, 1978
in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, England) is the lead singer, lyricist
and guitarist of Interpol. Banks joined the band in 1998 when he
ran into Daniel Kessler, who he had met on a study abroad
program in Paris.
Banks' voice has been compared many times to that of Ian Curtis,
lead singer of the band Joy Division despite Banks' protests
which claim people are just trying to force influences onto the
band so it is easier to describe their complex music style.
Paul's family left England when he was three years old, moving
to Michigan]], Spain, New Jersey, and finally Mexico. In Mexico,
he attended ASF, where he was everything from a member of the
model UN to the lead in the school play to musicals.. Paul left
for New York City after graduating to attend college.
He attended New York University where he studied English, and
after graduating worked at magazines such as ''Interview'' and
''Gotham'', before taking a job in data entry, and then in a
cafe, in order to devote more of his time to music.
Paul is very well-read and articulate, as his oblique but
literary lyrics would indicate.
He currently resides in New York City.
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