Paul Robert Thomson (born 15 September 1976) is the drummer for the Glasgow-based band, Franz Ferdinand.Thomson has always been interested in music, able to play various instruments such as guitar, keyboard and bass guitar in addition to the drums.During the late 1990s he was drummer of The Yummy Fur and was at one point part of The Purple Bajengas and Pro Forma. It was in The Yummy Fur that Thomson would meet Alex Kapranos Huntley. When The Yummy Fur broke up, Thomson had various odd jobs DJ-ing and working as a nude model at the Glasgow School of Art.In 2001 Thomson joined Franz Ferdinand, originally playing guitar. He later switched to drums, on the condition that he would not be hidden by his drum kit. He also does backing vocals, and sang lead on the German version of "Tell Her Tonight" from B-side of the "Michael" single. The English version is from Franz Ferdinand.His record label, NEW! (which started in 2005), only releases material on vinyl records.Thomson currently resides in Glasgow, with his wife Esther (DJ and lead singer of Cash Machine). Together they DJ as Polyester (Paul and Esther). They had a baby boy named Georgie in July 2006, and on the 19 September 2008 (while Franz Ferdinand were supposed to be headlining a concert) they had another boy and named him Ronnie. Because of Thomson's absence, Franz Ferdinand played a semi-acoustic set and swapped the headlining spot with The Ting Tings. Thomson also has a show on Subcity Radio called "they're only records paul" which runs fortnightly on Thursdays.According to Alex Kapranos' "Soundbites" articles, Thomson keeps a burger chart. He rates hamburgers based upon appearance, condiments, texture, and novelty.On 12 June 2008 it was announced that Thomson was now endorsing Highwood Drums, a UK custom company becoming a Highwood artist.Thomson is reported to choreograph many of the Franz Ferdinand's videos, including "Do You Want To" and "The Dark of the Matinee", having tap-danced and performed as the Artful Dodger in a West End production of Oliver! as a child. However, in an interview he claimed that this was inserted by himself into Wikipedia for fun.Paul Thomson is the son of Bert and Ellen Thomson. He has one sister named Hazel Thomson. In 2009, Paul Thomson was voted Scotland's Greatest Ever Drummer by the readers of Dear Scotland.
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