MJ Hibbett & The Validators

MJ Hibbett & The Validators

MJ Hibbett & The Validators are a UK indie group active from 1998 and associated with classic pop and rock. The line-up includes MJ Hibbett, Neil Brown, Dave Dixey, Kev Reverb, Frankie Machine, Tom McClure, Emma Pattison and Tim Pattison. The group forms around MJ Hibbett, who is also credited as Mark Hibbett in some contexts.

Line-up and related acts

The current membership includes Emma Pattison, Frankie Machine, Mark Hibbett, Tim Pattison and Tom McClure. Frankie Machine is also linked with Almanacs and White Town. Mark Hibbett is also associated with Chris Lawson And The Unknowns, The Council, Durham Ox Singers, Finnegan's Wake, The Fabians, The K-Stars, The Masters Of Nothing and Voon. Tim Pattison is also linked with The Council, Ludd Gang, Prolapse and The Fabians. Tom McClure is also involved with Leicester Symphony Orchestra, The Chemistry Experiment and Lazarus Clamp.

Former and additional members include Dave Dixey, Kev Reverb, Neil Brown and Rob Fleay. Dave Dixey is associated with the Durham Ox pub in Leicester and Sorted Records. Kev Reverb is linked with Crazyhead. Neil Brown is also connected with 22 Metre Band, Bungalow Bill, The Council, Durham Ox Singers, John Sims, Ludd Gang, The Fabians and Voon. Rob Fleay is associated with Airport Girl.

Online attention and radio appearances

The group first draws widespread online attention in 2000 with Hey Hey 16K, described as an internet single about the ZX Spectrum and other home microcomputers of the 1980s. The accompanying video is widely downloaded. In 2004 the band gains national exposure on BBC Radio 1 through The Fair Play Trophy (again), a song whose lyrics are updated for each performance to reflect events in the football European Championships. In July 2006 the band plays a BBC Radio 1 session for Steve Lamacq.

Other noted material

The video for The Gay Train is also noted as part of the group’s work.