At the turn of the millennium, MJ Hibbett & The Validators released one of the world's first ever download-only singles, "Hey Hey 16K", which was later turned into a flash video by Rob Manuel of cult site b3ta.com.

It became one of the world’s first viral video hits, racking up two million downloads in its first fortnight and spent several days in the top ten sites on the entire internet. As a result of this cover versions were performed not only by countless garage bands but by some of the more out of the ordinary communities stretching to the far reaches of the world – including a troupe of Canadian Mounted Police and some Norwegian school children to name two.

Fast forward to 2003 and their second album 'This Is Not A Library' was named "Album Of The Year" by Rolling Stone's "Well Hung At Dawn" team.

With a solid reputation building, Steve Lamacq invited the band in to perform a live session from Maida Vale and they also received support from Radio 2, 6Music and XFM.

Watch trailer for 'Regardez, Ecoutez Et Repetez' ft voiceover by Steve Lamacq:

In the here and now 'Regardez, Ecoutez Et Repetez', the band’s third album, shows the band to be in particularly fine form and as good humoured as ever; with good reason. MJ comes well versed in all things comedic. After being commissioned to write a book, billed as an alternative to rock biographies, the idea quickly developed into an hour long show which enjoyed a week long stint at Edinburgh Festival as well as being broadcast on BBC 6Music.

Couple this attitude with a band that features former members of White Town and Prolapse, and the stage is set for an album filled with swipes at popular culture on a backdrop of jangling guitars, staccato trumpets and sweeping strings. Welcome to the world of MJ Hibbett & The Validators.

2009 Live shows:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

22nd May - Mother's Ruin, Bristol
23rd May - The Criterion, Leicester
24th May - The Wilmington Arms, London
25th May - The Packhorse, Leeds
26th May - The Stockholm, Sheffield
13th June - The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

For more music and information, go to:

MJ Hibbett & The Validators Official Website
MJ Hibbett MySpace