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Band Members: MJ Hibbett

Here's TWO sets of questions for Mark, the first lot were asked in early 2009:
What is your opinion of Emo

I tend to think "Oh BLESS! Aren't they SWEET!" I'm not sure this is the desired effect. Still, they could be a bit more polite when you're offering them your last Werther's Original.

When was the last time you went dancing

That would be at the wedding party of Mr and Mrs F A Machine last year. I was in full Comedy Uncle mode, dancing to Abba for the benefit of young children... although my Hilarious Child Amusing Dancing is not actually discernibly different from my Serious Disco Dancing.

What aspect of modern manners do you think should be changed, for the better

Just manners in GENERAL would be helpful - the country seems to be full of tossers who think that they're being "politically incorrect" when, actually, they're just being BLOODY RUDE.

Apart from international rock and roll, what other hobbies or interests do you have

I love comics, by which I mean COMICS, proper ones with superheroes in rather than dreary ones about "real life". If I want real life i'll GO OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR, if I want Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Alan Moore, Grant Morrison ET AL and THEIR version of life I can, unfortunately, only get it so far in COMICS.

What is your idea of fun

It's what I tend to do for my birthday - BEER, cheese and salad cream sandwiches, BEER, a new episode of Dr Who and then a big CURRY with my Mrs. HAPPY HIBBETT.

What is your favourite urban legend

I love the legend template that, [X] years ago - TO THIS VERY DAY - a young [practictioner of PROFESSION Y] disappeared on THIS VERY ROAD, and, on a dark night like tonight, you can still see her, her [body part Z] missing, [engaged in PROFESSION Y]!!!! OOOH! SCARY!!

Have you ever worked with somebody who is, or was, in a band

Yes, when I worked at Leicester General Hospital one of our fieldworkers had released a single in the early 80s, had met Alan McGee several times and knew Paul Weller's Dad. I wish i could remember the name of his band!

How would you rate your level of expertise on computers

Whilst I am a DATABASE NINJA I must admit I am HOPELESS at actually MENDING computers. This is because, years ago, I realised that if I knew how to take the back off and get at it with a screwdriver (STILL TALKING ABOUT COMPUTERS) then people who expect me to DO so, so I avoided it. Unfortunately it means that now, when things break, I have to CRY and ring my friends.

Do you have a sure-fire method of being cheered up

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Frank Sinatra. That, or arriving at work to find the office is closed for the day.

What is your favourite meal/dish that you cook yourself

I'd like to say something proper like Veg Chilli (which is dead good) but, if I'm totally honest, the meal I MOST look forward to is Cheese And Salad Cream Sandwiches, as I only make them twice a year. They're worth waiting for!

What time is your bed-time

It's usually about 10.30pm, with half an hour listening to the radio after that. Only joking! I don't ever go to bed, I mainline heroins and jack daniels's whisky whilst riding a motorbike and doing sex to girls!

What is your favourite pub that isn't there any more

The Magazine in Leicester - an absolutely fantastic place where I met LOADS of friends, formed several bands, and plotted many MANY Ludicrous Schemes. Also, for much the same reasons, The Durham Ox, also in Leicester, where we moved when The Mag closed down.

What languages, apart from English, can you speak

I once went to a CONFERENCE in Evidence Based Medicine (I was the

Administrator) where after dinner everyone had to get up and give a TOAST in a different language. I did my toast in VISUAL BASIC. Do you see? I was the coolest dude in the whole refectory after THAT one.

Any addenda

A vote of thanks to anyone who's taken the trouble to READ all these bits. Well done everybody!

... and these come from around 2006.
When were you born?

The 19th of June 1970, in Stamford.

What is your prime musical function in The Validators?

Standing at the front and smiling.

What other bands have you been in?

Us / The Masters of Nothing / Voon / Chris Lawson And The Unknowns / Finnegan's Wake / The Some Summers House Band / Ernie & Joe / The K-Stars / Cha Cha 2000 / The Council / The Fabians / The Durham Ox Singers

How did you come to join The Validators?

Tim told me to do it.

What was the first gig you went to see?

The La's at Leicester University in 1989. I preferred The Milltown Brothers at the time.

And what was the second?

Paul McCartney! Birmingham NEC! A few weeks later!

What was the first gig you ever played yourself?

On my 18th Birthday at The Gaslight in Peterborough.

What was the best gig you ever played? In Sheffield in 2004 on tour with Frankie Machine and Adam From The Hector Collectors - I played in a redeveloped factory without a PA and it was MAGICAL. Afterwards there was dancing.

And what was the worst?

Supporting a GCSE coursework project at The Shed in Leicester in front of their parents, who hated me.

Do you currently subscribe to any magazines? If so, what are they?

The Word and Doctor Who Monthly...

What are your Top 6 Records That You Bought Within A Year Of Them Being Released (re-releases don't count)?

  • The Boo Radleys - Giant Steps
  • Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
  • Teenage Fanclub - Grand Prix
  • Charlotte Hatherley - Grey Will Fade
  • This Leaden Pall - Half Man Half Biscuit
  • The Sound Of McAlmont & Butler - McAlmont & Butler

    Analogue Fun! If The Validators were The Velvet Underground you would be Lou Reed. If The Validators were The Famous Five you would be Julian. If The Validators were G-Force From Battle Of The Planets you would be Mark. Which of these Analogues do you prefer? Why?

    Battle Of The Planets, because it makes me look COOL.

    Do you have a more accurate analogue you would like to suggest?

    Er... Deacon Blue?

    No.

    Finally, do you have any webpages of your own you would like to link to?

    This is enough!

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