Between 1997 and 2001, Hefner released four albums and numerous EPs and singles. Led by songwriter Darren Hayman, the band, which featured Antony Harding (drums), John Morrison (bass) and Jack Hayter (guitar and beyond) became big favourites of BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, making numerous appearances in his annual Festive Fifty chart (peaking at #2 with "The Hymn for the Cigarettes") and recording so many Peel sessions that they were referred to as "The Peel House Band."

Hefner received great acclaim, toured the world and climbed album and singles charts. They went on an indefinite hiatus in 2002, with Hayman and Morrison continuing to work together as The French for a couple of years, and Harding (aka Ant) and Hayter releasing solo material.

After the dissolution of The French in 2004, Hayman began a prolific and eclectic solo career of his own, releasing both intensely personal albums and ones which were based on themes like British Civil Wars and Witch Trials, outdoor swimming pools, Astronauts, socialist chants, dogs, trains, WW1's "Thankful Villages," royals, and others. He currently releases two new songs a month via Patreon as part of his "Never-ending Singles Club."