Hefner (band)
Encyclopedia
Hefner were a British
indie rock
and "urban folk" band formed in east London in 1995. They were active from about 1996 until 2002; since then they have played together only once, for a tribute to the DJ John Peel
, who was a strong supporter of theirs.
and Antony Harding
met at art school in Kent
. The band started playing live in 1995 and, after several line up changes, became a solo project of Darren Hayman
. In 1996 he recorded a tape for Sticky Records (named The Devotion Chamber) on which all instruments were played by Darren himself. His friend from art school, Antony Harding
, assisted, providing backing vocals.
The band's first release was in April 1997 when the 7" single "A Better Friend" was released by Boogle Wonderland. The single featured Antony on drums
and John Morrison
(from Rhatigan
) on bass
. Shortly after the release, the record label Too Pure
offered a record deal to Darren, who extended the offer to Antony and John.
After a few more singles, Hefner recorded their debut album Breaking God's Heart
, which was released in 1998. A lo fidelity
album primarily recorded in one take, Hayman has declared that this album is the one he is least interested in listening to, due to its unrealized potential.
The Fidelity Wars
would be their next record (with the recent addition of multi-instrumentalist Jack Hayter
); a darker collection of songs. In the official website of the band Darren has explained that all of the songs gravitate around the concept of breaking up.
Hefner had, at this point, recorded a large number of singles and EPs
. Boxing Hefner
collected some of those tracks that had not appeared on the previous albums, often as new recordings. The compilation also included some unreleased material.
We Love the City
marked a change in direction for the band. In contrast with previous records, which had older songs, all of the compositions on We Love the City were made for this record, which had better production value and more varied instrumentation.
Dead Media
, released in 2001, continues the interest that Hefner had shown in exploring new ways. Dead Media is certainly different from previous records in the sense of its electronic weight, an interest that led Darren to eventually create The French.
After the band's final gig at the ICA
in London on 10 December 2001 and the release of an EP called The Hefner Brain
the following March, the band went on a seemingly permanent hiatus, save for one reformation for the "Keeping It Peel" tribute show, marking the death of one of their biggest supporters, Radio 1
DJ John Peel
. In 2005 a t-shirt was released that read "Hefner, Britain’s Largest Small Band (1997-2002)", and in an interview Darren Hayman said "no, no reunion planned".
and Too Pure, the rights to all of the band's Too Pure recordings were reverted to Hayman. As a result, the band has released a best-of album, a 2 CD collection of 43 unreleased songs called Catfight
and a live album, recorded at the BBC
's Maida Vale
Studios. All of the band's studio albums have been reissued as 2 CD sets with bonus tracks. Planned for the future is a compilation of BBC session tracks. The band recorded ten sessions for John Peel
's BBC Radio One programme, as well as a number of live performances, and eleven of their tracks made it into the Festive 50.
Darren Hayman
and Jack Hayter
played Hefner songs at a number of dates in Europe
in June 2008. Despite this, Hayman
has said that Hefner will not reform unless it's with the original line up. He has consistently aired his disdain for bands that reform.
§ - Budget Album Chart
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
and "urban folk" band formed in east London in 1995. They were active from about 1996 until 2002; since then they have played together only once, for a tribute to the DJ John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
, who was a strong supporter of theirs.
History
Hefner's roots stretch back to 1992, when Darren HaymanDarren Hayman
Darren Russell Hayman is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist in Hefner...
and Antony Harding
Antony Harding
Antony Harding is an English singer, songwriter and musician from the Isle of Wight. He is best known as the drummer in London band Hefner, and plays independently as ANT.- History :...
met at art school in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. The band started playing live in 1995 and, after several line up changes, became a solo project of Darren Hayman
Darren Hayman
Darren Russell Hayman is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist in Hefner...
. In 1996 he recorded a tape for Sticky Records (named The Devotion Chamber) on which all instruments were played by Darren himself. His friend from art school, Antony Harding
Antony Harding
Antony Harding is an English singer, songwriter and musician from the Isle of Wight. He is best known as the drummer in London band Hefner, and plays independently as ANT.- History :...
, assisted, providing backing vocals.
The band's first release was in April 1997 when the 7" single "A Better Friend" was released by Boogle Wonderland. The single featured Antony on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and John Morrison
John Morrison (musician)
John Morrison, hailing from Moseley, Birmingham, played bass guitar in indie band L Cage which also featured Dean O'Loughlin from Big Brother and Ernest Valentino Hendricks...
(from Rhatigan
Rhatigan
Rhatigan is the folk/punk/indie/rock/pop band led by former Stock Aitken and Waterman backing singer, turned Irish singer songwriter, Suzanne Rhatigan...
) on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. Shortly after the release, the record label Too Pure
Too Pure
Too Pure is a London-based independent record label that was formed in 1990 by Richard Roberts and Paul Cox.-History:Too Pure started off as a small experimental label and had built their reputation by releasing primarily alternative/independent music which they felt was being ignored by the major...
offered a record deal to Darren, who extended the offer to Antony and John.
After a few more singles, Hefner recorded their debut album Breaking God's Heart
Breaking God's Heart
Breaking God's Heart is the debut full-length album by British indie rock band Hefner. The album was originally released by Too Pure in 1998, and a reissue was released by Darren Hayman, the band's lead singer, in September 2007.-Track listing:...
, which was released in 1998. A lo fidelity
Lo-fi music
Lo-fi is lower quality of sound recordings than the usual standard for music. The qualities of lo-fi are usually achieved by either degrading the quality of the recorded audio, or using certain equipment. Recent uses of the phrase have led to it becoming a genre, although it still remains as an...
album primarily recorded in one take, Hayman has declared that this album is the one he is least interested in listening to, due to its unrealized potential.
The Fidelity Wars
The Fidelity Wars
The Fidelity Wars is the second full-length album by British indie rock band Hefner. Recorded in London over a period of twelve days at Roundhouse Studios, it was released in 1999 on Too Pure.It was reissued by lead singer Darren Hayman in 2008....
would be their next record (with the recent addition of multi-instrumentalist Jack Hayter
Jack Hayter
Jack Hayter is a British musician. He was a multi instrumentalist with Hefner, and is a folk singer-songwriter. Hayter also played with alt-country band Spongefinger and acclaimed folktronica band Dollboy...
); a darker collection of songs. In the official website of the band Darren has explained that all of the songs gravitate around the concept of breaking up.
Hefner had, at this point, recorded a large number of singles and EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
. Boxing Hefner
Boxing Hefner
Boxing Hefner is a compilation of singles, b-sides, and live versions of songs by the British indie rock band Hefner. Released on Too Pure in 2000, it collected various early songs, as well as BBC sessions and a cover of the Jonathan Richman song "To Hide a Little Thought."-Track listing:#...
collected some of those tracks that had not appeared on the previous albums, often as new recordings. The compilation also included some unreleased material.
We Love the City
We Love the City
We Love the City is the third album by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released by Too Pure in two formats in 2000, the standard version and a second version with a disc featuring videos for "I Took Her Love for Granted" and "Good Fruit," as well as a John Peel session. The entire John...
marked a change in direction for the band. In contrast with previous records, which had older songs, all of the compositions on We Love the City were made for this record, which had better production value and more varied instrumentation.
Dead Media
Dead Media
Dead Media is the fourth, and currently final, album by British indie rock band Hefner. It was originally released in 2001 on Too Pure....
, released in 2001, continues the interest that Hefner had shown in exploring new ways. Dead Media is certainly different from previous records in the sense of its electronic weight, an interest that led Darren to eventually create The French.
After the band's final gig at the ICA
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. It is located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch...
in London on 10 December 2001 and the release of an EP called The Hefner Brain
The Hefner Brain
The Hefner Brain is an EP by British indie rock band Hefner. Released in 2002 through Too Pure, it was their last proper release before the band split up...
the following March, the band went on a seemingly permanent hiatus, save for one reformation for the "Keeping It Peel" tribute show, marking the death of one of their biggest supporters, Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
DJ John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
. In 2005 a t-shirt was released that read "Hefner, Britain’s Largest Small Band (1997-2002)", and in an interview Darren Hayman said "no, no reunion planned".
Post-Hefner
In 2005, following a legal dispute between Darren HaymanDarren Hayman
Darren Russell Hayman is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist in Hefner...
and Too Pure, the rights to all of the band's Too Pure recordings were reverted to Hayman. As a result, the band has released a best-of album, a 2 CD collection of 43 unreleased songs called Catfight
Catfight (album)
Catfight is a compilation of unreleased songs by the British indie rock band Hefner. It was released by the band in 2006.-Disc one:# The Pines# Gabriel in the Airport# Anne and Bill# Repression Song# I'm Not Surprised# New French Tits...
and a live album, recorded at the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Maida Vale
Maida Vale
Maida Vale is a residential district in West London between St John's Wood and Kilburn. It is part of the City of Westminster. The area is mostly residential, and mainly affluent, consisting of many large late Victorian and Edwardian blocks of mansion flats...
Studios. All of the band's studio albums have been reissued as 2 CD sets with bonus tracks. Planned for the future is a compilation of BBC session tracks. The band recorded ten sessions for John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
's BBC Radio One programme, as well as a number of live performances, and eleven of their tracks made it into the Festive 50.
Darren Hayman
Darren Hayman
Darren Russell Hayman is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist in Hefner...
and Jack Hayter
Jack Hayter
Jack Hayter is a British musician. He was a multi instrumentalist with Hefner, and is a folk singer-songwriter. Hayter also played with alt-country band Spongefinger and acclaimed folktronica band Dollboy...
played Hefner songs at a number of dates in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in June 2008. Despite this, Hayman
Darren Hayman
Darren Russell Hayman is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist in Hefner...
has said that Hefner will not reform unless it's with the original line up. He has consistently aired his disdain for bands that reform.
Band members
- Darren HaymanDarren HaymanDarren Russell Hayman is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist in Hefner...
(vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
) - Antony HardingAntony HardingAntony Harding is an English singer, songwriter and musician from the Isle of Wight. He is best known as the drummer in London band Hefner, and plays independently as ANT.- History :...
(drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, backing vocals) - John MorrisonJohn Morrison (musician)John Morrison, hailing from Moseley, Birmingham, played bass guitar in indie band L Cage which also featured Dean O'Loughlin from Big Brother and Ernest Valentino Hendricks...
(bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) - Jack HayterJack HayterJack Hayter is a British musician. He was a multi instrumentalist with Hefner, and is a folk singer-songwriter. Hayter also played with alt-country band Spongefinger and acclaimed folktronica band Dollboy...
(guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, pedal steel guitarPedal steel guitarThe pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, vocals)
Spin offs and solo projects
- Darren HaymanDarren HaymanDarren Russell Hayman is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist in Hefner...
- The French
- Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee
- The Stereo Morphonium
- Jack HayterJack HayterJack Hayter is a British musician. He was a multi instrumentalist with Hefner, and is a folk singer-songwriter. Hayter also played with alt-country band Spongefinger and acclaimed folktronica band Dollboy...
- ANT solo project of Antony HardingAntony HardingAntony Harding is an English singer, songwriter and musician from the Isle of Wight. He is best known as the drummer in London band Hefner, and plays independently as ANT.- History :...
- Lonely BoyLonely BoyLonely Boy may refer to:*Lonely Boy * Lonely Boy *Lonely Boy *Lonely Boy , a 1959 song by Paul Anka...
featuring Antony HardingAntony HardingAntony Harding is an English singer, songwriter and musician from the Isle of Wight. He is best known as the drummer in London band Hefner, and plays independently as ANT.- History :...
singing the poetry of Norwegian poet Eivind Kirkeby - RhatiganRhatiganRhatigan is the folk/punk/indie/rock/pop band led by former Stock Aitken and Waterman backing singer, turned Irish singer songwriter, Suzanne Rhatigan...
Studio Albums
- Breaking God's HeartBreaking God's HeartBreaking God's Heart is the debut full-length album by British indie rock band Hefner. The album was originally released by Too Pure in 1998, and a reissue was released by Darren Hayman, the band's lead singer, in September 2007.-Track listing:...
- Too PureToo PureToo Pure is a London-based independent record label that was formed in 1990 by Richard Roberts and Paul Cox.-History:Too Pure started off as a small experimental label and had built their reputation by releasing primarily alternative/independent music which they felt was being ignored by the major...
- 1998 - The Fidelity WarsThe Fidelity WarsThe Fidelity Wars is the second full-length album by British indie rock band Hefner. Recorded in London over a period of twelve days at Roundhouse Studios, it was released in 1999 on Too Pure.It was reissued by lead singer Darren Hayman in 2008....
- Too Pure - 1999 (#165) - We Love the CityWe Love the CityWe Love the City is the third album by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released by Too Pure in two formats in 2000, the standard version and a second version with a disc featuring videos for "I Took Her Love for Granted" and "Good Fruit," as well as a John Peel session. The entire John...
- Too Pure - 2000 (#92) - Dead MediaDead MediaDead Media is the fourth, and currently final, album by British indie rock band Hefner. It was originally released in 2001 on Too Pure....
- Too Pure - 2001 (#165)
Compilations and live albums
- Boxing HefnerBoxing HefnerBoxing Hefner is a compilation of singles, b-sides, and live versions of songs by the British indie rock band Hefner. Released on Too Pure in 2000, it collected various early songs, as well as BBC sessions and a cover of the Jonathan Richman song "To Hide a Little Thought."-Track listing:#...
- Too Pure - 2000 (#144) - Kick, Snare, Hats, RideKick, Snare, Hats, RideKick, Snare, Hats, Ride is a live compilation album by British indie rock band Hefner. It was a self-released mail order album that was put out in 2001, compiling various live appearances by lead singer Darren Hayman and the full band.-Track listing:...
- self-released - 2002 - The Best of HefnerThe Best of HefnerThe Best of Hefner is a best-of compilation by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released via Fortune and Glory Records in 2006.-Track listing:# "A Better Friend" # "Christian Girls"...
- Fortune and Glory Records - 2006 - CatfightCatfight (album)Catfight is a compilation of unreleased songs by the British indie rock band Hefner. It was released by the band in 2006.-Disc one:# The Pines# Gabriel in the Airport# Anne and Bill# Repression Song# I'm Not Surprised# New French Tits...
- self-released - 2006 - Maida Vale - Belka - 2006
EPs
- The Devotion Chamber - self-released - 1996
- The Hefner SoulThe Hefner SoulThe Hefner Soul is an EP by British indie rock band Hefner. It was a 10" vinyl record released by Too Pure in 1998, and features two songs from the Breaking God's Heart album sessions.-Track listing:# "Flowers"# "A Hymn for the Coffee"...
- Too Pure - 1998 - The Hefner HeartThe Hefner HeartThe Hefner Heart is an EP by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released by the Spanish label Acuarela in 1999.-Track listing:# "Mary Lee"# "The Hymn for the Things We Didn't Do"# "Karen"# "The Heart of Portland Oregon"...
- Acuarela - 1999 - Orphan SongsOrphan SongsOrphan Songs is an EP by British indie rock band Hefner, released in 1999. It was also released through Everlasting Records in 2000 as a Spanish-only release, containing songs available on other British singles.-Track listing:# "More Christian Girls"...
- Everlasting Records - 1999 - RevelationsRevelations (EP)Revelations is an EP by the British indie rock band Hefner. A John Peel session of cover versions of traditional gospel songs, it was recorded on John Peel's show and released on Top Dog Records via Too Pure in 2000.-Track listing:...
- Too Pure - 1999 - The Hefner BrainThe Hefner BrainThe Hefner Brain is an EP by British indie rock band Hefner. Released in 2002 through Too Pure, it was their last proper release before the band split up...
- Too Pure - 2002 (#21 §)
§ - Budget Album Chart
Singles
- "A Better Friend" - Boogle Wonderland - 1997 (7" only)
- "Lee Remick" - Boogle Wonderland - 1998 (7" only)
- "Pull Yourself TogetherPull Yourself Together"Pull Yourself Together" is a single by the British indie rock band Hefner. Their first for Too Pure, it was released in 1998 on CD single and 7" vinyl record formats.The single was fairly popular...
" - Too Pure - 1998 - "Love Will Destroy Us in the EndLove Will Destroy Us in the End"Love Will Destroy Us in the End" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released by Too Pure in 1998, and is the first proper single from their album Breaking God's Heart....
" - Too Pure - 1998 - "The Sweetness Lies WithinThe Sweetness Lies Within"The Sweetness Lies Within" is a single from British indie rock band Hefner. The second single from their album Breaking God's Heart, it was released by Too Pure in 1998 on both a compact disc and vinyl record format....
" - Too Pure - 1998 (#171) - "The Hymn for the AlcoholThe Hymn for the Alcohol"The Hymn for the Alcohol" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. This song appeared on their album The Fidelity Wars, but was re-recorded for the album.The single was released on Sticky Records in 1999 as a 7" vinyl record.-Track listing:...
" - Sticky Records - 1999 (7" only) - "The Hymn for the CigarettesThe Hymn for the Cigarettes"The Hymn for the Cigarettes" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. The second single from their album The Fidelity Wars, it was released in compact disc and 7" vinyl record formats in 1999 by Too Pure.-Track listing:...
" - Too Pure - 1999 (#87) - "I Took Her Love for GrantedI Took Her Love for Granted"I Took Her Love for Granted" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released in compact disc and 7" vinyl record formats by Too Pure in 1999, and was the third single from the band's album The Fidelity Wars....
" - Too Pure - 1999 (#136) - "Christian GirlsChristian Girls"Christian Girls" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. Released by Too Pure in 2000, the song is actually the third version of the song that the band put out.-Track listing:The single was released in CD and 7" vinyl record formats...
" - Too Pure - 2000 (#76) - "Good FruitGood Fruit"Good Fruit" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. Released in 2000 by Too Pure, it was the first single from their album We Love the City....
" - Too Pure - 2000 (UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#50) - "The Greedy Ugly PeopleThe Greedy Ugly People"The Greedy Ugly People" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. Released in 2000 by Too Pure, it was the second single from their album We Love the City....
" - Too Pure - 2000 (UK #64) - "Half a LifeHalf a Life (song)"Half a Life" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released as a split single with Murry the Hump by Too Pure in 2001. Lead vocals were handled by Darren Hayman and Jack Hayter, marking Hayter's first lead vocal on a Hefner record....
" - Too Pure - 2001 (split 7" with Murry the HumpMurry the HumpMurry the Hump were a Welsh indie rock and "urban folk" band. They were active from 1999 until 2001; Since then they have continued to write music under the name The Keys.- History :...
) (#152) - "Alan BeanAlan Bean (song)"Alan Bean" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released on three formats by Too Pure in 2001.The title song is about astronaut Alan Bean, who was the fourth person to walk on the Moon...
" - Too Pure - 2001 (UK #58) - "Trouble KidTrouble Kid"Trouble Kid" is a single by British indie rock band Hefner. It was released by Too Pure in 2001 as a 7" vinyl record remix single. Both tracks were later included in the 2011 re-issue of the Dead Media album.-Track listing:...
" - Too Pure - 2001