EMF are an alternative dance band from Cinderford, Gloucestershire. They came
to prominence at the beginning of the 1990s. During their initial eight-year
run from 1989 to 1997, EMF released three studio albums and had gone on
hiatus and reformed twice. Their first single, "Unbelievable", reached number 3
in the UK Singles Chart, and was a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot
100 chart. Their debut album, Schubert Dip, went to number 3 in the UK Albums
Chart. Band name
The name "EMF" is believed to be an abbreviation of "Epsom Mad Funkers", a
name taken from a fan club of the band New Order. The initials were rumoured at
times to stand for something else. The song, "Head the Ball", which featured on
the remix single release of "Lies," featured the repeating lines
"Electromotive Force" and "Ecstasy Mother F******" during the song, the two
most commonly rumoured names. On the album "Schubert Dip" from 1991, after
"Longtime" there is a hidden track called "EMF". In this, the chorus lyrics
start off with "E for Ecstasy, M for my minds in my feet, F from us to you".
They then move on to "E for Ecstasy, M for mother f***** mother f*****, F from
us to you". The band was signed by EMI/Parlophone
after four concerts, without even being asked for a demo tape.
Members James Atkin, born James Saul Atkin, 28
March 1969, Birmingham Ian Dench, born 7 August 1964,
Cheltenham Derry Brownson, born 10 November 1970,
Gloucester Mark Decloedt, born 26 June 1969,
Gloucester Milf, born 30 May 1969 Gloucester
Tim Stephens, born 23 January 1980, Bath Stevey Marsh, born 15 August 1980,
Portsmouth = Former members =
Zac Foley, born Zachary Sebastian Rex James Foley, 9 December 1970,
Gloucester; died on 3 January 2002 of a drug overdose. The remaining members of
EMF played just four more gigs in late 2002, before deciding to split up, until
reforming again in 2007. Biography
= Formation = They originally formed with the DJ Milf
EMF, who then formed his own band called Stateside Hombres, who toured with James
Brown and the Fun Lovin Criminals. All the members were relatively well known
in the local music scene before forming EMF in Cinderford, in October 1989.
Brownson had formed a band called Flowerdrum with his brother Leigh, but
left to join Foley, Decloedt and Atkin as EMF. Dench was last to join, having
already tasted moderate success as a member of Apple Mosaic.
Their music mixed light techno elements with rockier sounds - EMF regularly used
samplers and sequencers. It has often been argued that EMF's music was
influenced by Jesus Jones. In fact, the two bands formed a close relationship.
Their music has also been counted as part of Madchester and alternative
dance. They toured the UK in 1990 with Stereo MCs, who were at that point
relatively unknown. = Schubert Dip and Stigma =
In 1990, their debut "Unbelievable" topped the charts in many countries
around the world, reaching number one in the US in July 1991. The single featured
sampled utterances from comedian Andrew Dice Clay. In 1991, EMF released their
debut album Schubert Dip which went to number 3 in the UK. The name was
explained by songwriter Ian Dench, as "If ever I'm short of a chord sequence I
nick one from Schubert." Successful singles from their debut included "I
Believe", "Children", and "Lies". "Lies" turned controversial for including a
voice sample of Mark Chapman, John Lennon's murderer. Yoko Ono achieved an
injunction, and a modified version was included in future pressings.
In 1992, EMF returned with the Unexplained EP and later Stigma, their
second album. Both of these releases did poorly in the charts. The singles were
"Getting Through", "They're Here", and "It's You".
Also in 1992, EMF appeared on the Red Hot Organization's dance compilation
album, Red Hot + Dance, contributing an original track, "Unbelievable". The
album attempted to raise awareness and money in support of the AIDS epidemic,
and all proceeds were donated to AIDS charities.
= Cha Cha Cha and first hiatus = Until their 1995 album, Cha Cha Cha, EMF
effectively disappeared from sight. This album featured the singles "Perfect Day"
and "Bleeding You Dry". In 1995, EMF teamed up with Vic Reeves
and Bob Mortimer and recorded "I'm a Believer", a cover of The Monkees song.
This single reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart. The band then released
Afro King which failed to do well. After this, the band split for the first time.
However, all members of the band continued to play music.
= Reunion and second hiatus = In 2001, EMF gave a reunion gig in
London. They also released a best of album, Epsom Mad Funkers: The Best of
EMF. The band's bass guitarist, Zac Foley,
died on 3 January 2002 at the age of 31, due to an overdose of non-prescribed
drugs. EMF played just four more gigs in late 2002, before splitting up again.
In 2005, Kraft Foods used EMF's "Unbelievable" in their Kraft Crumbles
advertisement campaign. The original song's chorus, "You're unbelievable",
was replaced with the product claim: "It's crumbelievable". The advertisement
was later parodied by Stephen Colbert on his show The Colbert Report.
= Second reunion = In 2007, the band announced they would
be reforming to play a one-off gig at the Scala in King's Cross, London, on 18
December. The place of Foley was taken by Richard March, formerly of Pop Will
Eat Itself and Bentley Rhythm Ace. In 2007, Hallmark Cards used EMF's
"Unbelievable" in their musical Mother's Day Cards advertising campaign. The
mother was shown opening the card, heard the daughter say "Mom you Rock" followed
by the music of EMF. In 2008, EMF played the Portsmouth
Festival on 9 October, and supported Carter USM at Birmingham Academy and
London's Brixton Academy in November that year.
In May 2009, EMF announced that due to personal issues, the band would not be
doing any more shows in the near future, thus ending their second reunion.
= Third reunion = In January 2012, it was confirmed that
they would be reforming to play at the upcoming festival Lakefest in
Tewkesbury, alongside Levellers, Dodgy and The Swing Man on 18 and 19 May. For
the first time they will be performing every track from Schubert Dip live, in
order to coincide with the 21st anniversary re-release. The band is
headlining at The Westbury Festival on Saturday, 25 August 2012.
Discography = Albums =
= Compilations = = DVDs =
= Singles and EPs = References
The Great Rock Discography - 5th Edition - ISBN 1-84195-017-3
External links EMF's official band site