EMF (band)

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EMF
Origin Cinderford, Gloucestershire
Genre(s) Alternative Rock
Alternative Dance
Techno
House
Madchester
Years active 1989–1995, 2001–2002, 2007–
Label(s) EMI / Parlophone
Members
James Atkin
Ian Dench
Zac Foley
Derry Brownson
Mark Decloedt

EMF are a British indie dance band that came to prominence at the end of the 1980s and the early 1990s. The band came from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. Their first single, "Unbelievable," got to number 3 in the UK charts and was a number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their debut album, Schubert Dip, went to number 3 in the UK Albums Chart.

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[edit] Band name

The name "EMF" officially stands for "Epsom Mad Funkers," but there are unofficial alternatives, such as "Every Mother's Favourite," "Eat My Foetus," "Ever Music Forever," "Eat More Fruit", "Easy Mother Fuckers", "English Mother Fuckers," "Eight More Faggots," "Electric Mother Fuckers," and "Ecstasy Mother Fuckers" (the last of which occurred in a track called "EMF", a live version of which featured on the B Side of the single "Unbelievable"). The band was signed by EMI / Parlophone after a mere four gigs, without even being asked for a demo tape. Legend has it that A&R man Nick Mander was made to jump into a river before the band would agree to sign with EMI.

[edit] Band members

[edit] Biography

They originally toured with DJ Milf who now has his own band called Stateside and released music under the name Jose Sanchez. All the members were relatively well known in the local music scene before forming EMF in Cinderford, UK in October 1989. Derry Brownson had formed a band called Flowerdrum with his brother Leigh but left to join Zac, Mark and James as EMF. Ian was last to join, having already tasted moderate success as a member of Apple Mosiac.

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 indie dance. EMF were at the time also known for their baseball caps worn sideways, and the baggy shorts they wore.

In 1990, their debut "Unbelievable" topped the charts in many countries around the world, reaching the number one in the USA in 1991. The single features 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."[citation needed] Successful singles from their debut included "I Believe," "Children," and "Lies." The last one 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 an EP called Unexplained EP (including a cover version of "Search and Destroy") and later their second album Stigma, both of which did badly in the charts. The singles were "Getting Through," "They're Here," and "It's You." This has been explained with EMF's, lack of innovation past their first single, but also by the rise of Britpop. Until their 1995 album Cha Cha Cha EMF effectively disappeared from sight. This album featured the singles "Perfect Day" and "Bleeding You Dry." Both were highly acclaimed, but failed to sell well.

In summer 1995 EMF teamed up with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer and recorded "I'm a Believer" (a cover song from The Monkees). This single sold better, but critics were less enthusiastic, stating desperation.[citation needed] The band then released Afro King which was by some regarded as a return to dance-pop origins, but the release failed to do well. After this, the band split for the first time, however, all members of the band continued to play music.

In 2001, EMF gave a reunion gig in London, UK. They also released a best of album Epsom Mad Funkers: The Best Of EMF.

The band's bass guitarist, Zac Foley, died on 2 January 2002, due to an overdose of non-prescribed drugs. He was aged 31. 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, "It's unbelievable," was replaced with a more "crumble-centric" chorus, declaring "It's crumbelievable."

In 2007, the band announced they would be reforming to play a one-off gig at the Scala in King's Cross, London, on 18th December. The place of Zac Foley will be taken by Richard March, who was formerly with 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 will be supporting Carter USM at Birmingham Academy and London's Brixton Academy on 21 and 22 November 2008.

On April 10, 2008. thisisgloucestershire.co.uk Announced EMF is working on their first new songs in 13 years. There currently are no plans for any new releases.

[edit] Discography

Year Albums UK Chart US Charts
1991 Schubert Dip 3 3
1992 Unexplained EP 18 -
1992 Stigma 19 -
1995 Cha Cha Cha 30 -
2001 The Best Of EMF: Epsom Mad Funker - -
Year Singles UK Singles Chart US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Dance Album
1990 "Unbelievable" 3 1 3 9 Schubert Dip
1991 "Lies" 28 18 27 6 Schubert Dip
1991 "I Believe" 6 - 10 - Schubert Dip
1991 "Children" 19 - 26 - Schubert Dip
1992 "Search and Destroy" - - - - Unexplained EP
1992 "Getting Through" - - - - Unexplained EP / Stigma
1992 "They're Here" 29 - 27 5 Stigma
1992 "It's You" 23 - - - Stigma
1995 "Perfect Day" 27 - - - Cha Cha Cha
1995 "Bleeding You Dry" - - - - Cha Cha Cha
1995 "I'm a Believer" 3 - - - Non-LP Track
1995 "Afro King" 51 - - - Non-LP Track

[edit] References

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