Emf

This article is about the band. For the physics term, see Electromotive force.

EMF are an indie dance band from the United Kingdom. The band, from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, came to prominence at the beginning of the 1990s. Since its inception, EMF have released three studio albums and have gone on hiatus twice. 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.

Band name

The name "EMF" officially stands for "Epsom Mad Funkers" ? an odd name for a band originating from the Gloucestershire town of Cinderford over 100 miles west ? but there are unofficial alternatives, such as "Every Mother's Favourite," "Eat My Foetus," "Ever Music Forever," "Eat More Fruit", "Easy Mother Fuckers", "European Monetary Fund", "Eat My Fart", "Early Musical Fake", "Elongate My Footlong", "Erection Mal-Function", "Electric Mains Fuses", "Extendable Minge Flange", "Early Medieval Folklore", "Elope My Famliy", "Every Mine's Full", "Enlightened MILF Fancier", "English Mother Fuckers," "Eight More Faggots," "Even More Faggots", "Electric Mother Fuckers", "External Motorboat Fellatio", "Every Mother Fucker", "Early Morning Fuck", "Ecstasy Mother Fuckers" and "Electro Motive Force" (the second to last of which occurs in a track called "EMF", a live version of which featured on the B-side of the single "Unbelievable"). The band name Epsom Mad Funkers came about because they met some lads on holiday in Ibiza who were totally mad and just happened come from Epsom. (Live on 88!)

In the aforementioned song, "EMF" could be interpreted as an acrostic for:

Ecstasy

Motherfucker

From us to you

The chorus lyrics are as follows:

E! Ecstasy! M! Motherfucker, motherfucker! F! From us to you...

In addition, the remix single release of the song "Lies" included a song "Head the Ball" with the repeating lines "Electro Motive Force" and "Esctasy Mother Fuckers" during the song.

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.

Members

James Atkin (vocals, guitars), born James Saul Atkin, in Birmingham.
Ian Dench (guitars, keyboards), born in Cheltenham.
Derry Brownson (keyboards and samples), born in Gloucester.
Mark Decloedt (drums), born in Gloucester.
Former members
Zac Foley (bass), born Zachary Sebastian Rex James Foley, , in Gloucester; Died on 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 (1989)

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

Schubert Dip and Stigma (1990?1992)

In 1990, their debut "Unbelievable" topped the charts in many countries around the world, reaching the number one in the USA in July 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." 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 the 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.

Cha Cha Cha and first hiatus (1995?2000)

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. 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.

Reunion and second hiatus (2001?2006)

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."

Second reunion (2007?2009)

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 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 played the Portsmouth Festival on Thursday 9 October and supported Carter USM at Birmingham Academy and London's Brixton Academy on 21 and 22 November 2008.

On May 6, 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.

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