EMF (band)

EMF are an English alternative rock band from Cinderford, Gloucestershire, who came to prominence at the beginning of the 1990s. During their initial eight-year run, from 1989 to 1997, the band released three studio albums before a hiatus. Their first single, "Unbelievable", reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, and was a number 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their debut album, Schubert Dip, went to number 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

The band's music has been classified as indie rock, dance-rock and indie dance. They toured the UK in 1990 with Stereo MCs.

Schubert Dip and Stigma (1990–1992)

In 1990, their debut single "Unbelievable" topped the charts in many countries around the world, reaching number 1 in the U.S. 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. Successful singles from the album included "I Believe", "Children", and "Lies". "Lies" included a voice sample of Mark Chapman, John Lennon's murderer. Yoko Ono, Lennon's wife, 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 Stigma, their second album. Both of these releases did poorly in the charts. The singles released 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 "Unbelievable (The Hovering Feet Mix)". 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 (1995–2000)

EMF's third album, Cha Cha Cha, was released in 1995 and featured the singles "Perfect Day" and "Bleeding You Dry". In the same year, EMF teamed with comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer and recorded "I'm a Believer", a cover of The Monkees song. Following his death, EMF played four gigs in late 2002 before splitting again.

Second reunion and third hiatus (2007–2009)

In 2007 the band reformed to play a one-off gig at the Scala in King's Cross, London, on 18 December. Foley was replaced by Richard March, formerly of Pop Will Eat Itself and Bentley Rhythm Ace.

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 (2012–2019)

In 2012, they reformed to play at the inaugural festival Lakefest in Tewkesbury, alongside Levellers and Dodgy, on 18 and 19 May. The band welcomed new bassist Stevey Marsh during this show. For the first time, they performed every track from the album Schubert Dip in order to coincide with the 21st anniversary re-release. The band headlined at the Westbury Festival on 25 August 2012. In December 2012 the band played Schubert Dip and Stigma from start to finish at the Gloucester Guildhall. The show was recorded and sold as a live Blu-ray/DVD titled Videodrome: Long Live the New Flesh.

On 1 October 2016 the band headlined Indie Daze in London.

From Us To You, Go Go Sapiens and The Beauty and the Chaos (2020–present)

In 2020, the band released a career-spanning vinyl box set titled From Us to You. It contained all of the albums remastered, and a fourth disc containing previously unreleased demos and non-album tracks. On 1 April 2022, the band released an album of original material, titled Go Go Sapiens. Its first single, "Sister Sandinista", was released 1 March 2022. They also embarked on a short UK tour in early April 2022.

In January 2024, The Beauty and the Chaos, the band’s fifth studio album, produced with their long time collaborator Ralph Jezzard. The first single, "Hello People" features Stephen Fry. They continued touring including a co-headline tour with Jesus Jones and dates in the US in June 2025 with Spacehog and Ecce Shnak.

On 25 August 2025, the BBC released EMF - The Unbelievable Journey, a radio special recorded by Steve Knibbs, documenting the band's early years.

Members

James Atkin (vocals, guitars, keyboards)
Ian Dench (guitars, keyboards)
Stevey Marsh (bass)
Derry Brownson (keyboards, samples)
Robin Goodridge (drums)

Former members

Zac Foley (bass), died 3 January 2002
Tim Stephens (guitars)
Mark Decloedt (drums)
Richard March (bass)
Adrian Todd (drums)

Later work

Since 2010 James Atkin has taught music at Holy Family Catholic School in Keighley, West Yorkshire and is a touring member of Bentley Rhythm Ace. As of June 2020, he has released four solo albums including Circadian Rhythms (2023), Popcorn Storm (2019) and A Country Mile (2014).

Honours

On 18 March 2025, EMF received a blue plaque in their home town of Cinderford.

Discography

Albums

{| class="wikitable"

|+List of studio albums, with selected chart positions

!Year

!Album

!UK

!NZ

!US

|1991

|Schubert Dip

| style="text-align:center;"|3

| style="text-align:center;"|44

| style="text-align:center;"|8

| style="text-align:center;"|12

|1992

|Stigma

| style="text-align:center;"|19

| style="text-align:center;"|143

| style="text-align:center;"|—

|1995

|Cha Cha Cha

| style="text-align:center;"|30

| style="text-align:center;"|—

|2022

|Go Go Sapiens

| style="text-align:center;"|—

|2024

|The Beauty and the Chaos

| style="text-align:center;"|—

Compilations

{| class="wikitable"

|+Compilations by EMF

!Year

!Album

| style="text-align:center;"|2001

|Epsom Mad Funkers: The Best of EMF

| style="text-align:center;"|2020

|From Us to You

EPs

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+EPs by EMF

!Year

!Title

!width="40"|UK

!width="40"|IRE

|1992

!scope="row"|Unexplained EP

| style="text-align:center;"|18

| style="text-align:center;"|136

| style="text-align:center;"|16

Singles

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+List of singles, with selected chart positions

!Title

!Year

!width="40"|UK

!width="40"|GER

!width="40"|IRE

!width="40"|NLD

!width="40"|NZ

!width="40"|US

!width="40"|US Alt

!Album

!scope="row"|"Unbelievable"

|1990

| style="text-align:center;"|3

| style="text-align:center;"|8

| style="text-align:center;"|4

| style="text-align:center;"|9

| style="text-align:center;"|5

| style="text-align:center;"|6

| style="text-align:center;"|12

| style="text-align:center;"|3

| style="text-align:center;"|1

| style="text-align:center;"|3

|rowspan="4"|Schubert Dip

!scope="row"|"I Believe"

|rowspan="3"|1991

| style="text-align:center;"|6

| style="text-align:center;"|54

| style="text-align:center;"|32

| style="text-align:center;"|26

| style="text-align:center;"|2

| style="text-align:center;"|28

| style="text-align:center;"|35

| style="text-align:center;"|6

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|10

!scope="row"|"Children"

| style="text-align:center;"|19

| style="text-align:center;"|49

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|40

| style="text-align:center;"|5

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|39

| style="text-align:center;"|18

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|26

!scope="row"|"Lies"

| style="text-align:center;"|28

| style="text-align:center;"|159

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|99

| style="text-align:center;"|18

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|18

| style="text-align:center;"|27

!scope="row"|"They're Here"

|rowspan="2"|1992

| style="text-align:center;"|29

| style="text-align:center;"|195

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|27

|rowspan="2"|Stigma

!scope="row"|"It's You"

| style="text-align:center;"|23

| style="text-align:center;"|—

!scope="row"|"Perfect Day"

|rowspan="4"|1995

| style="text-align:center;"|27

| style="text-align:center;"|—

|rowspan="2"|Cha Cha Cha

!scope="row"|"Bleeding You Dry" (UK promo only)

| style="text-align:center;"|—

!scope="row"|"I'm a Believer" (with Reeves and Mortimer)

| style="text-align:center;"|3

| style="text-align:center;"|186

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|17

| style="text-align:center;"|—

|rowspan="2"|singles only

!scope="row"|"Afro King"

| style="text-align:center;"|51

| style="text-align:center;"|—

!scope="row"|"Incredible"

|rowspan="2"|2001

| style="text-align:center;"|—

|rowspan="2"|The Best of EMF: Epsom Mad Funkers

!scope="row"|"Let's Go"

| style="text-align:center;"|—

!scope="row"|"Sister Sandinista"

|rowspan="3"|2022

| style="text-align:center;"|—

|rowspan="3"|Go Go Sapiens

!scope="row"|"Crime of Passion"

| style="text-align:center;"|—

!scope="row"|"Sparks and Flashes"

| style="text-align:center;"|—

!scope="row"|"Hello People"

|rowspan="3"|2023

| style="text-align:center;"|—

|rowspan="3"|The Beauty and the Chaos

!scope="row"|"Reach for the Lasers"

|rowspan="2"|

| style="text-align:center;"|—

Videos

{| class="wikitable"

|+Videos by EMF

!Year

!Title

| style="text-align:center;"|1991

|Smoke the Banger (VHS)

| style="text-align:center;"|2013

|Long Live the New Flesh (Blu-ray & DVD)

Schubert Dip and Stigma (1990–1992)

Cha Cha Cha and first hiatus (1995–2000)

Second reunion and third hiatus (2007–2009)

Third reunion (2012–2019)

From Us To You, Go Go Sapiens and The Beauty and the Chaos (2020–present)

Members

Former members

Later work

Honours

Discography

Albums

Compilations

EPs

Singles

Videos

References

Citations

Other sources

External links