EMF, Ecce Shnak, et Twings

Named after a New Order fan club “Epsom Mad Funkers”, EMF formed in 1989 later securing a record deal with EMI/Parlophone after only four live shows. Comprised of frontman James Atkin, guitar and keyboard player Ian Dench, keyboard and synth player Derry Brownson, drummer Mark Decloedt, DJ Milf, guitarist Tim Stephens, and bassist Stevey Marsh, all EMF’s members were well known in the Gloucester music scene prior to forming the group. Dubbed as mixing the Madchester style of music with indie dance, EMF issued their debut single “Unbelievable”, which found instant commercial success. Topping the charts in a host of countries, including the U.S. and the UK, the single samples U.S. comedian Andrew Dice Clay and was produced by Ralph Jezzard.

The band’s full-length “Schubert Dip” subsequently earned its release in 1991 where it peaked at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart. Dubbed somewhat of a disappointment, the album received mixed reviews, yet spawned the singles “I Believe”, “Children”, and “Lies”. A year later the EP “Unexplained” hit the shelves, followed the same year by EMF’s second studio album “Stigma”. Led by the single “It’s You” the record proved another disappointment and was followed by contributing “Unbelievable (The Hovering Feet Mix)” to the 1992 Red Hot Organisation’s dance compilation “Red Hot + Dance”.

EMF’s 1995 album “Cha Cha Cha” came and went without turning many heads despite the singles “Perfect Day” and “Bleeding You Dry”. A cover of the Monkees song “I’m a Believer” saw the group return to the chart with the single peaking at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. Following the release of the single “Afro King” EMF announced they were splitting up however continued to play music individually. In 2001 the group returned to release the compilation “Epsom Mad Funkers: The Best of EMF”, spawning two un-charting singles “Incredible” and “Let’s Go”.