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| 'We were rehearsing in barns and sheds - but within six months had a record deal' | 'We were rehearsing in barns and sheds - but within six months had a record deal' |
| (8 days later) | |
| EMF had only been together for six months before had their own record deal | |
| They've performed all over the world and had top ten singles and albums, but before EMF's global success, the band used to practise among hay bales and farm equipment in local barns. | They've performed all over the world and had top ten singles and albums, but before EMF's global success, the band used to practise among hay bales and farm equipment in local barns. |
| Members of alternative rock group EMF have been reliving their rise from being five musicians in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, to number one in the US charts, in a new audio documentary. | Members of alternative rock group EMF have been reliving their rise from being five musicians in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, to number one in the US charts, in a new audio documentary. |
| In their early months, crowds of up to 300 people would cram into locals pubs to hear them play, and the musicians "kept getting bothered by guys" in London trying to sign them. | In their early months, crowds of up to 300 people would cram into locals pubs to hear them play, and the musicians "kept getting bothered by guys" in London trying to sign them. |
| Guitarist and songwriter Ian Dench said: "We had a great sound and could play and suddenly there we were with a record deal within six months of starting the band." | Guitarist and songwriter Ian Dench said: "We had a great sound and could play and suddenly there we were with a record deal within six months of starting the band." |
| Mr Dench said everybody was in a band when he was younger | Mr Dench said everybody was in a band when he was younger |
| And then things started to ramp up for EMF, which stands for Epsom Mad Funkers, when a number of record labels came to see them support a band in Cheltenham. | |
| Mr Decloedt said: "I kept getting bothered by groups of guys from London saying 'whatever that labels offered you, we'll offer you double'... I was like 'are you joking'." | Mr Decloedt said: "I kept getting bothered by groups of guys from London saying 'whatever that labels offered you, we'll offer you double'... I was like 'are you joking'." |
| Mr Dench said at the time, the music scene was great because "everybody played in a band". | Mr Dench said at the time, the music scene was great because "everybody played in a band". |
| Getting a record contract six months after forming the band was "a dream come true," Mr Atkin said. | Getting a record contract six months after forming the band was "a dream come true," Mr Atkin said. |
| "I was still working at a shop in Gloucester and I just stopped going to work. I didn't even tell my employer." | "I was still working at a shop in Gloucester and I just stopped going to work. I didn't even tell my employer." |
| Derry Brownson, the band's keyboardist, said when they went to America with a number one hit in the UK under their belts, they were number 176 over there and "in our world, 176 was nothing". | Derry Brownson, the band's keyboardist, said when they went to America with a number one hit in the UK under their belts, they were number 176 over there and "in our world, 176 was nothing". |
| But during their six-week tour of the US, their single Unbelievable climbed up the charts and reached number one - a result they described as a shock. | But during their six-week tour of the US, their single Unbelievable climbed up the charts and reached number one - a result they described as a shock. |
| A blue plaque recognising the bands achievements was unveiled in CInderford in March by Ian Dench and James Atkin | A blue plaque recognising the bands achievements was unveiled in CInderford in March by Ian Dench and James Atkin |
| After years of being in the limelight, the band disbanded in 1997 before reuniting in 2001. | After years of being in the limelight, the band disbanded in 1997 before reuniting in 2001. |
| But one year later, they struggled when their bassist Zac Foley died aged 31. | But one year later, they struggled when their bassist Zac Foley died aged 31. |
| "He was a my oldest, closest friend, a great musician, and looked great... I miss him every day," Mr Brownson said. | "He was a my oldest, closest friend, a great musician, and looked great... I miss him every day," Mr Brownson said. |
| The band's fame has earned them a special place in the Forest of Dean - and globally - and Ian Dench, Derry Brownson and James Atkin continue to make music and perform today. | The band's fame has earned them a special place in the Forest of Dean - and globally - and Ian Dench, Derry Brownson and James Atkin continue to make music and perform today. |
| "It was utterly bonkers, but it's certainly been a ride," Mr Decloedt said. | "It was utterly bonkers, but it's certainly been a ride," Mr Decloedt said. |
| They were awarded a blue plaque by Cinderford Town Council in March and headlined Cindyfest, in Cinderford, last month. | They were awarded a blue plaque by Cinderford Town Council in March and headlined Cindyfest, in Cinderford, last month. |
| EMF: The Unbelievable Journey can be heard now on BBC Sounds. | |
| EMF: The Unbelievable Journey (25/08/2025) | |
| Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. | Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. |