The Long Summer Days are Back for EMF!

“We’re so excited to be back in North America for the fourth time in two years,” says guitarist Ian Dench of British dance-rock quintet EMF excited about their upcoming East Coast tour.

Kicking off on May 7th at Philadelphia’s Nikki Lopez, the ten-date tour circles the eastern half of the continent with stops including Buffalo (May 8th @ May Town Ballroom), Montreal (May 10th at Bar Le Ritz), Boston (May 11th @ City Winery), NYC (May 13th @ Sony Hall), before concluding in Hamden, CT (May 16th @ Space Ballroom). NYC’s art rock band Ecce Shnak will support.

25 years since the release of their breakthrough album Schubert Dip EMF is reclaiming the torch they lit when their worldwide smash “Unbelievable” launched the band into the mainstream stratosphere including the U.S. where the track hit the top of the charts. “We have so many great memories of being in the U.S. in the 90’s when ‘Unbelievable’ was shooting up the Billboard Hot 100 where it reached #1,” Dench continues. “Those were crazy times and you all in the U.S. will always hold a special place in our hearts because you took us into yours. We will be playing all the hits from Schubert Dip that we played back in the day; ‘Unbelievable,’ of course, but also ‘Lies,’ ‘I Believe’ and ‘Children’.”

Sprinkled throughout their setlists will include songs from their most recent album The Beauty and the Chaos (2024) and EP Reach for Something Higher (2025). He reminisces, “Talking of crazy times, landing in all the beauty and the chaos of the U.S. in June 2025 inspired us to write ‘Hands in the Air’ and ‘LGBTQ+ Lover’ which were included in the Reach for Something Higher EP.”

Formed in 1989 in the quiet town of Cinderford in England’s Forest of Dean, EMF exploded onto the global stage with their infectious blend of dance, rock, and pop. Within a year, they were everywhere, thanks to the smash hit ‘Unbelievable,’ a song that would go on to define a generation and top charts worldwide.

Their debut album Schubert Dip (1991) captured their raw energy and genre-defying sound. With follow-ups Stigma (1992) and Cha Cha Cha (1995), EMF took fans on an ever-evolving journey, shifting from dance floor anthems to darker, more introspective sonic territory before taking a break in 1995.

After some time apart, James and Ian started writing again, culminating in the 2022 release of Go Go Sapiens and the band hit the road once more, reuniting with audiences across the UK, Europe, and the US. Their momentum continued with 2024’s The Beauty and the Chaos, a critically acclaimed album that reaffirmed EMF’s place in the modern music landscape.

With a new album on the way, the band are excited to get back on the road in the U.S. One thing is guaranteed: when EMF take to the stage, they bring the joy, energy, and glorious madness that have defined their live shows for the last few decades. “We can’t wait to see you,” Dench adds.

EMF are James Atkin (vocals, guitars, programming), Ian Dench (guitars, programming), Derry Brownson (samples), Stevey Marsh (bass), and Aid Todd (drums).

I sat down with Ian Dench and we discussed everything from how the first album came to be recorded, why the band broke up so many times, their upcoming North American tour, and, oh yeah, ... penguins!

Taking it from the top, to set the scene, having had some underlying success with Apple Mosaic, you were the last to join EMF, so what drew you to this Forest of Dean motley crew? - “I was fourth to join EMF. James Derry and Zac had already formed a death metal band called EMF. They wore Afghan coats and the fire brigade was called out to their first rehearsal. This sounded like fun and after two record deals and eight years of trying, Apple Mosaic had ceased to be fun.”

“So when we split up I called James. They were all a bit younger and having someone who had had a record deal in their band seemed to excite them so we were all excited and went partying in the Forest of Dean for three days. On the fourth day, James and I turned to each other and said “This is fun. We better write some songs.” James and I sat at my Mum’s piano with a guitar and a synth and we decided we were going to combine Detroit House with Indie Rock and wrote all the songs that became Schubert Dip in the space of a few weeks. We used a drum machine in my first rehearsal but felt we needed a drummer and that’s when Mark joined and the first line-up was complete.”

So what can you tell us about the actual band name EMF? - “The Epsom Mad Funkers were how New Order fans were described in an NME review and Derry thought it was a good name.”

And, for the record, EMF (Epsom Mad Funkers) must have originated as Epsom Mad Fu*kers, surely?! - “Well no, the more colourful name was the result of the song: E-Ecstacy, M-Motherfucker Motherfucker, F-From Us To You.”

Back in 1990 your very first single Unbelievable topped the charts all around the world and suddenly you were thrust into the glaring entertainment spotlight of live shows and TV appearances so, and in reflection, did you handle it well? - “Yes and no. Because of my experience with Apple Mosaic and because I was a little older at 25, I was aware of how fortunate we were to have hit the jackpot. I worked so hard to make the most of it and not to drink the Kool-Aid. However James and Mark were 21 and Derry and Zac were 18 and it must have all seemed very easy to them and throw all the excitement and partying into that and it was exhausting.”

“Touring the US recently, I remembered how much moaning there was when we were touring in the 90’s. We had to do interviews, radio visits, TV appearances, meet and greets all day and then do shows, and I think it was a bit of a shock for the younger members. We were all a bit burnt out by 1995 when we split up.”

“Older and wiser, we relish touring these days. Our joy is to play live and connect with audiences. We appreciate the opportunity to promote the band and even enjoy those 13 hour drives through the beautiful US countryside like we are seeing them for the first time. We definitely weren’t looking out of the window in the 90’s,” he laughs.

You wrote the song completely by yourself, so can you tell us the origins of it and how it came together? - “I wrote the majority of it. I was riding my bike back from my Mum’s house (our ‘studio,’ as previously mentioned) to my grotty bedsit with song ideas going round my head and I was struck by how the word Unbelievable could both mean amazing and less than truthful - which perfectly described my relationship with the girl who had just dumped me. All the songs on Schubert Dip were about her. Lyrics and guitar riff all came out in a moment. I cycled fast so I wouldn’t forget it, laid it down on a cassette and we did it in the rehearsal that night. James wrote an amazing rap and the song was done.”

Your debut album Schubert Dip was bonkers good and contained more hit singles. At this time, you guys must have been on top of the world, but was everything as amazing as it looked to us who were out there sweating our balls off on the UK dancefloors to all the hits? - “It was pretty amazing. I had dreamed of making it in the US. Doesn’t everyone who ever plays in a band? What was, and still is the most amazing thing is that people are out there sweating their balls off to our music on the dance floors. Fun as it was to have been at the top of the charts and to have made some money and to have gone on to have a great career in music working with the likes of Beyonce and Shakira amongst others. The thing I love the most is playing live with EMF and watching the smiles on peoples’ faces as they groove to the music.”

Your follow-up Unexplained EP and album Stigma was all still very much part of the early 90’s music scene. Could you feel the industry changing as grunge started to seep in? - “Yes, very much. The rave scene and Britpop receded and the grunge thing took the underground into the mainstream. It was wonderful to see it and although we weren’t really part of it, it did influence those records as you have noticed. It also had something to do with a reaction to pop success. Being young successful and good-looking, the ‘serious’ UK music press called us a boy-band until we hit it big in the US. Then they loved us. But that turned our attention to what was happening there and led to a harder darker sound. Fans still come up to me and say how they bought ‘Unbelievable’ as young pop fans and then came with us into Stigma and harder alternative music. Stigma is still the fans’ favourite album.”

Your third album Cha Cha Cha came out in 1995, but the musical landscape had definitely changed by now, and yet you had a couple of hits from it, but the band split soon thereafter. So, as this happened several times in the following years, I’ll lay the years out here below (so feel free to add your thoughts on why the splits happened each time, as best as you can recall) - “CHA CHA CHA is a smorgasbord of styles and illustrates what a mess we were by 1995. We were exhausted and wanted to have a rest and pursue different directions and we just sort of amicably fell apart. Apart from our official split in 1995 there wasn’t really another split. We would just play when an opportunity arose but not really be a functioning band until 2022. James and I would get together occasionally to just write a song because we always had that connection and just love hanging out. [But] I will attempt to give some background to those dates.”

BAND BREAK UP #1 1991-1995 - “We formed in late 1989 and split due to exhaustion and musical confusion in 1995.”

BAND BREAK UP #2 2001-2002 - “EMI did the best of album and we played some shows to promote it. We were poised to do something more and then Zac died and we fell silent.”

BAND BREAK UP #3 2007-2009 - “I went to work at Epic Records in NY and the band played some shows without me.”

BAND BREAK UP #4 2012-2019 - “I was back from the States and these were just the occasional festival show. But thinking about it now, perhaps they were a pre-cursor to getting back together. We were enjoying playing together and people seemed happy to hear us, especially in 2020 when we played our 30th anniversary shows. They sold out in minutes and the fans sang all the words to all the songs. James and I looked at each other and knew it was time.”

In 2022 you got back together and released your fourth album Go Go Sapiens, in 2024 you released your fifth album The Beauty and the Chaos, and in 2025 the EP Reach For Something Higher, so it genuinely feels like the creative energy is back in full force. Is that accurate to say? - “Yes, very accurate. It’s strange how much it feels like those first days sat at my Mum’s piano. We have nothing to prove, James and I still mixing Detroit house with Indie Rock and writing about our girlfriends (now wives and kids) and about the world our kids are growing up in. Doing a day with Derry sampling weird old films and then taking those ideas to rehearsal with our amazing new members Stevey Marsh on bass and Aid Todd on drums. Life is good.”

And now here in 2026, EMF are returning to America on a North American tour of nine dates. The fourth time in two years, so what keeps you coming back here to the US of A? And is it all original members? - “Because the US took us to their hearts and the US is in ours. We have so many great memories of playing there, a dream come true. I love talking to fans who tell me where and when they saw us in 1991 and those who didn’t get the chance and have been waiting 35 years. And I love it when they bring their teenage kids it lowers the average age of the audience,” he laughs.

“And it gives the kids a chance to see a real rock’n’rave band. James, Derry and I are the original members and as I mentioned we have two new members Stevey - who has been in the band longer than Zac RIP - and Aid is an incredible drummer; he runs an amazing rave drumming collective and has taken the live shows to another level.”

How is it touring along with the different hotels and audiences here in 2026 compared to the heady heights of 1991, some 35 years ago?! - “We are all, both band and audiences, a little older and wiser but we all still know how to party. We play our hearts out and go a little crazy and the audiences put their hands in the air, have a dance go a little crazy and we all get into bed in time to enjoy the next day. In our own beds that is, unlike in the 90’s,” he again laughs.

Word has it that EMF are bringing out a brand new full-length sixth album in 2026 and will debut some of the songs in the live sets, is that correct? - “YES 100%. Come hear the songs taking shape live. We love playing a new song or two almost as much as we love playing the classics.”

Now, as we are not called Exclusive Magazine for nothing, can you please tell us something about EMF that has never been spoken about over the years, that you feel you would like to get off your chest now?! - “OK, so this is your exclusive. On Sunday October 24th, 1992 EMF played in Madrid, Spain and I met a beautiful Spanish girl called Virginia. We just hung out that night, but it was love at first sight and when she came to London the following Summer we hung out some more. One thing led to another and she moved to London in 1994. Our first child Teo was born in 2004 and he is now EMF’s backline tech. So among all the wonderful things EMF has brought me over the years, this is the greatest gift of all. A roadie!,” he heartily laughs, once more.

OK, so as we come to the end here, what are some of the latest albums you might have picked up along the way to listen to? And did any help influence this new EMF album? - “My brilliant musical son Teo plays and produces a lot of hard techno like Jeff Mills The Bells which is usually more James’s territory. I am more the rocker. It’s always a reminder to keep the groove thumping but he also listens to hard rock. He played this great new British metal band called Heriot and I always love a heavy guitar riff. However, James and I have been writing these funky songs paying homage to the king of funk James Brown.”

We here at Exclusive Magazine love penguins, and so my question to you is - and yes, we ask everyone this as we are putting together a kid’s book on them for the Alzheimer’s Association - have you any love for penguins and/or a story about one from your childhood, perhaps? - “I used to take Teo to London Zoo to see the penguins. They have an amazing enclosure there. They plod slowly around on land so awkwardly and then you can see them under the water and they are so graceful and fast. I feel like a penguin as I get older and slower but put me on stage with a guitar,”, he wryly smiles.

And finally, we asked Ian to kindly provide a never-before-seen photograph of himself. One that perfectly personified their readiness for the world to hear his new musical endeavor. And kindly, this is what he sent.