'We were rehearsing in barns and sheds - but within six months had a record deal'

EMF is an alternative rock band that began their journey in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. In the early days, the five members practiced in barns and sheds, surrounded by hay bales and farm equipment. They spent weekends rehearsing, sometimes in a function room above a pub owned by their drummer, Mark Decloedt. There were no strict rules about noise or safety, so even if a pub could only hold 50 people, up to 300 fans would pack in to watch them play. The local music scene was lively, and almost everyone seemed to be in a band.

As EMF's popularity grew, they started attracting attention from record labels in London. Guitarist Ian Dench recalled that they had a great sound and could play well, which led to them getting a record deal just six months after forming the band. Singer James Atkin said that getting the contract was a dream come true, and he even stopped going to his job at a shop in Gloucester without telling his boss. Keyboardist Derry Brownson remembered that when they first went to America, their hit song 'Unbelievable' was not very popular, ranking at number 176. However, after a six-week tour, the single climbed the charts and reached number one in the US, which was a huge surprise for the band.

EMF's success brought them international fame, with top ten singles and albums. In March, they were honored with a blue plaque in Cinderford to recognize their achievements. The band broke up in 1997 but reunited in 2001. Unfortunately, their bassist Zac Foley died in 2002 at the age of 31, which was a difficult time for the group. Despite this loss, Ian Dench, Derry Brownson, and James Atkin continue to make music and perform. Their story is featured in a new audio documentary, and they remain beloved in the Forest of Dean and beyond. The band recently headlined Cindyfest in Cinderford, and their journey is described as 'utterly bonkers' but unforgettable.