All the members of the band were relatively well known in the Forest of Dean music scene before forming EMF in Cinderford in October 1989.

Keyboard player Derry Brownson had formed a band called Flowerdrum but left to join bass guitarist Zac Foley, drummer Marc Decloedt, DJ Milf, and singer James Atkin as EMF.

Yoko Ono, Lennon's wife, achieved an injunction, and a modified version was included in future pressings.

[6] In 1992, EMF returned with the Unexplained EP (including a cover version of "Search and Destroy") and later Stigma, their second album.

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.

In 2007 the band reformed to play a one-off gig at the Scala in King's Cross, London, on 18 December.

[citation needed] 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.

[citation needed] In 2012, they reformed to play at the inaugural festival Lakefest in Tewkesbury, alongside Levellers and Dodgy, on 18 and 19 May.

[10] In December 2012 the band played Schubert Dip and Stigma from start to finish at the Gloucester Guildhall.

[11][12] Since 2010 James Atkin has taught music at Holy Family Catholic School in Keighley, West Yorkshire[18] 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).