Simian Mobile Disco Go At It Alone at Webster Hall

Unlike most Girls & Boys parties, Simian Mobile Disco's James Ford and Jas Shaw ruled the roost solo when they played Friday at Webster Hall. No VIP passes for photogs, bloggers and friends to loiter onstage while the British producer duo turned out tunes. This left my midget ass at the back, elbows propped on the bar behind me, straining on tiptoes. No matter. I could still make 'em out, even with superfans hoisted up on shoulders.

Also absent from the stage? All of the several guest stars from their recent record, Temporary Pleasure. Though they played "Audacity of Huge," a heavily digitized ditty featuring Yeasayer's Chris Keating, they skipped tracks featuring Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor ("Bad Blood") and Telepathe ("Pinball"). They did, however, drop "Cruel Intentions," featuring Beth Ditto of the Gossip. At this, SMD hopped up and down onstage and a nearby group tossed a heap of paper napkins in the air. They fluttered delicately to the ground like oversized confetti.

In addition to the newer tunes, they rocked a few from their debut disc, Attack Decay Sustain Release. I was especially happy to hear "Hustler" (nothing more liberating than shouting "I'm a hustler, baby!" at the top of your lungs) as well as the standout song of the evening, "I Believe." The extended version SMD played lasted from 1:45 a.m. to the end of their set at 2 a.m. Towards the close we listened to what, according to my notes, sounded to me like an oddly enjoyable 500 motorcycles idling in heavy traffic. Arms flew in the air. The rave-worthy, frenzied, flashing lights stopped dead and silence overtook the room.


Photos by THE CULTURE OF ME