Back when they were touring as the rhythm section of Simian, a decent but now largely forgotten British electro-pop band, dance-music wunderkinder James Ford and James Shaw used to book postshow DJ gigs as Simian Mobile Disco. These days that name is the one they release all their music under, which so far adds up to a bunch of remixes and singles and one full-length, Attack Decay Sustain Release (Interscope). Some of rock’s messiest elements still pop up in the music–fuzzed-out guitar, for instance, along with liberal amounts of distortion and noise everywhere else–but there’s also a level of restraint. These guys never go for the jugular, and that keeps the songs tense and unpredictable. Simian Mobile Disco have some strong affiliations with new rave, a scene that’s never lived up to its hype or even its name, but don’t let that fool you–they know exactly what they’ve gotta do to fill a dance floor. JDH & Dave P, Telefon Tel Aviv, and the Prairie Cartel DJs open. This show is Flavorpill’s third-anniversary party; admission is free, but you must RSVP to anniversary_chi@flavorpill.net. Later tonight Simian Mobile Disco headlines the Estrojam kickoff party at Funky Buddha Lounge; complete festival schedule on page TK. a 9 PM, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, 773-276-3600. F –Jessica Hopper
