Electro Shock

AS the lads behind some of the biggest floor-filling electro tunes, Simian Mobile Disco have become the human face of dance music.

So it comes as a bit of a surprise to hear these deck-bothering beat monsters coming out with a great album – of proper songs.

James Ford and Jas Shaw’s latest effort, Temporary Pleasure, not only represents the best of UK dance music, it boasts some epic pop anthems with vocal contributions from the likes of Gossip’s Beth Ditto, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, Super Furry Animal Gruff Rhys and avant-garde soul singer Jamie Lidell.

It is, admits Jas, a bit of a departure from that arms-in-the-air epic Never Be Alone, and synth-laden 2007 debut album, Attack Decay Sustain Release.

“We are kind of heading away from that electro thing,” he says, speaking to The Guide from his studio in London’s gritty Hackney.

“We didn’t analyse it, we just went ahead and did it. The major difference is the vocal element.

“But really it was accidental. We started off thinking we were going to make a techno-electro record but sent out more invitations for vocalists than we thought we’d get back.

“We expected to get two or three people and actually got eight! We were really surprised with how the record came out as it’s much more song-based with verses and choruses.”

And like proud parents, Jas and James – whose two headed band/DJing/production enterprise started as a jokey spin-off from Manchester band Simian – are taking the new album on the road for a tour, which hits Oxford’s O2 Academy on Tuesday.

Though don’t expect this musical dynamo to have run out of steam. Dance fans will be delighted to know that when live, SMD are as hard and fast as ever.

“We play harder when we play live,” grins Jas, whose Midas touch has transformed the work of Klaxons, Peaches and Arctic Monkeys.

“But it’s very fluid and freeform and we do incorporate vocals. Maybe some people will be surprised at how ‘songy’ the music is. We also do alternative versions of our original songs. It’s much less instrumental now. But even though we are moving away from electro, we are heading into more purist dance music – into the techno side of things.”

And it promises to be a lively night. “We really enjoyed playing in Oxford last time. The O2 Academy is a great venue. We can’t wait to get back,” he says.

One of the most impressive aspects of the album is the sheer number of collaborators. So how did they go about arranging such a stellar line-up?

“They are just people we met out and about,” Jas explains. “We didn’t cold call anyone, and knew them on a social level. None of them were prima donnas. But even though they are all really nice, we were surprised they were interested in getting involved. We dragged them all down into the mire!”

And who did he enjoy working with most? He doesn’t even need to think about it. “Beth was great fun!” he answers. “She is so sweet and she got really drunk. She quite enjoyed letting out her inner house diva!”

While Temporary Pleasure is still hot off the press, Jas is already thinking about his next project.

“It’s been non-stop for the past 12 months so I’m easing off for the next year – but still keeping an eye out. I want to work with more people – but this time with unknown ones.”

While they appear to be lurching slightly away from dance and into indie territory, Jas insists they have not lost their clubbing mojo.

“Clubbing is still big,” he says. “We still DJ every week all round the world.

“Lots of people still go out to clubs – and not just young ones either. Dance music is really healthy.

“A lot of people out there love it!”

Simian Mobile Disco play the Oxford O2 Academy on Tuesday. Temporary Pleasure is out on Wichita Recordings.