The 70s are gone just like the ’80s, ’60s and ’50s.

But when Funky Town takes the stage tonight at 10 at the Copper Dragon Brewing Co., 700 E. Grand Ave., the pulse of the 70s will be showing signs of some major pop culture pumping as part of a ’70s Disco Party.

And as the primary source behind this ’70s resurrection, Funky Town will dig deep into the realm of ’70s disco when it breaks out the familiar tunes from popular glitter-day acts such as KC and the Sunshine Band, Donna Summer, the Village People and the Jackson 5.

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The songs are fun and there’s something everybody can relate to, drummer Derek Dynomite said. I think we all grew up knowing these songs. Every song we play, everyone will know.

There’s no underground disco here.

It’s easy to say each decade’s music is making a comeback, but Dynomite sees an honest revival starting with the music of the 70s.

The reason disco is coming back is that the population seems to be stale now because the newer music is not happy, Dynomite said. It’s kind of depressing in the lyrics, and the music is not as up tempo as most of the disco.

And I think everybody just wants to be happy toward the end of the decade.

There is no better way to keep people happy than to get their feet stomping and their hips shaking on the dance floor to the sounds of a funky beat.

Copper Dragon General Manager James Karayiannis said Funky Town is the perfect band to break down any reservations people might have about being out on the floor.

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It’s probably the first band we’ve ever had here that people were dancing on the dance floor during the first song, he said. They usually wait halfway into the first set before they get out there.

The music will be on hand to keep people dancing and make them happy on the inside. But for the aura of a full-fledged disco atmosphere, clothing must flashback as well.

As part of the ’70s Disco Party, there will be a costume contest for the best ’70s era get-up. Outfits will be judged by crowd reaction and applause.

Donning the disco chains, big collars and polyester not only makes people feel fly or groovy, but it gives people an excuse to dress the way they want and avoid the ridicule.

If you went to a disco show and you saw a friend out dressed in all these clothes, it would be more of a high five then a What are you doing?’ Dynomite said. [Dressing up] shows people still support the disco scene.

We dress up too and it all gets the whole crowd into it. It was a fun era.

Corissa Stewart, a senior in philosophy from Glen Ellyn, said the disco gear brings out certain distinctive characteristics in people and allows those not old enough to remember the events of the decade a chance to live them.

Tight clothes and polyester add a bit of personality to everyone, she said. Dressing up appeals to all of our inner child because we’re all children of the ’70s era. All though we might want to deny it, we grew up in the ’70s. It’s part of our heritage.

It lets us let our hair down, be free and part of the sexual revolution.

Though the crowd will be the catalysts of this ’70s revival, it will be Funky Town flying the time machine because Karayiannis said the band has what it takes for a successful trip through time.

Any kind of good music is timeless. It comes back through different eras. And disco has its own followers because it’s definitely different, he said. To pull off a disco theme you have to be a stage entertainer and a musician which is what makes Funky Town a good attraction.

The winner of the ’70s Disco Party costume contest will be awarded a one-year pass to all Copper Dragon events, a $350 value.

There will be a $3 cover charge. For more information, call 549-2319.