ON THE TOWN: NRBQ, those lovable pop...

ON THE TOWN: NRBQ, those lovable pop crackpots, were up to their usual tricks at the Club Lingerie last weekend, led by pianist Terry Adams, who pounds the ivories in a style that can only be described as a cross between Jerry Lee Lewis and Chico Marx. The band’s latest antics included a rag-doll limbo contest (with Adams walking the doll along his piano under a mike stand), a performance of “12 Bar Blues” with the band wearing blindfolds, and an encore with guest vocalist Bonnie Raitt, who good-naturedly put up with the group’s usual shenanigans, which included changing keys in the middle of practically every verse of the song. . . .

The noisiest rock blast of the month was the recent gala party at the Palace for “Pretty in Pink” (a new Paramount film starring Molly Ringwald), which featured a wee-hours live performance by local faves the Rave-Ups. The late-night bash drew scores of rock celebs, including Wham’s George Michael, Julian Lennon and most of the Psychedelic Furs. But the real highlight was KROQ’s coverage of the event, which featured the Poor Man and Rodney Bingenheimer giving on-air updates and interviews, live from a pay-phone in the Palace men’s room. . . .

Mardi Gras comes to downtown L.A. a day early with a Monday performance at the Los Angeles Theatre Center by the Bourbon Street Parade. The group of Crescent City expatriates, gathered together especially for this occasion, includes pianist (Professor) Henry Butler, sax legend Lee Allen, Harold Battiste and ex-Meters drummer Leo Nocentelli. . . .

And the Untouchables concert at the Hollywood Palladium tonight is a benefit for Safe Rides, a teen-run organization that provides free rides for kids who are either intoxicated or are with friends who are unfit to drive. For more information, ask for the Safe Rides number in your local phone directory.