ON THE TOWN: Raji’s, a tiny club...

ON THE TOWN: Raji’s, a tiny club nestled in the darkest heart of Hollywood Boulevard, has quietly become a popular in-spot on the late-night itinerary of many wandering local rock minstrels. The two-tiered club, with its cavern-like downstairs stage, has an adventuresome booking policy (thanks to club booker Jan Ballard) and a convivial atmosphere reminiscent of the glory days of the now-defunct Starwood (marred only by an over-enthusiastic bouncer, who tried to beat us up at the door).

Last weekend’s bill featured the Dancing Hoods, an up ‘n’ coming New York band who’ve been in town recording a new album with producer/star-sideman Steve Berlin. The group performed a host of new tunes (including “Border Patrol” and a rave-up cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Diamonds in the Mine”), joked about Berlin’s dictatorial studio tactics and encored with a raunchy blues jam led by unannounced guest Top Jimmy, outfitted in a frilly, white tuxedo shirt and black leather jacket. The headliners, local psychedelic funksters Thelonious Monster, were introduced by Billboard’s Chris Morris, who’s perhaps the only emcee we’ve ever heard who was louder than the band itself. Thankfully, the group’s impish lead vocalist, Bob Forrest, was in rare form himself, grouching about his bandmates (“seven instruments, seven opinions”), his girlfriend and leading the group through a lengthy set, which included an inspired new tune called “Saturday Afternoon.” Raji’s soundman, local musician Carlos Guitarlos, is armed with a mike of his own, which led to some goofy repartee between he and Forrest that was reminiscent of the raunchy studio patter between Sonny Boy Williamson and blues producer Leonard Chess. Our only advice: The management should cough up the bucks for one measly spotlight so we could see the stage.