POP NOTES : Live . . . From Lake Forest, Fullerton, Cypress . . .

The boomlet continues in which more Orange County nightclubs are turning to live, original rock music.

The 400-capacity Hot Rod Cafe, 23822 Mercury Road in Lake Forest, has begun to offer a steady diet of bands, including shows April 13 by the Steve Pryor Band, a major-label blues-rock act, April 16 by Dave Wakeling, the English Beat and General Public veteran, and April 17 by Standing Hawthorne, a popular local alternative rock band.

In Fullerton, the 750-capacity Hop, at 1410 S. Lemon St., also is set to begin experimenting with alternative rock, with a Redd Kross concert and a Dickies/Thelonious Monster bill later this month.

Michael Berton, the Fullerton Hop’s general manager, said the erstwhile oldies club has been branching into reggae and KROQ-style dance music. He said that live alternative-rock concerts fit in because “nobody can survive doing the same thing every night of the week. It’s kind of re-educating people that this is not just a place where your mom and dad go. We have a good draw from Cal State Fullerton.”

Tangent Productions, which previously staged alternative-rock nights at the Marquee in Westminster and the defunct Peppers Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, will promote the Hop shows. Tangent’s Kitty Bash said she and partner Octavious approached Berton about bringing alternative bands to the Hop, and hope to promote two shows a month at the venue. Redd Kross, the Muffs and Suicide Door play April 26, followed by the Dickies, Thelonious Monster and Ku De Tah on April 30. Information: (714) 254-7441.

At the Hot Rod Cafe, booker Mark Liddell says that this month’s mixed schedule of reggae, rock and country music marks “a transition period. I’d like to get into booking up-and-coming alternative acts, mixed with reggae bands and rock bands.” Liddell also books the 200-capacity Heritage Brewing Co. in Dana Point, where he says original blues and reggae acts will continue to be the staple attraction. The Heritage schedule includes a May 2 show by the James Harman Band.

Also on the alternative-rock scene, promoter Chris Martin will try again next month to launch a weekly series at the Meadowlark Restaurant in Cypress. The Cadillac Tramps, Suicide Door and Wulf Pact will play there May 2. Martin said other Saturday night shows will follow if the Meadowlark’s management and municipal authorities are amenable.

New Klub on the Block, currently staging shows Friday and Saturday at the Newport Roadhouse in Costa Mesa, is expanding to Tuesday nights as well starting tonight. Promoter Craig McGahey says the idea is to provide a performing outlet for local bands that haven’t yet established themselves sufficiently to merit a weekend booking.

“It’s so hard to bring every band in (on a weekend), because there are so many bands nowadays,” McGahey said. “It’s a waste if they never have a place to play. Tuesday isn’t the greatest night, but at least it’s a place to play.” The Tuesday night NKOTB offshoot joins Bogart’s Wednesday night “Monte’s Garage” series as a proving ground for untested talent on the local rock scene.

Another venue looking to stage major name shows is the Silver Bullet, 3231 South St., Long Beach. Club spokesman John McBrearty said the Silver Bullet will try to promote one concert a month by a touring country act. Davis Daniel plays two shows on Thursday, and Chris Ledoux appears May 14. Information: (310) 634-6960.