AT THE CLUBS : Safe and Sound Nights Help Rock Hollywood Palladium

No gum.

No lipstick.

No stickers.

No pens.

No wallet chains.

Sound familiar? Then you’ve been searched upon entering the Hollywood Palladium and already know the drill. It’s a hassle, but at a venue that handles up to 3,600 gung-ho guests of all ages on nights it’s hosting top alternative-rock and punk bands, the heightened security has proven to be one of the biggest pluses introduced in the Hollywood music scene in recent years.

Take last week’s punk show headlined by Rancid. The dance floor was completely covered by a huge mosh pit of swirling, flailing bodies. But knowing that no weapons--or chains and pens, which can be used as weapons--had been allowed in, the emphasis was completely on fun with no fear.

Of course, the banning of pens, lipstick and gum was also instituted to protect the $4 million in renovations made by the facility’s management, which in 1993 stepped in to save the historic, 55-year-old hall from being razed to make way for a parking structure. In addition to steady upgrades of the sound quality, improvements include a new dance floor, new paint, a new stage, new lighting and restroom fixtures and seating in the upstairs bar and VIP lounge areas. The changes have helped cultivate a business for a variety of events nonmusical, ranging from boxing matches to fashion shows.

But at rock concerts (next up are the Foo Fighters on May 2, Primus on May 5, No Doubt on May 14-15 and Ministry on May 17) the most visible addition remains a 66-person private security force, augmented by four off-duty police officers. While some young rock rebels might be put off by that presence, it’s a key to making this the best place of its size to see your favorite up-and-coming (and already arrived) alternative acts.

* Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. All ages, cover varies. (213) 467-4733.

Club Buzz: Those in the know didn’t have to trudge down to the Olympic Velodrome at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday night to see local rock-rap sensation Rage Against the Machine. They saw Rage the night before at an unannounced show at the tiny Hollywood club the Dragonfly. Among the guests were members of Helmet and L7. Other upcoming, announced shows include Gravity Kills on May 8 and old-school punks, the Cows, on May 9.

* Dragonfly, 6510 Santa Monica Blvd., (213) 466-6111.