Riverbottom a Roadhouse That Rocks

Across the street from the manufactured sets of Warner Bros. studios in Burbank lies a most unmanufactured space. It’s got dings in the walls from pool cues. Cigarette butts dot the floor. And the music coming at you is as original as most movie soundtracks are not these days. Welcome to the Riverbottom, a 3-month-old club at the former site of the Village Bar & Grill. Although not much has been put into the club cosmetically (the main features are a pool table, a stage, a small dance floor, some old stuffed chairs and an L-shaped bar area), you’d be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable space in this neck of the woods. The venue, which was a blues joint for 20 years, seems to proudly cultivate its honky-tonk, roadhouse flavor. Three nights a week, more or less, the Riverbottom offers live music in the form of rockabilly, alternative country and rootsy rock ‘n’ roll.

Last week’s all-night Cinco de Mayo showcase, which featured artists from nearly every roots-rock genre, was highlighted by a performance by the sombrero-wearing Trailer Park Casanovas. The popular hillbilly rock trio’s quick, inventive set included a bluegrass version of Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades”--the perfect theme music for the tattooed toughs and rockabilly dolls in the crowd.

* Riverbottom, 4201 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. 21 and over, cover varies. (818) 846-2342.