This Rockin’ Joint Is on a Roll

The Joint, a dark new addition to the local rock scene, is a perfect little nightclub. It’s small without being claustrophobic, it’s ornate without being showy, and it has just the right dose of gilded art-damage to give it an authenticity that money can’t buy.

It has come along at the right time, too, inviting live bands seven nights a week in a setting that’s so intimate that even a handful of people can seem like a crowd. Where many new clubs overshoot in terms of scale and costs, the Joint scaled things back to rock ‘n’ roll essentials--it’s all about the music, no muss, no fuss.

Located just west of the Mint on Pico Boulevard and open for only a couple of months, this Joint’s already jumpin’--by virtue of its booker, Howy B, who seems to know everyone in the Greater L.A. area (here’s the deal, if Howy’s on the scene--any scene--it usually means you’re at the right spot). Because Howy’s always out and about, he’s culling the talent from firsthand knowledge.

Owners Christian Swadling and Steve Edelson (who also owns Martini Lounge, the Garage, Union and the new Los Feliz restaurant Home) can be credited for the club’s good taste.

Making good use of a small space isn’t an easy task, and they managed to give it an airy, circus-like feel, although it holds no more than about 90 people. The ceiling is high and tented with black, draped material, and the tables are coated with a plush, rubber-like material, making things feel a bit surreal as soon as you place your glass down. The stage is small, making it difficult if the band’s got more than four members, but it’s 4 feet off the ground, so there’s no trouble seeing the performers.

Set at the back of the venue, the stage is adorned with sparkly elephant tusks and multiple disco balls, and the blacker-than-black room is enhanced by five large-scale mirrors reflecting the stage’s large video screen, which swirls with action behind the bands while they perform.

Last week’s powerful 22 Jacks show was alive with color, by virtue of the band’s rockin’ skin-tight set and the wild Japanese animation video playing as a backdrop. It’s the kind of comfortable place where a lead singer can jump from the stage to the bar top without missing a beat (which is exactly what 22 Jacks’ frontman, Joe Sib, did to kick-start his show).

The Joint, which in previous incarnations has ranged from an Irish pub to a French restaurant, has already attracted its fair share of celebrities, from Jakob Dylan’s opening night appearance to Rod Stewart, who quietly grabbed a window seat on a weeknight. Jean-Claude Van Damme even hopped over the bar one night to play bartender.

Aside from the occasional celeb sighting, the Joint has a few additional pluses: The quiet neighborhood has ample free parking, and the club’s cover charge is usually small and often zilch--a nice feature for those on a tight budget, especially when the evening often includes three or four bands.

Those who don’t want an earful of loud music might want to choose a different venue--there’s no escaping the sonic booms here. But cutting-edge music lovers will more than likely find the Joint a good-time hang.

For a sampling of what the Joint’s got to offer: Tonight, Azul is scheduled to perform, and Friday night’s lineup includes Merge, Stevie Rachelle, Danny Blitz and Jason Sinay & Rooster.

BE THERE

The Joint, 8771 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 275-2619. 21 & over, cover varies.