Hot Rods and a Real Hot Time

Packed up my family and went to the Hootenanny on Saturday and hoooo doggie, we had a grand ol’ time. We got the chance to see such sick boys as Social Distortion, the Reverend Horton Heat, Throwrag and legendary rocker Chuck Berry. My 4-year-old son kicked it on stage during the Supersuckers set, but nothing impressed him more than the “fire” cars, those sharp vintage hot rods with custom flames that are the heart and soul of the annual Irvine event.

I’ll tell you what blew my mind: the rockabilly babes who turn out each year. Dressed like ‘40s pinups, these hotty totties always wear the most impractical shoes. From 5-inch platforms to triple-tread Creepers, they rock ‘n’ roll on the grassy knolls ....

Excellent news for Club-land: Veteran barkeeps just keep building. The folks behind Daddy’s at Hollywood and Vine are opening a new upscale bar on Sunset Boulevard called the Well, which is promising a fab-o private party room. And the men of Sushi Roku are planning next week to debut Balboa, a sweet restaurant and lounge at the Grafton Hotel, also on the Strip.

I got a sneak peak of a cool art piece at Balboa, a “word” wall, where you’ll find 600 jumbled references to sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. (I’m sure I’m in there somewhere.)

Stevie Fresh from the Blaze Co. tells me to look for a new, hip bar called Lounge 12 opening later this summer at the Promenade at Hughes Center in West L.A. Meanwhile, back on Hollywood Boulevard, Star Shoes-Beauty Bar owner Paul Devitt’s new venture is looking to make its debut in August. Maybe he should hire some of those rockabilly chix for the opener. Bodacious Bettys in stilettos ... now that’s a hootenanny.