Lava Room Erupts With Disco and All Its Trappings

Disco just will not die.

It’s become a staple at nearly every nightclub, the very lifeblood of many. The club set can’t get enough of the K-tel sounds of the ‘70s.

The barrage is enough to make even the most dedicated “Saturday Night Fever” fan run from the bell-bottomed masses.

Before you hang up your platforms and pendants, though, hustle over to the Lava Room on Wednesdays for a dose of live disco stylings by the illustrious--and hilarious--Polyester Pimps.

In nylon shirts unbuttoned to their navels and wig-shop Afros, the Pimps revive all the kitsch that disco lovers once took seriously.

This foursome takes its disco culture seriously too--that is, as serious as sparkling polyester trousers, Cuban heels and the concept of boogie can be. The synchronized dance steps inspire patrons to groove with them or laugh at them. A few even dress like them, donning nylon shirts, satin gym shorts, musty wigs and visors.

The lead singer has the moves and hair of a pre-”Grease” John Travolta, with a style that’s all tongue in chic. His banter to the mostly twentysomething crowd (“We love you” and “You’re the best” pop up a lot) is as valuable as the big, gold-colored dollar sign hanging from a chain over his hairy chest.

The group’s covers of old school hits are performed live and supplemented with recorded sample tracks (which explains the horns and backup female vocals). While this tool can prove cheesy with other live performers, the canned sounds only enhance the campiness of the Polyester Pimps.

Before and after the band’s hourlong set, deejay Roly keeps the disco celebration fired up with overplayed and forgotten funk and disco classics.

Roly’s star status locally springs from his longtime stint at the ridiculously popular Disco 2000 Thursday nights at nearby Empire Ballroom. Though the weekly throngs at D2000 have attracted the likes of San Antonio Spurs bad boy Dennis Rodman, such enthusiastic embracing can prove smothering.

Disco Wednesdays at the Lava Room are a fresh alternative, and there’s still enough elbow room here to do the funky chicken.

* WEDNESDAYS AT THE LAVA ROOM

* 1945 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa.

* (714) 631-0031.

* 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

* Cover: $5.