Old punk rockers with fond memories of slurping noodles in downtown LA will want to stop by the site of what used to be the Atomic Cafe on Saturday night for a quick trip to the Wayback machine. Nancy Sekizawa is taking over the building for one night before it gets torn down to make way for a metro station, and will be spinning 45s from the legendary Atomic jukebox, at least as big as a draw as the noodles. In its day, an upcoming local band getting a placement on the Atomic jukebox was the equivalent of getting added to the KROQ playlist, a rare opportunity to be heard by the kind of people who would actually listen. Noisy Angelenos of the late 70s-early 8os vintage are sure to be well represented, along with the beloved Japanese girl-group 45s collected by Sekizawa’s father Ito, the likes of which you’re not likely to hear – offline, at least – anywhere else in America. Expect the Descendents song “Kabuki Girl”, inspired by the Atomic’s apparently adorable and youthful servers, to be played more than once.
Atomic Cafe Reunion, Saturday, February 28. 422 E. First St, Downtown LA. Doors 8pm; suggested donation $15.
