Maxwell's in New Jersey is closing

Well I know what someone thinks:

Tom Scharpling
15 hrs ·

A message to the pair of clogged toilets who are now running Maxwell's. When you inevitably go belly up, let me know. I will buy you out at one penny on the dollar.

Although based on Hoboken's current demographics, IDK if he's right.

evan: yeah, he's a good dude.

Everybody knows Todd, sheeeit

And his catchphrase as well.

Yes, he's a great guy!

I don't really "know" him inasmuch as it's unlikely he'd remember me, but I've talked to him a few times briefly when we played there.

I still live in Hoboken. Sadly, I have no friends literally in town. Demographics are indeed a sportsbarbro/jerseyshore/finance mix.

omg this looks soooooooooooo terrible

http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/26002941/article-Bringing-Maxwell-s-back-to-live--Iconic-music-venue-reopened-and-reimagined-under-new-owners--?instance=hoboken_top_story#

I perk up if other people know Todd because I take it as a slim chance that I've collected your ticket at a Maxwells show or saw you at the record fair (I help him out with his table usually).

Best Deal Ever for Nationally Recognized Turnkey Bar/Restaurant

Ha if Scharpling rallied his fans he could very easily crowdfund the purchase.

Hoboken music club Maxwell's Tavern is closing - again

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/maxwells_tavern_hoboken_rock_club_to_close.html

Wow, a legit venue with great booking and affiliations with major musicians couldn’t pay the rent, so it’s shocking that open mic nights couldn’t do it either.

I heard the restaurant side of it was not really cutting it either. They couldn't figure themselves out.

I think I went there once after it changed hands, and the menu seemed to be the same as before. Not that it was ever a particularly distinguished menu. Without the draw of the shows, they definitely needed something to set them apart.

The food was good enough that when we played there I looked forward to the free meal, but it wasn't a place I'd go out of my way to eat at otherwise.

good site to keep an eye on — a lot of live tapes from maxwell's ... the dino jr one smokes. https://www.themckenzietapes.com/tapes/

I always kind of blamed the resurgence of Brooklyn for the demise of Maxwell's. It seemed like a lot of bands on tour would often book two shows in the area: one at a Manhattan venue and the other at Maxwell's. However, once Brooklyn started to become a big thing, the same caliber of bands continued to play one show at a Manhattan venue but their second show instead at a Brooklyn venue, leaving Maxwell's as the proverbial odd man out.

Maxwell's: An Oral History (Believer Magazine)

I only saw one show there: Big Chief.

Had fun.

This is my sole contribution to this thread and Hoboken as a whole.

I only went there a few times. I did the long walk from the PATH once, I think, when I lived in Manhattan. Then I went there a couple more times when I lived in Hoboken (although the walk was still about the same distance). 2 shows I remember seeing were An Albatross and Fiery Furnaces. The seafood place there now is pretty good but pricey. That article makes me wonder how many places like this still exist. I mean scruffy indie rock clubs with a loyal clientele. I guess they were pretty rare even back in the '90s, and they must be even rarer now.

I saw several shows there but I only remember The Ex

I always kind of blamed the resurgence of Brooklyn for the demise of Maxwell's. It seemed like a lot of bands on tour would often book two shows in the area: one at a Manhattan venue and the other at Maxwell's. However, once Brooklyn started to become a big thing, the same caliber of bands continued to play one show at a Manhattan venue but their second show instead at a Brooklyn venue, leaving Maxwell's as the proverbial odd man out.

― Ex Slacker,

Todd Abramson (the owner and booker) actually started booking the Bell House in Gowanus as well at some point.

I went to a ton of shows at Maxwell's age 13-18ish because it was all ages, and I'd often try my luck at getting past the bouncers in Manhattan the following night as well. I think ultimately, I preferred going out there to going downtown, though the wait for the Path train coming back was interminable. It was cozy and clean, less nightlife-oriented than the Bowery Ballroom or w/e.

I ended up performing there a lot later on, and that was also a very pleasant experience, which I found was rare- most spaces I either enjoyed playing, or watching bands, but not both.

I mean sitting in the front lounge with all the rockabilly decor and the christmas lights eating soup before Godspeed or whoever went on... It was just a much more comfortable environment than the Manhattan spaces.

There were records i had only read about at 14 years old that i got to hear for the first time on the Maxwell's jukebox... It was all very, very good.

Todd was indeed booking Bell House soon after Maxwells closed but hasn't for a long while iirc.

He was booking both simultaneously for a time, I am certain of that. But you're right, he hasn't been the booker at Bell House in years.

I believe the story that it was due to parking and changing demographics. Parking in Hoboken for a non-resident is extremely painful and its only gotten worse since Maxwells closed. Also its no longer a cheap place to live for musicians and artists.