Maxwell’s
This past week, the news came that Maxwell’s will stop doing shows after July of this year. Like many, I was saddened to hear this, but not surprised given how Hoboken has changed over the years. Still, it’s one of my favorite clubs ever and so this week’s list comprises 10 of the most memorable shows I’ve seen there over the years (in chronological order).
Silver Apples with Bardo Pond – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – September 18, 1998
I’m including this show mainly because it’s the first time I ever went to Maxwell’s. And what a great show it was. Though I didn’t appreciate Bardo Pond at the time (I’d grow to really enjoy them years later), Silver Apples blew me away. I’m glad I got to see them with both Simeon and now deceased drummer Danny Taylor (R.I.P.).
The Promise Ring with Pele and The Ivory Coast – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – March 17, 2000
This show is notable mainly because I was happy to see The Promise Ring support Very Emergency, an album I loved at the time and that I still regard as their best work.
Spoon with The Fiery Furnaces – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – November 19, 2001
This show is notable for the fact that at the time, I had no idea they would eventually get big enough to headline Radio City Music Hall and the like. I was just happy to see them supporting Girls Can Tell, which I still think is their best album, though kind of bummed at the time that I had to leave early. I also got there a bit late and didn’t see The Fiery Furnaces, who I wouldn’t see for another few years until their great debut (2003’s Gallowsbird’s Bark) would come out on Rough Trade. I would eventually see them headline Maxwell’s in 2004 as well with The Hidden Cameras opening.
The Chameleons with Springhouse – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – October 5, 2002
This is the show where I picked up my first copy of this magazine, which led to my eventual involvement with it as a writer for the print magazine as well as the blog. Thus, I regard it as a hugely important show. Not only that, but I still remember how intense the fans were (matching the intensity of the band) at this show, perhaps because it was our first (and possibly only) chance to witness this band with the original lineup intact in the U.S. since the late ’80s.
Interpol – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – January 8, 2003
And speaking of bands playing Maxwell’s who later ended up getting big (they headlined Madison Square Garden in 2007), this was another great one, just a few months after I saw their influence The Chameleons on the same stage. It was also the last time I ever saw them play.
Franz Ferdinand – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – February 19, 2004
The list of great bands, some of whom made it big and others who never did, that have played Maxwell’s is staggering and could and probably should fill a book one day. Franz Ferdinand are among them as their raucous energy brought to mind what it would’ve been like to see Gang of Four early on.
The Undertones – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – April 15, 2005
To see one of my favorite bands of all-time in such a great venue was an absolute pleasure!
The Trashcan Sinatras – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – April 24, 2005
I will echo the same comments that I made for The Undertones entry here, with the additional note that before this show, I interviewed Frank Reader of The Trashcan Sinatras for issue 57 and that was my first feature interview in an issue of The Big Takeover!
Yo La Tengo with The Scene is Now and Fred Armisen -Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – December 31, 2005
Of the many times we have seen Yo La Tengo at Maxwell’s over the years (all for their almost annual Hanukkah benefit shows), this was one of the most memorable as Armisen came out dressed as Prince after the ball dropped and sang “1999” with Yo La Tengo backing him up. Incredible.
The Sonics with The Young – Maxwell’s (Hoboken) – November 12, 2011
After moving out of the New York area in 2006, I didn’t go to Maxwell’s nearly as often, getting out there maybe twice a year at the most. This was one of the more memorable shows I’ve seen there in recent years. Please see my review here.
