That's all folks! Maxwell's current state courtesy of Steve Fallon

Maxwell's ephemera (early 80's)

In honor of the storied Hoboken club closing this evening, here are a few ephemeral pieces (along with bonus gratuitous Bugs Bunny-Hoboken quote) courtesy of the always wonderful Maxwells of Hoboken, NJ group on Facebook. Thank you and goodnight, Maxwell's. You were the best!

Movie of the Week: A Darkened Stage - The Last Days of Maxwell's

 

Courtesy of The Star Ledger's NJ.com comes this terrific 20 minute doc on the iconic Hoboken club, Maxwell's. In its own way as important as CBGB, Maxwell's will be closing its doors after practically 35 years of non-stop music. Many friends appear including Glenn Morrow, Richard Barone, Todd Abramson, Steve Fallon, and Jim Testa. Maxwell's will host it's final show on July 31.

Friday Ephemera: Maxwells press release (1980)

That's some great list of upcoming shows. Trainspotters note: Joy Division is listed as playing in September. This is obviously after Ian Curtis killed himself, but before they selected their new name. New Order would play the show.

Maxwells in Hoboken to close this summer

Arguably as important, perhaps more important, to Hoboken, as CBGB was to NYC, Maxwells' Todd Abramson announced the upcoming closure of the club this July. I probably went to my first show there as far back as the mid-80's, and have never stopped going. Very sad news indeed. The venue played an important roll for bands looking for an extra show when coming through the metropolitan area.

Movie of the Week: The Hoboken Sound (1985)

Image courtesy of Jersey Food Blog

"A look at a small but influential musical movement in New Jersey's "Mile Square City". Famous for its favorite son Frank Sinatra, this documentary by a local NYC TV station focuses on the bands that made Hoboken famous for its music and clubs in the 1980s.

Featuring a look at The Chris Stamey Group, Cries, The Cucumbers, The Bongos, Gut Bank, The Feelies, and Gene "The Singing Plumber" Turonis, this documentary is a really nice step back in time. If you were there or have even heard of any of these bands, this is a great way to get reacquainted."

Appearances include Joe Piscopo, Southside Johnny Lyon and Little Steven Van Zandt, as well as Steve Fallon (Maxwell's owner) and Glen Morrow (member of The Individuals, and co-founder of Bar/None Records).

Rockin' like its 1982 - The Individuals, Raybeats & Yo La Tengo at Maxwells 6/29

 This just in from Glenn Morrow of the Individuals and Bar/None Records for a benefit show taking place on June 29 at Maxwells for Danny Amis (Raybeats, Los Straightjackets):

My band from the early 80s the Individuals will be playing a benefit for our friend Danny Amis at Maxwells on June 29. We will be rocking it like it's 1982 (isn't that the year Prince wrote "1999"?) along with Danny's old band the Raybeats (their first re-union), Tall Lonesome Pines, Purple Knif, the Schramms and Ira and Georgia from Yo La Tengo. Here's a couple of picks to check out:
http://nymag.com/listings/nightlife/a-benefit-for-danny-amis/
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2011/06/danny_amis_reco.html

How's the weather - the return of the Fluid

On Sub Pop at the end of the 80's into the early 90's, the Fluid were by far, for my money, the best band out of the lot (including Mudhoney & Nirvana). Simply put - one of the best live rock bands I've ever experienced. After reforming this past summer for the Sub Pop 20th Anniversary show in Seattle, the band have decided to stick around for some selective appearances including these two here in January:

January 16 - Maxwell's, Hoboken NJ
January 17 - Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY

Check them out: http://www.imeem.com/thefluid