It was, simply put, the place to be.
Maxwell’s in Hoboken was where bands got heard and people went for quality live music, a sanctuary for indie and alternative music — until the beloved spot closed in 2013.
When the doors were shut that summer, the memories remained.
The cozy back room, a holy place for bands and their fans.
The big names who would grace the intimate stage — like Nirvana, in 1989 (watch below).
The yearly Hanukkah shows from Hoboken’s own Yo La Tengo.
Even Bruce Springsteen filmed his 1985 music video for “Glory Days” (directed by John Sayles) at Maxwell’s.
Because what was Hoboken without Maxwell’s?
Now a new documentary is looking to tell the story of the dearly departed New Jersey haunt, and the filmmakers want your photos and videos.
Per a teaser for the film, “No Backstage at Maxwell’s,” the documentary will follow the “rise, fall and lasting impact of Maxwell’s — a tiny Hoboken bar that became a legendary epicenter of indie rock from 1978 to 2013.”
“Maxwell’s wasn’t just a venue,” the filmmakers say of the local institution, which got its name from the Maxwell House factory that used to be nearby. “It was the beating heart of a scene that shaped the sound, spirit, bands and fans of indie rock for decades.”
Paul Rachman is directing the film. His previous documentaries include “American Hardcore” (2006), about punk rock, and “Lost Rockers” (2015), about overlooked artists. Rachman has also directed music videos for Bad Brains, Anthrax, Pantera, Alice in Chains, The Replacements, Joan Jett and Temple of the Dog.
Voices in the documentary include those who spent many years working, playing and attending shows at Maxwell’s.
One is Todd Abramson, who was a co-owner of the bar and music mainstay that drew people from New York and beyond.
“After much thought, given the changing nature of Hoboken and the difficulties of trying to run a business in this town, we decided it was time,” Abramson told The Star-Ledger of the decision to close in 2013.
In addition to Nirvana and the lights of the local music scene in Hoboken, Maxwell’s drew acts like The Strokes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Smashing Pumpkins, The White Stripes, Fugazi and Elliott Smith.
Artists in the documentary include Bob Mould, formerly of the bands Hüsker Dü and Sugar; Glenn Mercer and Bill Million of Haledon band The Feelies; Richard Barone from Hoboken’s The Bongos (among those who played the last show at Maxwell’s); Georgia Hubley and Ira Kaplan from Hoboken band Yo La Tengo; and Glenn Morrow of Hoboken band The Individuals, who co-founded Hoboken’s Bar/None Records.
James Mastro and Richard Barone of The Bongos playing the final Maxwell’s show in 2013.
The film also has appearances from actor and director Alex Winter (Bill in the “Bill & Ted” movies), who grew up in Montclair, and Grammy-winning producer Jack Antonoff, who grew up in New Milford and Woodcliff Lake.
In 2013, The Star-Ledger published the short documentary “A Darkened Stage: The Last Days of Maxwell’s” about the end of the important venue’s storied run (watch below).
The film includes some of the same voices who will be a part of the new documentary.
If you have footage and photos of Maxwell’s to contribute to “No Backstage at Maxwell’s,” the filmmakers can be reached at [email protected].
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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at [email protected] and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads.
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