Famous Hoboken, New Jersey rock club Maxwell’s will no longer be in business come the end of July.
According to a New Jersey Star-Ledger report, the club’s lease is up at the end of July and won’t be renewed. The club’s co-owner, Todd Abramson, stated that the decision was made due to the “changing nature of Hoboken” and the difficulties encountered in running a business in Hoboken.
Hoboken’s Mayor, Dawn Zimmer, reportedly tried to work with the club’s owners to keep the historic location open. However, Abramson told the Star-Ledger that nightlife in Hoboken is “driven by TV now” and that bars are acquiring giant TVs to compete with each other.
Maxwell’s was opened in 1978 as a restaurant, and quickly gained a reputation for live music. In 1985, the small, dark venue was use as the location of Bruce Springsteen’s music video for the song “Glory Days.” By the late 80s and 90s, Maxwell’s was booking bands that went on to become major influences in grunge and indie rock. Some of the bands famous for playing the venue include Sonic Youth, Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Meat Puppets, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes, The Ataris, and Yo La Tengo, which famously played Hanukkah shows at the club each year.
Maxwell’s will have one last show on July 31, headlined by the band ‘a,’ which was the first band to ever play at the venue.