When the doors were shut that summer, the memories remained. <\/p>\n
The cozy back room, a holy place for bands and their fans. <\/p>\n
The big names who would grace the intimate stage \u2014 like Nirvana<\/a>, in 1989 (watch below). <\/p>\n The yearly Hanukkah shows from Hoboken\u2019s own Yo La Tengo<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even Bruce Springsteen<\/a> filmed his 1985 music video for \u201cGlory Days<\/a>\u201d (directed by John Sayles) at Maxwell\u2019s.<\/p>\n Because what was Hoboken without Maxwell\u2019s?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Per a teaser for the film, \u201cNo Backstage at Maxwell\u2019s<\/a>,\u201d the documentary will follow the \u201crise, fall and lasting impact of Maxwell\u2019s \u2014 a tiny Hoboken bar that became a legendary epicenter of indie rock from 1978 to 2013.” <\/p>\n \u201cMaxwell\u2019s wasn\u2019t just a venue,\u201d the filmmakers say of the local institution, which got its name from the Maxwell House factory that used to be nearby. \u201cIt was the beating heart of a scene that shaped the sound, spirit, bands and fans of indie rock for decades.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Rachman<\/a> is directing the film. His previous documentaries include \u201cAmerican Hardcore<\/a>\u201d (2006), about punk rock, and \u201cLost Rockers<\/a>\u201d (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.<\/p>\n Voices in the documentary include those who spent many years working, playing and attending shows at Maxwell\u2019s.<\/p>\n One is Todd Abramson<\/a>, who was a co-owner of the bar and music mainstay that drew people from New York and beyond. <\/p>\n \u201cAfter much thought, given the changing nature of Hoboken<\/a> and the difficulties of trying to run a business in this town, we decided it was time,\u201d Abramson told The Star-Ledger of the decision to close<\/a> in 2013.<\/p>\n In addition to Nirvana and the lights of the local music scene in Hoboken, Maxwell\u2019s drew acts like The Strokes<\/a>, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs<\/a>, The Smashing Pumpkins<\/a>, The White Stripes<\/a>, Fugazi<\/a> and Elliott Smith<\/a>. <\/p>\n Artists in the documentary include Bob Mould<\/a>, formerly of the bands H\u00fcsker D\u00fc and Sugar; Glenn Mercer and Bill Million of Haledon band The Feelies<\/a>; Richard Barone<\/a> from Hoboken\u2019s The Bongos<\/a> (among those who played the last show at Maxwell\u2019s<\/a>); Georgia Hubley and Ira Kaplan from Hoboken band Yo La Tengo<\/a>; and Glenn Morrow<\/a> of Hoboken band The Individuals, who co-founded Hoboken\u2019s Bar\/None Records<\/a>.<\/p>\n The film also has appearances from actor and director Alex Winter<\/a> (Bill in the \u201cBill & Ted\u201d movies), who grew up in Montclair, and Grammy-winning producer Jack Antonoff<\/a>, who grew up in New Milford and Woodcliff Lake.<\/p>\n In 2013, The Star-Ledger published the short documentary \u201cA Darkened Stage: The Last Days of Maxwell\u2019s\u201d about the end of the important venue\u2019s storied run (watch below).<\/p>\n The film includes some of the same voices who will be a part of the new documentary.<\/p>\n If you have footage and photos of Maxwell\u2019s to contribute to \u201cNo Backstage at Maxwell\u2019s,\u201d the filmmakers can be reached at info@maxwellsmovie.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com<\/a> with a subscription.<\/p>\n Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com<\/a> and followed at @AmyKup<\/a> on Twitter\/X, @amykup.bsky.social<\/a> on Bluesky and @kupamy<\/a> on Instagram<\/a> and Threads<\/a>. <\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Bongos\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/I5RGTKT4VFHKFPYLYEDYOD4VRY.jpeg\")
James Mastro and Richard Barone of The Bongos playing the final Maxwell’s show in 2013.Jim Testa | For The Jersey Journal<\/p>\n