Voted the "Best Club in New York — Even Though It's in New Jersey" by New Yorker magazine in the early 90s, MAXWELL’S was opened in August 1978 by Steve Fallon. (Prior to Fallon, it was a tavern for Maxwell House Coffee’s factory workers, hence the name.)
Over time, Fallon’s booking taste, freewheeling personality and respectful treatment towards musicians made Maxwell's and Hoboken a stop to look forward to on many bands' tours. Maxwell's eventually became so successful that it spawned Pier Platters; an independent record store near the PATH train and Fallon's own record label, Coyote Records. With his businesses expanding, Fallon hired Todd Abramson to take over the booking of the acts in the mid-1980s.
Abramson booked most of the shows at Maxwells until its 2013 closing and this is the era of the legendary venue that The Realistics are most familiar with. The stage was tiny, the “backstage” was a dank room next to the kegs downstairs and parking was damn near impossible; pretty much everything you could hope for in a rock n roll venue.
TODD-O-PHONIC Todd Abramson
However, it was the fact that they had a restaurant and actually fed the bands for free, from an amazing menu, that would make this spot one of our faves. Todd Abramson, who booked us along with Interpol, BRMC & The Strokes, closed the famed club, located at 1039 Washington Street, for good in July 2013. There were a few attempts to reopen, but it just wasn’t the same. We miss you, MAXWELL’S! (and your burger platters!) - from various sources online and The Realistics.
flyer by SWIVS
photo credit unavailable.