The first time I tried to go to Maxwell’s was in high school. I had heard the Replacements were playing a surprise show but the tickets sold out quickly and I did not get in. In the years that followed I would go on to see many shows at my favorite rock club in the world - standouts include taking Lisa Loeb to see Pavement with a photocopied ticket because I had only bought one, Drive Like Jehu, Fugazi, Shudder to Think, Built to Spill, Beulah, Yo La Tengo, and countless others. Through the grace of good friends, I played in a few bands on that stage. The painting above hung in the bar area outside the room for shows - right below the perch I used to sit on in between bands. Nothing lasts forever - and Maxwell’s closed the night I took this shot.