The Maze has been an important venue for live music in Nottingham, a haven for local musicians and a none-more-intimate gig experience since 1997. Hard to believe that in 2005 it was this close to becoming another block of converted student flats, but with a new management team in control, it’s being pushed harder than ever before. On the eve of The Maze’s tenth birthday, we caught up for a chat with Ben, Gaz and Ryan…
It seems a long time since the ‘Save The Maze campaign’ of 2005. What’s happened since?
Ben: Well, I bought the place back in October 2005. I didn’t really know much about it, I just bought it on instinct. Then I found out what Nottingham and its culture is all about and slowly got into it.
Ryan: The first year of opening was a steep learning curve. We had to find out what our customers wanted, our role in the community and what direction we wanted to take the venue.
What have been the highlights in that time?
Ben: A major highlight was Pama International. The crowd was bouncing up and down like in 8 mile and it was just unreal. But then earlier this year the Funk Collective were ace and last week Bison were mental again! A lot of our nights are highlights.
What are the plans to celebrate the Maze’s birthday?
Ben: There are quite a few. We’re doing ten days to celebrate the ten years since it was invented on 9 May 1997. On the actual birthday we’re having a jam night with loads of local bands coming down for a big free party.
Gaz: Pama International are coming back on the Saturday and Nick Harper is here on the Sunday. Last time he played Ben and I had our mouths to the floor in awe at his playing!
You’re also renowned for your booze range. What’s your favourites?
Ben: The ethanol, under the bar! Haha. No it’s the real ales for me.
Gaz: I’m always on the Veltins.
Ryan: I like my real ales but mainly I’m a wine man. I like a red wine after work, to sit and contemplate.
Ben: We’ve got some real ales from Castle Rock. Your classic Harvester Pale and the wildlife range which changes every month which supports the Wildlife Trust. We’ve got Summer Lightning on at the moment which is a nice 5% - have that!
Gaz: We also do a pretty good bottled range as well, Chimay, Duval, other Belgian beers...
The ‘Three LeftLions’ Beer that we brought down during the World Cup went down pretty well here…
Ben: It smashed it! There was none of it left. We went through twelve firkins and had to order more in every time. It had a nice high ABV and went down a storm!
Ryan: You buggers. Did you realise how many times people asked for ‘three LeftLions’ at the bar, if you ever name a beer again don’t put a number in the name!
If you could get any act in to play The Maze, who would you choose?
Ben: I’d have loved to have Buddy Holly on my stage… even Elvis was a fan of his.
Ryan: Being a big Joy Division fan, I’d love to bring Ian Curtis back from the dead. I’d also like to have Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan playing together, maybe with Shaun Ryder and Bez dancing in the background.
Ben: Bez is actually going to be playing here for Saggy Pants on 25 May with Domino Bones. There’ll be a load of Black Grape, Happy Mondays and Stone Roses former players appearing too.
Gaz: For me my favourite gigs are local bands playing with local people. Just everyday people trying to make something of themselves.
Ben: Oh great, you make us look like glory supporters going for the big names. You Nottingham arse-licker!
Ryan: Yeah sorry I meant to say that my ideal gig would be Shrimp Tractor, from Mansfield. I love those guys, they’re great!
So who are the best up-and-coming Notts bands that we should check out?
Ben: Model Morning. I’m looking after those boys. They’ve got a load of talent and done their time in other big bands like Echoboy.
Ryan: They’re a very special band. Most shoegaze bands are laid back, but they put the real rock n roll balls into it. I like Idiot Joy too.
Ben: You’ve got great stalwarts of the scene like Grain and Old Basford. Good old blues and rock’n’roll, from big tall men. The Hellset Orchestra too, they’ve just got that something extra.
Gaz: I like Lyra, who are playing here next month and Black Vinyl Heart. I love Yes My Ninjas! just because they’re weird and crazy and you’ll never see anything like them.
What are the plans for the rest of 2007 and beyond?
Ben: We want to make this place bigger. I’ve got a three yearbusiness plan so we’re nearly half way through. It’s going to plan.
Ryan: We want this to be a melting pot. We want musicians to come here and for collaborations to evolve from that and to be the epicentre of promoting musical talent in Nottingham.
