Melissa Auf der Maur has spoken to NME about the possibility of a Hole reunion, hinting that the current state of politics might have made it more likely.
Auf der Maur joined the band in 1994 after their previous bassist Kristen Pfaff died from a heroin overdose. She became a stabilising figure for Courtney Love and the rest of the band and played on their classic 1998 album ‘Celebrity Skin’, but left in 1999 and briefly joined The Smashing Pumpkins before launching a solo career.
Earlier this week, she spoke to NME for the Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! series, where she was asked about the possibility of Hole getting back together to play again.
“I have no idea,” Auf der Maur responded. “If there’s one thing I know about Courtney and Hole, it’s that it’s as mysterious as romantic love. You can’t force, organise, or plan these things.”
“What I do know is I’ve always said no for many years, and it wasn’t until the Evil Empire in the US that I began to contemplate where Hole, and Courtney’s fearless feminism, and our generation, could maybe add to this dire dialogue in the US,” she continued. “Some of my interest in returning to Hole in any shape or form is because the world needs that kind of power, rebellion, and intelligence.”
She reiterated her admiration for her former bandmate, adding: “Courtney’s one of the most well-read and intelligent humans I’ve ever spent a significant chapter of my life with.”
Hole’s classic line-up have been on hiatus since 2002, although they did return between 2009 and 2012 with different members. Ever since, Love has frequently teased and denied the possibility of a comeback.
Last month, she sparked fresh speculation of another return by sharing a mysterious video online. The clip featured Auf der Maur posing in a flowing gown, before showing off a gold ring in a close-up shot. Hole’s 1998 hit ‘Malibu’ played in the background. In the caption, Love wrote: “So do we tell the kids about the tour?” Auf der Maur replied in the comments section: “It starts with eternal love…”
Love later clarified that there would be “no Hole reunion”, but did reveal that she and Auf der Maur would be “playing some shows, new songs” together. She also added a new comment to her original video, telling fans: “Not a reunion baby. Me and [Auf der Maur] touring new songs.”
The pair got back in the studio together in 2024 for the first time in over two decades, and later that same year, teamed up for an appearance on 070 Shake’s cover of Tim Buckley’s ‘Song To The Siren’.
Love and Auf der Maur did appear on stage together in October 2018 in Hudson, New York, playing Hole songs ‘Doll Parts’, ‘Miss World’ and ‘Softer Softest’.
Last month saw the release of Auf der Maur’s memoir, Even The Good Girls Will Cry. It was described as a “part coming-of-age autobiography, part travel diary, part psychedelic scrapbook” and featured rare photos from throughout her career.
