Hole

  • Los Angeles, CA
    hometown
  • Rock
    genre
  • 1989
    started
  • Bio
    full story
  • Badges
  • Share
  • Similar
  • Unplugged
    More Unplugged Artists
Close

About Hole

Official Site: http://holemusic.com/ | @holerock | facebook.com/Hole


Throughout Hole's career, vocalist/guitarist Courtney Love's notorious public image has overshadowed her band's music. In their original incarnation, Hole was one of the noisiest, most abrasive alternative bands performing in the early '90s. By the time of their second album, 1994's Live Through This, the band had smoothed out many of their rougher edges, also adding more melodies and hooks to their songwriting. Through both versions of Hole, Love's combative, assaultive persona permeated the group's music and lyrics, giving the band a tense, unpredictable edge even at their quietest moments. Love formed Hole in Los Angeles in 1989, recruiting guitarist Eric Erlandson through a newspaper ad. Love had played with numerous bands before Hole, including early versions of both Babes in Toyland and Faith No More. Erlandson and Love eventually drafted bassist Jill Emery and drummer Caroline Rue into the band, recording their first album with producer Kim Gordon, the bassist for Sonic Youth. The violent and uncompromising Pretty on the Inside, Hole's debut record, was released on Caroline Records in 1991 to numerous positive reviews, especially in the British weekly music press.

In early 1992, Courtney Love married Kurt Cobain, the lead singer/songwriter of Nirvana. For a couple of months, the couple was the king and queen of the new rock world; soon, that world came crashing in. Cobain became addicted to heroin and the couple fought to keep custody of their baby after a piece in Vanity Fair accused Love of shooting heroin while pregnant, charges which she vehemently denied at the time; she would later admit that she had taken small quantities of the drug. By 1993, their private world had settled down somewhat, with Cobain and Love recording new albums with their respective bands.

Halfway through 1993, Love reassembled Hole with Erlandson, adding bassist Kristen M. Pfaff and drummer Patty Schemel. Hole was set to release their first major-label album, the more pop-oriented Live Through This, on DGC Records in April of 1994. Advance word on the album was overwhelmingly positive, with many critics calling it one of the best records of the year. Four days before the album was released, Kurt Cobain's body was discovered in the couple's Seattle home; he had died of a self-inflicted shotgun wound three days before.

Two months after Cobain's death, Kristen M. Pfaff was found dead of a heroin overdose in a Seattle apartment, with rumors swirling that Love (understandably distraught over the recent tragedies) was abusing the drug as well. Two months later, Hole began touring again, with bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur taking Pfaff's place. "Doll Parts" was released as a single late in 1994, climbing into the Top 60 by the beginning of 1995. Live Through This topped many critics' polls at the end of the year, including Rolling Stone and the Village Voice. Shortly thereafter, Hole toured with the fifth Lollapalooza tour, staying on the road for the remainder of the year.

Despite all the hardships, the album became the group's commercial breakthrough, spawning several MTV/radio hits and being certified platinum early the following year. The band went on an extended hiatus afterwards, during which time many assumed the band had broken up when it appeared that Love was focusing more on her burgeoning acting career (Feeling Minnesota, The People vs. Larry Flynt) than music. To satisfy their fans' demand for new music, two rarities collections were issued -- the 1995 EP Ask for It and the 1997 import My Body, the Hand Grenade.

After numerous delays, the band finally regrouped to work on a follow-up to Live Through This, with longtime friend Billy Corgan signed on to be a musical consultant. The album was finally issued in September of 1998 to favorable reviews, but Schemel left the band (for reasons unknown) around the same time. Former drummer for New York City alt-rockers Shift, Samantha Maloney, filled the vacant slot as the group embarked on their first substantial tour in two years. By the tour's completion, Auf Der Maur had left to join the Smashing Pumpkins, while Maloney eventually served as a stand-in drummer for Mötley Crüe. Even though Skin was certified platinum shortly after its release, Love was unhappy with the way the album was handled by her record company and felt stifled by her contract, eventually bringing a lawsuit against the Universal Music Group trying to terminate her contract (she still owes five more albums under her current agreement), so she can release music via the Internet.

The future of Hole became even more uncertain in early 2001, when Love announced plans to launch a new outfit, called Bastard. Signing with Epitaph, the band consisted of Love, former Veruca Salt guitarist Louise Post, former Rockit Girl bassist Gina Crosley, and to the delight of longtime Hole fans, Schemel is back on drums. In typical Love style, this lineup eventually dissolved into only her and Schemel and the group essentially broke up before it even began. Despite the lack of any substancial project, Love finally announced the end of Hole in May of 2002. Unlike her often bitter press situations, she claimed that the situation was friendly and she would still remain friends with the previous members of the band. Love released her first solo album, America's Sweetheart, in 2004. The following year she began working on new songs, despite battling an alleged eating disorder and a stay in rehab after violating her probation by using drugs. Working with artists including producer Linda Perry, Billy Corgan and guitarist Micko Larkin, formerly of Larrikin Love, the album Nobody's Daughter began to take shape over 2006 and 2007. In mid-2009, Love announced that Nobody's Daughter would in fact be a Hole album. She began promoting the album in earnest in early 2010, performing shows in Europe and the U.S. -- including gigs at the South by Southwest Festival and on The Late Show with David Letterman -- before its release. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Greg Prato, Rovi

Scroll up Scroll down

Music

From position 0, showing 8 items, asking 10
See All
  • Doll Parts
    hole
    Video
    Doll Parts
  • Celebrity Skin
    hole
    Video
    Celebrity Skin
  • Skinny Little Bitch (Live From Austin, TX)
    hole
    Video
    Skinny Little Bitch (Live From Austin, TX)
  • Letter To God
    hole
    Video
    Letter To God
  • Pacific Coast Highway
    hole
    Video
    Pacific Coast Highway
  • Samantha
    hole
    Video
    Samantha
  • Violet
    hole
    Video
    Violet
  • Awful
    hole
    Video
    Awful
  • 5894
    SoundStream
    SoundStream
    song name
    0:00
    Audio powered by
    All the music you want, just 10 bucks a month. Try it free.
    • Celebrity Skin
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/9/8/4/7/9/917797489.mp3
    • Violet
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/0/2/5/2/5/915252520.mp3
    • Malibu
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/4/5/7/7/9/917797754.mp3
    • Doll Parts
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/0/0/7/3/5/915253700.mp3
    • Awful
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/0/3/4/7/9/917797430.mp3
    • Miss World
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/7/9/7/2/5/915252797.mp3

Interviews & Exclusives

From position 0, showing 9 items, asking 10
See All
  • Buzzworthy Blog Exclusive: Courtney Love From Hole Q&A
    hole
    playlist
    Buzzworthy Blog Exclusive: Courtney Love From Hole Q&A
  • I'm Gonna Cut His !*??X Off!
    hole
    video
    I'm Gonna Cut His !*??X Off!
  • Freeze Your Genius
    hole
    video
    Freeze Your Genius
  • Kurt Cobain's 'White Album'
    hole
    video
    Kurt Cobain's 'White Album'
  • Respect
    hole
    video
    Respect
  • There's This Kurt Guy, He's Really Great
    hole
    video
    There's This Kurt Guy, He's Really Great
  • Cobain Murder Conspiracies
    hole
    video
    Cobain Murder Conspiracies
  • Rock Doc: America's Sweetheart
    hole
    video
    Rock Doc: America's Sweetheart
  • VH1 News: Courtney Love is Neither Skinny Nor Solo on Hole's New Disc
    hole
    video
    VH1 News: Courtney Love is Neither Skinny Nor Solo on Hole's New Disc

Photos

From position 0, showing 10 items, asking 10
See All
Next Page
  • (L-R) Musicians Eric Erlandson, Patty Schemel, Courtney Love and  Melissa auf der Maur attend the 2011 New Directors/New Films screening of "Hit So Hard" at The Museum of Modern Art on March 28, 2011 in New York City.
    Hole
    (L-R) Musicians Eric Erlandson, Patty Schemel, Courtney Love and Melissa auf der Maur attend the 2011 New Directors/New Films screening of "Hit So Hard" at The Museum of Modern Art on March 28, 2011 in New York City.
    Marcel Thomas
  • Courtney Love
    Hole
    Courtney Love
    Kevin Mazur
  • Courtney Love of Hole performs at Lollpalooza 1995 at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California. on August 17, 1995.
    Hole
    Courtney Love of Hole performs at Lollpalooza 1995 at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California. on August 17, 1995.
    Tim Mosenfelder
  • Courtney Love performing with Hole on MTV Unplugged in 1995
    Hole
    Courtney Love performing with Hole on MTV Unplugged in 1995
    Frank Micelotta
  • SUBTERANIA  Photo of and HOLE  L-R: Kristen Pfaff, Patty Schemel (drums), Courtney Love, Eric Erlandson
    Hole
    SUBTERANIA Photo of and HOLE L-R: Kristen Pfaff, Patty Schemel (drums), Courtney Love, Eric Erlandson
    Erica Echenberg
  • READING FESTIVAL  Photo of Courtney LOVE and HOLE, Courtney Love
    Hole
    READING FESTIVAL Photo of Courtney LOVE and HOLE, Courtney Love
    Tim Mosenfelder
  • READING FESTIVAL  Photo of Courtney LOVE and HOLE, Courtney Love.
    Hole
    READING FESTIVAL Photo of Courtney LOVE and HOLE, Courtney Love.
    Mick Hutson
  • Hole
    Getty
  • Courtney Love poses backstage
    Hole
    Courtney Love poses backstage
    Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
  • Courtney Love went to court on drug charges in 2003.
    Hole
    Courtney Love went to court on drug charges in 2003.

News

From position 0, showing 16 items, asking 10
See All
Next Page
  • Hole
    My Sons Are Obsessed With "Who Let the Dogs Out" and I Want to Die
    MTV Hive
    May 22, 2013
    I don’t know what time it is. I don’t even know what day it is. I don’t know what month it is. I don’t even know what year it is. GODDAMNIT, I don’t ...
    Read More
  • Hole
    'Man Of Steel' Trailer: Conan O'Brien Finds A Super Plot Hole
    Splash Page
    May 22, 2013
    by Brett White Conan O'Brien has a thing or two to say about " Man of Steel " and a shot that's popped up in a few of the trailers (including the m...
    Read More
  • Hole
    John Oates Leaves The Album Format In The Dust While Blazing Down His Good Road To Follow
    VH1 Tuner
    May 22, 2013
    John Oates , one half of the most successful duo in music history, doesn't feel like there's much of a place in the world for albums anymore. "Don't g...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Last Lap: Jon Bon Jovi Calls Out Justin Bieber
    VH1 Tuner
    May 21, 2013
    Eminem takes on Facebook, more performers are announced for the CMT Awards , and EDM producers embrace Daft Punk 's latest album. Justin Bi...
    Read More
  • Hole
    High School Girls At The Science And Engineering Fair Kick Ass And Take Names
    MTV Style
    May 21, 2013
    Geniuses, NBD Photo: Mary H.K. Choi You guys, I am officially, 100% not worried about the future at all. Last week, I had the pleasure of attend...
    Read More
  • Hole
    VH1's Weekly Wrap-Up: The Greatest Moments From The Week In TV
    VH1 Blog
    May 17, 2013
    From Traci lashing out at Drew on Love & Hip Hop Atlanta to the Grand River Singers surprising Rob and Tim with a romantic dinner on Off...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Courtney Love Gets Label, Release Date for New Hole LP Nobody's Daughter
    www.pitchfork.com
    /IDJ will release it on April 27. On the album, Love worked with a few old collaborators, including Billy Corgan, Linda Perry, and Celebrity Skin prod...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Courtney Love Lines Up "Hole" Return
    www.pitchfork.com
    Courtney Love apparently wants to bring back the name Hole for her forthcoming album, Nobody's Daughter, even though nobody in her current band were e...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Video: Courtney Love Crowdsurfs Hole Into SXSW | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    A crotch-grabbing, crowd-surfing Courtney Love drew a capacity horde at the Dirty Dog Bar last night as SXSW-goers curious to check out Hole's latest ...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Courtney Love: Fixing A Hole | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    ) and "yes" (insofar as she could ever "sing"). She played the grunge chestnuts and a number of songs from her new album, "Nobody's Daughter," which M...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Hole Reunites For Drummer Patty Schemel's Documentary Premiere | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    studio, as well as strikingly intimate scenes from Schemel's personal life, including time spent living with Love, the late Kurt Cobain and their daug...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Watch: Courtney Love Reunites Mid-90s Hole Lineup
    www.pitchfork.com
    Here's a rare bit of positive Courtney Love news: The Village Voice reports that last night, the entire mid-90s Hole lineup, including Courtney, reuni...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Watch Hole Reunite In Williamsburg
    stereogum.com
    On Friday night following a screening of the documentary Hit So Hard: The Life & Near Death Story of Patty Schemel in Public Assembly on N. 6th St., a...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Hole's Eric Erlandson Talks 'Letters to Kurt' Book, Courtney Love | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    Eric Erlandson's new book, "Letters to Kurt" (as in Cobain), has not only returned the former Hole guitarist to the spotlight but will likely bring hi...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Ex-Hole Guitarist Claims Kurt Cobain Was Recording Solo Album
    www.rollingstone.com
    In an interview with Fuse.tv, former Hole guitarist and co-founder Eric Erlandson claimed that Kurt Cobain was working on new material around the time...
    Read More
  • Hole
    Kurt Cobain Was Working On Solo LP Says Hole Guitarist
    stereogum.com
    Recently, former Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson met with Fuse.tv writer William Goodman to talk to about his new book, Letters To Kurt. On that note, h...
    Read More

Discography

From position 0, showing 4 items, asking 10
See All
  • Nobody's Daughter (2010)
    Hole
    Nobody's Daughter (2010)
    Mercury
  • Celebrity Skin (1998)
    Hole
    Celebrity Skin (1998)
    Geffen Records
  • Live Through This [Bonus CD] (1994)
    Hole
    Live Through This [Bonus CD] (1994)
    Geffen Records
  • Pretty on the Inside (1991)
    Hole
    Pretty on the Inside (1991)
    Caroline
Are You Hole? Claim this page | Learn more about Artists.MTV | FAQ for Artists
Hole Bio | Hole Music | Hole Video News | Hole Photos | Hole News | Hole Discography |
MTV | MTV Jobs | Privacy Policy | User Content Agreement | Copyright | Artist Index | Social Projects Agreements | Ad Choices |
Portions of this page powered by
This site contains content from artists, fans, and writers from around the internet in it's natural form. Such content is not representative of Viacom Media Networks.

©2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

  • Explore
    • Popular
    • Emerging
    • Genres
      • Rock
      • Hip Hop
      • Indie
      • Electronic/EDM
      • Country
      • Pop
    • Collections
    • Artist To Watch
  • Search
  • Are you an artist?
    • Claim Your Page
    • Learn More
    • FAQ
    • Opportunities