Melissa Auf der Maur reflects on her role in 90s alt-rock scene
Melissa Auf der Maur, a pivotal figure in the 1990s alt-rock scene as a member of both Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, is sharing her experiences in a new memoir titled Even the Good Girls Will Cry, reports BritPanorama.
The memoir highlights Auf der Maur’s unique perspective as not only a musician but also as an observer amidst the chaos that defined her time in these influential bands. While she played an essential role through her melodic bass lines, her ability to balance the dominant personalities within was equally significant.
A crucial theme in Auf der Maur’s narrative is the overlooked legacy of Hole, particularly its frontwoman Courtney Love. Auf der Maur expresses frustration over how both the band and Love have been historically mischaracterised and underappreciated. “Even if she’s too difficult for people to understand or appreciate,” Auf der Maur says, “you cannot underestimate the power of her words and her performance.”
Inspired by a cultural shift following Donald Trump’s 2016 election, Auf der Maur rekindled her relationship with Love after more than ten years apart. She described feeling an urgent need for a voice like Love’s in the contemporary landscape, stating, “It felt like a moment where a woman like that was necessary.”
Throughout the book, Auf der Maur confronts the toxic media environment surrounding Love, who has faced relentless scrutiny over the years, particularly following the death of her husband, Kurt Cobain. Auf der Maur reflects on the harsh realities of Love’s public portrayal: “American media has always been toxic for Love.”
In reflecting on their time together, Auf der Maur acknowledges the profound impact of their experiences, noting, “I don’t think even Gen X-ers realised at the time how horribly treated she was, and how ahead of her time she was.”
A significant portion of Auf der Maur’s memoir delves into her tumultuous journey, including their 1994 tour following the deaths of both Cobain and her predecessor in Hole, Kristen Pfaff. This period marked the release of Hole’s acclaimed album Live Through This. Auf der Maur captures a vivid portrayal of Love’s performances, describing them as intense, filled with emotional depth and confronting complex themes such as abuse and mental health.
Auf der Maur reflects on her initial skepticism regarding Hole’s music before joining, stating that she gained an appreciation for its power as she witnessed the emotional reactions of fans. “Courtney really paved a new language – and a catchy one – through which women could perceive themselves,” she notes.
Her memoir also draws on the deep influence of her parents, both journalists, shaping her understanding of narrative and expression. Auf der Maur recounts the profound loss of her father, who died in 1998, and its coincidental timing with significant moments in her career.
Today, Auf der Maur has shifted her focus towards photography and running an arts centre, and she aims to document this new chapter of her life in another book. Her upcoming photography exhibition is a testament to her continued creative evolution, born from a wealth of captured moments during her years with Hole.
As speculation about a potential reunion of Hole continues, Auf der Maur remains open-minded, acknowledging their separate projects while remaining intrigued about the possibilities that music may hold. “Who knows?” she concludes, capturing the unpredictability of life in music.
Even the Good Girls Will Cry is available via Atlantic Books – £22.
