What Happened to Hole?

Hole emerged from the Los Angeles alternative rock scene in 1989, founded by singer/guitarist Courtney Love and guitarist Eric Erlandson. The band quickly gained critical attention with their raw, punk-influenced debut album, "Pretty on the Inside" (1991). Their sound evolved, and they achieved widespread mainstream success with their second album, "Live Through This," released in April 1994. This period was marked by both critical acclaim and profound tragedy, as Love's husband, Kurt Cobain, died by suicide just days after the album's release, followed by the death of bassist Kristen Pfaff from a drug overdose two months later.

The band's third album, "Celebrity Skin" (1998), showcased a more polished, power-pop sound and became their most commercially successful record, earning four Grammy Award nominations. However, internal tensions and members pursuing other projects led to the band's official disbandment in May 2002, with Love and Erlandson announcing they would no longer record or tour together as Hole.

Eight years later, in 2009, Courtney Love reformed Hole with new members, a move that was publicly disputed by Eric Erlandson due to a mutual contract. This incarnation released the album "Nobody's Daughter" in April 2010, which was originally conceived as Love's solo project. By 2013, Love announced she was retiring the Hole name and would continue to record and perform as a solo artist.

In recent years, speculation about a full Hole reunion has been frequent, often fueled by comments from Love herself. In March 2026, Love and former bassist Melissa Auf der Maur teased a potential tour via social media. However, Love quickly clarified that this would not be a full Hole reunion, but rather a tour featuring herself and Auf der Maur performing new songs together. This collaboration follows their reunion in the studio in 2024 and a joint cover of Tim Buckley's "Song to the Siren" with artist 070 Shake.

Beyond new musical endeavors, Melissa Auf der Maur is also releasing a memoir, "Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A '90s Rock Memoir," in March 2026, and new solo music in September 2026. Furthermore, in July 2026, it was announced that Hole's first three albums—"Pretty on the Inside," "Live Through This," and "Celebrity Skin"—are receiving new physical reissues on vinyl in September and October 2026. These reissues have been personally overseen by co-founder Eric Erlandson, indicating a continued engagement with the band's legacy. Courtney Love's documentary "Antiheroine" also premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.