LOS ANGELES (Courtney Fans) - While fans and music industry insiders have suspected it for quite awhile,
Courtney Love officially announced the demise of her band Hole in a statement released on
Thursday (May 23).
"Since Geffen Records closed during the promotion of our last record, there have been a lot of distractions," Love said in the statement. "Universal's lawsuit against us made it impossible for us to find a new record company despite overwhelming interest from other labels. After three years of waiting, Eric [Erlandson] and I have decided to put Hole to rest."
Hole has been embroiled in lawsuits and legal distractions since its last release, 1998's Celebrity Skin. Geffen Records sued Hole in 2000 for breach of contract , and Love fired back with a cross-complaint of her own in 2001. That case has finally been slated to go to trial in June.
Meanwhile, the band parted ways with two management companies since Celebrity Skin, Q Prime and Second Vision; lost its bassist, Melissa Auf Der Maur; and, to add insult to injury, Love remains in an ongoing battle with her late husband's ex-bandmates, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, over anything and everything to do with Nirvana.
When Love was concentrating on music, she created a new band, Bastard, with Veruca Salt guitarist-vocalist Louise Post in an attempt to get around the contractual stronghold in which UMG held her. All of these outside diversions eventually added up to Hole's death. "I will always treasure the time we played together," Love said of longtime Hole guitarist Erlandson. "Eric has been an important part of my family for over 10 years and he'll continue to be a part of my life."
"We're incredibly proud of the music we've made together, but it seems like time for both of us to move on," added Erlandson.
Although Hole's three albums, 1991's Pretty on the Inside, 1994's Live Through This, and Celebrity Skin have sold over seven million copies to date, it was always Love's antics that dominated the headlines.
Love is currently writing and recording with former Hole drummer Patty Schemel and ex-4 Non Blondes leader Linda Perry, with hopes to release new music in 2003.