Melissa Auf der Maur, the former bassist for Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, has released a memoir titled Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A '90s Rock Memoir. The book captures the beauty and brutality of life at the center of the 1990s rock 'n' roll storm. Auf der Maur will appear in Vancouver on April 27 for a Vancouver Writers Fest Books & Ideas event.
A Glimpse into the Grunge Era
A stalwart of the grunge era, Auf der Maur witnessed firsthand the chaos and creativity of the decade. Her memoir blends rock memoir, travelogue, and photograph album, offering a thoughtful, boots-on-the-ground account of a transformative period for youth culture. She describes it as an ode to the decade from 1991 to 2001, which defined her and her generation.
Why Write Now?
Auf der Maur explains that a quarter-century seemed the perfect amount of time to gain objective perspective on her personal story and contribute to cultural reflection on the last analog decade. The book also serves as an apology to her daughter and her generation for the rise of predatory capitalism that they witnessed but could not stop.
Family and Fame
Her teenage daughter has not read the book yet, as Auf der Maur considers it suitable for ages 17 and up. The author notes that her daughter does not think she is cool but is proud of her. Auf der Maur emphasizes encouraging real-life activities over digital ones, hosting talent shows and movie nights at their family art centre.
The Analog Advantage
Reflecting on fame in the last analog decade, Auf der Maur says she never thought of herself as famous but rather lucky to rise to the top of a generation that made gold out of dirt. She believes originality, rawness, and authenticity were the currency of the '90s, contrasting sharply with today's digital culture. She warns that time spent on phones robs young people of opportunities to learn instruments, read, or develop imagination.
First Gig with Hole
Auf der Maur's first performance with Hole was at the Reading Festival on August 26, 1994, in front of 65,000 people. She describes it as entering a new dimension, like landing on a new planet with new rules. This Lynchian experience made her ready to explore and discover a new world, a magnificent opportunity to expand as a human.
