Fans of the band Hole got a treat when the group stopped by for two sold-out shows at New York's Roseland Ballroom. After some unstable and mediocre live performances, the band seemed to have gotten their act together.

After a 45-minute wait, Hole took the stage. Many of the fans were eager to get a glimpse of one of their favorite rock antiheroines, Courtney Love. Others were ready to mosh to Hole's punk-driven alternative rock.

Both groups of fans got what they wanted when Hole launched into their first song, "Plump." Although the show was plagued by various technical problems at the onset of their performance, things were quickly resolved, and the band proceeded to run through most of their latest release, Live Through This, without a hitch. Hole played their songs live with the same intensity that made the album a critics' favorite in 1994.

One of the more exciting songs was "Violet," which starts out as an innocent pop song with a great guitar riff and drum beat. Shortly thereafter it turns into an all-out assault with Love's wails of "Go on take everything, take everything, I want you to," leading the onslaught.

Hole also played crowd pleasers such as "Miss World," "Asking for It," and "Jennifer's Body" with a great deal of intensity and energy. When Hole got up to their latest hit single, "Doll Parts," Love brought a young girl onto the stage. The girl, one of many young Courtney Love lookalikes out there, attempted to play the intro to "Doll Parts" on her own. Seeing that she was having a difficult time, however, Love came over and together, they were able to get the song started. Later, Love thanked the girl, saying she was going to be a big rock star soon, and then proceeded with the song.

As the evening wore on, the rest of Hole seemed to blend into the background as everyone's attention became fixed on Love. Thanks to her on-stage antics, there was never a dull moment, even between songs. While lead guitarist Eric Erlandson would tune up or switch between instruments Love would continue to entertain the crowd by singing ominous songs (mainly about the suicide of her husband Kurt Cobain and heroine overdose of bassist Kristin Pfaff) by herself on stage.

Unlike many bands these days, Hole gave the fans their money's worth and then some. She seemed to be having as much of a good time as the crowd. Hole even did a half-hour encore, staying on the stage long after they were scheduled to leave. The additional songs consisted of material from Live Through This as well as the band's first LP, Pretty on the Inside and some covers.

Love ended the show by leaping into the crowd. By the time she was pulled back onto the stage, her dress had been nearly pulled from her body.

Many people have questioned the success of Courtney Love and Hole, wondering where the band would be had Love not married someone with Kurt Cobain's stature or influence. But even if Hole had not achieved this popularity, they would still be exciting local crowds at smaller venues with their energetic and powerful live shows.
 
 
 

Steven Irsay
The Spectator (Stuyvesant High School Student Newspaper), 1995