Melissa Auf der Maur was born on March 17th, 1972, in Montreal, Canada. Her father Nick Auf Der Maur and Linda Gaboriau never married. Both were very well known. Nick was a well known journalist, radio personality, radical polition and city counsler. Linda was Montreal's first rock DJ.

She prefers Squier Ace bass, "Squiers are lighter and the necks are really flat."

Melissa went to Concordia University in Canada to study photography but left her senior year to join Hole.

While living in Canada, Melissa was in the band Tinker. She played bass and provided background vocals. Tinker was well known around Canada and Melissa eventually caught the eye of Smashing Pumpkins' front man Billy Corgan.

In 1994, after the tragic death of Hole's bassist Kristen Pfaff. Courtney Love and company were on the hunt for a new bassist. After seeing Melissa preform with Tinker, Billy Corgan suggested her to Courtney. Courtney wanted her in Hole when she first set her eyes on Melissa. Unfourtunatley at first, Melissa wasn't accepting the offer.

In order for Melissa to join Hole, Melissa had to give up her band and her final year of school. After a short while, Melissa finally decided to join the band. Melissa never played a Hole song before, but learned the songs quickly and headed out on tour with the band.

Melissa's first opportunity to record with Hole was when the band recored a cover of Fleetwood Mac's Gold Dust Woman. Melissa also appeared on Hole's 1998 release Celebrity Skin. She also had the opportunity to write and arrange Use And Once Destroy.

After 5 years with Hole Melissa left in October of 1999. Melissa wanted to explore other musical options. Shortly after her departure, Melissa joined the Smashing Pumpkins as their bassist, after the departure of D`arcy. Melissa toured with the Smashing Pumpkins to promote their new album Machina: the machines of God and recorded Machina II with the band. This past december the Smashing Pumpkins split up.

Melissa is planning to take a year off. What will she do next? We will just have to wait and find out.