MELISSA: OFFICIALY A PUMPKIN Hole bassist Melissa Auf De Maur has now officialy defected to the Smashing Pumpkins. The confirmation comes after months of speculation. *September 8:Kerrang! exclusively reveals that Pumpkins bassist D'Arcy Wretzky is rumoured to have left the band. *September 15:Its confirmed- D'Arcy is out. *September 29:Melissa Auf De Maur is rumoured to have left Hole. Whilst the band fiercly denies this, Kerrang! speculates that Auf De Maur could well be up for the vacant Pumpkins slot. *October 13:Kerrang! exclusively confirms, via sources close to the band, that Melissa has indeed turned into a Pumpkin. Hole have released a statement in which leader Courtney Love seems remarkably composed, considering that she and ex-lover Billy Corgan of the Pumpkins recently disagreed on the extent of his songwriting on the Holes 1998 album Celebrity Skin. "The fabulous Melissa is an extremely talented artist and wishes to grow in many different directions", says Love, "We wish her well". Hole are understandably looking for a new bassist and candidates should send two copies of their photo and biography ("describing their styles and influences") to: Bass Player, PMB 394, 2658 Griffith Park Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039, USA. The Smashing Pumpkins have completed work on their new album and apparently embraces rock much more than last years 'Adore', and is due out early next year. (from Kerrang, sent in by Ian)) - - - - - - - - - - - - -