Ending weeks of speculation, Hole bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur has officially left the band Hole. "The fabulous Melissa is an extremely talented artist and wishes to grow in many different directions," frontwoman Courtney Love says. "We wish her well." Auf Der Maur joined Hole in 1994, following the death of bassist Kristen Pfaff, who died of a heroin overdose. Auf Der Maur's plans have not been announced — the band is holding open auditions to find a replacement.

The band, which released Celebrity Skin in 1998, is currently writing material for a new album, which, according to the statement, "will be heavily skewed toward the rock area." Hole recently finished mixing the previously unreleased "Be a Man," which may find its way onto the soundtrack of the forthcoming Oliver Stone film, Any Given Sunday.

On top of that, Love is currently sharing vocals with rapper Lil' Kim on "Good Girls" for producer Irv Gotti. The track may also appear on the Sunday soundtrack. Love also has a role in another high-profile holiday film, playing Andy Kaufman's girlfriend in Milos Forman's Man on the Moon, starring Jim Carrey, slated for a Dec. 25 release.

Prospective applicants interested in becoming Hole's new bassist should send, according to the statement, "two copies of your photo, bio describing your style & influences, and demo to: BASS PLAYER, PMB 394, 2658 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039."