Melissa Auf der Maur

Finishes John Intini's sentences

From: Macleans, 2004-06-19
Date added: 2004-12-14

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After years of playing second fiddle (or in her case the bass), Melissa Auf der Maur has confidently stepped out of the shadows and up to the mike. Auf der Maur, the former member of grunge rockers Hole and Smashing Pumpkins, released her self-titled debut CD last month. The 32-year-old Montreal native recently finished Maclean's Assistant Editor John Intini's sentences.

I wish I knew how to . . . swim. I've never been able to, even though growing up my family spent every summer in Cape Cod. I'd make sandcastles and get sunburned, but avoid the ocean.

My last nightmare was about . . . a demonic bird harassing a group of us while we were trying to watch a concert.

I'd like to perform a make-over on . . . the President of the United States. Not in an outer way, but an inner way. I'd like to educate him on the bigger picture and about respecting others.

I modelled in Calvin Klein ads . . . because I was broke.

The last time I picked up my trumpet . . . was during rehearsals for my European tour. My bandmates had a giggle about my old trumpet days. Then someone pulled out my recorder and someone else grabbed a tin flute and we had a jazzy jam in my apartment.

I deal with tough crowds . . . by being extremely polite and a bit cheeky.

Essential Auf der Maur

Left the photography department at Montreal's Concordia University to join Hole in 1994.

Provided background vocals for a number of the tracks on Ryan Adams' Rock N Roll (2003).

Is a trained pianist, trumpet player and choir singer.

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