The First Session
The First Session is an extended play (EP) by the American alternative rock band Hole, released on August 26, 1997, by the independent label Sympathy for the Record Industry.[1][2] It compiles the four tracks recorded during the band's inaugural studio session on March 17, 1990, at Rudy's Rising Star studio in Los Angeles.[1][2] The EP's tracklist includes "Retard Girl" (4:48), "Phonebill Song" (1:48), "Turpentine" (4:02), and "Johnnies in the Bathroom" (2:17), with the first, second, and fourth tracks previously appearing as part of the "Retard Girl" single in 1990, while "Turpentine" remained unreleased until this collection.[2][3] The release also features a 20-page color booklet offering a visual and narrative overview of Hole's formative years.[2] Hole, formed in Los Angeles in 1989 by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love and lead guitarist Eric Erlandson, drew from punk and grunge influences to craft a visceral sound marked by aggressive guitars and Love's emotive lyrics.[4][5] The March 1990 session was initially intended to capture just "Retard Girl" for the band's debut single, but the group—then consisting of Love, Erlandson, bassist Lisa Roberts, and drummer Caroline Rue—spontaneously recorded three additional songs, providing an unpolished snapshot of their early raw energy.[3][2] Issued seven years later amid Hole's rising fame following albums such as Pretty on the Inside (1991) and the platinum-selling Live Through This (1994), The First Session stands as a archival release highlighting the band's punk roots before their transition to major-label success.[5]Background and Formation
Band Origins
Hole was formed in mid-1989 in Los Angeles when Courtney Love, seeking to assemble a band, placed an advertisement in the local classifieds publication The Recycler.[6] The ad outlined her musical vision, stating: "I want to start a band. My influences are Big Black, Stooges, Sonic Youth and Fleetwood Mac."[6] Lead guitarist Eric Erlandson, then working at Capitol Records, responded to the ad and met with Love, leading to their collaboration as the band's founding members.[7] The group's first rehearsal occurred at Fortress Studios in Hollywood, where Love, Erlandson, and original bassist and co-founder Lisa Roberts experimented with early material described as "noisy."[7][8] This session marked the inception of Hole's lineup and sound, setting the stage for their development amid the vibrant Los Angeles music scene. Hole's initial creative direction drew heavily from the punk and alternative rock movements thriving in late-1980s Los Angeles, a period defined by independent labels, underground venues, and growing college radio exposure.[6] Courtney Love emerged as the band's driving force, shaping its aesthetic with influences like Sonic Youth's noise-driven experimentation and Big Black's abrasive punk energy, while envisioning a raw, emotionally charged sound intertwined with feminist themes of agency, trauma, and provocation.[6][7]Early Lineup Changes
Hole formed in Los Angeles in 1989 with an initial lineup comprising vocalist Courtney Love, guitarist Eric Erlandson, bassist Lisa Roberts, drummer Caroline Rue, and additional guitarists Mike Geisbrecht and Errol Stewart.[8][9] This configuration allowed the band to conduct their first live performances, though it proved short-lived amid internal shifts.[10] Geisbrecht departed later in 1989, shortly after the band's inaugural shows, leaving the group temporarily without a second guitarist.[10] Roberts followed in early 1990; according to former drummer Caroline Rue, Love fired her after Roberts threatened a club owner in Long Beach, the wife of notorious figure Eddie Nash.[11] These exits, occurring after just four performances, effectively disbanded the original ensemble and necessitated rapid reconfiguration.[10] In response, Hole recruited bassist Jill Emery in early 1990, transitioning to a quartet of Love, Erlandson, Rue, and Emery without replacing the second guitar role.[8] This adjustment marked a pivotal stabilization, fostering greater internal cohesion as the members aligned on a punk-influenced sound and began rehearsing material for their debut recordings.[10] The refined lineup enabled focused preparation, setting the stage for the band's entry into the studio later that year.[8]Recording and Production
Studio Sessions
The recording of the EP The First Session took place on March 17, 1990, at Rudy's Rising Star studio in Los Angeles.[2] The session was funded by Sympathy for the Record Industry with a modest budget.[2] This low-cost arrangement reflected the label's support for emerging punk and alternative acts, allowing Hole to translate their live intensity into studio recordings without extensive resources. The tracks selected for the session—"Turpentine," "Phonebill Song," "Retard Girl," and "Johnnies in the Bathroom"—showcased the band's raw, punk-influenced songwriting, drawing from personal and confrontational themes central to Courtney Love's lyrics.[2] The session was initially intended to record only "Retard Girl" for the band's debut single, but the group spontaneously added three more songs.[3] The one-day effort emphasized minimal takes to preserve the group's unpolished energy, resulting in a gritty, live-like quality that defined the EP's aesthetic.[2]Technical Production
The production of The First Session was overseen by James Moreland and Eric Erlandson, who mixed the tracks to capture the band's raw and unpolished energy.[3] These efforts emphasized a gritty, lo-fi aesthetic reflective of Hole's formative punk influences.[3] The EP was mastered by John Vestman, ensuring the final mixes translated effectively across playback formats including CD.[2] The recordings originated from a March 1990 session at Rudy's Rising Star in Los Angeles, employing analog techniques common to early 1990s indie productions.[2] Track sequencing prioritized the original single tracks alongside the unreleased "Turpentine," resulting in a compact runtime of 12:55 that preserved the EP's immediate, no-frills intensity.[2]Content and Personnel
Track Listing
The songwriting process for The First Session primarily involved lyrics by Courtney Love, complemented by guitar riffs and musical contributions from Eric Erlandson, with the material originating from compositions developed between 1989 and 1990.[3] The EP consists of four tracks, recorded during Hole's debut studio session, with a total runtime of 12:55. The following table lists the tracks, including songwriters and durations.| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Duration | Style and Themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Retard Girl" | Courtney Love | 4:48 | Punk track addressing social alienation.[12][2] |
| 2 | "Phonebill Song" | Love, Erlandson | 1:48 | Short, chaotic rant on personal finances.[2] |
| 3 | "Turpentine" | Love, Erlandson | 4:02 | Aggressive guitar-driven song on toxic relationships.[13][2] |
| 4 | "Johnnies in the Bathroom" | Love, Erlandson | 2:17 | Raw depiction of drug culture and despair.[2] |