Post by Salem6 on Sept 3, 2008 8:47:22 GMT
In 2009, it will be 20 years since Trent Reznor debuted as Nine Inch Nails with the release of “Pretty Hate Machine.” The groundbreaking collision of underground industrial noise with arena-rock bombast propelled Reznor and his band to everything that makes up the best episodes of “Behind the Music”: steely determination, massive stardom, crushing addictions and an ongoing swirl of public drama. Reznor, however, has come out on the other end not only a survivor, but an artist still as influential and relevant as he’s ever been. (Quick: Name another band formed in 1988 or 1989 that can say the same.) He’s become the ultimate anti-rock star, and his fanatical following rivals the likes of Rush and Metallica. In the process of building this perfect beast, Reznor has masterminded the coolest band in the world.
1. The geeks shall inherit the earth
The apocalyptic cacophony of NIN is intensely cathartic, but at its core beats the heart of a true computer nerd. Reznor relentlessly stays at the forefront of technology, providing him with a perpetually evolving sonic arsenal and making him a hero to tech-heads everywhere. Nine Inch Nails released their latest album, “The Slip,” under a Creative Commons license so fans can remix it at will. Consider NIN the patron band of the wired generation.
2. It’s always about the fans
At the height of their mid-’70s heyday, KISS fans were constantly being rewarded for their devotion. Albums were released packed with all sorts of toys, stickers and posters to make every purchase even more worthwhile. Today, Reznor has brought that same ethos into the next millennium. Stashing new music on USB drives left in concert bathrooms, leaving cryptic messages encoded on tour merch, hiding concert tickets in random locales for fans to find via Google Earth—no other band makes being a fan so much fun.
3. NIN comes alive
That same perfectionist focus found on NIN recordings becomes a sensory overload of epic proportions in concert. The band’s current “Lights in the Sky” tour is a technological juggernaut, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to create dazzling effects like trapping Reznor in a sea of static or dropping the band deep into a rain forest on stage. Reznor’s top-shelf taste in opening acts augments the shows with sets from such notable newcomers as Crystal Castles and Deerhunter, and on past tours, TV on the Radio and Autolux.
4. Sci-fi channeling
Reznor’s dark-lit obsessions and writing styles have made him something of a de facto sci-fi force. Consider his 2005 release “Year Zero,” an Orwellian tale of government corruption and fan interactivity that HBO is wisely considering as the basis for a full-blown series. If you’re already familiar with “Parepin,” you know what I’m talking about.
5. It’s a guy thing
Like eternal heavy metal icons from Black Sabbath to Slayer, Nine Inch Nails’ angst-ridden aural assaults have a heavy testosterone edge, with NIN concerts packed to the back with row upon row of dudes in black T-shirts and jeans eager to mosh it up. There are a few girlfriends and the occasional pack of hardcore ladies in the mix, but Reznor’s primal howl is like a clarion call to guys who still resent the Wachowski Brothers for both “Matrix" sequels, can kick your ass at “Halo,” and, if you’re nice, will fix your computer and design a kick-ass Web page too.
Scott T. Sterling is Music editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
losangeles.metromix.com/music/article/5-reasons-nine-inch/572071/content