Trent Reznor Bio: Nine Inch Nails and beyond
Growing Up
Andrew Hagar On Growing Up With Sammy Hagar
Michael Trent Reznor was born May 17th, 1965 in Mercer, Pennsylvania. Raised by his grandparents, Reznor took up piano at five and played multiple instruments in high school. While studying computer engineering in college, he realized music was his true calling after a stint with new wave band Option 30.
Local Bands
He dropped out in the mid-'80s and joined other local groups. Then, after being promoted from janitor to assistant engineer at Right Track Studio, Reznor recorded demos that led to his signing with TVT Records.
Nine Inch Nails' Debut
Top 10 Nine Inch Nails Songs
In 1989, Reznor released his debut, Pretty Hate Machine, as Nine Inch Nails. As was the case with most of his later work, Reznor played the majority of the instruments on the album, and co-produced with Mark “Flood” Ellis. By independent label standards, the platinum-certified, industrial rock effort was a success, and it yielded several singles that popped up on the alternative and hot dance charts.
Touring
Denny Somach on touring with The Rolling Stones
During this period, Reznor also began working with producer and engineer Sean Beavan, who spent several years as part of Nine Inch Nails' touring band. On the road, Reznor and several other musicians introduced industrial music to alternative rock audiences with intense live shows, like their performance at 1991's Lollapalooza.
Side Projects
Kaze4letters - South Side
Unfortunately, Nine Inch Nails' next release was delayed due to disagreements with the label. Reznor spent his time with side projects like Pigface and Al Jourgensen's 1000 Homo DJs, and eventually found a home with Interscope Records. He also established Nothing Records, which later distributed music from bands like Squarepusher, Autechre, and Plug.
“Broken” EP
In 1992, Reznor's vanity label issued the Nine Inch Nails EP, Broken. By mixing industrial dance music with heavy metal and punk, the top 10 effort generated two Grammy-winning singles.
The Downward Spiral”
Nine Inch Nail's follow-up was 1994's techno- and rock-oriented concept album The Downward Spiral. Co-produced by Reznor and Flood and mixed by Alan Moulder, the record proved controversial due to its content, related music videos and the fact it was recorded in the residence where the Manson Family committed the infamous Tate murders. Despite this, the effort debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and was a critical and commercial success.
Self-Destruct Tour
Metallica M72 Tour & Rod Stewart Concert Reviews | Is Hip-Hop Dying? | The Criticals Interview
Reznor and several musicians then brought his dark music to life with powerful live shows during the “Self-Destruct Tour.”
Soundtracks
His next few years were spent collaborating with other artists, composing music for the “Quake” video game and crafting the soundtracks for “Natural Born Killers” and “Lost Highway.” He also produced several successful albums for label-mate Marilyn Manson.
“The Fragile”
Meanwhile, personal problems, substance abuse issues and lack of a musical vision delayed Nine Inch Nails' next disc. Finally, the highly anticipated double CD The Fragile saw the light of day in 1999. Despite topping the Billboard 200, the more electronic and ambient effort received inconsistent reviews and quickly fizzled, though it did spawn the successful Fragility tour.
More Nine Inch Nails Albums
Top 10 Anticipated Albums of 2016
2005's With Teeth was more well-received: it topped Billboard and moved over 270 thousand units at its debut. In 2007, Year Zero hit the second position of the Billboard 200 and was accompanied by an alternate reality game that elaborated on the record's politically-oriented concepts.
Digital Distribution
The next year, Nine Inch Nails independently released the mostly instrumental project Ghosts I-IV in different formats through its website and later through Reznor's new label, The Null Corporation. Also in 2008, the top twenty album The Slip was released online for free.
Side Projects and Movie Soundtracks
Denny Somach on Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon
Aside from a couple of tracks, the next few years were quiet for Nine Inch Nails. Reznor founded the post-industrial group How to Destroy Angels with his new wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and his longtime collaborator Atticus Ross. He and Ross then scored soundtracks to the movies “The Social Network,” which won the pair an Oscar, and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Reznor himself also composed music for the 2012 video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.”
Industrial Rock and the Mainstream
By introducing industrial music to the masses, Reznor and Nine Inch Nails forever changed rock. With his talents as a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and producer, it's not surprising that Trent Reznor is one of the most influential and successful artists today.
