The Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor
Fact Sheet
Breaking on to the scene in the late 80's, mastermind Trent Reznor and
his ever-changing group of touring and recording associates have
remained one of the most innovative and fresh sounding musical forces
around. Time Magazine called him "the most influential musician of the
90's".
Originally released on TVT records, before NIN, the label was best known
for Show tune compilations. But after an unknown Sythesizer/keyboard
salesman from Cleveland, named Michael Trent Reznor sent in a demo tape,
they moved on to Trent's own label, nothing, which has also since
released various soundtracks, different industrial and techno bands, and
even a once upon a time small Florida act known as Marilyn
Manson.
PART I
BIOGRAPHY
BORN Michal Trent Reznor on May 17th, 1965 in rural Mercer,
Pennsylvania.
STARTED CLASSICAL PIANO lessons at five years of age.
HIS PARENTS DIVORCED when he was six. Then he and his younger sister,
Tera were raised by their maternal grandparents.
AT A YOUNG AGE he took an interest in Skateboarding, fishing with his
grandfather, and building model airplanes.
IN HIGH SCHOOL took an interest in Theatrics and performing in
plays.
Always had an interst in music. His grandfather, Bill Clark said "Music
was his life, from the hime he was a wee boy. He was so gifted."
He had a keyboard oriented band in high school called "Option 30".
Most peoplewho knew him growing up say he was always very personable and
not the self-loathing creature we all know and love. Such as his former
high school band instructor states "I considered him to very upbeat and
friendly.... I think all that 'dark avenging angle' stuff is marketing-
Trent making a career for himself."
He spent a little time at Allegheny College where he majored in computer
engineering.
Later he moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he held different jobs such as a
Synthesizer salesman at a music store and a janitor at "Right Track"
studios (where he eventually recorded the demo which got him signed to
TVT records.)
He had a steady track of different bands before starting NIN in 1988
including "Pigface","Innocent", and "Problems"(whom appeared on the 1987
movie soundtrack "Clear Light of Day".)
After having difficulties with TVT, he recorded his EP, Broken in
secret. It was eventually released and shared between nothing records,
Interscope, and TVT.
PART II
DID YOU KNOW THAT....
Pretty Hate Machine was recorded on an apple computer.
Pretty Hate has samples from Clive Barker ("Hellraiser", "Candyman",
"Lord of Illusions") Films and Public Enemy albums.
The opening loop on The Downward Spiral which opens the song "Mr. Self
Destruct" is actually a sample of a man being beaten from George Lucas'
70's cult sci-fi classic, "THX 1138".
Has a track co-written with Techno producer Josh Wink on his album,
"Hear, Hear" entitled "Big Black Bomb"
He is set to work with hip-hop producer Puff Daddy.
PART III
RUMORS
Trent had been working on his new album for quite some time now.
(Rumored to be titled The Fragile. This supposedly double album's
release date has been pushed back repeatedly. Now tentatively set for
April 1999, but we at Circus Magazine have learned not to hold our
breath with the relentless perfectionist, Trent.