The Nine Inch Nails Trent Reznor Fact Sheet
Originally published in Circus Magazine on January 1, 1999
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 Synthesizer/keybard salesman from Cleveland, named Michael Trent Reznor sent in a demo tape, they moved on to Tretn'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: Michael 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 interest in music. His grandfather, Bill Clark said "Music was his life, from the time we was a wee boy. He was so gifted."
He had a keyboard oriented band in high school called "Option 30". Most people who 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- Tren 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 Machine 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 has 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.
Originally released on TVT records, before NIN, the label was best known for Show tune compilations. But after an unknown Synthesizer/keybard salesman from Cleveland, named Michael Trent Reznor sent in a demo tape, they moved on to Tretn'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: Michael 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 interest in music. His grandfather, Bill Clark said "Music was his life, from the time we was a wee boy. He was so gifted."
He had a keyboard oriented band in high school called "Option 30". Most people who 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- Tren 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 Machine 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 has 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.
Transcribed by Keith Duemling