Trent Reznor Before Nine Inch Nails

TV interview with Trent Reznor of Cleveland's "Exotic Birds" 1985

[@Fire_Token]

i dont think you can become trent reznor without having awkward teenage years

[@isaiahanthony3358]

So that means I'm on the right track

[@MacintoshT.Reznor]

😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇 I truly hope you guys can respect him for all that he's accomplished getting clean being a family man and his music still being amazing. And I have a question, kinda; how are any of you going to pretend the 80's isn't where music belongs? Halo 18

[@wecanolivetogether1985]

​@@isaiahanthony3358same.

[@thestormlscoming]

He doesn’t seem awkward here to me at all. This is just the 80s

[@cameronharrington6813]

He was 20 in this video

[@chuleta1976]

I would pay top dollar to see NIN tour and only play covers of Exotic Birds & Sam Bamboo.

[@Amanda-dm5qr]

And soft cell covers haha

[@dougdavis1357]

@@Amanda-dm5qr hilarious, let's add Men Without Hats

[@ivratsdargy955]

@@Amanda-dm5qr NIN doing Soft Cell covers would be awesome actually since we never got a release of their rendition of Sex Dwarf

[@StanAlter]

can't wait for the new Exotic Birds album.

[@ericjamesphotography]

alex chalakee It will be here before the new Tool album.

[@THEnailhead666]

Whatever it is, I bet it's better than the last 6 nin releases

[@lucifer2b666]

@@THEnailhead666 Not true. I might be a total fan boy of NIN who's listened to every single song, listens to at least a couple of his songs each and every day and probably would like anything Trent makes. BUT... Hesitation Marks is a great fucking album. Not an absolute masterpiece but it's definitely great. Year Zero is a masterpiece. The Downward Spiral is more than a masterpiece. It's a look at the psychology of addiction, abandonedment, depression, anger at God and the world for bringing you down and making you loose everything you have. Including your sanity. Plus, it sounds beautiful, dark, angry, raw and so different than anything else out there. Yet, it captures the same beauty of other albums that were concepts on the same topics and adds much much much more to it. Trent said he studied the wall and David Bowie's low for inspiration and in my opinion, it's much better than both and I absolutely love and adore both albums. The wall is my second favorite album of all time and the downward spiral is my first favorite. The fragile is a masterpiece as well but it's more weak than the downward spiral. Seems more insecure, more sad, more confused and muddled. It's still a masterpiece just not as raw as I personally like. I do appreciate the bouncing around from depression to anger just like The Downward Spiral but it seems more sad than angry throughout which to me is slightly less relatable. The other albums are good but not great. Some people swear by "With Teeth" but I'm not a huge fan of it personally. I like some of the songs but it's not something I listen to often. Just felt like totally geeking out and giving my opinion. If you don't agree, I respect that. Nine Inch Nails is definitely a band you have to listen to quite a few times to start liking. I hated it except for "closer" until I really sat down and listened all the way through The Downward Spiral a few times and then I couldn't stop playing NIN. I've listened to nine inch nails at the very least twice in one day, every day for the past 8 months. Haven't gotten sick of it yet. Just bounce back and forth between each album. Right now I'm on a Pretty Hate Machine kick but a few weeks ago I was listening to The Fragile cause I was in that mood. 😂 Yeah, I'm a total dork. Ha ha ha

[@THEnailhead666]

@@lucifer2b666 I was one of the biggest nin fans. I still have my scrapbook from mid nineties where I would cut out and keep pictures of trent like a little schoolgirl. I had my Sin vinyl signed by him. I would go all the way to Manhattan as a kid at night to buy every release at midnight when jt came out. Waited days and nights in nin lines for tickets or to have my And All That Could Have Been signed. I bought Trent's guitar that he played and broke on stage and signed by the band to raise money for New Orleans after the hurricane, that's hanging on my wall right now. I was part of The Spiral group that Trent started to be able to buy early tickets and a special edition vinyl. I am telling you this not to brag, but to explain where I am coming from. I know every nin song backwards and forwards including all the odd songs done with Pigface and Al Jorgenson. I had the broken snuff movie on a vhs in early 90s. You know what that was like? Sjck and beautiful. And I agree that with teeth and the fragile are not as good as some of the other records. But at one point (after he started working with Atticus Ross probably) the records became completely unlistenable. I know people loose their edge as they get older and have kids and start writing pussy music, but this is even something else. Ever since ghosts and that free EP that came out after, its like he stopped trying all together. These records all sound like the songs could be interchanged from record to record and you would not know the difference. Try putting any song from PHM or broken or downward spiral or fragile or year zero or with teeth on another record and you will be like "wow, that sounds completely different, it doesn't belong here" but after ghosts, put any of the songs on any of the records and you wont even notice the difference. They all sound like each songs was "written" , recorded and mixed within half a day. Cookie cutter drum loops from a cassio keyboard that never changes for 6 minutes, lame sparse bleeps and weak ass guitars if you can call them that. And lyrics.... oh dont get me started on what now passes as lyrics. And music videos? Can you even call them that? How much care and love went in to making vids for Broken or downward spiral?? And now its just a glitched out screen. Thats it! Never changes. No effort or tkme what so ever is being put into any aspect of nin now. Its very sad. Because nin was everything to me.

[@lucifer2b666]

@@THEnailhead666 Well, wow!! I'm super jellous now. 🤣 Seriously. That's so fucking cool that you got all those things and were so involved. Wish I would have been a 90s teen. I wasn't even born till 99. So I completely missed that decade. Damn. I'm not going to lie, I'm so jellous of you but in a very non-spiteful way or a mean spirited way. Just damn... I wish I could have had even a tiny bit of those memories with NIN with some of those cool pieces of memorabilia. Anyway, I'm getting off track. Yeah, I agree about some of the new albums. It's very much mass produced and the albums have lost their charm. I really like Hesitation Marks though. Some of the songs aren't too great. But "All time low" on that album is imo really good. It's maybe in my top 25 favorites by him. Specifically the Tod Remix of that song is so good in my opinion. The other newer albums have lost the Trent Reznor magic. Sounds like his later movie scores and Black Ops 2 video game soundtrack basically with a little of his voice. Not that gritty anymore like he used to be. I think what might have happened is that he's changed into a business man and changed into a composer instead of a rockstar like he once was. That's why he's softer now which is a shame cause he probably won't ever make true nine inch nails music again unless his relationship goes south or he relapses or both. Wouldn't wish that on him for a good album cause that's super fucked up. So unfortunately for us fans and fortunately for him I guess, he probably won't come back at all or won't be the same as he used to be. I'm not even sure if I'll ever get to see him on tour as nine inch nails cause he's mostly stopped that too and it's outrageously expensive when he does from what I've heard. Maybe I'm wrong about him not touring much if at all anymore. To me, NIN has been a huge influence on my later teens. I had some things in my life go down in the past 3 to 4 years and discovering Trent's music has given me release and a sense that I'm not the only one to feel things I feel. When I heard his interview talking about how David Bowie was like his friend and it felt like Bowie was speaking to him, I kinda shit myself (not literally of course) cause that's how NIN has been to me. It's been like my guiding hand through the super fucked up shit I've dealt with in the past few years. Actually believe it or not, The Downward Spiral saved my life in a way twice. The second time it "saved me" was 8-9 months ago when I became a huge fan. The first time, I was dealing with some serious issues that I had gotten myself hooked in if you catch my drift. Helped me quit. I didn't want to end life just like the album ends in the last two songs. The second time around almost two years later I had just gotten out of the most meaningful relationship I had ever been in at the time, dealt with some mistakes me and my ex girlfriend made which had serious consequences on my state of mind and made me feel guilty and broken. I planned on committing suicide about three months after the break up but then I met a girl and I cleaned my life up and the two of us have been happy ever since and we've lasted half a year now. Nine Inch Nails has been there for me through all of that. Even while things are calm and peaceful, it still helps me when I get aggravated with life a lot. Also is just fun as well to listen to "big man with a gun" speeding down the highway screaming "I'm going to cum all over you" or listening to "down in it" in the middle of the night while driving home from work through some wooded areas. Or singing "only time" to my girlfriend as a joke. Those innocent and funny memories also are what makes me feel attached to it as well. If you read this, thanks. I just wrote you an essay.

[@Rockhalla1]

this is awesome. Its hilarious to see Trent go from a sterotypical 80's band to founding one of the most influential multi genre bands out there. And he kept the electronic element all the way through

[@jnnx]

It’s funny to see these modern STANS that STILL don’t understand NIN didn’t do anything that Skinny Puppy didn’t already do. I love NIN too, but you seriously need some perspective…

[@mattblah7737]

@@jnnx if you dont or cant write radio friendly catchy memorable songs, eventually some fan of yours will. Pantera, White Zombie, the list goes on

[@ContentMadame]

@@jnnx In those early years of NIN, I'd have agreed with you. But Skinny Puppy fell off the radar and hasn't contributed anything of widespread relevance in a long time, since before Ogre became an actor, and I don't think anyone honestly gives a shit about them anymore. Bands like NIN, Ministry, even KMFDM, surpassed them a long time ago.

[@dillondewitt3952]

@@jnnx You spelled Throbbing Gristle wrong, but there’s not a whole lot of argument for “the way was paved prior” that can take away what Trent Reznor has done to modernize and push industrial rock to the forefront. The genesis do deserve their due, but less than a few thousand people would be aware of them if someone like Trent didn’t help to popularize it. You’re not cool for shitting on a good hand that’s popular, and for enjoying something more obscure. Kind of just a dick.

[@MuscalityInObscurity]

Exotic birds was a very important band in sampling. I dunno man, stereotypical isn’t a good way to put it even if they sounded a bit like other bands. I’m a big 80s new wave fan and there’s a lot of artistry to be found in that sound.

[@LazyScoutJace]

Now I know why he went down a downward spiral.

[@thotd173]

+LazyScoutJace his haircut was on a downward spiral

[@danielhamby9448]

lol

[@jamesbehrje4279]

The downward spiral was really upward if you ask me!!!

[@user-tv1kw4wl7t]

@@thotd173 Got red pilled

[@darrenliderbach79]

Downward Spiral samples Andy’s drumming

[@rustyvkane3471]

10 years later he is sharing the stage with Bowie.......hard work ,talent and dedication

[@faerie_blood]

It's so weird seeing Trent not wearing black or fishnets

[@JoseGomez-ys3zs]

Because back then, Trent was a synth-pop musician. He wore fishnets in the 90's. 😁

[@user-rv5bf4wv6l]

Or Not breaking every piece of equiepement around him

[@cheyennealvis8284]

It's all bread and circus but we're all socially engineered by it. And many of us live exist and die without ever knowing about it. Everything about all of us from our accents to our style of dress to our mannerisms to the way we talk. We're saturated by it like fish in water. And it's been pumped into our subconscious minds for years.

[@onyxbel9484]

@@cheyennealvis8284 Surely not even NIN/Reznor though?! I thought 'we' were the exception to the rule, (of mass hypnosis)? Yet....Here we are, YT 'suggesting' old clips to hook onto as we swim past ...This makes me sad, all my life I thought I was 'different', 'more aware', 'on the outside, looking in'? Was I wrong?? I mean, I was the only kid listening to NIN at my school and most everyone else hated me lol 🤔

[@tristianity4u]

Oh okay I thought the computer wrote the songs for them, glad they cleared that up.

[@buzzardbeatniks]

I know it sounds ridiculous now, but there was a time when musicians actually did have to explain that to people.

[@SamAndrew27]

buzzardbeatniks "There was a time"?? That time has not passed, I'm afraid, not by a longshot! People STILL are fucking numbskull idiots and think that computers magically create the music out of thin-air. Just ask 10 people if they think Skrillex does anything except hit a spacebar. I bet 9 of them say "no."

[@knutelindstrom3716]

Hahaha! Well of course Skrillex uses more than just the space bar! He's got to press "enter" at some point! Not to mention on/off switches!lol Speeding up or slowing down the BPM of the samples when mixing them on the spot is probably one of the trickiest to make it flow flawlessly. Though I don't like electronic dance music, I do know there's more involved than just a few buttons, but that also depends on the DJ. I have met ppl who make good money "playing" shows with just their laptop, mic & PA system. One told me he was a glorified karaoke artist, but I think he was joking, he was talking about how easy it all was & very lucrative. I couldn't do that, I like playing instruments & I don't really care for money. I play all my own stuff & always thought of sampling as ripping off other musicians, unless it's a sample that one made them self, recorded it, then saved it in their computer file to bring up later. Not all make their own beats & samples by scratch & play the actual instruments first. The reason ppl see sampling & computers as just computer generated music is bcuz there are ppl who will take other musicians songs, maybe a bass line from one, drums from another, guitar riff from yet another, etc. & just mix/paste them together making it look computer generated bcuz it was programmed in rather than having an actual live band on the spot playing all the instruments & parts live. Ppl can see the instruments being played live, they see a laptop & turntables & it looks like it's pretty simple bcuz it's usually just one person. Perception always varies with everybody!

[@omarmega4093]

@@knutelindstrom3716 ok boomer

[@Ggucco]

@@knutelindstrom3716 mucho texto

[@tonyvilaysack88]

I love how Trent flips his hair up as he bobs his head hahaha

[@KRAPYBARA84]

this just shows Trent has been in music for a long time and knows his shit

[@lanceatkinson9317]

Before he had nine inch nails...Trent Reznor had a flock of seagulls

[@tsgarp92138]

Trading one band prejudice for another, dude. A Flock Of Seagulls was pigeonholed (lol) as a one hit wonder and a New Wave hair band because of "I Ran", and albeit Mike Score was a hairdresser and that was "their look", but AFOS was more a guitar band, had their own "Science Fiction Rock" sound, and Paul Reynolds was one of the best guitarists of the New Wave. Look past "I Ran" and listen to the songs, especially on "Listen". Their first three records were awesome.

[@Itsa6stringthang]

@@tsgarp92138 okay man whatever lol, to each their own...

[@ibelieveicansoar]

And the opening lyrics of Exotic Birds’ “Nothing Lasts Forever” contain “I know this much is true,” a line from the chorus of Spandau Ballet’s mega-hit “True.” Gotta respect when a band like E.B. is upfront about their influences...

[@Jaspertine]

The dude standing next to Reznor is Andy Kubiszewski (misspelled in the video), who played drums for Stabbing Westward. Talk about your six degrees.

[@iknowyounot88]

Damn, them two have come a long way from then! xD

[@carissageorge7794]

Yup.

[@scottcharney1091]

I was looking through the comments to find this. Kubiszewski is an excellent multi-instrumentalist, but he's no poet.

[@jrwgss1971]

I was handed a jewel case CD of Stabbing Westward in the restroom at the Curtain Club in Dallas that had 3 mixes of Save Yourself on it, back in like 97-98 I guess. I always thought it was a band trying really hard to sound like NIN. Makes a little more sense now.

[@darrenliderbach79]

Andy was even a substitute percussionist for the Cleveland Orchestra before joining Stabbing Westward

[@Sleepless2night]

no matter how he looks,you can still heard and feel trent's sound . they synth and everything. Long live Reznor!

[@luifer288]

trent looks like any member of the cure , this guy is a genius , i love his music

[@anderv00]

I find it so interesting to see how he's progressed, from the bands he played with through the 80's, to his first independent work, "Purest Feeling", and how that became PHM. I love how he is always evolving, always trying something new and pushing the limits. He is incredibly inspirirng.

[@james77se7en]

Every great musician starts somewhere. Trent has pioneered music, and changed it in more ways than people realize.

[@Mojowrk]

It's funny, I am 42 and this takes me back. We never really knew how far computers would take music back then, the possibilities just seemed endless. I have so much respect for Trent Reznor and how he really took off with the concept. And this is back when we wrote programs in MS-DOS lol! We've come a long way baby!

[@mylessonsradio9793]

TI - BASIC and late night tape drive loads from BBSs on a school night. Jolt cola and D&D. I miss those days.

[@rumshutt3r]

It seems be really came out of his shell in when he started nine inch nails.

[@rumshutt3r]

***** no no i was referring to the musical style.

[@DontStopCornPop]

When you are an aspiring young musician and somebody gives you an opportunity to release some of that musical creativity, you take it. It might not be exactly what you WANT to do but, it's something. This gave Trent the insight into the creative process of making music electronically and provided him a chance to use studio time to compose "Pretty Hate Machine". Without Exotic Birds there may never have been NIN. Everyone has a starting point, and it's not always pretty.

[@coopgu]

For all you youngsters, the break out music and artistic personas of the 90's were groundbreaking for a reason. NIN would never have broken through to a wider audience in 1985.

[@cybernettie]

I think I actually have the Exotic Birds on vinyl. One of my favorite bands from the Cleveland scene in the 80's.

[@albeleo1177]

The early 80's was an identity crisis. This is literally no surprise. The music we got from him is proof enough that there is real talent in places you least expect it.

[@gorfulator]

Then he heard Skinny Puppy...

[@odalayme]

gorfulator and sucked ideas from my life with thrill kill kult, the revolting cocks and Gary numan

[@kingsfield3945]

Where's the MLWTKK influence?

[@odalayme]

Kings Field "easy girl"

[@cloroxbleach566]

Skinny Puppy heard Cabernet Volitaire, so did Ministry, so did Trent Reznor. If you listen to Sensoria you will hear where Ministry, Skinny Puppy and Trent Reznor are influenced.

[@jimdomi6206]

Then he broke up with his GF and went AWOL from reality for the next 20+ years. We can thank her for NIN

[@buttholesurfer666]

this really tickles my shit

[@linglingjr]

VERY well put.

[@EvilStompyNoize]

that's beautiful

[@rainbowrotcod]

Goodness bless you.

[@Stoker1986]

Even as he is playing the keys there he still looks a lot cooler than all his bandmates. You can see his blossoming intensity. I believe he was more influenced by the times than anything else in this video's period. When he finally hit the scene with his own thing NIN, he truly showed what he personally was all about.

[@dernvader2023]

All I know is when I heard 'Head like a Hole' in about 198-9, I was 14 and I said 'I haven't heard anything like this before' - It's been a long time since I've said that... and I'm a musician also... It was like he mixed Erasure (which I hated) with punk music (which I loved)> and make up something totally unique for the time... We don't have any new instruments at the moment so, he was cutting edge and created a whole new sound at the time...

[@Twistedhippy]

Exactly! I was 14 too, and head like a hole was on Radio 1 in the UK, I thought this is new. Then I got a copy of pretty hate machine and was just blown away. Still my favourite of theirs.

[@samd3275]

"It's been a long time since I've said that." Yeah, me too. As George Martin said, we get more blasé with age. There are so many factors at play. Lots of people say, "It's not me. It's the music." But it's us. When we were younger we were not only less sophisticated in our tastes, but we literally hadn't heard much. And we tended to be more curious and pay closer attention. Things were just more likely to blow our minds. There is a lot of music out there that sounds like nothing I'm familiar with, but I'm not as amazed as I would have been when I was young. Even the new stuff I love now affects me in a different way. I appreciate it more calmly like a gift someone gave me rather than a revolution in my mind.

[@bencolemanart]

@@samd3275 Samn, I appreciate your open minded approach. So many people are on youtube trying to chase the dragon of their early encounters with music, and you seem to have matured into a relationship where you remain engaged and excited, but not expecting the same wild rush of a youthful interaction. This could be applied to many areas of life as we age- it's all a gift!

[@davidcross701]

ah...NO.

[@ronroidz2925]

I wish there would be the recording of the whole concert somewhere. This Line-Up of the Exotic Birds is Awesome, Chris Vrenna & Trent Reznor together with Andy Kubiszewski!

[@tjlazer79]

I thought i saw Chris Vrenna

[@markjsound]

Everyone in that band went on to music success in the own right. Andy Kubusewski with Stabbing Westward. The drummer Tom Freer is with the Cleveland Orchestra. And of course Trent.

[@ahhwe-any7434]

Mark Jastrzebski the for sharing. Didn't know that.

[@bencolemanart]

Dropping knowledge! I like Stabbing Westward, wouldn't have made the connection without this little comment right here.

[@darrenliderbach79]

Andy was with the Cleveland Orchestra too

[@rubendacostaesilva8442]

The drummer is Chris Vrenna.

[@trippiehippie7]

Back then The Exotic Birds opened for the Culture Club. ...and now Boy George watches NIN videos lol

[@rainbowrotcod]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@iwasinabandonce]

DAWW HIS VOICE CRACKED WHEN HE TALKED

[@Tiga-cg2pr]

Trent before the first day of his last days.

[@KUJOSREVENGE]

After watching this, I have to listen to I Do Not Want This just for it to truly sink in how much he changed.

[@lonrot]

Hahaha loved the tv fade out in the end.

[@riverscuomo994]

Lonrot?? Han pasado 12 años pero.. QUE COÑO???!

[@rottencorpse5971]

espera a Lonrot le gusta nine inch- que

[@tula6913]

wow no me esperaba para nada ver un comentario tuyo en un vídeo relacionado a Nine Inch Nails

[@captainsmokey4068]

QUE CARAJO LONROT JAJAJAJ

[@renacuajoxd8416]

WTF LONROOOOT??

[@FlorianDecros]

LOL ! Before NIN : Yeah i'm Trent Reznor, make happy synthpop, i'm well dressed, blablabla After NIN : I want to hurt myself, f*** the world, dressed like a tramp on scene, full of mud

[@FlorianDecros]

Pretty Hate Machine was angry synthpop. And after it become rage industrial metal.

[@farswept]

same fakery

[@KEVINfromCALI]

I think trent always felt the same(I want to hurt myself, f**k the world) except he wasn't expressing those feelings until NIN.

[@arturbondarenco2155]

+Florian Decros (ProgRockFan) Alice in Chains, Pantera, the Clash, they all switched genres in the beginning (or sometimes in the middle) of their carrers, so nothing wrong with Trent evolving and maturing as a musician. Life is a journey after all.

[@melisacaceres8740]

I've seen a clip of him in another happy poppy band, in which he was wearing side bangs and a black leather jacket with a black tee underneath...it was already beginning

[@metalgrinch]

I wonder if Trent still talks to these guys

[@scottcharney1091]

Probably; for just one example, Andy Kubiszewski was in Stabbing Westward.

[@Exhonerated]

Scott Charney he also did some drumming on the downward spiral

[@azbacnikorange]

Sooooooo happy this band never went anywhere.

[@renapeppers20]

Not to be mean but SAME lol

[@icydec3346]

@@user-mb0vf0mk0s If it continued, we wouldn't have Nine Inch Nails

[@chrisf6403]

Every time they say musical computer or computer musician, a puppy dies.

[@surferbri5346]

In high school I remember sneaking into the phantasy theatre in Lakewood Ohio to see these guys. Trent went to school at St.Edwards in Lakewood and this band was huge locally.

[@DickBooCocky]

+Brian Dill Wrong, he went to high school in Mercer Pa.

[@surferbri5346]

+Dick BooCocky he spent 2 years at st. Edward high school is Lakewood Ohio also

[@surferbri5346]

+Dick BooCocky he spent 2 years at st. Edward high school is Lakewood Ohio also

[@DickBooCocky]

+Brian Dill From WikipediaEarly life[edit]Reznor was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania,[9] the son of Nancy Lou (née Clark) and Michael Reznor.[10] He has German and Irish ancestry.[9] He is a descendant of George Reznor, who founded the Reznor Company, a heating and air conditioning manufacturing company, in 1888. The family sold the business in the 1960s.[10] He grew up in Mercer, Pennsylvania. After his parents divorced, he lived with his maternal grandparents, while his sister Tera lived with their mother.[11]Reznor began playing the piano at the age of five and showed an early aptitude for music. In a 1995 interview, his grandfather, Bill Clark, remarked, "Music was his life, from the time he was a wee boy. He was so gifted."[12] His former piano teacher Rita Beglin said that he "always reminded me of Harry Connick, Jr. when he played".[12] Reznor has acknowledged that his sheltered life in Pennsylvania left him feeling isolated from the outside world. In a 1994 interview with Rolling Stone, he referenced his choices in the music industry:“I don't know why I want to do these things, other than my desire to escape from Small Town, U.S.A., to dismiss the boundaries, to explore. It isn't a bad place where I grew up, but there was nothing going on but the cornfields. My life experience came from watching movies, watching TV and reading books and looking at magazines. And when your fucking culture comes from watching TV every day, you're bombarded with images of things that seem cool, places that seem interesting, people who have jobs and careers and opportunities. None of that happened where I was. You're almost taught to realize it's not for you.[13]”However, Reznor later said that he did not "want to give the impression it was a miserable childhood".[14] At Mercer Area Junior/Senior High School, he learned to play the tenor saxophone and tuba. He was a member of both the jazz and marching band. Former Mercer High School band director Dr. Hendley Hoge remembered Reznor as "very upbeat and friendly".[12] Reznor also became involved in theater while in high school. He was voted "Best in Drama" by classmates for his roles as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man. Reznor graduated in 1983 and enrolled at Allegheny College, where he studied computer engineering.[15]

[@rubendacostaesilva8442]

Altough I loved everything NIN releases since, I wished Trent and Chris had never split.

[@radtech21]

1:09 - A technique known as "sampling"... WOW, what's that? :-p

[@jamesbehrje4279]

radtech21 hey man back in the early 80s they didn't have all the cool stuff we have today. They spent too much time on technology on creating bad hair.

[@controversialpostmodernist4896]

@@jamesbehrje4279 "Too much time on technology on creating bad hair"? Sounds like a lot like today's generation

[@AyTheresTheRob]

Its hard to believe that that guy with that hair do went on to become one of the most inspirational musical genuis's of a generation

[@AORCrazy]

Man those were the years! I wish i was born earlier to experience the greatness of the '80's! Trent Reznor here and on his first album kicked ass, the rest is just plain noise!

[@Onlypcgaming]

oh wow, this is awesome!!! Got lucky finding this vid on youtube. Amazing seeing Trent pre-NIN and Andy pre-Stabbing Westard.

[@zazzledelacruz6036]

I hurt myself today just watching this.

[@TimothyHartkorn]

When trent reznor was a kid he was trained as a classical pianist. In school he was in the marching band. While funny as hell, it actually makes alot of sense as another transition to where he wanted to be or maybe where he was headed. It shows him using his childhood skill as a pianist and also shows the roots of pretty hate machines poppy synth rhythm's. Yeah it sucks but no one starts out kicking ass. And he's got alot more talent than almost all his peers. including pearl jam and metalisux.

[@1988camarokid]

Lmao hey you gotta start somewhere

[@edisons.7637]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Trent, my favorite band started out as THIS lol It honestly hurt my yes AND my ears. Thank you Jesus for having Trent see the light and changing my life and changing music in general. If it wasn't for Trent, I'd probably still only be listening to rap, hip hop and R&B cause I was raised in the ghetto. Now I appreciate ALL of it because of this one man. Thank god for NIN.

[@pixi-annesaliba5789]

OMG this is priceless. Thank you for posting this!!!!

[@jacquzzi]

You might think twice about what would Mr. Reznor's influence sound like back then if you listen to the song "Maybe Just Once". It's got a smattering of his Pretty Hate Machine angst but the song itself sounds quite upbeat. Personally, it's one of my favorites from El Rezzo.

[@John-gi4zi]

"It would sound bad if a human was trying to play 16th notes throughout a song." Depends on the human, surely.

[@bencolemanart]

And the notes.

[@norcal9874]

Danny Carey…😉

[@thetroubledmonk]

When you consider how Trent loved David Bowies music and The Cure, you can easily see how he would have had this phase in hi screative life. To be fair, he was ahead of his time even then with where he was at when creating music. But he had an awakening, no doubt about that.

[@odinrodriguez5128]

I loved the Exotic Birds ... I met Andy kubiszewski, and we became friends, before I knew he was in a band, super talented!I Met him and the Exotic Birds after Trent Reznor just left the band.

[@theechothief5594]

1:17, trent looks so dramatic here I love it.

[@Hopskotchrecords]

this looks like it was recorded in 2016

[@sunshinybean1179]

*FEATURING CAMERAMEN DABBING W/ FLIPPING WATER BOTTLES, FIGET SPINNERS AND FNAF!!*

[@shakemeshakeme]

man this is great thanks for the upload

[@jimbo0411]

He was in a local rock band in youngstown called The Urge in the mid 80's before all this.

[@vkgoeswildofficial]

won't you wish everyone get's cooler with age?

[@scott7521]

Some do and some don't

[@vviimusic]

You have Vika!

[@b0rgerRAMMY]

1:18 for epic Trent head flair

[@TheMillersToll]

Its so cool to see stuff like this before a band or someone becomes what we know them as now. So much has changed since this story was shot. Awesome!

[@acarlss]

whoaaa baby trent. i love him either way.

[@gangurobitch]

.... Was there ever a time when Trent and Chris Vrenna weren't joined at the hip?

[@current81]

And at the same time Nivek Ogre and Cevin Key had made songs like Dead Lines and Smothered Hope.

[@gangurobitch]

cEvin started out in a synthpop band, too, though.

[@dondobbs9302]

Six years after TG invented Electronica dance music. They had already invented Industrial. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJapk4NrrsylipY

[@robins5798]

Gotta love how defensive some people get everytime someone mentions Skinny Puppy. Trent basically looked like Ogre's twin brother in the 90's.

[@drake51582]

great analysis with relevant examples...long live trent!!!

[@tomhulcelover]

OH MY FUCKING SHIT

[@screamengine]

... And then he saw the darkness. Thank God!

[@extropian]

All great artist evolve and get better over time. Yes PHM is an amazing album, but albums like TDS and The Fragile feature much more refined and sophisticated songwriting. My favourite NIN song is Ringfinger though.

[@JoseGomez-ys3zs]

Happy 56th birthday, Trent Reznor! 🎂

[@Tothmacher]

wow great retort! even better argument! well thought out, concise, all subjects covered and the wit is unmatched!

[@setpunks13]

this isn't terrible, but I find it's a little too frivolous and poppy. I prefer Trent's work in Slam Bamboo. I felt he captured a much more raw, urgent sound there.

[@THEnailhead666]

t .byrne hey, what about option 30

[@daviddemedicis4446]

So wait, computers can be used to create music? You can put code into a computer, and music will come out?! This is the future!!

[@emersonvestal]

you sir, deserve best comment of the year

[@sgriffin26]

this is awesome. trent was really feeling the music then too. best part is that they opened for the culture club. awesome. i love it.

[@heliumtrophy]

"when they opened up for the culture club in '84" that there, is a line that haunts many an industrial band.

[@kingloser4198]

Do you really want to HURT me?

[@mootpoint7053]

_Wonders if Trent has watched this upload....?_

[@mistressf]

this has got to be the most hilarious thing i've ever seen. i wonder how come i had never seen this before

[@aa428507]

nothing´ll be enough to be thankfull with trent reznor for give the hope of that my life one day changes to be better. word.

[@obviousypc]

Who do I talk to about the repairs I need to make in my Reznor brand air conditioner?

[@dandelionwaves]

:D Well, we all have to start somewhere...

[@missyr797]

This is amazing

[@QueenNothing22]

Ahh.. Trent has always been so gorgeous

[@joeredfield7647]

Damn! Trent didn't sound so deep when he was 20...

[@Blyledge]

Actually, if you listen to the lyrics from this clip, the themes aren't all that different from NIN. This Exotic Birds song and The Perfect Drug are about the extremes of emotions of a love affair, and self-doubt from recognizing your own failings. Perfect Drug is just a lot darker.

[@MollyBlack]

I saw him open as NIN for Skinny Puppy in 1988 in NYC. I KNEW he was older than he claims to be. Also the fact that he looked like a mini-Bono in 1988 makes sense seeing what he looked like just a couple of years earlier. Love this! Thanks for sharing...

[@wmhamby]

Exotic Birds actually sounds a little like the first Ministry record on Arista. They were somewhat synth pop back then. Way before the hard sound Ministry became. As many know Trent and Al(from Ministry) ended up recording together to cover Black Sabbath's, Supernaut under the name 10,000 Homo DJ's on Wax Trax Records. Just like Exotic Birds, Ministry opened for Culture Club in San Francisco in that same ea.

[@dondobbs9302]

Boy George "changed" them.

[@WhyDoIKeepFuckinUp]

10,000 homo DJs? Lol

[@pedroortiz3223]

Well, it´s like Alain Jourgensen from Ministry, He started making synth pop music. But now Ministry stands for "Badass industrial music" Who cares!?

[@rew1908]

Ministry used to be about badass industrial, now it's more like bad political thrash metal. Paul Barker's influence on that band is / was sorely missed.

[@pedroortiz3223]

rew190 I agree. Filth Pig was their last significant release. Almost 20 years already..

[@rew190]

Dan Warren Sure, I'm just saying that regardless of what Barker's done before or after Ministry, the band was better when he was in it. By a lot. Possibly coincidental.

[@dondobbs9302]

Or; "So What!?

[@vkgoeswildofficial]

anywhere near, that's right.. lol

[@kenlab77]

Oh my.... this is gold.

[@cb3961]

I saw EXOTIC BIRDS with Reznor in '85 at The Fantasy in Lakewood,Ohio...just as seen in the clips here...cool postings !!!

[@phillipboyd4901]

Dig This.

[@jeremyhilton6]

He doesn't really seem like he could eff anyone like an animal, nor bring them closer to God

[@cristoffL]

It’s hard to imagine. Yeah you summed it up there man.

[@Mike_sandoval_]

this is pure gold.

[@Ilovegrunge123]

The thumbnail kind of looks like a panting.

[@rainbowrotcod]

Id buy that painting!!!

[@George7763]

I guess Trent felt like that band was for the birds.

[@LordOfTheRings897]

Love this.

[@GregWatermann]

Beautiful.

[@ZeldaFoxEars]

He started from the bottom...

[@staticdread2492]

Now he's down in it.

[@twcoursolle]

+Static Dread That's a downward spiral.

[@ChuckGermanhammer]

exotic birds still sound better than nine inch nails.

[@ChuckGermanhammer]

***** fuck you. long live slam bamboo.

[@ABeautifulResonance]

lol. this is hilarious. thanks fer uploading!

[@multiversossaltamontes7374]

that is a lessons for those who want to create a better tv station. give options, opportunities and dignity. for example, at the end, have a calling for all artist to compete in a music festival.