- For the Wikipedia entry on Nine Inch Nails, click here.
Nine Inch Nails is the studio name for Trent Reznor, as well as the name of the band hired by him to perform songs while on tour. It is an industrial rock band, and the most recognized one since the genre was introduced.
Nine Inch Nails (commonly abbreviated as NIN) was formed in Cleveland, Ohio, circa 1988, and have so far released seven full-length studio albums, seventeen EPs, a number of remix albums, and some live compilations. Reznor is the only official member and has always been solely responsible for the musical direction of the band. His lyrics are largely concerned with the exploration of the self, but with his most recent albums, Year Zero and The Slip, the lyrical focus has shifted somewhat to extrospection. After recording a new album, the assembly of a new band usually follows, along with extensive touring; the live component of Nine Inch Nails is largely considered a separate entity from NIN in the recording studio. NIN's live shows often involve visually spectacular elements such as screens and lighting rigs, which were used on the Self Destruct, Fragility, With Teeth Arena Tours (Fall & Spring) and Performance 2007 tours, and often culminate with the destruction of musical instruments.
Body Of Work
Full-Length Albums
- Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
- The Downward Spiral (1994)
- The Fragile (1999)
- With Teeth (2005)
- Year Zero (2007)
- Ghosts I–IV (2008)
- The Slip (2008)
EPs & Remix Albums
- Broken (1992)
- Fixed (1992)
- Closer To God (1994)
- Further Down The Spiral (1994)
- Things Falling Apart (2000)
- Still (2002)
- Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D (2007)
Live Releases
- Closure (1997) Music video & Live documentary double VHS set.
- And All That Could Have Been (2002) DVD, VHS, CD
- Beside You In Time (2007) DVD, HD-DVD, Blu Ray.
Singles
- Down In It (1989)
- Head Like a Hole (1990)
- Sin (1990)
- Wish (1992)
- Happiness In Slavery (1992)
- March of the Pigs (1994)
- Closer (1994)
- Burn (1994)
- Hurt (1994)
- The Perfect Drug (1997)
- The Day The World Went Away (1999)
- We're In This Together (1999)
- Into The Void (1999)
- Starfuckers, Inc. (2000)
- Deep (2001)
- The Hand That Feeds (2005)
- Only (2005)
- Every Day Is Exactly The Same (2006)
- Survivalism (2007)
- Capital G (2007)
- Discipline (2008)
Members
- Trent Reznor
Live Band Members
- Robin Finck (1994–1995, 1999–2000, 2008– )
- Justin Meldal-Johnsen (2008– )
- Ilan Rubin (2009– )
Former Members
Guitar
- Ralf Dietel Replaced by Aaron North at the last minute. Never played a live show with them.
- Kevin McMahon (Nights Of Nothing, 1996)
- Richard Patrick (1989–1993)
- Aaron North (2005–2007)
Bass
- Rich Fownes (2008, studio only, never made it to the road replaced by Meldal-Johnsen)
- Danny Lohner (1994–2003)
- Jeordie White (2005–2007)
Keyboards
- Charlie Clouser (1994–2001)
- Alessandro Cortini (2004–2008)
- David Haymes (1990)
- Brian Liesegang Replacement for a few nights when Mars was out drunk. Helped in the studio during Broken when Woolley was gone.
- Nick Rushe (1990)
- Lee Mars (1990-1991)
- James Woolley (1991–1994)
- Chris Vrenna (1988–1997)
- Gary Talpas (1988) First live keyboardist on first Pretty Hate Machine tour, (only a few shows). Then he became the art director instead and was replaced by Rushe.
- Keith Hillebrandt (1998-2001) Studio member, song writing credits, was planned to be part of a multiple-keyboardist setup for the live band Trent originally planned. The Fragile took a different route sonically though, even after planning this and Keith didnt play live. However he did replace Clouser during the CRC sessions when the band played live in 2000. Was listed as full band member on the Afraid Of Americans remix along with Reznor, Lohner, Clouser and, Dave "Rave" Ogilvie.
- Dave "Rave" Ogilvie (1997-1999) See Keith above.
Drums
- Alex Carapetis (2005)
- Jerome Dillon (1999–2005)
- Josh Freese (2005–2008)
- Ron Musarra (1988)
- Chris Vrenna (1988–1997)
- Jeff Ward (1991)
Other
- Sean Beaven Backup vocals from mixing console Self Destruct and Hate Machine tours
- Martin Atkins Drums(1991–1992), studio only. Featured in music video for Head Like A Hole
- Wes Borland Guitar (Replaced by Aaron North from further auditions, 2004)
- Atticus Ross Creative partner, mixer and programmer for NIN since With Teeth era. Was guest keyboardist for several of the final shows
- Tim Neimi Additional synth design on Pretty Hate Machine