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==Biography==
===Growing Up===
Reznor was born and raised in the western Pennsylvania town of Mercer in a Lutheran household (although Reznor now states that he believes in God, but has no actual religion). Because he has the same first name as his father, he was called by his middle name to avoid confusion. In late 1970, soon after the birth of his little sister, Tera, Reznor's father left and his parents divorced. He and his infant sister were sent to live with their maternal grandparents, primarily because it would have been too difficult for their mother to raise them by herself. Reznor's grandmother decided that the 5-year-old should take classical piano lessons. Over the years he became immersed in music and has been compared to Harry Connick, Jr. by his piano teacher.
By the time Reznor was in high school he discovered horror movies and rock music. KISS and [[David Bowie]] were his heroes. His grandmother considered pulling him out of school so that he could focus on his piano studies full-time, with the hope that he would become a classical pianist. Reznor did not want this and instead became active in Mercer High School's Marching Band, Concert Band, and in theater. He played tenor saxophone and tuba in the school bands, even winning Top Woodwind at one point. He also played Judas in the school's production of ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' and landed the title role in ''The Music Man.''
===The Early Years===
{{see also|:Category:Early bands}}
Reznor graduated from high school in 1983 and went on to study production at Allegheny College. It was around this time that he joined his first "real" band, [[Option 30]]. They became popular in the college scene in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio but Reznor clearly wanted to get out and see more. After a year in college, Reznor dropped out of school and left Option 30. He was offered a job as a salesperson at a specialty keyboard and pro audio shop, Pi Keyboards and Audio, moving to in Clevelandand moved there. Once While working there, he worked met Bart Koster, who was building a few odd jobsnew recording studio, selling music instruments Right Track Studios. Koster was impressed with Reznor's skills and also working offered him a job as a studio technician at Right Track Studiobefore he even moved into the building. It was in In Cleveland that he met roommate and future bandmate , Reznor also reconnected with [[Chris Vrenna]], whom he knew from high school, and they became roommates. The day jobs helped Reznor pay the bills but, like in Pennsylvania, he became active in Cleveland's music scene.
Reznor's first band in Cleveland was a cover band called [[The Urge]]. This band drew crowds and Reznor got some recognition. When he left the band months later they lost much of their audience. Reznor briefly re-joined before parting ways again shortly thereafter. In 1985, he joined [[The Innocent]] as a keyboardist, but left the band after three months. In 1986 , he joined the [[Exotic Birds]] as a keyboardist and back-up vocalist with [[Andy Kubiszewski]] (who would later join [[Stabbing Westward]]) and, at one point, Vrenna. The Exotic Birds received some national attention after playing a few gigs with the Culture Club, but Reznor's tenure with them would not last. This was followed by keyboardist positions in [[The InnocentSlam Bamboo]], and [[Lucky Pierre]], and [[Slam Bamboo]]. But all the while, Reznor wanted to be able to do his own music and be his own musician.
In 1988, Reznor was finally able to write his first "real" song. It was entitled "[[Down in It (song)|Down In It]]" and was recorded as part of a demo during Reznor's spare time at the studio. After trying to come up with a name for his solo project(an early contender was The Crown Of Thorns[http://www.theninhotline.net/archives/articles/manager/display_article.php?id=6183]), he settled on the name Nine Inch Nails (NIN for short) because "it sounded menacing, it was catchy, it stood the two-week test, and it could be easily abbreviated." He later befriended [[John A. Malm, Jr.]], who would become his manager for 15 years. The demo (known as ''[[Purest Feeling (halo)|Purest Feeling]]'') was shopped around to various record labels. Ultimately [[TVT Records]], known for its TV music compilations, signed Reznor and offered to help him release his music.
===NIN Begins===
By the end of the touring cycle (known as the [[Self Destruct Touring Cycle|Self-Destruct]] tour), Reznor was miserable. He had sunk into addiction, and pressure from the label to begin work on a follow-up to ''The Downward Spiral'' took its toll. He stepped back for a little while and took time to sort things out.
In 1997, Reznor collaborated with [[David Lynch]] on the soundtrack for ''[[Lost Highway Soundtrack|Lost Highway]]'', which resulted in a new standalone Nine Inch Nails single, ''[[The Perfect Drug (halo)|The Perfect Drug]]''. A home video package entitled ''[[Closure]]'' was also released that year, compiling tour footage from 1994-1995 as well as most of the [[Nine Inch Nails music videos|music videos]] that had been made up to that point. These releases helped to appease fans during the long wait for the next album.
===Fragile===
''The Fragile'' was released in September 1999 and debuted at the top of the ''Billboard'' album charts. It soon fell off the charts due to a number of factors. Among them were a lack of marketing from the record label and the sheer length of the album. Reznor decided to celebrate the album's chart debut with a drink, which led to a relapse into drugs and alcohol.
Touring began shortly after the album's release. The [[Fragility]] tour would last a total of 8 months and travel the world. During the US tour, Reznor rekindled his friendship with [[Brian Warner]], frontman for the band Marilyn Manson, which had soured in 1997 following the release of the ''[[Lost Highway Soundtrack]].'' Initially Manson was offered the producer position but Reznor ultimately got it. The friendship was revived in part because of changes in popular music.
As the tour progressed, Reznor's health declined as his addictions got worse. It culminated with a tour stop in London, when Reznor overdosed on heroin, prompting a long-awaited concert to be cancelled. Citing Reznor's privacy and not wanting to bring about a media firestorm, the band's management explained that another member of the band, new drummer [[Jerome Dillon]], was sick with a stomach flu. After the cancellation, Reznor apologized and explained the situation. He understood that people were angry about it and he stressed that concerts are never cancelled without a valid reason.
Reznor encountered a problem in the writing process immediately: he wasn't sure if he could still write music. So he set goals for himself early on: two songs written and demoed every ten days. It was a back-to-basics approach to help him decide if he could write music while clean and sober. The demo process was very stripped-down, consisting of a drum machine, a piano, a microphone, and a computer. From those demos, Reznor would determine what worked and what didn't. He found that the piano element in the demos provided an interesting contrast to the drums, and it would remain in many of the songs.
Initially, the plan was to create a concept album called ''Bleedthrough.'' As the recording process progressed, the concept was scrapped and became ''[[With Teeth (halo)|With Teeth]],'' a more song-oriented rock album. It was recorded at Reznor's New Orleans studio, and it would be the last music to be recorded there. Reznor has since later relocated to Los Angeles, partly to be closer to those in the music industry, but also as a way to avoid a temptation that could send him into another relapse. During the production process, Reznor invited [[Dave Grohl]] to play drums on some of the songs, at Dillon's suggestion. Recording was delayed for a few days that September when the city was evacuated due to Hurricane Ivan, which took a more easterly track at the last minute. Production ended in late 2004, and post-production began in early 2005.
March 2005 was the beginning of the press junket for ''With Teeth.'' Reznor talked about his addictions and sobriety, his reaction to Cash's cover of "Hurt," his impending 40th birthday, and the upcoming tour cycle. A new touring line-up had been assembled, and Reznor was confident in their ablilities. Five concerts had been scheduled with small venue dates throughout April and May of that year. The smaller venues were chosen because Reznor wasn't yet sure if he could still play to crowds as large as in the past. The tour sold out immediately, a sign that NIN's comeback was sorely needed.
After the success of the club tour, Nine Inch Nails traveled the world, playing at festivals and large venues. Reznor found that he could write music sober and began working on a follow-up to ''With Teeth,'' setting up makeshift studios on his tour bus, in his dressing room, and in his hotel room. It was one way that he remained sober while on the road and was one of many safety nets he established to help himself stay sober. No longer interested in the backstage partying, he now found enjoyment in making music, which he once saw as a chore or job.
Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans on August 28, 2005. Reznor was at first concerned about his studio there, but initially it seemed like the city was spared from the storm. The next day, when the city's levee and pump system failed, Reznor was devastated. In the following days, his sadness became anger at the lack of response to the disaster, as he became even more vocal about his disdain with the US government. He was invited to perform on ReactNOW!ReAct Now, a telethon organized by Viacom with proceeds going to the American Red Cross to help those affected by the storm. Reznor performed "Hurt" with Cash's lyrical change, and premiered a new song, "[[Non-Entity]]," an internet-exclusive performance that would later be made into an MP3 file available for purchase. Proceeds from the MP3 went to the American Red Cross. Reznor decided that guitars used on the upcoming concerts would be sold on eBay with proceeds going to the Red Cross. It was one of many nonprofits that Reznor would go on to publicly support. In January 2006, he joined People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA's) campaign against the Chinese fur industry, narrating a video documenting the abuse of cats and dogs used in that nation's fur trade. In February 2006 Reznor revealed that he had adopted a retired racing greyhound, emphasizing animal adoption and rescue.
When the [[Live: With Teeth]] tour ended in July 2006, Reznor rented a house in a wooded area outside of Malibu to begin turning the sounds created on the tour into a new album.
The Year Zero experience was Reznor's vision of the world in 15 years if the decline of civil liberties and an endless war on terror continued. People are drugged to keep them complacent and have GPS chips implanted under their skin. Separation of Church and State are a thing of the past and the government can now spy on everyone at every waking moment, even in their own homes. Most significantly, Reznor seems to be asking his fans to take action and prevent this vision of the future from happening, providing sites with downloadable stencils, flyers, and patterns to spread a message against censorship and the decline of civil liberties.
''Year Zero'' was released on April 17, 2007, and debuted at the Number 2 position on the ''Billboard'' charts. Much of 2007 was spent touring outside of North America in support of the album, with only one US date. When the [[Performance 2007]] tour ended, Reznor returned to Los Angeles to finish working with hip-hop artist/author/actor [[Saul Williams]] on ''[[The Inevitable Rise And Liberation Of NiggyTardust!]].'' On October 8, 2007, Reznor announced that he was no longer under contract with Interscope, allowing him to be able to distribute any future Nine Inch Nails and solo work in whatever form he desired. He also expressed his belief that being free from contract would enable him to have more direct contact with his fanbase and get his material to them in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. Interscope can still release a greatest-hits collection and is rumored to be compiling both that and a music-video retrospective. Reznor has expressed interest in helping with both of these proposed releases.
===Independence===
Following the release of Williams' album and his release from Interscope, Reznor embarked on a musical experiment. The experiment was ten weeks of improvising and experimenting in the studio, and seeing what came out from it. What started as a 5-song EP soon grew into a 36-song collection that became known as ''[[Ghosts I–IV]].'' Reznor released the first volume in four parts in a 2-CD set on April 8, 2008. A download and streaming option became available on March 2, 2008. Inspired by daydreams and experimentation, ''Ghosts'' returns to Reznor's introversion and self-exploration. Around 700,000 people downloaded or bought the record in the first week of its release. Within the first week of the record's release, Reznor grossed US$1,619,420, which is US$659,420 more than ''Year Zero'' grossed in its first year of release.
Shortly after ''Ghosts I–IV'' was released, Reznor revealed that he was working on yet another "secret project." On May 5, 2008, the project was revealed to be yet another new album. ''[[The Slip]]'' was released online in the early morning hours as a free download at NIN.com as a way for Reznor to show appreciation to his fanbase for their dedication. A CD/DVD of the album was released on July 22, 2008, limited to 250,000 units worldwide, followed by a [[Lights In The Sky Tour|concert tour ]] to promote it and the rest of the NIN catalog. In 2009 Reznor announced the end of Nine Inch Nails as a touring entity, citing a feeling of monotony and routine. Following what was then the final Nine Inch Nails show in September of 2009, he stepped away from music for a little while, emerging at the end of the year to announce that he was to begin work on some projects for 2010. ===Branching Out===In February 2010 Reznor began work on an EP for a new project called [[How To Destroy Angels]], featuring himself, longtime collaborator [[Atticus Ross]], and [[Mariqueen Maandig]], a singer formerly of psychedelic band West Indian Girl. How To Destroy Angels released their self-titled EP for free on June 1, 2010, with a physical release available on July 6, 2010. That same year, [[David Fincher]] asked Reznor and Ross to compose the score for his film ''[[The Social Network Soundtrack|The Social Network]],'' documenting the rise of Facebook. The score and film were released in fall of 2010. Both were met with much praise and accolades including a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award for Reznor and Ross. On January 7, 2011, Reznor announced that he would once again be collaborating with Fincher by composing the soundtrack to the US film adaptation of the bestselling novel ''[[The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack|The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo]].'' The film was released in theaters in December of 2011. The new foray into film scoring was a logical extension of what Reznor had previously done with ''[[Quake]]'' and production work on the soundtracks for ''[[Natural Born Killers Soundtrack|Natural Born Killers]]'' and ''Lost Highway''. In 2012, Reznor continued his work with How To Destroy Angels, releasing another EP and recording the long-awaited debut album, ''[[Welcome Oblivion (album)|Welcome Oblivion]]'', which was released on March 5, 2013. The album was supported by a brief [[How To Destroy Angels Live 2013|tour]].
===NIN Returns===In 2009 early 2013, Reznor had announced the end of that Nine Inch Nails as a would be touring entityagain, citing despite having done a feeling of monotony and routine. Following the final Nine Inch Nails show [[Wave Goodbye Tour|farewell tour]] in September of 2009. Several months later, he stepped away from music for a little while, emerging at the end of the year to announce revealed that he was to begin work on some projects for 2010. In February 2010 Reznor began work on an EP for a new project called album entitled ''[[How To Destroy AngelsHesitation Marks]], featuring himself, longtime collaborator [[Atticus Ross]], '' had been secretly recorded over the course of a year and that he had signed to [[Mariqueen MaandigColumbia Records]], a former singer from psychedelic band West Indian Girl. He cited his work with film scores and How To Destroy Angels released their self-titled EP as the source of his revitalized interest in a new direction for free on June 1, 2010, with a physical release available on July 6, 2010NIN.
===Recent Activity===In early 20132016, a host of other score music from Reznor and Ross was announced that Nine Inch Nails would be touring again. In June, despite having done the pair released a [[Juno|standalone track]] for a short film about NASA's Juno Mission. This was followed by the ''[[Before The Flood Soundtrack]]'' (a collaboration with Mogwai and Gustavo Santaolalla) and the ''[[Patriots Day Soundtrack]]''. Delivering on a farewell tour promise made in 20092015 for new music from NIN the following year, the ''[[Not The Actual Events]]'' EP was officially released on December 23, 2016. Several months laterIn 2017, he it was revealed that ''Not The Actual Events'' was the first in a new album entitled trilogy of related releases and the second installment, ''[[Add Violence]]'', was released on July 21. Another Reznor and Ross work, ''[[Hesitation MarksThe Vietnam War Original Score]]'' had been secretly recorded over , followed in September. The third installment of the course of a year and that he had signed to aforementioned trilogy, ''[[Columbia RecordsBad Witch]]'', was released on June 22, 2018. He cited his work The trilogy was supported with film scores and How To Destroy Angels as the source of his revitalized interest in a new direction for Nine Inch Nails[[NIN 2017-2018]] touring cycle.
==Body Of Work==
''The following discography is Reznor's work outside of Nine Inch Nails, in chronological order. For the complete Nine Inch Nails discography see the [[Halo numbers]] page''
===1987===
*Appeared in the film '''Acting Role[[wp:Light Of Day|Light Of Day]]''': Played as a member of "The Problems" (played by Exotic Birds) in [[wp:Light Of Day|Light Of Day]] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0MmNjy97s]
===1988===
*''Communiqué,'' Lucky Pierre (Saxophone and vocals, "Communiqué";" vocals, "I Need To Get To Know (Other People)")
===1990===
*''Supernaut,'' [[1000 Homo Djs]] (Vocals, "[[Supernaut]]")
*'''Touring''': Provided vocals on tour with the Revolting Cocks*Appeared in the music video for "Faster Than Light" by Lead Into Gold
===1991===
*''Cautiøn Dø Nøt Play,'' Crunch-O-Matic (Album programming)
*''Gub,'' [[Pigface]] (Loop programming; writing; vocals, "[[Suck]]")*'''Touring''': Provided vocals on tour with Pigface
===1992===
*''Burn Like Brilliant Trash,'' Machines of Loving Grace (remix, "Burnt Offering" and "Burn Like Brilliant Trash (Dub 120 BPM)")
*''Foreclosure Of A Dream,'' Megadeth (Remix, "Symphony Of Destruction (The Gristle Mix)")
*''Stone Cold Crazy (promo),'' Queen (Remix, "Stone Cold Crazy (Re-Produced by Trent Reznor)")
===1993===
*Unknown mix tape[[Untitled Mixtape]], Queen (Remix, "Tie Your Mother Down (Reznor Remix)")
*''Blackerthreetrackertwo,'' Curve (Remix, "Missing Link (Screaming Bird Mix)")
*''The Wooden Song,'' [[Butthole Surfers]] (Remix, "Who Was In My Room Last Night (Trent Reznor Remix)")
*''Black Box—Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years'' (Vocals, "Supernaut (Trent Reznor Vocal Version)" for 1000 Homo DJs)
*Promo for MTV Japan with [[Shinya Tsukamoto]] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCHSn6QJ1tc Low quality video] (Music writtenWriting and performance)
===1994===
*''[[Portrait of an American Family]],'' Marilyn Manson (album producer; album mix; guitar, "Lunchbox";" saxophone, "My Monkey")
*''Get Your Gunn,'' Marilyn Manson (Producer, tracks 1–2; remix, "Mother Inferior Got Her Gunn (Trent Reznor Remix)")
*''[[Natural Born Killers Soundtrack]],'' (Album producer)
*''Under The Pink,'' [[Tori Amos]] (Vocals, "Past The Mission")
*''Light,'' KMFDM ("Light (Fat Back Dub) remix")
*''Smells Like Children,'' Marilyn Manson (Album producer)
*''The Heart's Filthy Lesson,'' [[David Bowie]] (Remix, "The Heart's Filthy Lesson (Alt Mix)")
===1996===
*''[[Quake]]'' video game (Writing and performance, music and sound effects)
*''[[Antichrist Superstar]],'' Marilyn Manson (album programming; producer, tracks 1–2, 4–10, 12–16, 99; guitar, "Little Horn," "Mister Superstar," "Deformography";" mellotron, "Cryptorchid";" piano, "Man That You Fear")*''[[Lost Highway Soundtrack]]'' (Album producer; writing and performance, "[[Driver Down]]" and "[[Videodrones; Questions]];" saxophone, "Driver Down")
===1997===
*''[[Lost Highway Soundtrack]]'' (Album producer; writing and performance, "[[Driver Down]]" and "[[Videodrones; Questions]]"; saxophone, "Driver Down")*''[[I'm Afraid Of Americans]],'' David Bowie (Remix, "I'm Afraid Of Americans " (V1, V2, V3, V4 and V6 Mixes);" vocals, "I'm Afraid Of Americans V1")
*''Option 30,'' Option 30 (Vocals, keyboards; originally recorded in 1983)
===1998===
*''Herehear,'' Wink (Vocals and lyrics, "[[Black Bomb (Jerry In The Bag)]]")
*''Wooden Song EP,'' Butthole Surfers ("Who Was In My Room Last Night? (Trent Reznor Remix)")
*''Wardance (The Remixes),'' Killing Joke (This remix CD includes a Nine Inch Nails remix of the song Remix, "Democracy(NIN Remix)")
===1999===
*''Breadline,'' Megadeth (Remix, "Symphony Of Destruction (The Gristle Mix)")
===2000===
*''Seven'' , David Bowie (Vocals, "I'm Afraid Of Americans V1" for David Bowie)
===2002===
*''Spin This,'' N.E.R.D. (Remix, "Lapdance (Trent Reznor Remix)")
===2003===
*''Growing Up,'' Peter Gabriel (Remix, "Growing Up (Trent Reznor Remix)")
*''Songs And Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11'' (Producer, "[[We Want It All]]" for Zack de la Rocha)
*''eMOTIVe'', [[A Perfect Circle]] (Credited among authors of "[[Passive]]")
===2005===
*''Vertigo (Remix, promo)'', U2 (Remix, "Vertigo (Trent Reznor Remix)")
*''Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own'', U2 (Remix, "Vertigo (Trent Reznor Remix)")
===2006===
*''Born 4,'' [[Jakalope]] (Co-producer)
===2007===
*''I'll Sleep When You're Dead,'' [[EL-P|El-P]] (Additional production and vocals, "Flyentology")
*''Era Vulgaris,'' [[Queens Of The Stone Age]] (Vocals, "Era Vulgaris")—available for download
*''The Inevitable Rise And Liberation Of NiggyTardust!,'' Saul Williams (Producer; music, tracks 1–2, 5–8, 11–15; programming, "[[Black History Month]]";" "[[Tr(n)igger]]";" "[[DNA]]";" vocals, "[[Break]]" and "[[WTF!]]";" arrangement, "[[Sunday Bloody Sunday]]")
===2008===
*''In With The Out Crowd,'' Jubilee (programmed drums, "I Don't Have An Excuse, I Just Need A Little Help")
===2009===
*''"C" Is For (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here) E.P,.'' , [[Puscifer]] (Writing, "[[Potions (Deliverance Mix)]]")
===2010===
*''[[How To Destroy Angels (album)|How To Destroy Angels]] EP,'' [[How To Destroy Angels]]
*''[[The Social Network Soundtrack]]'' with [[Atticus Ross]] (writing and performance)
===2011===
*''How To Become Clairvoyant'', Robbie Robertson (additional textures on "Madame X")
*''[[The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack]]'' with Atticus Ross (writing and performance)
*''"[[Immigrant Song]]'' " with Karen O and Atticus Ross (Performance, programming and production)*''"[[Is Your Love Strong Enough?]]''", How To Destroy Angels (Performance and production)
===2012===
*''Call Of Duty: Black Ops II'' video game (Composer, [[Theme From Call Of Duty Black Ops II|theme song]])
*''Destroyer 12"'', Telepathe (Remix, "Destroyer (Remix)")
*''[[An Omen EP]]'', How To Destroy Angels
===2013===
*''[[Welcome Oblivion (album)|Welcome Oblivion]]'', How To Destroy Angels
*''Sound City: Real To Reel soundtrack'' (writing and performance, "Mantra" ; with [[Dave Grohl]] and Josh Homme)*''...Like Clockwork'', Queens Of The Stone Age (vocals on , "Kalopsia" and ; "Fairweather Friends")
===2014===
*''[[Gone Girl Soundtrack]]'' with Atticus Ross (Writing and performance)
===2016===
*''[[Juno]]'' with Atticus Ross (Writing and performance)
*''[[Before The Flood Soundtrack]]'' with Atticus Ross, Gustavo Santaolalla, Mogwai (Writing and performance; music supervisor)
===2017===
*''[[Patriots Day Soundtrack]]'' with Atticus Ross (Writing and performance)
*''[[The Vietnam War Original Score]]'' with Atticus Ross (Writing and performance)
*Multimedia project for Banksy (The Walled Off Hotel) (with Atticus Ross)
*''White Knight'', Todd Rundgren (Writing and performance, "Deaf Ears"; with Atticus Ross)
*N/A, Todd Rundgren (Remix, "Deaf Ears (Nine Inch Nails Mix)")
*"[[John Carpenter's Halloween]]" with Atticus Ross (Performance)
*Appeared as a member of "The Nine Inch Nails" in an episode of ''Twin Peaks: The Return''
===2018===
*''[[Mid90s (Original Music From The Motion Picture)]]'' with Atticus Ross (Writing and performance)
===2019===
*''[[Bird Box Original Score]]'' with Atticus Ross (Writing and performance)
==External Links==
*[http://open.spotify.com/user/treznor Trent Reznor's Spotify profile]
*[http://instagram.com/treznor Trent Reznor's Instagram profile]
*[http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/trent-reznor/id2844131 Trent Reznor's Apple Music profile]
[[Category:The Band]][[Category:Tapeworm]][[Category:How To Destroy Angels]]