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[[Image:Reznorexoticbirds.jpg|thumb|Freer, Reznor, Kubiszewski, Vale, and Best in an Exotic Birds promo photo]]'''Exotic Birds''' was a synthpop music group formed in 1983 in Cleveland, Ohio, by [[Andy Kubiszewski]]on guitar and vocals, Tom Freer on drums, and Tim Adamson keyboards. [[Trent Reznor]]'s time in the band was preceded by his second stint in [[The Urge]] and followed by a stint in [[Slam Bamboo]].

The Frank Vale joined the band at one point had five membersas an additional keyboardist in September 1984. [https://cplorg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/iiif/p16014coll5/34430/full/full/0/default. jpg] When Adams left decided to leave to work with orchestras, but Mark Best and Frank Vale signed the Exotic Birds broke up for the first time, playing a farewell show at the Phantasy Nite Club onFebruary 16, 1985. [https://cplorg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/iiif/p16014coll5/34787/full/full/0/default.jpg] In late 1985early 1986, Exotic Birds reformed as a five-piece band, with Kubiszewski, Freer, and Vale being joined by Mark Best on bass and Trent Reznor joined the band on keyboards, programming , and backing vocals. [https://cplorg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/iiif/p16014coll5/35661/full/full/0/default.jpg] In November 1986, Tom Freer and Mark Best moved on, with Frank Vale having departed at some point slightly earlier. [https://cplorg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/iiif/p16014coll5/36091/full/full/0/default.jpg] In December 1986, Reznor's roommate invited [[Chris Vrenna]] joined on to play drumsfor the band, filling out the now-trio. [https://www.theninhotline.com/archives/articles/display/6195] However, by 1988July 1987, the band had broken upagain. [https://cplorg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/iiif/p16014coll5/37537/full/full/0/default.jpg] [https://cplorg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/iiif/p16014coll5/37390/full/full/0/default.jpg]

Kubiszewski reformed Exotic Birds in early 1988 with a new line-up including Doug Beck on keyboards and Richard Carpenteron drums [https://cplorg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/iiif/p16014coll5/37936/full/full/0/default.jpg], and they released the group's first CD ''Equilibrium''in November 1989. In 1990, Beck left, and [[Nick Rushe]] (formerly of Nine Inch Nails) joined on keyboards. The band signed to Alpha International Records out of Philadelphia, PA, for what was to be their next album. Instead, Alpha repackaged ''Equilibrium'', cutting several tracks, and adding the new song "Imagination" to lead off the disc. Alpha was bought out just days after "Imagination" was released as a single. After Rushe departed, Rodney Shields (keyboards) and Marty Step (guitar) joined, rounding out the final Exotic Birds' line-up. In 1993, Kubiszewski left to play drums with The The, but returned for one final gig in 1994.

Reznor, Vale and non-Exotic Birds member Mark Addison were the fictional band The Problems in Paul Schrader's 1987 film ''Light of Day''. One-time Exotic Birds manager [[John Malm]] was became Reznor's long-time manager and co-founder of [[Nothing Records]].