Trent Reznor

Credit: nin.com

Nine inch Nails, who are on tour in Australia right now, are pulling a disappearing act, according to group founder Trent Reznor.
Reznor posted a letter on www.nin.com that he and Jane's Addiction are planning a series of shows and then, he plans to go away. "In NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases," Reznor wrote on his website. "I've been thinking for some time now it's time to make NIN disappear for a while."

His letter is so amusing and insightful, that I'm posting it here in its entirety (caps are Reznor's):

"Towards the beginning of my career in Nine Inch Nails, our biggest break came in the form of an invitation to perform a series of shows with Jane's Addiction. These performances essentially created and defined the term "alternative" rock in the US, created an ongoing festival franchise that is still thriving (Lollapalooza), set the stage for Nirvana to shift popular taste a few months later, and were really fucking FUN to play and attend - truly the best times I've had. The shows were epic. So epic, they propelled NIN to the "next level" (whatever that means), but caused Jane's to implode. The band broke up at the end of that tour.

Fast forward to the present. Corporate rock STILL sucks. A friend tells me they saw the original Jane's lineup play a tiny show in LA that was unbelievable. I break out my Jane's records and am amazed by how vital they sound. These guys were the real deal and in this current climate mostly dominated by poseurs and pussies it was refreshing to hear something that sounded dangerous, volatile, beautiful and SINCERE.

Emails were sent, phone calls were made, dinner was arranged, ideas were discussed and the next thing I know we're in the studio experimenting. We laugh, we get to know each other, we cry, we yell, we almost quit, we record LOTS of guitar solos, we discuss, we actually begin to all communicate, we yell some more, we become FRIENDS, we laugh again and we do some great things. I get to see first hand why they broke up all those years ago but I also get the chance to see four distinct personalities that become an INCREDIBLE band when they're in the same room.

In NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases. I've been thinking for some time now it's time to make NIN disappear for a while. Last year's "Lights in the Sky" tour was something I'm quite proud of and seems like the culmination of what I could pull off in terms of an elaborate production. It was also quite difficult to pull off technically and physically night after night and left us all a bit dazed. After some thought, we decided to book a last run of shows across the globe this year. The approach to these shows is quite different from last year - much more raw, spontaneous and less scripted. Fun for us and a different way for you to see us and wavegoodbye. I reached out to Jane's to see if they'd want to join us across the US and we all felt it could be a great thing. Will it work? Will it resonate in the marketplace? Who knows. Are there big record label marketing dollars to convince you to attend? Nope.

Does it feel right to us and does it seem like it will be fun for us and you? Yes it does.

Look for tour dates soon and I hope to see you out there."

There are so many things to comment on here-Reznor admits that there are no label bucks pushing this tour, but I don't see that as a deterrent. The  simple fact is that there are acts filling amphitheaters who no longer have record deals and that is not impediment to sales-they have loyal fans that want to see them play regardless of whether there's a new release.

Reznor's comments about Jane's Addiction provide priceless insight to how Perry Farrell & Co. work-dysfunctional, as they may be. There are volumes to be read into the missive about Jane's Addiction alone.

He also seems to address the fact that "Lights in the Sky" offered sizzle over substance for some folks- a complaint we heard from a few fans.
My prediction is that this tour, if priced correctly, will sell out.

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