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Adios, NIN. But what now?

Posted: Friday, July 24, 2009 6:00 AM by Anna Chan
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Back in February, when Trent Reznor announced that it was "time to make NIN disappear for a while," I didn't think too much of it. I thought I'd just have to wait several years for another album from my favorite band ever. I figured if I could wait five years for "The Fragile" and six more years after that for "With Teeth," I could wait just as long for the next album or tour. Then he called Bonnaroo his last U.S. show, and that's when it hit me.


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Trent Reznor just about broke my dark heart when he announced that Nine Inch Nails was going to "disappear for a while."

There might never be another Nine Inch Nails album. The new tracks I downloaded from the NIN/JA tour EP might be the last new NIN tracks I'll get.

As sad as that might be, what concerned me more was what I was going to listen to going forward. (Remember, I'm the gal with the iPod stuck in the '90s. New artists don't excite me much.) Sure, I can spin all of the band's albums, but that's going to get old after awhile. I need something new.

Fortunately for me, when I saw NIN open for Jane's Addiction (playing as an opener on your farewell tour?! Don't even get me started), an amazing new band kick off the whole show: Street Sweeper Social Club.

Sharp lyrics, catchy hip-hop beats that mesh with amazing guitar riffs and a frontman who overflows with boundless energy make for an awesome musical project. Oh, did I mention that Boots Riley of The Coup is said frontman? And Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine is the guy behind the magic guitarwork. These two talents combined created a debut album that has yet to leave my CD player since it was released in mid June.

As for other new music, I don't know yet. My plan is to go back and revisit old favorites who had fallen off my radar in the last decade. (Perhaps I'll check up on the Prodigy and Chemical Bros.) After that, I have no idea.

What say you, readers? Any suggestions for someone who loves industrial but finds the new music in that genre subpar? Tips on how you moved on to discover new beloved bands after your all-time favorite called it quits?

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Comments

Listen to Porcupine Tree.

S. Wilson London, UK (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 12:15 PM)

Well,  he HAS annouced new shows for the US in a few months, so Bonnaroo turned out to not be his last show. I'm also skeptical that he'll be able to stay away for too long, the man simply thrives on what he does.

Mary J (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 12:16 PM)

I'm still sad from Ministry calling it quits last year. On the good side, more from RevCo since then.

Jay M. (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 12:19 PM)

AT 34 i feel you on the whole "being stuck in the 90's"comment. What can you do accept keep giving new bands a listen and hope that at least one out of the countless horrible tracks will grab your attention. There are newer bands that i do really love to listen to. Sliversun Pickups are pretty great. I'm a big placebo fan so they keep giving me something to listen to. i don't think we can ever retain that feeling of what it was like in the 90's when music was changing our lives on a daily basis. and i truly feel like my parents when i say that today's music really has nothing to say, but i feel that's true. with all that is going on in the world right now the fact that all i hear day in and day out is Katy Perry and Boom Boom Pow on the pop stations and crap like Shindown and Hinder on the rock stations makes no sense. today's musicians need to do "SOMETHING THAT MATTERS"
So Long Trent!

nelson, savannah, ga (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 12:20 PM)

I'm gonna miss them like the air I breathe.  But, in 5 or 10 years, when they do their reunion tour, I'll be front row and center, with a cane, a hearing aid and a portable oxygen supply.

Coronae (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 12:22 PM)

all those bands suck, so i guess- Ding Dong the witch is Dead. and not a minute to soon. reznor is a over-hyped crap artist

john doe, seattle, wash (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 1:13 PM)

Listen to S. Wilson about Porcupine Tree. He knows of what he speaks. ;)

Chris Butterworth, Millville, NJ (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 1:21 PM)

If you're interested in industrial (true industrial) then there ARE some great current acts out there that I've been privileged to be associated with. Clips of many of them are in my player-  myspace.com/wearr

Robert Wear, West Hills, Ca. (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 1:31 PM)

If you're interested in industrial (true industrial) then there ARE some great current acts out there that I've been privileged to be associated with. Clips of many of them are in my player-  myspace.com/wearr

Robert Wear, West Hills, Ca. (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 1:31 PM)

Shiny Toy Guns are definitely on their way up.  Can't go wrong with Z-Trip either.

Michael T, Hollywood, CA (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 1:45 PM)

its easy to get stuck listening to old music. I just can't listen to the newer artists. I'm 28 i don't need a 19 year old child telling me how hard it is to be a rockstar. try working for a living >:O

gerrard lewus annapolis md (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 2:20 PM)

No one play music for the radio anymore all the bands do is play the so called album rock. You know songs that really stink. Bands today are to involved in being on American Idol. todays music is the worse ever in over 20 years. Another place to blame is MTV for stop playing videos for stupid teen shows that have no value.

AJ, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 2:28 PM)

Clan of Xymox is coming out with something new soon, so I hear. Die Form (not new but awsome), There is also the new Manson album, and the newest Asemblage 23 album...

Elizabeth, Richmond, VA (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 2:35 PM)

Listen to a band who's front man (Richard Patrick) was in NIN near the beginning: Filter.

Andrew, Philly, PA (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 2:56 PM)

TV on the Radio.

Mike, LA, CA (Sent Friday, July 24, 2009 3:18 PM)


You want something that will stick to your ribs .... Try King's X .... The Musicians musicians, they have lasted the test of time and were robbed of their "Father of Grunge" moniker by the false mesiah's that made "Main Stream" ..... NIN are not gone ...Trust Me!!!  In the meant time switch channels to a lil' o' band from Katy,Texas ...that's right people ..... KING'S X

Wall , Louisville, KY (Sent Saturday, July 25, 2009 6:47 AM)

Sorry, I'm 55. Today's music is pure crap. As a matter of fact good music died with Kurt Cobain. Except for Rush.

Bob, Worcester, MA (Sent Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:12 AM)

muse, muse, and more muse

jason (Sent Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:30 AM)

As a 46 year old fan, I have to wonder how long the 'retirement' will last. Most bands I like are on their 4th or 5th reboot. I skipped NINJA because I didn't want to see NIN go out as a half assed opening band. Especially after how incredible the 2008 shows were. How does a band of one break up exactly? I'm hoping to see the return of NIN in my 50's.

Grim Jack (Sent Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:38 AM)

Addendum to comment from S. Wilson of London, UK: In addition to Porcupine Tree, listen to No~Man ;-)

Jim Corcoran, Providence, RI (Sent Saturday, July 25, 2009 1:19 PM)

I play in a band that does originals and covers. (Youtube: Ten Penny Grin)We play a mix of new stuff and quite a few 90's tracks most people have forgotten, such as Girlfriend(Matthew Sweet),Low(Cracker), and In The Meantime(Space Hog). People don't really get excited until we play those tracks and pretty much go get booze through the newer stuff. I can relate to your comment about feeling like your parents in the thought that newer music has no soul. I don't think it's just you. I do get a certain satisfaction seeing 20 year olds freaking out over Sublime and Pearl Jam. The bottom line is...Good music is timeless, trancends, and will endure. Keep spinning those older tracks til they won't spin anymore.

Brad S. Winthrop, Maine (Sent Sunday, July 26, 2009 12:04 AM)

Jane's wiped the floor with NIN. Maybe that's why they went on last. Just sayin'.

Trevor Swenson, Long Beach, CA (Sent Sunday, July 26, 2009 5:00 AM)

TV On The Radio. Redefining music today

Dan C Milwaukee, WI (Sent Sunday, July 26, 2009 10:38 AM)

Reznor's a talented guy.  He won't stay away for long.  Once he comes down from the tour, he'll start getting bored.  Songwriters are always writing songs, so it won't be long.  He might not call it NIN, but there'll be another product from him.  It might take six months to a year but fear not.

JB (Sent Sunday, July 26, 2009 5:47 PM)

every time this topic comes up i become more and more disheartened.  i am evermore appreciative of tool and maynard.  i have become a huge fan of umphrey's mcgee and the disco biscuits but i know that is not for all nin fans.  ugh this topic makes me sad.  i need a drink.

san francisco, ca (Sent Sunday, July 26, 2009 8:42 PM)

Listen to Porcupine Tree

A.Toby, Zaandijk, The Netherlands (Sent Sunday, July 26, 2009 8:44 PM)

Give new music a try. Don't place limits on yourself. I'm almost 40 and still find good new music everyday. It is true that you have to sift through a lot of crap, but the gems are worth the work.

Charlie, Boston, MA (Sent Sunday, July 26, 2009 10:53 PM)

Trent can't help himself, he has to create music.  Whether or not he'll be touring is another matter altogether, but fear not, he will be putting something out there sooner rather than later.  I'm giving Kings of Leon a shot right now.  I haven't been disappointed yet.  Saw them 4 years ago opening for U2, didn't know who they were back then, but they were pretty good.  

Christy, El Paso, TX (Sent Monday, July 27, 2009 12:10 PM)

In 1999 I saw a band called Porcupine Tree open for Gong at a record store for about 40 people. How it warms an old mans heart to see them mentioned, 10 years later, in so many of these posts!!! As for NIN, I saw the Who on their 1987 "Farewell" tour, KISS on their 1997 "Final" tour, so nothing ever ends. NIN will be back at some point, fear not.

NocturalProg, Chambersburg, PA (Sent Monday, July 27, 2009 4:06 PM)

I first discovered Trent's music about 15 years ago, and my life was never the same.  Finally, at age 53, my obssession has finally toned down.  After "The Fragile," he peaked.  I wish I could find something as amazing as his work, but nothing interests me. Everytime i hear some "new" music, it seems like a re-hash of something else from before.  Trent needs to re-group and start fresh.

ktocs (Sent Monday, July 27, 2009 4:22 PM)

Anything by The Mars Volta....Omar's new stuff with Zach from Hella is really good.........there is definitally good music at there you just got to open your ears and listen

Ernesto Lopez, Fullerton, Ca (Sent Monday, July 27, 2009 4:42 PM)

you should check out Dawn of Ashes. There first 2 albums were great terror-ebm with a splash of noize mixed in.  they have gone for a more death metal/industrial sound for there new album.

www.myspace.com/dawnofashes

Jesus Christ (Sent Monday, July 27, 2009 5:16 PM)

If you love NIN, then you will probably like Ade Fenton (side project of Gary Numan I believe). The album "Artificial Perfect" is very good.

And you can always join the website last.fm, since they will link related artists together.

Cheers!

Mark Hamilton (Sent Monday, July 27, 2009 5:38 PM)

Check out ''The Horrors'' and ''Health''.Two Bands that make music that is very electronic like NIN.Also,Trent has said that this is the end of NIN as a touring band.He plans to make more music as NIN.

Rob,Washington,DC (Sent Tuesday, July 28, 2009 2:18 PM)

most of the newer Industrial bands tend to be more EBM-based (in other words, more of a techno beat) and from Germany (Wumpscut) or the Scandinavian regions (Icon Of Coil). i like them, but they all sound the same after awhile (might have to do with the fact that they're all on Metropolis Records too). i'm glad Skinny Puppy is still around despite the hellish setbacks they faced in the mid-90's (drug use, Dwayne Goettel's death, catastrophic floods and wild fires that delayed the recording/release of The Process). looking forward to their tour next year!

hs, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:14 PM)

last.fm  or pandora.com - type in your favorite artists (NIN in this case) and just listen. im SURE you will find another band. there is too much music in the world to limit yourself because ONE group is ending their run. you might just surprise yourself with what else exists outside of your mind.

Kris C. (Sent Tuesday, July 28, 2009 10:44 PM)

Keep in mind NIN has been around for almost 30 years, so if Trent is ready to close the book of NIN, I wish him the best. In the end, I do not think he will remove himself from something he has been doing for so long. Good luck Trent.

Mark B Kreisberg Schwedalbach Germany (Sent Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:52 AM)

Silly 90's kids! The funnest thing about music is finding it!  When you exhaust the tunes that "changed your life" (Vanilla Ice, anyone?) it just means you can now start mining the archives for tunes that matter to you NOW, and they're out there.  Go back, back, back to the 40's, the 50's, the 60's, the 70's, the 80's!  Go WAAAYYY back to Mozart and Bach! Find an actual record store!  Then, go forward! Surf the net, dial the radio, snoop on others' IPODS.  The funnest part of being a music fan is the hunt- thinking you may have heard it all, then catching a smidgeon of tunage from a movie soundtrack, even some stupid commercial and thinking, "Wow- who was THAT?"  A year or two may go by but believe me, you'll connect again, and be blown away again, and learn something new about yourself AGAIN.....    

Shea, Durango, CO (Sent Wednesday, July 29, 2009 7:50 AM)

I will echo the TV on the Radio talk.

Jim, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, July 29, 2009 1:44 PM)

Try a band that can't be classified - I Wrestled A Bear Once.  They combine death metal, industrial, hip-hop, etc.  It's very crazy stuff & definitely not for everyone.  But you can't go wrong with their song "Tastes Like Kevin Bacon".

jim, detroit, mi (Sent Thursday, July 30, 2009 1:46 PM)

Mars Volta: Frances The Mute
Muse: Absolution
Parcupine tree: Signify

Ryan Halagan, Phx Az (Sent Thursday, July 30, 2009 5:50 PM)

The Black Crowes


'Nuff said

Gabe Alva, Dallas, Texas (Sent Thursday, July 30, 2009 8:41 PM)

I believe that there is good music out there.  I do agree with some of the earlier comments that you really have to dig for it, but it is there.  Music lovers might want to broaden there horizon and look into other genres of music for a new sound/inspiration.  Personally, I prefer R&B/Rock/Metal.  I do like Nine Inch Nails.  However, I haven't been a fan as long as others.  I really just got into them during the early 21st century around the time that Closer came out.  Since then, I have bought previous albums and maxi-singles.  The NIN sound is very ecclectic.  Still, don't give up your search for new and inspiring music.  It is worth the wait.

C.A.H. (Sent Thursday, July 30, 2009 11:35 PM)

Porcupine Tree...'nuff said

K Smith, Chicago, IL (Sent Saturday, August 15, 2009 9:32 AM)



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