Trent Reznor
| Name = Trent Reznor | |
| Img | Trentreznorcc.jpg |
|---|---|
| Img_capt | Reznor performing in San Diego during the 2005 With Teeth tour | Background = khaki |
| Birth_name | Michael Trent Reznor |
| Born | Mercer, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Instrument | Vocals Piano Synthesizer Guitar Bass Guitar Programming Saxophone Tuba |
| Genre | Alternative rock,
Industrial rock |
| Occupation | Musician, Songwriter, Producer |
| Years_active | 1982present |
| Label | Independent |
| Associated_acts | Option 30 (1982-1984) The Innocent (1985) Exotic Birds (1986-1988) Lucky Pierre (1988) Nine Inch Nails (since 1988) Tapeworm Revolting Cocks |
Reznor began creating music early in his life, and cites his sheltered Pennsylvania childhood as an early influence. After being involved with a number of synthesizer-based bands in the mid-80s, Reznor gained employment at Right Track Studios and began creating his own music during the studio's closing hours under the moniker Nine Inch Nails. Reznor's first release as Nine Inch Nails, Pretty Hate Machine was a commercial success, and he has since released six major studio releases. Outside of Reznor's chief project Nine Inch Nails, he has contributed to many other artists' albums, including Marilyn Manson and more recently Saul Williams. In 1997, Reznor appeared in Time magazine's list of the year's most influential people, and Spin magazine described him as "the most vital artist in music."{{cite journal
| title = Time's 25 most influential Americansjournal Time date 1997-04-21 volume 149 issue 16 pages 66}}
Early life :
Michael Trent Reznor was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, halfway between Pittsburgh and Erie, to Michael Joseph Reznor and Nancy Lou Clark on May 17, 1965.{{cite web| title = George Watson Reznorpublisher The Herald date 2007-04-01 url = http://www.sharon-herald.com/fullobits/local_story_093100425.html?start:int 0 accessdate = 2007-11-06}} Reznor was referred to by his middle name to avoid confusion with his father. After his parents divorced, he lived with his grandparents, while his sister Tera lived with their mother. Reznor is a direct descendant of George Reznor, founder of the Reznor Company (founded 1888), a heating and air conditioning company. The family sold the business in the 1960s.{{cite web title Reznor Online FAQ publisher Reznor HVAC Solutions url = http://www.rezspec.com/index.php?pageid=000000000017&mod_faq%5Bfaqid%5D=000000000003&mod_faq%5Bmode%5D 3 Reznor began playing the piano at the age of five and showed an early aptitude for music. In a 1995 interview, his grandfather, Bill Clark, remarked, "Music was his life, from the time he was a wee boy. He was so gifted."{{cite web accessdate 2007-11-06}} | last = Doughertyfirst Steve coauthors Bryan Alexander, Tom Nugent, John Hannah title The Music of Rage publisher People date 1995-02-06 url http://nothing.nin.net/int12.html accessdate = 2007-12-06}} His former piano teacher Rita Beglin said "Reznor always reminded me of Harry Connick, Jr." when he played. Reznor has acknowledged that his sheltered life in Pennsylvania left him feeling isolated from the outside world. In a 1994 interview with Rolling Stone, he makes reference to his choices in the music industry.