Hey Trent, we'll miss you

By: Stephen Ortiz

Posted: 6/15/09

About a week and a half ago, I made the trek out to Long Island's Nikon at Jones Beach Theater to check out the first of the handful of shows I plan on attending this summer - the NINJA 2009 Tour, or as Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor calls it, the Wave Goodbye Tour.

Yes, that's correct. Twenty years after the release of NIN's brilliant debut, "Pretty Hate Machine," Reznor has decided to call it quits, and as the band's only fulltime member, the name will disappear with him.

Choosing to let the newly reunited Jane's Addiction take the closing spot each night (the first time the original lineup has been on tour since 1991), Reznor took center stage after opener Street Sweeper Social Club. He had little to say aside from a salutation before jumping right into an hour and a half of rarities and die-hard favorites that was over before I even knew it.

As the finals notes of "Hurt" faded into the night, Trent looked out to the audience and began walking backwards into the shadows of the stage with both arms up in the air. I couldn't help but feel as if part of me had just died.

I don't know why June 7 was the first time that I got to witness Nine Inch Nails in concert. I've been a fan of the band - and Reznor especially - for years and this is certainly not the first time he's come up in my column. I've always looked up to Reznor as a dark superhero of sorts. Beside his music, which is always one of my first coping mechanisms in times of need, Reznor has always been a fan's artist and that's something I've admired.

Last year, he gave away two entirely new albums for free. Shortly before that, he split with his label not only to be free of the restraints of the corporate music industry but also to be closer to his fans. And then, when no one else would, he made fun of Chris Cornell for making a complete fool of himself on his latest album.

And now, eight albums, 12 Grammy nominations and two wins later, it's all over.

As I sit here, I can't help but wonder what it was that drove Reznor to be angry at everyone and everything 20 years ago. But whatever it was, I'm thankful he stood up and did something about it. Thanks Trent, for all the memories, inspiration and music you've given us over these years.