Saturday, December 13, 2008

Good News & Bad News

A few weeks ago Trent hinted at, but did not elaborate on, a change up not only for the stage production but also the current lineup as we now know it. Good news is that Robin is definitely NOT going anywhere. Bad news is that it can now be confirmed that Alessandro Cortini, along with Josh Freese, will be leaving the band after the first of the year.

From blindoldfreak.com, one of Alessandro's side projects, he posts:

thank you.

December 13, 2008

It’s been exactly 4 years since i joined Nine Inch Nails and the time has come for me to move onto new things.

I feel a need to explore other paths in music and life which leads me to leave the tour at this stage.

I am grateful of the chance i was given: it doesn’t happen every day to be able to work next to some of the most talented people on this planet.

Trent & Co. have been aware of this decision of mine for a while now and are prepared to take the band to the next step.

Thanks to all the fans who welcomed me at the beginning of my journey and supported me through the years: I hope to see you around here or there.

Alessandro

And from Josh Freese's MySpace blog:

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Why I'm leaving Nine Inch Nails

So, I've been wanting to write something for a while now explaining why I am leaving Nine Inch Nails at the end of the year. Not that it's THAT big of a deal or important compared to other real shit going on out there in the world but I figured I'd take a minute out to explain anyhow. I know a few people are aware that I'm having my 3rd child in January and basically....that about SUMS IT UP!

I've just been gone too damn much lately and if I hadn't spent so much time on the road in recent years (between NIN, A Perfect Circle, Devo, Sting, The Vandals) coupled with having 3 kids (come January) then I'd still be out on the road in the new year. It's just that the rate that NIN has been touring (and will continue to tour in 2009) is something that I can't keep up with right now. My kids need their Dad around and I want to be around for them. I am definitely not retiring or "done touring" by any means though. I just need to be home a bit more next year.
I am not leaving because I got a better offer from another band or because I don't enjoy it.....it's one of my favorite situations I've ever been involved with and I already miss it (though we still have 5 more shows to play).

If you saw a NIN show in the past 3 years then you'll know that to say I LIKE playing up there is an understatement and that I give it my all every night. It's much more than a "job" or a "gig" for me. I'm a big believer in Trent and his music and feel fortunate and privileged to have had the chance to work along side of him and be a part of what he does for the past three years. It is something I am truly proud of and he makes most the other ones out there feel pretty small time. I have faith in the notion that we'll work together again at some point, in some fashion. But for now I need to go teach my 7 year old boy how to ride a bike.....nothing can really compare to that (except maybe an all night hotel coke session with some hookers.)

Josh
While it's nice to know that both are leaving on good terms, unlike the blowout with jeroME that landed Josh the job in the first place, they are leaving some big shoes to fill. Alessandro...Josh...it's been great watching you guys do your thing with Nine Inch Nails and you will be missed.

**EDIT**
Here's some video from the show last night in Vegas of Trent's speech to the audience.


And here's an interview conducted pre-show by a fan from the website Pink Is The New Blog. This is seriously one of the best Trent Reznor interviews I think I've ever watched. Subjects include end of the tour, what's to happen after, Trent's music listening habits, old videos that have surfaced via YouTube, and, what Maise will probably think is the best part of the whole thing, missing his dogs at home. Kudos to the boys who put it together for asking good questions and reasonably maintaining their cool. Enjoy.

Oh and if you're wondering about the link under the video (Trentisthenewpink) it's not a reference to El Rez. Just so happens that the kid who runs the site is also named Trent.

29 comments:

maise said...

I've really loved the current lineup of NIN and will definitely miss Alessandro and Josh, as they were always extremely professional and competent, and I guess I'll have to pursue my dreams of practicing la grammatica italiana with Alessandro at some other venue.

But at the same time, I can see how all that touring can be a real grind, with especially the same lineup night after night, and Alessandro has his own musical ambitions that he should pursue. And Josh should spend as much time as he can with his kids because they don't stay little forever.

I'm sure adequate replacements will be found, as long as their names don't start with "Aaron" and end in "North."

Isabel said...

I hope they find someone soon as I'm hoping they will come to the UK next year - he only has a few months before Australia?

Cat said...

Awww Ally is leaving too!!! I just found that out minutes ago, weirdly enough, and now I'm reading it here. Oh wow... That's really sad, I liked him! At least they're both parting on good terms with Trent. I just hope Trent finds equally capable people and continues on the road, instead of going away forever.

maise said...

Wow, those are some hot fucking jeans on him. I bet he spends more on them than I do on my ill-fitting denim at NY&Co.

Okay, I would NOT be able to interview him backstage like that. We couldn't even talk to Amanda Palmer. My first question would be "Can we cuddle?" Then I'd offer to run off with him and form the Brady Bunch of greyhounds, and he'd subtly call for security.

Iris said...

It's true. The man does know how to fill out a pair of Levis (or whatever overpriced brand he's wearing). But I'm asking, nay, pleading...Trent, can you please do one interview in a t-shirt where you DON'T constantly scratch your armpit like that? If your deodorant is causing dry, itchy skin then try switching to something else. You've been doing this since at least 2000 and I know I've seen you do it in other interviews too.

Iris said...

And Maise, do you honestly think you could conduct any kind of interview if Trent said "yes, we can cuddle"?

maise said...

I bet Rob would make some bitchy comment about my crock pot too.

Iris said...

Of course he would because that's just how he is. We'd get some picture of your crock pot with what to everyone else looks like great food but Rob would have to put in his bitchy two cents with "nuff said".

maise said...

Can I just say, I was kind of hoping for a second at the AP show that I would somehow not be able to get my crock pot back, then I could have started up a whole Internet war by turning this blog into "AMANDA PALMER STOLE MY CROCK POT!"

I would have gotten in big trouble with the husband if I had lost the crock pot though. It was the big, expensive one.

Anonymous said...

A few things:

1. Iris, you deserve to have your ovaries confiscated for that one.

2. Maise, you should start that rumor anyway. If you don't, I will. "Rock star steals the big, expensive crock pot from ghost dog""We can use this to heat up big batches of hot chocolate on the bus" says rock star

3. GAFFNEY IS PLAYING AT MY THEATRE.

Iris said...

Confiscate away. Will save me money on birth control and who doesn't need to save a penny or two in this economy?

And that's SO cool about Gaffney finally coming though for you. I didn't think that was ever going to happen.

Anonymous said...

Don't exhale yet, Iris. It's been 9 months in the making, and I am ready to deliver.

Anonymous said...

Nine Inch Nails is Trent Reznor. Now that that's been established, my thoughts:

At least it's not like Alessandro is falling off the face of the earth or anything. Guy's got two projects going, after all. Personally, I have my fingers crossed for a Modwheelmood tour (hopefully to occur sometime next year).

As far as Josh is concerned, all I can do is shrug and say "vaya con dios," and hope that he will indeed work with Trent at a later date.

Re: the band camp comments: If I'd been nodding any harder in agreement, I'd have broken my neck. Marching band is srs bsns.

Iris said...

I've been mildly following what Alessandro's got going on with his blindoldfreak project. Can't really say much one way or the other on it yet since it seems to still be in the early stages of forming anything but I LOVE his ModWheelMood stuff with Pelle Hillström. Even if it's just a relatively small tour he does with MWM I hope he makes an effort to get out of LA's city limits. St. Louis or Chicago are big enough places that people would come out to see them and both are within reasonable driving distance for me.

I liked the line regarding band camp and playing "on the football field in those outfits, sweating like crazy, playing this huge social repellent". I say "poor Trent" now but in high school I was one of the girls with the grease monkey boyfriends who always worked on cars, went to the local stock car races, and, yes, made fun of the band geeks.

Anonymous said...

cute interview.

Anonymous said...

I urge you. Things Are Getting Sinister and Sinisterer!

The first recording to be released on Dischord Records exclusively on vinyl and MP3!

Anonymous said...

If Freese is never home, how does he know that's his kid? ;)

D:ANGEL said...

I watched the 4 hour 17 minute cut of CHE last night.

All in one sitting.

It is now the longest film I have ever seen, beating out ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA.

Now, time to watch Bela Tarr's 7 hour SATANTANGO.

Isabel said...

At last Trent has updated his blog with something I wanted to hear 'No rest for the wicked here, though. We start rehearsing the new band/format first thing next year and as I mentioned, we'll be announcing some final waves of dates. North America, UK/Europe, Pacific Rim and elsewhere.'

With him changing up the performance a bit perhaps you in North America will get more of a club tour from him?

maise said...

From the "Pink Is the New Blog" interview, it sounded like amphitheaters. We have a distressingly awful amphitheater in the Chicago-land area (First Midwest National Conglomerated Probably Bought Out After Executive Corruption Bankrupted It Bank Amphitheater), but the prospect of another concert does warm my heart in this time of recession, ice storms, and holiday stress.

But you failed to mention the BEST part of the new blog entry: Trent hinted at a holiday surprise! I hope it's a free download of some kind of NIN-ed up Christmas music.

In particular, I'd like to see him take on this classic because something about it has always seemed kind of mournful to me. Can't quite put my finger on it...

maise said...

Okay, so wait...Dan...you watched over four hours of Che Guevara? Is it worth it?

Anonymous said...

Personally, I want them to take a stab at "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"--the Meet Me in St. Louis version, with the original "until then, we'll have to muddle through somehow" lyric. Oh, and complete with snowman-destruction freakout afterward.

During my recent visit to Chicago, a busker was singing that as I got off the train downtown, and I started getting choked up on the escalator.

Anonymous said...

Commies!

D:ANGEL said...

Yes. It is playing in theaters here as one piece (4h 17m) but will be released as two movies in January. I loved it, but it is slow and not for everyone. Lots of marching around the jungle.

Anonymous said...

How about Frosty The Snowman? Remember, Frosty melts at the end of the song. Makes all the little ones cry...

Anonymous said...

I fired my barber. I mean, seriously, what was he smoking?

Anonymous said...

I fired my barber. I mean, seriously, what was he smoking?

Anonymous said...

Season's Greetings

Anonymous said...

ZZ Top rulez!