A few months ago, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails included links to Chomsky and moveon.org on nin.com. Following the election, he wrote, "one step closer to the end of the world. the one-two combo of corporate greed and organized religion apparently proved too much for reason, sanity and compassion. it's a sad and shameful day to be an american." I'll admit it: I was overjoyed. As my education and experience have broadened, and as recent world events have unfolded, I have found myself more and more interested in politics -- and everything I've learned and seen has led me to disagree fundamentally with the current American right wing. I believe that art is intrinsically intertwined with opinion and politics as much as with personal emotion. So, since Reznor has had an enormous impact upon me artistically and personally, it seemed only fitting that his political leaning, hitherto unrevealed, was a reflection of my own.
Of course, his Republican fans weren't so pleased. They scrambled to declare that musicians shouldn't push their politics upon fans, insisted his new obviously political lyrics could be interpreted apolitically, or simply blocked their ears and illogically refused to believe that their idol could disagree with their own deeply held Christian conservative beliefs.
Again and again, I asked the question of how these people could stand being Nine Inch Nails fans. After all, if Trent Reznor were to announce that he fully supported President Bush, the war in Iraq, and a ban on gay marriage, I would probably stop buying his records immediately. Given the nature of his music, however, I knew I would never face that dilemma (let's keep our fingers crossed that he never falls victim to Born-Agains or Scientology).
It's true that I would prefer that these die-hard righties weren't fans at all. Frankly, I don't think they deserve his music. Janeane Garofalo commented on The Daily Show last year that "being a Republican this year is more than a difference of opinion — it's a character flaw," and I agree with her whole-heartedly.
Well, it seems that Reznor's own opinion regarding his fans isn't so far from mine.
A close friend had the privilege of hanging out backstage with the band at a recent show in Fresno. The following conversation took place.
Friend: So what do you think of the moral dilemma you've placed your Republican fans in?
Trent: They shouldn't be fans in the first place.
Friend: Can I quote you on that?
Trent (slight laugh): Yes.
Spread the word, liberal NIN fans. You heard it here first.
And buy two copies of With Teeth.
posted by Mormolyke at
10:35
22 Comments:
100 percent agree! Thanks for passing this along and I've sent it to everyone I know!
s.
not to be totally anal or anything, but that exchange actually took place in fresno, not davis, where the topic of discussion was "where the hell is davis?"
Interesting considering I am registered republican and am a pretty avid NIN fan. I wouldn't characterize myself as typical though so I don't fit the sleeve exactly; I didn't vote for Bush this last time around.
A question that pops into my head is that if it weren't for 'corporate greed' would anyone even know who Trent Reznor was? Not to excuse the greedy corporations, nor to invalidate Reznor's statement; it's just a thought.
Fixed the Davis-Fresno confusion. Thank you from a like-minded anal fan. Uh ...
w00t. Finally. Linkage shall occur.
I dare say if you go up to any rock star, celebrity, or personality with a "Fuck Those That Aren't With Me" persona, and ask them "Hey, Celebrity! You said the leader of Group X is lame! Does that mean people in Group X shouldn't be fans?", you're asking a pretty leading question, and you'll get a response such as "fuck em".
It's all theatre, folks -- our man TR is a fucking genius, and Bush does indeed suck, but Trent is far too intelligent to not be able to separate people as individuals (and music fans) from their political beliefs.
And no, I am not a Republican. Green Party, baby!
Amusing all around. Glad that everyone else can finally get in on the joke. Linked as well.
'With Teeth' has been the commercialized NIN release in history. Have you seen those pathetic 1-800 "Order Right Now!" commercials? There are many reasons to hate Republicans, Reznor quoting "corporatism" as his number one is about as extroidinarily hypocritical as it gets.
Awesome. Time to link it everywhere.
Linkie time on my almost-defunct blogger blog and my active aryeal blog.
Excellent piece, Mel. I'm e-mailing it to all of my friends and might post a copy in the back room at my store and see what happens.
I can't help but feel a bit on the outside of the community on this subject. I don't agree with all that Bush has done, I don't agree with all of his views...But I've yet to find any party or politician I do believe in. I don't particulary adore anyone, but I don't detest them either.
It seems a bit too trendy at times to hate Bush. It's a vicious cycle of greed and righteousness along with egos and empowerment that I see in every candidate; each political party has it's own biased agenda that directly benefits the talking heads of the parties individually... I choose to stay away from it all. Call me a fence-sitter, but I can't jump into anything and support it without believing in it 100%.
But to be more on the subject:
Yeah, a funny thing to hear from the man, especially since I come from a strongly republican family.
tweetan says:
HA, HA, HA.
tweetan says:
That's great. That's really phuny.
tweetan says:
*giggles irl*
tweetan says:
you know I've thought about that.
tweetan says:
I wouldn't want any republican fans if I was famous (not that that's a problem for me)
tweetan says:
it's extreme but I wouldn't. They suck.
trendy? yeah, that's it. it has nothing to do with his disregard for the rights of united states CITIZENS, the constitution [which it is his duty to protect], and human life [unless it is unborn, cute and cuddly, and/or in persistant vegitative state].
nothing at all to do with the "patriot act", the massive [and illegal] detentions after 9/11, trying to make gay marriage illegal, lying to the public about why the war was started in the first place, et cetera, et cetera.
we bush haters are all a bunch of shallow fucks who follow the herd.
right!
The sad thing about this is there are tonnes of Republicans out there who do not agree with what's going on today any more then the rest of us.
There's a REALLY big difference between the near fascist Right Wingers and Republicans but unfortunately for the more moderate Republicans out there the Right Wingers are just the ones with the loudest voices and the most infamously memorable views. Despite popular opinion it is possible to be politically conservative without being a fascist asshole.
Note I am not in any way even remotely a republican, personally I havent found any political group that doesn't make me want to cry just a little bit.
Firstly I agree with you and with Trent, but buy two albums? C'mon shouldn't it be burn it for all your friends?!
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Until I see an article where Mr. Reznor says this himself, it's just gossip.
Wow, your bias comments and obvious intellect has persuaded me to not be a fan of NIN any more. But I do have several questions that keep bugging me.
Why would it matter if a fan has different political beliefs then a band? I mean how I interpret the music is all my own opinion right? Because my interpretation of With Teeth as an album is about life as a bird. Will the RIAA be by to take away my NIN items and forbid me from ever buying another NIN item?
A man after my own heart.
could you pleeeeease post the link of the original interview where trent said that?? the republicans on nin.com don't believe us. thx <3
Wow, there are Republicans on nin.com?
They've ... like ... listened to his albums, right? Seen his shows? Read his interviews? Heard about the concert in LA recently where he played "The Hand That Feeds" in front of a morphing picture of Bush and McCain?
The short answer to your question is that the quote was not from a published interview -- he gave it to Cliff Tsan of the NIN Hotline, who gave it to me. If Republican fans want to deny the truth ... well, I guess that's what they're best at.
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