List of Nine Inch Nails band members explained

Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock band founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. The band's live performances contrast with its in-studio counterpart; although Reznor is in complete creative control of Nine Inch Nails in-studio, he typically assembles groups of backing musicians to interpret songs for live performances. The current lineup features Reznor and keyboardist Atticus Ross (an official member since 2016 and session contributor since 2004), alongside touring members guitarist Robin Finck (who first joined in 1994), bassist Alessandro Cortini (who first joined in 2005), and drummer Ilan Rubin (who first joined in 2008). Although band members typically have a defined main role, many of them are multi-instrumentalists during performances.

History

Nine Inch Nails was founded by multi-instrumentalist Trent Reznor in 1988. The band's first tour was in support of Skinny Puppy that same year. The band's initial lineup included Reznor on vocals and guitar, Chris Vrenna on keyboards, programming, and percussion, and Ron Musarra on drums.[1] These shows were not very well received and Nine Inch Nails departed after only a handful of dates.[2] For the next tour, which started in late 1989, Musarra was replaced on drums by Vrenna, and the lineup was expanded with guitarist Richard Patrick and a new keyboardist. The first keyboardist was designer Gary Talpas, though he was soon replaced by Nick Rushe, and then by David Haymes in January 1990.[3] Lee Mars replaced Haymes on keyboards later on in 1990.[4]

Vrenna departed halfway through a tour in 1990,[5] and he was replaced by Jeff Ward.[6] For the 1991 Lollapalooza tour, the band was joined by James Woolley, replacing Mars on keyboards.[7] Vrenna returned on drums in 1992, and in 1994 for the Self Destruct Tour, Danny Lohner and Robin Finck joined as bassist and guitarist respectively (although both members handled other instruments as well).[8] Charlie Clouser also replaced Woolley as keyboardist by December 1994.[9] Kevin McMahon eventually replaced Finck as guitarist for a handful of dates in 1996.

For nearly three years, the band was restricted to the studio, until 1999's Fragility Tour. At that point, Vrenna departed for a final time and Jerome Dillon joined as his replacement on drums.[10] The band was also rejoined by Finck on guitar. Afterwards, Nine Inch Nails didn't play live until 2005 when they embarked on the . The lineup featured Reznor and Dillon, in addition to new members Aaron North on guitar, Jeordie White on bass, and Alessandro Cortini on keyboards. During the band's first arena tour in the US, Dillon was forced to retire due to a medical condition,[11] and he was briefly replaced by Josh Freese, and then by Alex Carapetis.[12] Freese later returned as the band's permanent drummer in 2005.[13] After the tour for the Year Zero album concluded in 2007, both White and North departed.

For the Lights in the Sky Tour in 2008, the band was rejoined by Finck on guitar and Rich Fownes on bass; however, Fownes was replaced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen before the tour began. Freese departed at the end of a North American tour in 2008, and he was replaced by drummer Ilan Rubin.[14] Cortini departed later in 2008, and his position was not replaced; thus, Nine Inch Nails remained as a four-piece ensemble (the first time since 1991).[15] Following the conclusion of the tour in 2009, the band entered an extended hiatus.[16]

Nine Inch Nails returned to a live setting in 2013,[17] announcing a tour for 2013 with new members Eric Avery (bass), Adrian Belew (guitar), and Josh Eustis (keyboards/guitar). Rubin and Cortini also returned on drums and keyboards respectively.[18] Before the tour commenced, both Avery and Belew departed due to various reasons.[19] [20] They were replaced by Eustis moving onto bass and former member Finck returning on guitar.[21] In 2013 the lineup was expanded to include bassist Pino Palladino and backing vocalists Lisa Fischer and Sharlotte Gibson.[22] With eight members total, the live band featured the most amount of members since the band's formation.

The lineup dropped back to four members in 2014 with Reznor, Finck, Cortini, and Rubin embarking on a world tour.[23] [24] This lineup continued until studio collaborator Atticus Ross joined Reznor as an official member of the group in 2016. Due to Ross's inclusion as keyboardist, Cortini transitioned into primarily playing guitar and bass.[25] The lineup of Reznor, Finck, Cortini, Rubin, and Ross has stayed the same since 2016; thus, it's the longest amount of time the lineup has remained stable since the band's formation.[26] [27] [28]

Official members

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Trent Reznor1988–presentall Nine Inch Nails releases
Atticus Ross2004–present all Nine Inch Nails releases since With Teeth (2005)

Touring musicians

Current

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Robin FinckLive-release contributions: Studio-release contributions: Music video appearances:
Alessandro CortiniLive-release contributions: Studio-release contributions: Music video appearances:
Ilan RubinLive-release contributions: Studio-release contributions:

Former

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Chris VrennaLive-release contributions: Studio-release contributions: Music video appearances:
Ron Musarra1988drumsClosure (1997)
Richard Patrick
Adrian Belew2013

Line-ups

PeriodMembersStudio Releases Tour legs and live releases
October – December 1988
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Chris Vrenna – keyboards, programming, percussion
  • Ron Musarra – drums
  • Pretty Hate Machine Tour Series (1988–1991)
January – September 1989
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
none
October 1989
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
  • Gary Talpas – keyboards
  • Pretty Hate Machine Tour Series (1988–1991)
November – December 1989
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
  • Nick Rushe – keyboards
January – April 1990
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
  • David Haymes – keyboards
May – August 1990
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
  • Lee Mars – keyboards
August 1990 – February 1991
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
  • Lee Mars – keyboards
  • Jeff Ward – drums
February – September 1991
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Ward – drums
  • James Woolley – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
September 1991 – February 1992
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
  • James Woolley – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
none
February 1992 – September 1993
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • Richard Patrick – guitar, backing vocals
  • James Woolley – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Broken (1992)
September – December 1993
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • James Woolley – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
December 1993 – March 1994
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar
  • James Woolley – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
March – December 1994
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • James Woolley – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Robin Finck – guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • The Downward Spiral (1994)
December 1994 – July 1996
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Robin Finck – guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Charlie Clouser – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
July – September 1996
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Charlie Clouser – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
  • Kevin McMahon – guitar, backing vocals
  • Self-Destruct (1994–1996)
September 1996 – September 1997
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Chris Vrenna – drums, percussion
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Charlie Clouser – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, backing vocals
none
September 1997 – March 1999
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Charlie Clouser – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, percussion, backing vocals
March 1999 – July 1999
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Charlie Clouser – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jerome Dillon – drums, guitar
July 1999 – September 2000
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Charlie Clouser – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jerome Dillon – drums, guitar
  • Robin Finck – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, backing vocals
September 2000 – December 2001
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Charlie Clouser – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jerome Dillon – drums, guitar
none
December 2001 – 2003
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Danny Lohner – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Jerome Dillon – drums, guitar
2003 – March 2005
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
  • Jerome Dillon – drums, guitar
March – October 2005
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
  • Jerome Dillon – drums, guitar
  • Aaron North – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeordie White – bass, keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Live: With Teeth (2005–2006)
October – December 2005
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
  • Aaron North – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeordie White – bass, keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Alex Carapetis – drums
  • Live: With Teeth (2005–2006)
December 2005 – September 2007;
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
  • Aaron North – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeordie White – bass, keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Freese – drums
September 2007 – January 2008
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, synthesizers
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Freese – drums
none
January – June 2008
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, synthesizers
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Josh Freese – drums
  • Robin Finck – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, backing vocals
June – December 2008
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Freese – drums
  • Robin Finck – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Justin Meldal-Johnsen – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Lights in the Sky (2008)
December 2008 – September 2009
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
  • Robin Finck – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Justin Meldal-Johnsen – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Ilan Rubin – drums, programming, percussion, keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals
  • Wave Goodbye (2009)
September 2009 – March 2013
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass
none
March 2013 – September 2013
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, synthesizers
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Robin Finck – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, backing vocals
  • Ilan Rubin – drums, programming, percussion, keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Eustis – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, backing vocals
September – December 2013
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals
  • Robin Finck – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Ilan Rubin – drums, programming, percussion, keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals
  • Josh Eustis – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, backing vocals
  • Pino Palladino – bass
  • Lisa Fischer – backing vocals
  • Sharlotte Gibson – backing vocals
  • Twenty Thirteen Tour (2013–2014)
December 2013 – October 2016
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, synthesizers
  • Alessandro Cortini – keyboards, synthesizers, bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Robin Finck – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, backing vocals
  • Ilan Rubin – drums, programming, percussion, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals
October 2016 – present
  • Trent Reznor – vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, synthesizers
  • Alessandro Cortini – bass, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Robin Finck – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, backing vocals
  • Ilan Rubin – drums, programming, percussion, guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Atticus Ross – keyboards, synthesizers, programming, bass, backing vocals
  • The Trilogy Tour (2017–2018)
  • U.S. 2022 & U.K. 2022 (2022)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Benitez-Eves . Tina . 2023-04-21 . The Janitorial Origins of Nine Inch Nails . 2024-04-07 . American Songwriter . en-US.
  2. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p667284|pure_url=yes}} Ron Musarra ]. 2008-01-31 . Allmusic.
  3. Web site: March 1990 . Getting Down In It By ? Alternative Press . 2024-04-07 . nothing.nin.net.
  4. Web site: Sanner . Stacey . 1990-07-01 . Portrait of a Nine Inch Nail Alternative Press . 2024-04-07 . www.theninhotline.com . en.
  5. March 1997 . Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails . Rhythm.
  6. Web site: Weisbard . Eric . February 1996 . Sympathy For The Devil Spin . 2024-04-07 . www.nin-pages.de.
  7. Web site: Britton . Luke Morgan . 2016-08-18 . Trent Reznor pays tribute to late Nine Inch Nails keyboardist James Woolley . 2024-04-07 . NME . en-GB.
  8. Book: Huxley, Martin . Nine Inch Nails: Self Destruct . September 1997 . . 0-312-15612-X . registration.
  9. News: September 1996 . An Interview With Charlie Clouser . Scene.
  10. Web site: Rashidii . Waleed . December 23, 2000 . Jerome Dillon New With NIN . https://web.archive.org/web/20051223111401/http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001232 . 23 December 2005 . 7 April 2024 . Modern Drummer.
  11. News: Harris . Chris . Sep 30, 2005 . Nine Inch Nails Postpone Show Due To Drummer's Heart Trouble . https://web.archive.org/web/20090114012955/http://www.mtv.com:80/news/articles/1510691/20050930/nine_inch_nails.jhtml . 14 January 2009 . 7 April 2024 . MTV.
  12. News: Chris . Harris . Oct 10, 2005 . Nine Inch Nails Recruit Replacement Drummer . https://web.archive.org/web/20090429090334/http://www.mtv.com:80/news/articles/1511147/20051010/nine_inch_nails.jhtml . April 29, 2009 . April 7, 2024 . MTV.
  13. Web site: 2008-12-09 . Drummer JOSH FREESE: Why I Am Leaving NINE INCH NAILS . 2024-04-07 . BLABBERMOUTH.NET . en.
  14. Web site: NME . 2008-11-18 . Lostprophets drummer to join Nine Inch Nails full-time . 2024-04-07 . NME . en-GB.
  15. Web site: July 17, 2011 . Blabbermouth.net – Nine Inch Nails' Alessandro Cortini Quits; Band To Resume Touring As Four-Piece . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718105316/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=110873 . July 18, 2011 . April 7, 2024 . Roadrunnerrecords.com.
  16. Web site: February 17, 2009 . Nine Inch Nails to tour with Jane's Addiction, go on hiatus . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090305090202/http://www.idiomag.com/peek/65302/nine_inch_nails . March 5, 2009 . February 18, 2009 . . Idio, Ltd..
  17. Web site: Trent Reznor: Nine Inch Nails Returns In 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130801083746/http://www.thespacelab.tv/spaceLAB/2011/12December/MusicNews-029-Trent-Reznor-Nine-Inch-Nails-Songs-The-Girl-With-Dragon-Tattoo-Movie.htm . August 1, 2013 . December 8, 2011 . The Space Lab.
  18. Web site: 2013-02-25 . Trent Reznor Announces the Return of Nine Inch Nails: Extensive Touring for 2013 and 2014 . 2024-04-07 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  19. Web site: Cubarrubia . R. J. . 2013-05-15 . Nine Inch Nails' Eric Avery Leaves Band . 2024-07-28 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  20. News: Michaels . Sean . 2013-06-10 . Guitarist Adrian Belew leaves Nine Inch Nails . 2024-07-28 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  21. Web site: 2013-05-17 . Former Nine Inch Nails/Guns 'N Roses Guitarist Robin Finck Joins NIN Tour Lineup . 2024-04-07 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  22. Web site: 2013-09-27 . Trent Reznor reveals lineup for Nine Inch Nails' Tension 2013 tour . 2024-04-07 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  23. News: Trendell . Andrew . December 6, 2013 . Nine Inch Nails to tour with new band line-up in 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131210221350/http://www.gigwise.com/news/86743/nine-inch-nails-to-tour-with-new-band-line-up-in-2014 . December 10, 2013 . December 6, 2013 . Gigwise.
  24. Web site: Martins . Chris . December 5, 2013 . Nine Inch Nails Will Tour With a New Lineup in 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150802060902/http://www.spin.com/2013/12/nine-inch-nails-trent-reznor-ama-2014-tour-lineup/ . August 2, 2015 . December 6, 2013 . Spin.
  25. Web site: Reyes . Jordan . 2018-10-23 . Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails talks synths and sensibility with Jordan Reyes of Ono . 2024-05-14 . Chicago Reader . en-US.
  26. Web site: December 16, 2016 . Nine Inch Nails Are Releasing a New EP Next Week – Oh Yeah, and Atticus Ross Is an 'Official' Member Now . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170205065259/http://www.vulture.com/2016/12/nin-announce-new-ep-atticus-ross-joins-band.html . February 5, 2017.
  27. Web site: 2017-03-21 . Nine Inch Nails confirm touring lineup for 2017 live shows . 2024-04-07 . en-US.
  28. Web site: Payne . Chris . 2017-07-31 . Nine Inch Nails Covers Bowie, Rocks Out Hits & New Songs to Wrap Panorama 2017: Watch . 2024-04-07 . Billboard . en-US.