This tour was such a unique experience, in music history. In 1995, they'd called it the Dissonance Tour, and it was a touring leg in support of both David Bowie's Outside Tour for his 20th studio album, '1.Outside', and Nine Inch Nails' Self Destruct Tour for their 2nd studio album, 'The Downward Spiral', which had been released in 1995 and 1994, respectively. The original idea was that David would've opened for Nine Inch Nails, and performed absolutely none of his major hits, after passing through a decade's worth of extreme burnout from international touring successes had left him bitter toward the concept of being a legendary pop superstar. Trent Reznor, the sole official member of Nine Inch Nails, had started his music career upon finding the inspiration of records like David Bowie's Low and Heroes albums, both from 1977, and couldn't allow David to do that, insisting that Nine Inch Nails be his opener, with another band called Prick, right before them. Both Bowie and NIN had planned an entirely unique set-change, where the two of them would perform 5 songs in a row together, at the end of Nine Inch Nails' set, finishing with this song, which had then led into David Bowie's set, and Trent had stayed to the sidestage to watch it, every night of the tour. These two guitarists onstage were Reeves Gabrels, doing that fancy tapping pattern for most of the intro, and Carlos Alomar, the guy with the glasses who you'd appreciated a ton from the 1978 Heroes performance which you've reacted to. They'd been David's guitarists on his '1.Outside' album, earlier that same year. They were frequent collaborators, with him. More on that at a later point, though. This song mostly sounds like Hurt's studio version, during the second half. The introductory guitar tapping pattern which I've mentioned was improvised by Reeves Gabrels for the tour, to bring some kind of new flair to Trent Reznor's original arrangement. Everything else, Trent had recorded or programmed himself, on the original recording. It's a fairly sparse song, like during the second half when that tapping part and David had drop out, but that bouncy chorus riff which Carlos had played was a regular part of the song. 'The Downward Spiral' is a partial concept album about Trent Reznor's internalized battles with heroin addiction, clinical depression, alcoholism, sexual dependency, and violence fetishization. In the mid-90s, he was suffering heavily from deep psychological traumas, and for him, this leg of the tour, while it may not have been particularly successful, was one of the crucial events in his career which had changed his life the most substantially. Upon receiving David's encouragement as a recovered cocaine addict and alcoholic, with words like "You know, there is a better way here, and it doesn’t have to end in despair or in death, in the bottom.", Trent had started his process to become sober. It had taken him around 6 years of struggling, but by the time that he had gotten clean, the next time that he'd seen David, he'd shyly reminded him that he was the guy who had puked on the rug, and told him that he'd gotten clean, but David had stopped him mid-sentence, and told him that he knew that he could do it, and it's what Trent had thought to mention in David's memory, after he had passed away from liver cancer, in 2016. For Trent, those smiles were expressions of some of the happiest moments of his life, in a time when he had rarely ever felt happy. This tour could've been huge if they'd wanted it to be, but instead, they opted for it to be a significant artistic performance, and it seems, for David, it was a means of being there for someone who had greatly needed it. Trent Reznor was the next multi-instrumentalist, big idea, troubled, passionate artist whon David had wanted to be there for, like how John Lennon from The Beatles was around for him, during a time when he'd needed it. It wasn't so much a passing of the torch, but rather, paying kindness forward to those who could use the care and appreciation. David hadn't worried about fame, anymore. He'd loved his family, his friends, and all of the people around him who were trying to do something extraordinary with their work. Trent has always been one of them. Hurt for Johnny Cash had become the song of a person who had suffered through various parts of his life, and come through them all, as the last one of his loved ones left, not quite ready to move on, but with a full span of memory behind him. Before that, for these two, it was a sad look from a man who was destroying everyone around him, and pulling them down with him, while he'd lost everything which he'd ever cared about. I find this to be the most hopeful version of the song, though. Ultimately, it had become the song about getting sober, and about letting go. It's really moving, and for me, this version's story is the most compelling. All of this explaining is going to be really significant later, because I know that it will be interesting to think about these things, when you're going to hear some of David and Trent's other drug-fueled songs. It's always amazing to know that they'd made it through their darkness, and found their light, again!!! 😃😄 The Nine Inch Nails song which you're familiar with, Closer, is also on 'The Downward Spiral', as are a few other outstanding tracks like March of the Pigs, Ruiner, The Becoming, Big Man with a Gun, A Warm Place, Eraser, and Reptile. These last two wee major parts of the set-change which I've mentioned. There were two David Bowie songs in it, as well, one lyrical and one instrumental, though he was very conscious of Nine Inch Nails being rising stars, and wanted them to have more presence in the concerts. Trent's touring members will be really fun to watch, as well, when they'll come around to the channel. I can definitely guarantee it!!! 🥰💙
Fascinating information. My knowledge grows each time you comment. Sadly, I have memory issues, and much of it gets lost. But I'm still very thankful. You no only know your stuff, you're kind enough to type it out for us all the enjoy too.
Chris, thank you so much for the insight! I am touched by David' kindness and encouragement, and also inspired by both of their stories. I am so happy that this one was recommended!
I saw this tour Chris, the only issue was a true disrespect for Bowie, which got me in an argument with people sitting next to me booing and yelling during Bowies section. Don't know if it was like this on all the shows, but Atl was awful. It was a great show, but the crowd blew it for me a bit. Cheers!
Thanks for this! I do so love Bowie and Trent together in this video. Trent Reznor greatly admired Bowie and you can see how happy he was to be singing with his idol, almost like he can’t believe it himself. I love how Uber cool Bowie appears, all light and collected and Trent is like a polar opposite, dark, sweaty, and wild. And their voices blend together so incongruously. Bowie always sang well with others, giving them their time in the light, as he backed away into the shadows to watch and admire.
imho it's a bit darker than the original NiN version. somewhere between Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) version and the original, while Johnny Cashs cover version is something completely different that gave it a whole new meaning and is not really comparable.
You did a full reaction to Abigail. I can think of three other masterpieces that deserve such respect. Rust in Peace, Dirt, and the Downward Spiral. And yes, I saw this show at the Hershey arena. It was unique
No, this sounds extremely different from this. Both this and the original album version are amazing, but this is very, very different. Reznor (NIN) was who got Manson really noticed/started. Honestly, you can take the Antichrist Superstar album, strip a little of the Manson angle off it and it's essentially a second disk to the album The Downward Spiral Reznor was making at the time - he was making both. If you listen to Manson's previous album that Reznor helped come to be noticed and then set AS and TDS next to each other they're basically two NIN albums. Manson's sound then radically changed again to his following works after he and Reznor split paths creatively. (Both "Closer" one you're familiar with and "Hurt" are both from The Downward Spiral)
The album version is a lot different. It is more tender and quiet. It also has lots of static noise and it makes it feel like the whole thing could crumble down if the wind blew down. For more heartbreaking ballads from NIN I'd suggest Something I Can Never Have, Right Where It Belongs, The Great Below, Lights in the Sky and This Isn't the Place. The last one I think was dedicated to David Bowie and it hits you right in the gut with the feels. Would love to see more nin from you. Great reaction!
Before it slips my mind, it was incredibly observant for you to have mentioned Nine Inch Nails sounding similarly to Marilyn Manson. After Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids had shortened their name to Marilyn Manson in the early '90s, Trent Reznor had noticed and really liked the music which they were creating, signed them to his Nothing Records label, and produced their first two albums, 'Portrait of an American Family' and 'Antichrist Superstar', before he'd completely fallen out with Marilyn by the early 2000s, who had proven to be an extremely terrible influence on him. Trent's production history is fairly extensive, but Marilyn can be regarded as probably his most significant collaborator, until he'd started scoring films with a guy by the name of Atticus Ross. Nine Inch Nails were one of the most prolific bands in both '90s gothic rock and '90s industrial rock, and probably the main reason why it had become such a significant combination of subgenres, during that era. Trent was very innovative, in a time when innovations were more subtle than during the '70s and '80s. He's a very talented artist, in every notable way, to this day.
You and I feel a little differently to this song. It's completely new to my ears. I found it seductive in a way that after a few seconds I was compelled to follow it through. At the same time there was a hollow feeling of emptiness. And a strong since of the music sort of alluring, or pulling me in, if you prefer. I know that loads of David's music has similar affects. But this being my first taste of NIN, I can't comment of their other material. I suppose if I had to categorize this, I'd class it as progressive. I'm keen to hear more now. "Weird?" Not in my eyes Randi, stunning, even beautiful. But not weird. 2RG have been to see Falling in Reverse. I told them off for not taking me....lol Detroit was the venue, and I'm intrigued to find out all about that night. That's me finished for now. TTFN.
If you are looking for NIN suggestions, I would recommend this live performance video which was recently 4K upscaled by the original director: th-cam.com/video/Z9oq4x980Uw/w-d-xo.html
For the absolute peak of clarification, he'd introduced himself a lot, and always pronounced it as "Boh-ee", even when he'd been doing interviews in the UK. If he'd pronounced it in the other manner, Zowie Bowie surely wouldn't have worked, as a nickname for his son. th-cam.com/video/uDd5Ps4YqPQ/w-d-xo.html
That's no brain fart and loss for words I'm a superfan of NIN and you get lost in his music no matter what he plays it's his gift makes me forget about my problems when I hear him
![F.HERO Ft. JSPKK x ลำไย ไหทองคำ x M-PEE - ไม่สนิทบิดหมด (Thai Riders Anthem) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kPJZ0UihBfk/mqdefault.jpg)
This tour was such a unique experience, in music history. In 1995, they'd called it the Dissonance Tour, and it was a touring leg in support of both David Bowie's Outside Tour for his 20th studio album, '1.Outside', and Nine Inch Nails' Self Destruct Tour for their 2nd studio album, 'The Downward Spiral', which had been released in 1995 and 1994, respectively. The original idea was that David would've opened for Nine Inch Nails, and performed absolutely none of his major hits, after passing through a decade's worth of extreme burnout from international touring successes had left him bitter toward the concept of being a legendary pop superstar. Trent Reznor, the sole official member of Nine Inch Nails, had started his music career upon finding the inspiration of records like David Bowie's Low and Heroes albums, both from 1977, and couldn't allow David to do that, insisting that Nine Inch Nails be his opener, with another band called Prick, right before them. Both Bowie and NIN had planned an entirely unique set-change, where the two of them would perform 5 songs in a row together, at the end of Nine Inch Nails' set, finishing with this song, which had then led into David Bowie's set, and Trent had stayed to the sidestage to watch it, every night of the tour. These two guitarists onstage were Reeves Gabrels, doing that fancy tapping pattern for most of the intro, and Carlos Alomar, the guy with the glasses who you'd appreciated a ton from the 1978 Heroes performance which you've reacted to. They'd been David's guitarists on his '1.Outside' album, earlier that same year. They were frequent collaborators, with him. More on that at a later point, though.
This song mostly sounds like Hurt's studio version, during the second half. The introductory guitar tapping pattern which I've mentioned was improvised by Reeves Gabrels for the tour, to bring some kind of new flair to Trent Reznor's original arrangement. Everything else, Trent had recorded or programmed himself, on the original recording. It's a fairly sparse song, like during the second half when that tapping part and David had drop out, but that bouncy chorus riff which Carlos had played was a regular part of the song.
'The Downward Spiral' is a partial concept album about Trent Reznor's internalized battles with heroin addiction, clinical depression, alcoholism, sexual dependency, and violence fetishization. In the mid-90s, he was suffering heavily from deep psychological traumas, and for him, this leg of the tour, while it may not have been particularly successful, was one of the crucial events in his career which had changed his life the most substantially. Upon receiving David's encouragement as a recovered cocaine addict and alcoholic, with words like "You know, there is a better way here, and it doesn’t have to end in despair or in death, in the bottom.", Trent had started his process to become sober. It had taken him around 6 years of struggling, but by the time that he had gotten clean, the next time that he'd seen David, he'd shyly reminded him that he was the guy who had puked on the rug, and told him that he'd gotten clean, but David had stopped him mid-sentence, and told him that he knew that he could do it, and it's what Trent had thought to mention in David's memory, after he had passed away from liver cancer, in 2016. For Trent, those smiles were expressions of some of the happiest moments of his life, in a time when he had rarely ever felt happy.
This tour could've been huge if they'd wanted it to be, but instead, they opted for it to be a significant artistic performance, and it seems, for David, it was a means of being there for someone who had greatly needed it. Trent Reznor was the next multi-instrumentalist, big idea, troubled, passionate artist whon David had wanted to be there for, like how John Lennon from The Beatles was around for him, during a time when he'd needed it. It wasn't so much a passing of the torch, but rather, paying kindness forward to those who could use the care and appreciation. David hadn't worried about fame, anymore. He'd loved his family, his friends, and all of the people around him who were trying to do something extraordinary with their work. Trent has always been one of them.
Hurt for Johnny Cash had become the song of a person who had suffered through various parts of his life, and come through them all, as the last one of his loved ones left, not quite ready to move on, but with a full span of memory behind him. Before that, for these two, it was a sad look from a man who was destroying everyone around him, and pulling them down with him, while he'd lost everything which he'd ever cared about. I find this to be the most hopeful version of the song, though. Ultimately, it had become the song about getting sober, and about letting go. It's really moving, and for me, this version's story is the most compelling.
All of this explaining is going to be really significant later, because I know that it will be interesting to think about these things, when you're going to hear some of David and Trent's other drug-fueled songs. It's always amazing to know that they'd made it through their darkness, and found their light, again!!! 😃😄
The Nine Inch Nails song which you're familiar with, Closer, is also on 'The Downward Spiral', as are a few other outstanding tracks like March of the Pigs, Ruiner, The Becoming, Big Man with a Gun, A Warm Place, Eraser, and Reptile. These last two wee major parts of the set-change which I've mentioned. There were two David Bowie songs in it, as well, one lyrical and one instrumental, though he was very conscious of Nine Inch Nails being rising stars, and wanted them to have more presence in the concerts. Trent's touring members will be really fun to watch, as well, when they'll come around to the channel. I can definitely guarantee it!!! 🥰💙
Fascinating information. My knowledge grows each time you comment. Sadly, I have memory issues, and much of it gets lost.
But I'm still very thankful. You no only know your stuff, you're kind enough to type it out for us all the enjoy too.
Chris, thank you so much for the insight! I am touched by David' kindness and encouragement, and also inspired by both of their stories. I am so happy that this one was recommended!
Respect for the insight from one who watch this play out in real time.
Best way I've heard NIN described is the first 3 albums are best approached as a Trilogy. From commercial, to anarchist, to self awareness.
I saw this tour Chris, the only issue was a true disrespect for Bowie, which got me in an argument with people sitting next to me booing and yelling during Bowies section. Don't know if it was like this on all the shows, but Atl was awful. It was a great show, but the crowd blew it for me a bit. Cheers!
Thanks for this! I do so love Bowie and Trent together in this video.
Trent Reznor greatly admired Bowie and you can see how happy he was to be singing with his idol, almost like he can’t believe it himself.
I love how Uber cool Bowie appears, all light and collected and Trent is like a polar opposite, dark, sweaty, and wild. And their voices blend together so incongruously. Bowie always sang well with others, giving them their time in the light, as he backed away into the shadows to watch and admire.
imho it's a bit darker than the original NiN version. somewhere between Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) version and the original, while Johnny Cashs cover version is something completely different that gave it a whole new meaning and is not really comparable.
I saw them live. They were incredible. Every other song was trent on a Bowie song, then Bowie on a trent song. It was incredible
Jealous as hell
More NIN reactions!!!!!
R.I.P , Bowie
nin in tghis era was epic, cant beat it
I have to wait to watch this but I'm pretty sure I saw this tour. Can't wait
You did a full reaction to Abigail. I can think of three other masterpieces that deserve such respect. Rust in Peace, Dirt, and the Downward Spiral. And yes, I saw this show at the Hershey arena. It was unique
The live version of hurt from NIN is good
No, this sounds extremely different from this. Both this and the original album version are amazing, but this is very, very different.
Reznor (NIN) was who got Manson really noticed/started. Honestly, you can take the Antichrist Superstar album, strip a little of the Manson angle off it and it's essentially a second disk to the album The Downward Spiral Reznor was making at the time - he was making both. If you listen to Manson's previous album that Reznor helped come to be noticed and then set AS and TDS next to each other they're basically two NIN albums. Manson's sound then radically changed again to his following works after he and Reznor split paths creatively.
(Both "Closer" one you're familiar with and "Hurt" are both from The Downward Spiral)
The album version is a lot different. It is more tender and quiet. It also has lots of static noise and it makes it feel like the whole thing could crumble down if the wind blew down. For more heartbreaking ballads from NIN I'd suggest Something I Can Never Have, Right Where It Belongs, The Great Below, Lights in the Sky and This Isn't the Place. The last one I think was dedicated to David Bowie and it hits you right in the gut with the feels. Would love to see more nin from you. Great reaction!
Thanks! Its great you covered this ! Its a 4 song set they did. Did u ever check out the rest of it ?
Thank you! :) No. I didn't realize that it was a four song set. No one had said anything! 🤦♀🤦♀
@@BetterEveryDayTH-cam yes. Well technically 5. Subterraneans/scary monsters/reptile/hallo spaceboy/hurt
Do nine inch nails and gary numan live o2 London wow
Subscribed, but I hope you react to more bowie and NIN
Before it slips my mind, it was incredibly observant for you to have mentioned Nine Inch Nails sounding similarly to Marilyn Manson. After Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids had shortened their name to Marilyn Manson in the early '90s, Trent Reznor had noticed and really liked the music which they were creating, signed them to his Nothing Records label, and produced their first two albums, 'Portrait of an American Family' and 'Antichrist Superstar', before he'd completely fallen out with Marilyn by the early 2000s, who had proven to be an extremely terrible influence on him. Trent's production history is fairly extensive, but Marilyn can be regarded as probably his most significant collaborator, until he'd started scoring films with a guy by the name of Atticus Ross. Nine Inch Nails were one of the most prolific bands in both '90s gothic rock and '90s industrial rock, and probably the main reason why it had become such a significant combination of subgenres, during that era. Trent was very innovative, in a time when innovations were more subtle than during the '70s and '80s. He's a very talented artist, in every notable way, to this day.
You and I feel a little differently to this song. It's completely new to my ears. I found it seductive in a way that after a few seconds I was compelled to follow it through.
At the same time there was a hollow feeling of emptiness. And a strong since of the music sort of alluring, or pulling me in, if you prefer.
I know that loads of David's music has similar affects. But this being my first taste of NIN, I can't comment of their other material.
I suppose if I had to categorize this, I'd class it as progressive.
I'm keen to hear more now.
"Weird?" Not in my eyes Randi, stunning, even beautiful. But not weird.
2RG have been to see Falling in Reverse. I told them off for not taking me....lol Detroit was the venue, and I'm intrigued to find out all about that night.
That's me finished for now. TTFN.
Oh how exciting! I wanted to see FIR when they played ATL a week or so ago, but (a) I didn't have a babysitter and (b) tickets sold out anyway.
If you are looking for NIN suggestions, I would recommend this live performance video which was recently 4K upscaled by the original director:
th-cam.com/video/Z9oq4x980Uw/w-d-xo.html
Hi Randi, Its pronounced
" Bowie" as in "bow".
Not " Bowie" as in "bow" HTH's
Or maybe not !!🤔
For the absolute peak of clarification, he'd introduced himself a lot, and always pronounced it as "Boh-ee", even when he'd been doing interviews in the UK. If he'd pronounced it in the other manner, Zowie Bowie surely wouldn't have worked, as a nickname for his son.
th-cam.com/video/uDd5Ps4YqPQ/w-d-xo.html
Bow-ee? Is that how I said it?
Honestly splits the British generations more than Brexit
Which bow ? Thats as confusing as mine! Bow as in Moscow!! Or again maybe not !!
That's no brain fart and loss for words I'm a superfan of NIN and you get lost in his music no matter what he plays it's his gift makes me forget about my problems when I hear him
any version of nin and bowie is better then cash