Tony Hawk took over Depeche Mode’s Facebook page yesterday and posted the following:
Pretty Hate Machine changed my life. I knew immediately that NIN would play a pivotal role in the soundtrack of my life. So when asked to host Depeche Mode’s page, I hoped that Trent would contribute ANYTHING to my effort. Without DM & NIN, I would have been lost in a sea of confusing electronica / industrial music during my formative years. They both continue to deliver some of the best tunes of our generations. Trent sent me this email this morning, and it further deepened our connection; Black Celebration is still my favorite album top to bottom.
“It was the summer of ’86. I’d dropped out of college and was living in Cleveland trying to find my way in the local music scene. I knew where I wanted to go with my life but I didn’t know how to get there. A group of friends and I drove down to Blossom Music Center amphitheater to see the Black Celebration tour. DM was one of our favorite bands and the Black Celebration record took my love for them to a new level.
I’ve thought about that night a lot over the years. It was a perfect summer night and I was in exactly the right place I was supposed to be. The music, the energy, the audience, the connection… it was spiritual and truly magic. I left that show grateful, humbled, energized, focused, and in awe of how powerful and transformative music can be… and I started writing what would eventually become Pretty Hate Machine.
Many times, particularly when we’re playing an amphitheater, I’ll think of that show while I’m onstage and hope someone in the audience is in the midst of a perfect summer night feeling how DM made me feel so many years ago.” – Trent Reznor
