Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor Reveals Why Hipsters Killed Rock

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Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor discussed the ‘boring’ state of rock during a recent interview with Zane Lowe. Alternative Nation transcribed his comments.

“Something we’ve always felt strongly about is that the role of what we call rock, has been one that should feel untethered and filled with expression and uncompromising, and at times, challenging. In general, it seems from my perspective, and I think Atticus [Ross, fellow Nine Inch Nails member] feels the same way, that most entertainment, film, particularly music, is pretty boring right now. Certainly rock is boring, I can’t think of anything that’s happened in the rock spectrum that’s felt, I’m sure there are that I’m just not thinking of right now, but just in general-”

Lowe interruped, “It’s had it confidence knocked a bit over time.”

“But it’s not saying much either. Again, this is a blanket statement, this is certainly not including everything, there’s sure good stuff out there, but in general, I’m not blown away by 5 records a month, like, ‘Man, that’s speaking to me.’ Everything feels a bit tame, it feels a lot like something else that’s happened, polite. I think that some of the tastemaker elements, certainly the hipster arena, has leaned towards the praising of gentle familiar R&B twee pop stuff. A lot of what’s blessed as ‘the cool thing’ feels pretty generic, and also feels, a lot of it, like a desperate plea for commercial airplay and success, as there are fewer and fewer avenues for any bands to break out of obscurity these days.”