On May 6th one of the world’s biggest music groups “Nine Inch Nails” will perform in Latvia, Arena Riga. It’s very likely, that “Nine Inch Nails” concert is gonna be one of the best rock performances Latvian audience has ever seen. Let’s do a warm up!
It may have been 1997 when I first heard “I’m afraid of Americans” David Bowie’s collaboration with “Nine Inch Nails”. And later came “Starsuckers Inc.” the bitchin’ reunion song of Marilyn Manson’s and Trent Raznor’s friendship. “With Teeth” was my first “Nine Inch Nails” album, later I discovered “Pretty Hate Machine”. First served I went on. For me it’s fascinating, how masterful Trent Reznor understands and dissects the neurosis and failures of human’s mind. Sometimes I quote some of the song lines, how accurately descriptive they are. Musically it’s an pressure on your psyche till you give up and admit, that you have the same dark desires as all of us. That’s how I feel about “Nine Inch Nails”.
Latvian drummer Kaspars Grinbergs (Slavestate, The Quarantined, ex- Huskvarn), who’s living in LA right now, is one of the biggest “Nine Inch Nails” fans I know. So I asked Kaspars to share his “Nine Inch Nails” story.
What was your first memory of Nine Inch Nails?
The first meeting with “Nine Inch Niles” music for me was right when “The Downward Spiral” came out in 1994. Back then i only listened to brutal death metal and black metal bands and i considered everything else pop music. if music didn’t have blast beats and growls, i didn’t even try to listen to it. But one day one a friend brought me a cassette tape and told me – listen to this, this might change your life! So i did, but it wasn’t until i’ve heard EP “Broken” when NIN totally changed my life, i fell in love with that sound, what only NIN has up till this day.
How would you describe the importance of Nine Inch Nails for Latvian audience?
I think that NIN can totally shake up music lovers in Latvia. Not only is NIN at the top of their game, puts on a show what many music writers describe as “way ahead of this time”, but also Trent Reznor & Co IS today’s Rock music at it’s very best in every aspect. NIN show is loaded with a massive rock’n’roll energy, that i doubt that someone will miss it, NIN are capable to take the listener to an unforgettable journey.
Is there something worth to know before going to NIN concert?
To take a listen to a few NIN songs i would advise, if someone hasn’t done it yet. AndI don’t think it matters in which order a listener discovers NIN music, it’s very different, but it’s a very colorful journey, because every album is very different and unique. I definitely would suggest to go to this show with an open mind and to be ready to be blown away. The previous “Tension” tour in the states can only be described as an miracle, this tour, as Trent has described, is very aggressive, filled with many surprises and the band is playing many songs which haven’t been played live for many years and the song list tends to change from show to show, so this would be an aspect where to pay attention, because every show is one of a kind on this tour.
Better take ear plugs with you!