Nailed! Trent's Posse Pound New York
By Don Kaye for Kerrang! on September 1, 1996
IT WAS either a moment of pure stupidity, a weak move from a band not known for their live prowess, or a spontaneous flash of the real rock n' roll danger so lacking in many of today's bands. Whichever way you look at it, the sight of Marilyn Manson clubbing drummer Ginger Fish with his mike stand, swiftly followed by bassist Twiggy Ramirez hurling his instrument at the poor guy to abruptly end their set halfway through '1996' really set the crowd buzzing during tonight's show.
The evening is billed as 'Nothing Records Night', although by the time the show rolls around, it's no secret that the founder of Nothing, a certain Trent Reznor, is planning a surprise Nine Inch Nails set. It's the job of fellow Nothing act Marilyn Manson to warm up the crowd with a short blast of selections from their forthcoming 'Antichrist Superstar' album. For some strange reason, they begin by playing weaker, thrashier tunes like 'Irresponsible Hate Anthem' and the aforementioned '1996', throwing in 'Burn The Witches' (Gaby-I assume they mean Dogma) for good measure. But then, suddenly, during the fifth song, Manson wheels around, swings his mike-stand at Ginger, and then stalks offstage. Twiggy hurls his bass in the same direction and then follows his singer, leaving the unfortunate drummer collapsed on the boards, blood pouring from his head, waiting to be stretchered to an ambulance by the road crew.
After that little display, its up to Reznor and his not-so-merry men to keep the momentum flowing. And they do. Easily. The five piece come rushing out in a blur of black energy, and manage to keep up an intense momentum throughout the 80 minute, 12 song set. Opening with 'Terrible Lie' and an extended 'March Of The Pigs', Trent soon turns the show into a fast and loose jam session, as first Kevin from fellow industrialist Prick and the Clint from Black Country greboes Pop Will Eat Itself hop up for 'She Loves Me' and 'RSVP' respectively. But the highlight of the evening comes when Reznor and his original guitarist Rich Patrick-now one half of Filter-are reunited for a scorching 'Head Like A Hole'.
For a band that haven't played live for close to a year, NIN are tight, brash and dramatic. There's no doubt that they're an electrifying live outfit. The night's closer, 'Something I Can Never Have', is the perfect combination of post-industrial angst and emotional theatrics. The only complaint is that no new material is aired. But that's a very small complaint indeed.
MOST ROCKING MOMENT: Filter's Rich Patrick joining NIN for 'Head Like A Hole'.
LEAST ROCKING MOMENT: Mr. Manson assaulting his drummer to end their set prematurely.
BEST ONSTAGE QUOTE: "Goddamn! Good Goddamn!" -Marilyn Manson.
VERDICT: Industrial heaven.
The evening is billed as 'Nothing Records Night', although by the time the show rolls around, it's no secret that the founder of Nothing, a certain Trent Reznor, is planning a surprise Nine Inch Nails set. It's the job of fellow Nothing act Marilyn Manson to warm up the crowd with a short blast of selections from their forthcoming 'Antichrist Superstar' album. For some strange reason, they begin by playing weaker, thrashier tunes like 'Irresponsible Hate Anthem' and the aforementioned '1996', throwing in 'Burn The Witches' (Gaby-I assume they mean Dogma) for good measure. But then, suddenly, during the fifth song, Manson wheels around, swings his mike-stand at Ginger, and then stalks offstage. Twiggy hurls his bass in the same direction and then follows his singer, leaving the unfortunate drummer collapsed on the boards, blood pouring from his head, waiting to be stretchered to an ambulance by the road crew.
After that little display, its up to Reznor and his not-so-merry men to keep the momentum flowing. And they do. Easily. The five piece come rushing out in a blur of black energy, and manage to keep up an intense momentum throughout the 80 minute, 12 song set. Opening with 'Terrible Lie' and an extended 'March Of The Pigs', Trent soon turns the show into a fast and loose jam session, as first Kevin from fellow industrialist Prick and the Clint from Black Country greboes Pop Will Eat Itself hop up for 'She Loves Me' and 'RSVP' respectively. But the highlight of the evening comes when Reznor and his original guitarist Rich Patrick-now one half of Filter-are reunited for a scorching 'Head Like A Hole'.
For a band that haven't played live for close to a year, NIN are tight, brash and dramatic. There's no doubt that they're an electrifying live outfit. The night's closer, 'Something I Can Never Have', is the perfect combination of post-industrial angst and emotional theatrics. The only complaint is that no new material is aired. But that's a very small complaint indeed.
MOST ROCKING MOMENT: Filter's Rich Patrick joining NIN for 'Head Like A Hole'.
LEAST ROCKING MOMENT: Mr. Manson assaulting his drummer to end their set prematurely.
BEST ONSTAGE QUOTE: "Goddamn! Good Goddamn!" -Marilyn Manson.
VERDICT: Industrial heaven.
Transcribed by Keith Duemling