Trent Reznor Before Nine Inch Nails: The Exotic Birds

By Annie Zaleski Tue., Aug. 19 2008 at 11:25 AM

Categories: Cleveland Rocks!, Homespun, Videodrone

The Exotic Birds were a Cleveland synthpop band which in hindsight was sort of a farm team for electronic musicians. The band, which formed in 1983, at various times featured Trent Reznor on keyboards, programming and backing vocals; Andy Kubiszewski -- later known for his work in Stabbing Westward and as a touring drummer for Crowded House and The The -- on guitars/vocals; and Chris Vrenna on drums. (The latter once played in NIN, records now as Tweaker and has played live with Marilyn Manson and Gnarls Barkley.)

The Exotic Birds opened for Culture Club and Eurythmics in Cleveland, although its biggest claim to fame is probably this: Reznor and fellow 'Bird Frank Vale were part of a fake band called "The Problems," which performed in the 1987 Michael J. Fox/Joan Jett(!) flick Light of Day, which was set in Cleveland. (Clip here.)

Local Cleveland news story on the Exotic Birds (also featuring an interview with Thomas Dolby), featuring Reznor and Andy Kubiszewski:

Reznor-less Exotic Birds video for "No Communication":

Live clip of "Imagination," when the group opened for Information Society. I remember hearing this song a ton on the radio when I was in middle school. Anyone else feel like they need to go watch a bunch of Jesus Jones videos on YouTube? Is that just me?