Nine Inch Nails members feud on a message board

Several comments between ex Nine Inch Nails drummer Jerome Dillon and frontman Trent Reznor led them, as well as other former members, to continuously insult each other over a message board. (Chris and Robin didn't really insult anyone)

It started with an interview with Jerome on mtv.com.

Shortly after Trent posted this on nin.com/tr:

A few thoughts / corrections on Jerome Dillon's latest press attempt to create interest in his project:
First, the facts:
I was impressed with his demos that ended up being his record.
I thought the choice of using Claudia was fantastic - I love her voice.
I did not offer to produce his record.
I did not attempt or ask to use any of his tracks for the "Tapeworm" project (which was long dead by the time I heard his music).
His recollection of the events leading to his departure from the band is once again inaccurate.

Now I venture into commentary:
Jerome continuously has to see himself as the victim in all circumstances. He lives in a world where he is always being wronged by someone or something. That could be me, that could be management, that could be his drum tech, that could be the girl who mistakenly washed his permanent press designer jeans, that could be the person that didn't cook his chicken properly before the show, or that could be the record label that wont give him tour support for his new band to play a show. On that topic, what in the hell do you need tour support for? You're a new band with no record sales yet... do what any new band does - practice in the garage, pack your shit in the car, play a goddamned show and quit whining about it.
p.s. You look like an asshole in your picture.

After that, a message was posted on echoingthesound.org. ETS is a fan created site but it is believed to be visisted by Trent (teitan) himself, along with former NIN members on occasion.

A post on ETS showed Trent's comments and then came a post by teitan:

"Yes, yes, yes... but don't you just LOVE the drama?"

Next post worth mentioning was from a poster named jerome_dillon. I'm not sure if this was actually Jerome posting or if it was a mod. It could be either way.

"dont you guys realize how hard it is to find a good pair of pants these days.......finally i found some that didnt make my ass look big.......but now they are RUINED, and no one in the band even cared........................................................trent never once offered to buy me new pants................................................................................................................................and I'M the asshole here?......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... buy my cd"

A few posts later another one by jerome_dillon when users questioned whether or not it was really him.

"of course im really jerome..................................check out my highly evolved ellipses..................................................................i am years ahead of my time................................................later..........jd."

A few hours go by and then Trent posts something else to nin.com/tr:

[03_21_2006]
OK enough!
Your 15 minutes are up!

It DID make for some interesting BB reading on an otherwise dull day, though.
But seriously, if you're going to throw some punches you may get hit back. Fuck the "high ground" - this is the internet, remember?

8:37pm_PST

Next came a post that delves into a lot of history with NIN. It was made (assumingly) by a former NIN member Charlie Clouser.

"Good Lord, I would have thought these kids had grown up by now! You hear how TR and Jayrome going off on each other, it's like "whaaaahhh whaaahhh!". Fuck.

First off, TR don't owe me SHIT. I don't feel like I've been wronged or got a raw deal out of NIN, I motherfucking SCORED being in that band.

As did we all, as did we all........

It's been five years since I'm out, so, okay, you guys want the straight dope, here it is. (deep breath)

To Jay-rome...

Jay-rome, bro, dude...... You're a great drummer. That's cool. You might have made a really interesting record (ain't heard it yet), which is even cooler.

But, hello, ummm...... how well do you know TR, anyway? Does any of this surprise you, bro? Do you remember how it went down when various other people left the band? Weren't you there the day I left, when TR found a few things of mine still in the studio, and threw them in the freaking dumpster while I'm standing right there by my car? IN THE DUMPSTER? And all I did was shake my head and say to myself, "dude has got some issues...."

Remember, this was after I cowrote, remixed, and programmed way more shit than you ever did. Remember, I also made the live tapes? I also did the remixes on FDTS. I also programmed shit on TDS and The Fragile. I also brought Starfuckers, Inc. to the table, remember? That ain't no motherfucking bassline, fool, that's my QuasiMidi Rave-O-Lution 309 beatbox! AND those vocal fx dawg.

My reaction: "Whatever, dude. I'm out. Later for you and your harshness."

You didn't see how he fucking shut Chris Vrenna down. Goddamn motherfucking PodBoy had been with TR since the ramen-noodle years, running down to CompUSA every week to buy TR more video games, sitting there reading from the cheats book while TR played Doom for hours, never giving Pod a chance to play, and fucking sitting in the driver's seat in the studio for more than ten years. At the end of that decade, while TR is buying a fucking man$ion, he was paying Pod like $60k. All Pod wanted was a little piece of the action to go along with his salary. Like a fucking nickel off the net dollar on swag. Like maybe a point on the record. No fucking way, TR and Malm told Pod that he was now 'surplus to requirements' and put his ass in the wind. After TEN FUCKING YEARS! Pod is the one who should bitch, not you. Pod is the one that should have been singin', "We built this city on rock 'n roll, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt!".

So you wonder why he didn't call you in the hospital? Fuck, dude... TR needs to watch out for TR and the rest of you can take a flying fuck at a rolling donut, and you're just now figuring this out? You thought that since you two were best butt-buddies for a while, that you guys were gonna be bros in later years?

You're lucky they didn't pull your luggage off the bus and drop it at the hospital!

Dude, everyone who's ever been in NIN or worked for (there is no WITH) Trent has been butt-buddy at some point. We all rode shotgun in his green porsche while he talked the big talk, and we all believed it, some for longer than others.

The only reason I ever moved to NOLA was because TR told me, straight up, that he wanted me and danny to write the tracks for a Tapeworm album, on which I would get a production credit.

This was in 1995. NINETEEN NINETY FUCKING FIVE, DUDE!

Remember, I was just starting to write the first Rob Zombie album, when TR conned me into moving to NOLA on the basis of Tapeworm. I was living in 7200 square feet in Nichols Canyon, with the protools rigs of doom. My game was ALREADY TIGHT nucca.

I took a pretty major pay cut to join NIN, and the only reason was because of the fantasy Tapeworm bonus. We knew it was never going to happen years before you showed up. It became a big joke for me and Danny (but not a very funny one). Robin never believed that shit for a second, he was out of there right after the tour ended.

So, after all this, you get to say, "I used to be in nine inch nails." Isn't that enough for you? That ought to be worth something, yeah? Work that shit, homey, but don't you ever try to hold TR to his word on fantasy shit like Tapeworm or "I'll produce your record..."

He's the guy that invites you over for a bbq and gets all sullen when you take two hamburgers instead of one, but don't let it get to you. Eat both of 'em! Fuckit!

But here's the moral of this harsh story:

The important part now is to not become like him.

Shake it off, man. Deep breath. You fucking carry that bitterness for TR with you thru life, man, you will poison yourself from the inside. TR always claiming he's dark, he got a black soul, saying shit like "you know me, I hate EVERYONE!"

Ooooohhh ain't he tuff. SuperTuff. SuperDuperTuff. He so motherfuckin dark he make you look light by comparison, nucca.

Well, what if all that shit he claimin' is actually TRUE? What if he really IS that hateful person that he describes in all them dark lyrics? If he IS that guy, then he needs his head examined or removed ASAP. Man, forget that shit as soon as you can. People get what they deserve in the end, man, they reap what they sow. They get the kind of freinds they deserve.

Remember how record labels would call Nothing Records or Conservative Management looking to get me to do a remix, and Malm would make sure I never got the message? I found out about all that shit when I got back to LA, how all these fools be like, "Where you been? We been leaving messages at Nothing Records for like two years! They wouldn't give us your number, or the number at the studio in NOLA, so WTF is up with that?" And I'm like, "John MotherFucking Malm is what's up with that."

So yeah, I got fired out of there on zero notice. TR put my sorry ass in the wind too.

And I don't look back.

Would I do it all over again? Yeah, but I would have been right behind Robin on the way back to LA instead of waiting four more years for shit that wasn't ever gonna happen. That last tour we did was a joke, and you know it. Fucking TR forgetting lyrics onstage, Robin taking a swing at TR in Australia, shit I was ready to walk off stage and take a cab to the airport that one time in Japan when he just lying on stage drunk off his ass mumbling instead of singing.

Now he all on 'roid rage, he could snap me like a twig, but back then was a different story. Remember that Japanese chick with the missing teeth when we went to the temples in Kyoto? Fuck.

How many people can you name who would honestly say that they think TR has been a real friend across the years? Some of his high school buddies that come out on tour, or Clint, maybe, but that's cause they never really "worked" together. I saw Clint coming out of the dressing room at the Bowl smiling, so they obviously all good, but I wasn't even allowed to say hi to TR. I got the blockade from security! Hahahahah LoLLerskates *HUGZ* ROFL ain't that some shit?

All's I wanted to say was, "congrats on the new album, new tour, and new YOU! TR, you look TIGHT and your game is seriously ON, man, and I am psyched for you. You obviously conquered some heavy shit, and you gotta feel good, yeah?" Not like I'm gonna complain about shit from five years ago backstage, right?

Hey also, didn't I hear TR talking some shit about how he 12-stepped his way back to planet earth? Well, I ain't never 12-stepped myself, but I got a couple close friends who did, and the one thing they all said was part of the process was to go back and apologize or make amends with all who were hurt by your actions while you were under the influence of whatever you're 12-stepping out of.

Did TR ever drop one motherfucking dime? PodBoy never got that call. I know you didn't get that call.... I didn't need one, since I played his ass right back as he was playing mine, but PodBoy got the short end of the long stick. Well, maybe he only made it through 11 out of the 12 steps....... but I don't know nothing about 12 steps. (oh yeah, I am clean, but it only took one step.)

(BTW: You're better off not being in a band that plays medleys...)

Now, before y'all go thinking I feel all "wronged" by TR, I don't. I am absolutely fine with him. I sussed the deal soon enough, and it WAS a cushy situation, so I let it ride for a while, and I hung around while I got my act together to re-enter LA. Soon as I felt like he was short-changin' me, I said, "Shit, I gotta get me a night job!" Had to finish the demos for the Helmet album while still on TR's payroll, ya unnerstand? So I managed to extract value from the transaction, even if it wasn't the value I thought going in. So we cool, I know he threw my shit in the dumpster cause I was writing Helmet and remixing Zombie on his dime, but shit, man, the way I deal is to say, "don't be motherfucking remixing Zombie on my dime bitch!" right to a sucker's face instead of throwing they shit in the dumpster, run back in the studio, and change the locks.

So TR, I know you gonna see this, and hate on me, and it's cool. I know you gonna whip out the pics of me and Lifto and the carrot, or video of my "initiation" backstage in Long Island, or some other embarrassing shit. Bring it, I don't give a fuck. I got no probs with you dude and you can diss me all you want. I'm happy for ya man, you making it work big time. Plus, you're mr. artistic integrity guy, and I do cheesy horror movies, so who the fuck am I?

So you got it all over me, yeah. I ain't on your level, and I ain't never gonna BE on your level.

And all was right and as it should be in the world.....

And I am OUT. Later."

I'm fairly certain that this is not the original post, but the jist of it. I read further and some posts suggests that Charlie was editing his posts for niceness. Charlie would continue to post responses to some of the fans...

"Jay-rome will show up sooner or later and verify the reality of my non-fiction diatribe. The Japanese
chick with missing teeth in Kyoto will clue him in...

I wish I knew how to post pictures.....

BTW: flawlesserr - EXACTLY! TR is NIN, period. Learn that one good before you leave for tour...

charlieclouser
Ex-NIN keyboardist"

.

"Oh, I didn't know there actually WAS a website called iSuck, but, duh, of course there is....

I just figured since NIN is god and I suck, that I should put that as my website.

I don't really have a website! Hah!

charlieclouser
Ex-NIN keyboardis"

.

"No, the punch was backstage. Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins rode into our tent on mopeds with
"Hellecasters" hoodies on, pulled up over their motorcycle helmets, and looking like bubble-head aliens.
It was a tense moment, as they were playing a goofy backstage gag, and Robin had just took a swing,
not really a "punch your lights out" punch, though it might have been had it connected.... TR didn't go
down or anything, he probably didn't even notice! They were tussling and arguing and all, and just
when it got violent, the wall of the tent blows back and in come half of the Foo's on mopeds.

Perfect fucking timing Dave. We dodged a bullet that day. It could have gotten real ugly real fast.

Robin and TR did tussle a couple times on stage on the Japan leg, but given the usual level of onstage
violence, I don't think anybody noticed. Shit, I didn't notice, and I was ten feet away! Robin told me
after what had happened and I was like, "oh, really?"

charlieclouser
Ex-NIN keyboardist"

.



Chris Vrenna calls teitan an imposter. Chris and Robbin respond to a member post. More by Chris...

So, nothing really worth noting other than the fact that two more former members decided to join in the discussion.

Charlie posts this picture to prove that he really is Charlie Clouser. The 'Tacos 4 sale" is in a reference to earlier post saying that he thought Charlie was running a taco stand. After the picture:

"Hey, I could have emailed Jay-Rome directly, but I knew y'all would want to see the skid marks on our underwear.

I meant that I got no probs with TR NOW. I sure as hell did back in the day. That's why I waited five years to talk smack.

Hey, I just want Jay-rome to fucking move on. You ain't heard me talk smack trying to promote any project of mine, did you? Am I trying to get anyone to come see my band? No. Am I trying to get press for my projects? Hell no, they got whole buildings full of people to do that. I'm no P.R. department, you can see how badly I'd fuck it up! Hell, you guys ain't gonna buy my shit anyway! I ain't putting out records.

Plus, my fifteen minutes is more like two hours in primetime every friday night, if ya get my drift. Those who know, know.

TR gonna come git me, I know it......

charlieclouser
Ex-NIN keyboardist"

Another one by Charles:

"Hey, y'all I had to change the "punched his lights out" to "took a swing at" cause Robin never
connected,
it was just a scuffle, as my girl Zoe who was there at the time reminded me...... She's the one told
Dave and Taylor to drive through our tent..... good idea she had....

BTW: Hallowedheart - That's my new Magnum SRT8 fool. 425hp at the crank. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em!

charlieclouser
Ex-NIN keyboardist"

He then posts pictures of himself with Jerome and with Trent. Charlie posted a few messages about his car that I don't give a shit about so I won't post.

This was his last post:

"Yep, that's from BDO in Perth.

I figure that's about a gallon and a half of lighter fluid on the old campfire, don't you?

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!

Owned.

I AM OUT!"

Chris writes:

"splatterhouse wrote:

Charlie sounds like he's comin' straight outta Compton.

That's Charles, for 'ya. He's got a strange sense of humor. You would think it would be Trent pulling all the pranks, but you'd be mistaken. I can't tell you how many times Charlie got every one of us, even Trent. I'd be willing to bet he's just joking around about the whole thing, although I can't be sure unless I talk to him"

jerome_dillon comes back the next day:

"excuse me......................... what the fuck...................................................................... charlie posts one time on here and everybody goes apeshit.....................but nobody seems to care that i've been here for months..................... you're all in trent's pocket, aren't you................ how much is he paying you????? what the fuck is going on?????.................. can we please change the subject back to me............................................... and my pants...........

peace out.............................................................jd.

buy my cd"

Again by jerome_dillon:

"he started it...... not me........... im just defending myself....................and if you don't believe me you can all suck my dick......................... later, jd.

please buy my cd.... it's like "still" but better"

jerome_dillon continues...

"~Eris~ wrote:

jerome_dillon wrote:

excuse me......................... what the fuck...................................................................... charlie posts one time on here and everybody goes apeshit.....................but nobody seems to care that i've been here for months..................... you're all in trent's pocket, aren't you................ how much is he paying you????? what the fuck is going on?????.................. can we please change the subject back to me............................................... and my pants...........

peace out.............................................................jd.

buy my cd

Poor baby, no one's paying attention to you anymore.

WAH WAH WAH!

I think you're the least convincing out of all the ex-band mates that have been posting here.

so.................... who asked you anyway....................... are you a former nin sideman????? .........does your opinion matter?????????........i didn't think so.................................

keep it real.............................................................jd"

And that's it, for now. I don't give a shit about who is right here or who is the "bigger man". As one of the posters said, either they really were the band members or someone went way out of their way to fool us.

I'm sure more fan-related feedback was alive on thespiral message board but I didn't see anything in ETS reference to that so I'm not going to even bother.

UPDATE 3/23:

"Well, I can tell you for sure that Chris wasn't real on ETS last night...because it
was me, and I'm not, nor have I ever been a member of Nine Inch Nails. You want
it confirmed? Check out my e-mail address in ETS through the profile:
cvrenna5@yahoo.com, and then check out the e-mail address with Digg. Last night
I just thought it was in good humor, today I kind of feel bad. So there's my
confession, ya hear?"

Just in case you don't look at the comments:

The "jerome_dillon" quoted extensively in this post is NOT the real Jerome. That faker first surfaced last year and the admin at the Jerome board confirmed that it's not him.

At one point in the ETS thread, when "jerome_dillon" was posting, someone else posted that for a minute, they saw a post from Meathead that, after a refresh, changed to a post from "jerome_dillon." Later, that person's post was either edited or deleted. Basically, meathead forgot he was signed in to his own account when he was trying to be the fake Jerome.

# posted by Anonymous : 2:49 PM