Here's Video of Nine Inch Nails Performing on Dance Party USA 22 Years Ago
As a Dance Party USA enthusiast, I'd be remiss if I didn't share this 1989 video of a Pretty Hate Machine-era Nine Inch Nails performing on the Philly-based teen dance show that the internet's freaking out about. It's funny that the man who'd soon go on to proclaim, "I want to fuck you like an animal" is performing for a not-yet-legal crowd, although this particular track is pretty tame and synth-poppy. When it came to corrupting young minds, they had much work ahead of them.
Pitchfork points out that Reznor has responded to the clip's reemergence on Twitter:
Many years ago, a young and naive Nine Inch Nails were asked what TV shows they'd be interested in appearing on. As a joke (and likely drunk), they thought of the most absurd choice they could come up with at the time. They were then informed their bluff had been called and were actually booked on said show... They hopped in their Honda Civic touring vehicle (hatchback) and travelled many miles to (I think) NJ for the big show. They had a laugh making fun of the people, their fashion choices and hairstyles. Life was good. Years later, the internet is discovered... There's a moral in there somewhere. Come to think of it, Skrillex may indeed owe me some publishing on that hairdo...
Karma: The gum in our culture's hair.