Since the first time I heard “Head Like a Hole” on the radio, I have loved Nine Inch Nails. So this week for Music Monday, I give you my list of NIN in my life.

• First NIN Album I Bought:

- “Pretty Hate Machine” – the story of how Trent created this album is one of the greatest stories of music. “Sin”, “Ringfinger” and “Sanctified” all remain strong and never sound dated.

• Favorite NIN Song To End a Workout:

- “Right Where It Belongs” from “With Teeth” – There is something about how this song flows that makes it the perfect cooling down to a strong hour long workout.

• Favorite NIN Album:

- 1999′s “The Fragile”. A double album that I regularly play from start to finish. Seriously, the entire (Left) side of the album [commonly referred to as Side 1 or Disc 1] is some of the most consistent music that flows into a single musical moment.

• Memorable NIN Concert Moment:

- I’ve seen NIN live twice: in 2005 for the “With Teeth” tour and in 1994 for the Downward Spiral tour. That tour date was at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City with my then wife Denise. The opening band was Marilyn Manson, but thanks to the giant pussy Larry H. Miller [Robin Finck's t-shirt said so], he didn’t want someone of that kind playing in his stadium. So instead of Marilyn Manson the band playing, Marilyn Manson the persona appeared on stage during the NIN set and ripped up a Book of Mormon. As for NIN themselves, it was one of the most intense concerts I’ve attended. The sound, the lights, the music, the atmosphere, the audience… all intense.

• Missed NIN Opportunity:

- In 2000, while touring for “The Fragile”, I was given the opportunity to a decent seat/ticket from a friend. I passed due to.. you know, I have no fucking clue why I passed up on opportunity to see NIN again in concert. [It had better been because I was spending time with my daughter.]

• Favorite NIN Song:

- You know how hard this is? Damn, I don’t know if I can pick a favorite. But if I had to, it would be “Heresy” from “The Downward Spiral”. The lyrics, the beat, the overall structure of the song is just good.

• Favorite cover song done by NIN:

- “Physical (You’re So)” from the “Broken” EP. Originally done by Adam and the Ants, Trent and band take this song into the next level. Musically, this song kicks some serious ass. A very close second for favorite cover is “Get Down, Make Love” for the Queen fan in me.

• Least Favorite NIN Album:

- “Year Zero” – I really, really loved the story, the lead up to the album’s release and how they got everyone – fans included – excited for new music. After a good 60 or so listens, there are parts of it that are not that enjoyable to me. Maybe if I saw them live for this tour, it would have got me more into this album.

• Most Exciting Moment In NIN History:

- When Trent won the Oscar for “The Social Network” soundtrack [along side Atticus Ross]. It was like a validation of everything he’s done from the beginning to that point in time. Plus, how cool was it to see Trent in a tux.

Original image found at Toronto Sun

• Most Respectable Move That NIN Did:

- The fan-created video project known as “Another Version of the Truth”, which has the full support of NIN. For Trent and NIN to recognize the power of the fan base over the old media dinosaur method of thinking gives him an incredible amount of respect. Trent’s criticism of the music industry was no surprise, given his support for this kind of project.

Any NIN fans out there? Any favorites you have? Comment away.

I love going to concerts. My first was Van Halen in 1982 and I’ve been to many shows in the last 27 years. I lost count on how many bands I’ve seen live, but I can easily say it’s over 1,000 different bands… seriously. Just scanning my concert ticket stubs and thinking of all the show I don’t have a ticket stub for, that’s a safe amount.

But out of all of those many shows, there is one band that I’ve seen in concert nine times: Depeche Mode.

The band never ceases to amaze me with what kind of show they put on. From the first time I saw them live in 1986 during the “Black Celebration” tour until the most recent show of the Tour Of The Universe, Depeche Mode have been one of the most amazing, entertaining and talented bands I’ve seen perform on stage.

This most recent date, here in Salt Lake City, had an extra bonus: Dave from Blogography was in town to enjoy this show. While the concert went off without a hitch, the lead up to this show wasn’t without it’s concerns. The band was forced to cancel a few of its dates, including two California dates, just weeks before the SLC date.

All of us were nervous about the show – even up to the day before during Dave Lake City 3 at the Rio Grande Cafe, Dave and I both hoping that there wouldn’t be a last minute cancellation.

But there wasn’t.

This was also my daughter’s second time seeing Depeche Mode, her first time being in 1998 for the Singles Tour.

Who the hell is that dude behind us and why is he not excited for Depeche Mode?

All three of us waited in anticipation, with big smiles….

When Bad Monkey pushes the button, the show will begin.

Dave has already posted a great set list and his thoughts on each of the songs performed. As for my thoughts, I’m with Dave on just about everything he said, especially with the selection of “Jezebel”, which isn’t one of my favorites from the new album “Sounds Of The Universe”. As with Dave, I would have preferred “Home”, which is one of my favorite Martin Gore songs. But regardless of that weak moment, The show was spectacular. I didn’t even miss hearing “People Are People” or “Everything Counts” [which is one of my all time favorite songs to hear live]. It was that good of a show. And I was able to capture a good amount of photos with my camera. Here’s a selection from the Flickr set:

The band on stage

Martin Gore at his finest moment

Dave was in top form, never missing a chance to be the frontman

During the final number “Waiting For The Night”

Thank you, Depeche Mode, for a kick ass show

BONUS: Video

And here’s a video of some of “Policy Of Truth” that I was able to capture on my camera.

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Green Day

Staged

Not to take away from the awesome show that was Depeche Mode live, I also recently went to another concert about a week before. Green Day played at Energy Solutions Arena [formerly known as the Delta Center] and put on a great show.

While sometimes blamed for getting too big and too popular and forgetting their punk roots, I have to admit that Billie Joe Armstrong has a great on-stage persona and is very good at building up audience participation. This was my third time seeing them live and I have never been bored or disappointed each of those times.

Here’s a selection of pics from my Flickr set from the concert on August 16, 2009:

Billie Joe on the big screen

Mike Dirnt on the big screen

Tre Cool on the big screen

… and the ending number “Good Riddance (Time of your Life)” – Billie Joe all by himself

BONUS: Video

And I was able to capture part of “Brain Stew” on video.