Trent Reznor backtracked from previous statements that Nine Inch Nails would disband after some farewell concerts, saying that the group would continue to make music. Sounding like a politician explaining why campaign promises were broken or an athlete coming out of retirement, Reznor said to Rolling Stone, "What I specifically said or meant to convey is that NIN as a touring live band that's on the road all the time is stopping." The impulse to end touring comes from the fear of becoming a parody of his former self: "I'd never want to be Gene Simmons, an old man who puts on makeup to entertain kids, like a clown going to work."

Fans of Nine Inch Nails have been on a rollercoaster ride of emotion recently, as Reznor announced that the band would hang it up after Bonnaroo in June only to extend the farewell tour into the summer, and now says that listeners will still have studio work to look forward to. He performed a similar reversal on Twitter, quitting with a lengthy explanation on his website only to return (retweet?) to the social network. So this is the final word on the future of Nine Inch Nails, but only for now, and only until Reznor tells us something different.

[Contact Music]