The Exotic Birds

Based in Cleveland, OH, the Exotic Birds were formed by Cleveland Institute of Music students Andy Kubiszewski, Tom Freer and Tim Adams. They achieved moderate success in local clubs, performing their songs, and even opened for Culture Club and the Eurythmics in 1984.

Adams left the band which grew to five members. Mark Best and Frank Vale, as well as Trent Reznor. The band continued to play local clubs like the Phantasy. In 1987 the Exotic Birds played the fictional band "The Problems" in the Michael J. Fox/Joan Jett film Light of Day. Eventually Chris Vrenna replaced Tom Freer but the band never moved beyond the local scene and eventually disbanded in 1988.

Andy Kubiszewski, who had written most of the band's music, reformed the Exotic Birds in 1990 with Doug Beck and Richard Carpenter and released their first CD Equilibrium. They were signed to Alpha International Records but problems resulted. The line up changed again but the band eventually called it quits for good in 1994.

No Communication (12" vinyl) -- 1983
Who Knows Why/Dance The Night Away (7" vinyl) -- 1983
The Exotic Birds (12" vinyl) -- 1984
L'oiseau (12" vinyl) -- 1986
Equilibrium (CD) -- 1989
Heartbeat Like A Drum (12" vinyl) -- 1989
Day After Day (Promo) -- 1990
Imagination (CD) -- 1990

Andy Kubiszewski was the core member of the Exotic Birds. He attended the Cleveland Institute of Music as a percussion student. Penning most of the lyrics and music, he eventually moved on to drum for the likes of The The, Crowded House, Prick, Nine Inch Nails, and T.a.t.u.

He is most recognized as the drummer for Stabbing Westward. He also has composed many pieces of music for television including the likes of Monster Garage, Monster House and Ugly Betty.

More Information
Wikipedia: Andy Kubiszewski
IMDB: Andy Kubiszewski
Discogs: Andy Kubiszewski

Although only a member of the Exotic Birds for a short time, Trent Reznor played keyboards, did programming, and performed background vocals on their 1986 album L'oiseau.

Trent moved on to form his own band Nine Inch Nails. Arguably the most successful former member of the Exotic Birds, Trent has recorded seven studio albums, several EPs, and countless remixes under NIN. He has also toured with the likes of David Bowie, Bauhaus, Guns and Roses, the Dresden Dolls, and Queens of the Stone Age.

Trent has also been active in changing the music industry, tackling the use of the internet to release music to his fans as well as challenging the archaic record labels.

More Information
SquidWho: Trent Reznor
Wikipedia: Trent Reznor
Discogs: Trent Reznor

After his time in the Exotic Birds, Chris Vrenna worked as a producer, remixer and engineer with Rammstein, The Rasmus, U2, Weezer, P.O.D., David Bowie, Cold, underwater, Scarling., The Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Green Day, Live, Adema, the Wallflowers, theSTART, and Dir en grey. He has also worked with Pigface and produced songs and albums for TCR, Jack Off Jill, and Rasputina.

He has also played with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Stabbing Westward, Marilyn Manson, Die Warzau, KMFDM, and Gnarls Barkley. He also formed his own band Tweaker.

Currently he is working with Marilyn Manson as a studio/touring keyboardist for their 7th album.

More Information
Wikipedia: Chris Vrenna
Discog: Chris Vrenna