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→The Early Years
===The Early Years===
Reznor graduated from high school in 1983 and went on to study production at Allegheny College. It was there that he joined his first "real" band, Option 30. They became popular in the college scene in western Pennsylvania but Reznor clearly wanted to get out and see more. After a year in college, Reznor dropped out of school and left Option 30, moving to Cleveland. Once there, he worked a few odd jobs, selling music instruments and also working as a studio technicianat Right Track Studio. It was in Cleveland that he met roommate and future bandmate [[Chris Vrenna]]. The day jobs helped Reznor pay the bills but, like in Pennsylvania, he became active in Cleveland's music scene.
Reznor's first band in Cleveland was a cover band call the Urge. This band drew crowds and Reznor got some recognition. When he left the band months later they lost much of their audience. Reznor briefly re-joined before parting ways again shortly thereafter. In 1986 he joined the Exotic Birds as a keyboardist and back-up vocalist with [[Andy Kubiczewski]] (who would later join [[Stabbing Westward]]) and, at one point, Vrenna. The Exotic Birds received some national attention after playing a few gigs with the Culture Club, but Reznor's tenure with them would not last. This was followed by keyboardist positions in the Innocent, Lucky Pierre, and Slam Bamboo. But all the while, Reznor wanted to be able to do his own music and be his own musician.