12 Things Only Nine Inch Nails Fans Would Understand

8. Fishnet Stockings Aren't Just For Prostitutes

It may have been the way he manhandled a microphone. Or perhaps the risqué lyrical content of some of his earlier work (Pretty Hate Machine was loaded with hackneyed, overtly sexual posturing). But we'll put it down to the nifty combination of leather shorts and fishnet stockings that had Michael Trent Reznor high on everyone's "celebrity free pass" dream list. Just when you thought you needed your own street corner and a red light over your doorway before you could pull off that look, The Rez showed us that all you need is a pair of leatherette half-sleeve gloves and a severe pout to make it work. Before long, men, women and children (of acceptable age, mind you) were storming their local S&M megastores to stock up on pleather and rolls of fishnet. It was a look which defined the Nine Inch Nails image through the nineties. But please kids, don't try this at home.