Chris Vrenna (b. February 23, 1967, Erie, Pennsylvania) is an American musi… Read Full Bio ↴Chris Vrenna (b. February 23, 1967, Erie, Pennsylvania) is an American musician, Grammy-winning producer, engineer, remixer, songwriter, programmer, and founder of the electronic band Tweaker. Vrenna also formerly drummed for the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails (1989 – 1997).

In the mid- to late-'80s Chris moved to Chicago, quickly becoming a part of the Chicago industrial music scene and briefly becoming a member of Die Warzau and Stabbing Westward.

He later reconnected with Trent Reznor, whom he met in the early 1980s, when they both were in Cleveland, Ohio's local band the Exotic Birds. Chris also toured as a live drummer for KMFDM during the Money era tours in 1992. He is currently recording under the name Tweaker, and has released two albums under that name, The Attraction To All Things Uncertain and 2 A.M. Wakeup Call. Tweaker toured select North American dates with Skinny Puppy in 2004.

As a producer, remixer, or engineer, Vrenna has worked for Rammstein, The Rasmus, U2, Weezer, P.O.D., David Bowie, Cold, Underwater, Scarling., The Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Green Day, The Wallflowers and the J-rock band Dir en grey. He has also worked with the underground industrial group Pigface, and produced songs and albums for underground groups TCR, Jack Off Jill, and Rasputina.

Vrenna has also worked on music for several video games, including Doom 3 (as producer with Clint Walsh), Quake 4, American McGee's Alice, Enter The Matrix, Sonic The Hedgehog, Area 51, and Need for Speed Most Wanted. In 2004 he started soundtrack work on Tabula Rasa, a massive multiplayer online game. He also helped compose the theme song to the animated series Xiaolin Showdown.

He can be seen performing in the music videos for the songs Gave Up, Wish, and March of the Pigs on the Nine Inch Nails video compilation Closure, and also makes a brief appearance in The Perfect Drug.

Vrenna won a Grammy award as a member of Nine Inch Nails for "Best Metal Performance" for Happiness in Slavery in 1995.

Vrenna was Billy Corgan's programmer for four months in 1997. While he was on tour with the Smashing Pumpkins, Vrenna got a call from Axl Rose, who invited Vrenna to spend time with Guns N' Roses. "I did for a couple weeks, but then decided I didn't want to join the band", said Vrenna.

Vrenna was chosen to take over the drumming responsibilities for Marilyn Manson after Ginger Fish was injured in 2004. He is currently the live drummer for Gnarls Barkley.

After All
Chris Vrenna Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dark night is dawning after all
Strength less but standing after all
I do not fear this after all
Not quite so fearless after all

After all the waning moon is full
After all the rain it feels so cool
Hope can we sing, it help me survive your games

But I'm not playing after all

Nothing you do can stop me, I live today
Nothing you say can keep me, I'm on my way
What will you scream when there's nothing left to say
And who will you rule when no one is left to play

Your party's over after all
A part of me missing through it all
Hope can we sing, it helped me survive your games
I'm not your plaything after all

Nothing you do can stop me, I live today
Nothing you say can keep me, I'm on my way

What will you scream when there's nothing left to say
And who will you rule when no one is left to play

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "After All" by Chris Vrenna describe a sense of defiance in the face of adversity. As the dark night is dawning, the singer asserts that they are still standing, even if they are feeling weakened. They declare that they do not fear this experience, although they may not be as fearless as they appear to be. The singer then reflects on the passage of time, noting that after all the waning moon is full and that even after rain, there is a sense of coolness. The singer acknowledges that hope has helped them survive the games that have been played against them, but they state that they are not playing anymore. The song ends with a sense of finality, as the singer declares that the party is over and that they are not going to be someone else's plaything anymore.

Overall, the lyrics of the song suggest that the singer has reached a point where they are no longer willing to be a victim of someone else's games. They are standing up for themselves and asserting their independence. The repeated use of "after all" suggests a sense of resilience in the face of adversity - no matter what happens, the singer will not give up.

Line by Line Meaning

Dark night is dawning after all
Even though it is dark outside and the night is beginning, I am still standing strong.

Strength less but standing after all
Even though I may feel weak, I am still standing and surviving through everything.

I do not fear this after all
Despite the challenges I may face, I am not afraid and have the ability to navigate my way through them.

Not quite so fearless after all
Although I have the courage to face my fears, I still have a bit of apprehension within me.

After all the waning moon is full
Despite things seeming to be in a state of decline, everything eventually becomes whole and complete once again.

After all the rain it feels so cool
Even though the storms may come and go, the aftermath can often bring a sense of tranquility and a cool breeze.

Hope can we sing, it help me survive your games
Finding hope and joy through music can help me push through any obstacles or challenges that others may throw my way.

But I'm not playing after all
Even though I may have engaged in games before, I am now focused on more important things and am not interested in participating in any games anymore.

Nothing you do can stop me, I live today
No matter what others may do to try and bring me down, I will not let their actions affect me and I will continue living my life to the fullest.

Nothing you say can keep me, I'm on my way
Others may try to discourage me with their words, but I am determined and focused on my path and won't let them hold me back.

What will you scream when there's nothing left to say
Once everything has been said and done, there will be no more words left to express oneself and others may feel helpless as a result.

And who will you rule when no one is left to play
When there are no more people to control or manipulate, those who once held power may have nothing left to do or no one left to govern.

Your party's over after all
The good times may have once rolled, but the fun and excitement have come to an end.

A part of me missing through it all
Even through the good times, there may be some part of oneself that feels incomplete or like something is missing.

Hope can we sing, it helped me survive your games
Once again, finding hope and positivity through music can be a powerful tool in overcoming any negativity or obstacles others may throw one's way.

I'm not your plaything after all
No longer will I be controlled or manipulated by others, as I am my own person and have moved beyond games and power plays.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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