Jerome Dillon

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Jerome Dillon is a professional musician, best known for his tenure as drummer with industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails from 1999-2005. He has since formed his own band nearLY, that released the debut album reminder in 2005, along with the single Straight to Nowhere. A live EP/DVD entitled reminder Live was released in August 2006.

He was born July 16, 1969 in Columbus, Ohio and attended Northland High School until 1987.

Jerome Dillon, Brixton Academy, London, 5th July 2005

In 1994, Dillon joined pop-rock band Howlin' Maggie. Despite achieving local fame, the group eventually disbanded. In 1999, while visiting family in Columbus, he was advised by his manager to audition for Trent Reznor's Nine Inch Nails. Reznor had since parted ways with long-time drummer and collaborator Chris Vrenna. Dillon recalls, "[My manager] asked if I was interested in being in Nine Inch Nails. I would have been interested in being houseboy in the studio." Dillon submitted a sample of his work, and was contacted shortly after with the opportunity to audition in front of Reznor. "I thought it was going to be the same thing all over again. Instead, I walked in and it was more of just a conversation with me and the band. They liked where I was coming from musically, and they thought it was conducive to the direction of the new record". He was featured as the band's live drummer during touring in support of The Fragile. Additionally, Dillon has worked with Reznor in the studio on subsequent releases including Things Falling Apart, And All That Could Have Been, and With Teeth.

Touring in support of With Teeth, Dillon served as drummer from March through September of 2005. During the band's September 16 show in San Diego, he complained of an irregular heartbeat and chest pains approximately forty-five minutes into the set. The night's performance was forced to come to an early end in order for Dillon to receive proper medical attention. After spending a night in the hospital, he returned to perform with the band in Phoenix, Arizona on September, 19th. Despite this initial return, health problems continued to undermine performance obligations and Dillon was replaced as the band's touring drummer.

On October 28 2005, Dillon announced that he would not be returning to the band, according to a post made on his website. In this post and a following interview with TIMBT he stated that the final decision to leave the band was not motivated by health issues but artistic differences with the band. His last appearance with the band was at the Hollywood Bowl, California, on October 1.