Did you know that Robert Patrick once tried to get Nine Inch Nails on the Terminator 2: Judgment Day soundtrack? It’s a fascinating piece of music history that almost slipped through the cracks. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Robert Patrick isn’t just a talented actor—he’s also the brother of Richard Patrick, the frontman of Filter. And before Filter, Richard was a guitarist and backing vocalist for Nine Inch Nails. Talk about a family with musical connections! At the time, Robert was such a die-hard fan of Nine Inch Nails that he personally pitched the idea to director James Cameron. So, what went wrong? Let’s dive in.
In a recent interview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN9wDVOFDzA), Robert Patrick opened up about his deep love for music. When the conversation turned to Nine Inch Nails, he didn’t hesitate to name “Head Like a Hole” from Pretty Hate Machine as his all-time favorite track. He even revealed that he’d discussed using it in T2 with Cameron. But here’s the twist: Cameron was more of a Guns ‘N Roses fan at the time, ultimately choosing “You Could Be Mine” for the film—a song that also appeared on Use Your Illusion II. Was this a missed opportunity, or did Cameron make the right call? Let us know in the comments!
While Robert’s admiration for Nine Inch Nails is undeniable, his respect for Filter runs even deeper. When asked about his favorite Filter song, he struggled to recall the title but eventually landed on “Surprise” from their 2013 album The Sun Comes Out Tonight. He described it as “a happier, loving song that I think he wrote for his daughter. It’s really beautiful.” This personal connection highlights the emotional impact music can have, even for someone as seasoned as Patrick.
And this is the part most people miss: Robert’s favorite Filter album is their 1995 debut, Shortbus, which kicked off with the hit single “Hey Man Nice Shot.” He boldly declared, “Shortbus is one of the defining albums of the ‘90s. It made hard rock popular. It wasn’t grunge—it was more of an offshoot of Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, and Ministry. That album was groundbreaking.” But here’s the controversial part: Do you agree that Shortbus deserves a spot among the defining albums of the ‘90s? Or is it overshadowed by other industrial and hard rock releases of the era?
While Nine Inch Nails recently made waves with their first full score for Tron: Ares (https://www.joblo.com/tron-ares-soundtrack-nine-inch-nails/), Filter has also carved out its own soundtrack legacy. The band’s music has appeared in The Crow: City of Angels, The X-Files, and most notably, Spawn, where they teamed up with The Crystal Method for “(Can’t You) Trip Like I Do,” a chart-topping hit. Is Filter’s soundtrack success underrated? Share your thoughts below!
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