Prong
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| Prong | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Origin |  New York City, New York, United States |
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| Genre(s) | Hardcore punk, Groove, Industrial Rock | |
| Years active | 1986-1996 2002-present |
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| Label(s) | Spigot Records (1986-1989) Epic Records (1989-1996) Locomotive Music (2002-2005) |
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| Website | Official Website | |
| Members | ||
| Tommy Victor Mike Longworth Aaron Rossi |
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Prong is a crossover thrash/thrash metal band and later Groove metal/Industrial metal formed in 1986. Prong had two independent releases, Primitive Origins and Force Fed. The albums attracted the attention of Epic Records, which signed the trio in 1989. The group disbanded in 1997 after the Rude Awakening tour, but re-formed in 2002. A pioneer of the urban metal scene, Prong is fronted by Tommy Victor. KoЯn's Jonathan Davis, Demon Hunter's Ryan Clark, and Trent Reznor allegedly cite Prong as an influence to their musical style.
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[edit] History
[edit] Early career (1986-1988)
Prong was founded in 1986 by singer/guitarist Tommy Victor who was a sound man for the famous club CBGB and bassist Mike Kirkland (doorman at CBGB’s). Ex-Swans drummer Ted Parsons joined a few month's later. Prong released two independent albums that were noted for their brutal hardcore punk sound. The recordings were released on Southern Records in the U.K. in the late 1980's.
[edit] Mainstream success (1989-1995)
Epic Records saw the band's potential and signed them in 1989. Prong's major label debut album Beg to Differ, was released in 1990.
In the following year, Kirkland left the band and was replaced by Ex-Flotsam and Jetsam bassist Troy Gregory. Prong issued their fourth release Prove You Wrong which saw the band experiment with programming and electronic samples while still retaining an aggressive yet melodic sensibility.
By 1994, Troy Gregory was out of the band and was replaced by Paul Raven (bassist) and John Bechdel (keyboard), both from Killing Joke and Murder, Inc. The new line up released Cleansing (Prong’s 5th major release). With a strong industrial sound that still managed to be hard and heavy, Cleansing contained songs that are still considered Prong classics ("Broken Peace" and "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck") and is Prong’s most successful release to date. The videos for these two songs became staples of MTV’s legendary Headbangers Ball.
[edit] Demise (1996-2001)
Prong's sixth album Rude Awakening was released in 1996. The album was not as successful as the last three albums. Shortly thereafter Parsons left the band to join Godflesh. Tommy Victor left New York and moved to Los Angeles. Prong toured in the fall of 1997 with a new lineup that included Dan Laudo (drums) Riggs (guitar) Frank Cavanaugh from Filter (bass) and Bill Rettie (keyboard). The band dissolved after a six week US tour. As the band Prong sat idle, Tommy Victor worked with legends of the rock world, including Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Glenn Danzig.
[edit] Aftermath (2002-present)
In 2002, Victor re-formed Prong with bassist Brian Perry, drummer Dan Laudo and touring guitarist Monte Pittman. After the success of a 42-show American tour that was recorded for a live CD (100% Live, Locomotive Music) Prong entered the studio and recorded a new CD, Scorpio Rising.
Tommy Victor has quit Danzig and drummer Dan Laudo has left the band to form Big On Mars (Kooklavu Records). The band announced a new drummer named Aaron Rossi who used to be in the bands Strife, Shelter, and Medication. The band has left Locomotive Music and is writing a new album that is scheduled to be released in 2007. A new track that is expected to appear on the new album has been posted on their MySpace web page called "Looking for Them".
In 2005, the Christian Metalcore band Demon Hunter released a cover of "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" on their album The Triptych.
In 2005, the Prong fanclub released a Music Video Compilation DVD Fanclub Site.
Along with Paul Raven, Tommy Victor appears on Al Jourgensen's new Ministry album titled Rio Grande Blood (2006).
[edit] Discography
See Prong discography.
[edit] Related artists
[edit] Influenced by
[edit] Similar artists
- Alice in Chains
- Biohazard
- Corrosion of Conformity
- Danzig
- Fear Factory
- Helmet
- Korn
- Overkill
- Pantera
- Pitchshifter
- Sepultura
- Suicidal Tendencies
- White Zombie
[edit] Trivia
- Professional wrestler Justin Credible once used the song "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" as his entrance song. The band Grinspoon also covered the song for Credible's entrance music.
- Demon Hunter has also produced a metal variation of the song "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck"
