Prong was founded in 1986 by singer/guitarist Tommy Victor (then a soundman at New York City's renowned CBGB's). With bassist Mike Kirkland (formely of NYHC band Damage and doorman at CBGB’s) and ex-Swans drummer Ted Parsons, Prong released two independent CDs that were noted for their brutal hardcore sound.
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.
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. As the band Prong sat idle, Tommy Victor worked with legends of the rock world, including Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, celldweller and Glenn Danzig.
In 2002, Victor re-formed Prong with bassist Brian Perry, drummer Dan Laudo and guitarist Monte Pittman (Madonna). In 2002, after 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 titled Scorpio Rising which was received with mixed responses.
Victor played on and off again with Glen Danzig from 1998 -2005 in between time with Prong. His final goal of playing and writing on a Danzig record was met with Circle of Snakes in 2004.
Prong released a live 2-disc DVD in 2005 entitled "The Vault" which features performances from the Hulstsfred and With Full Force festivals and a full show in Amsterdam. This disc has Mike Longworth on bass as well, who later replaced Perry. As a result of the drum performance on Scorpio Rising , band members Tommy Victor and Monte Pittman decided a change needed to be made. This resulted in the firing of Dan Laudo and the enlistment Aaron Rossi, who used to be in the bands Strife (Victory Records), Shelter (Century Media Records), John 5 (Shrapnel Records), and Ankla (Bieler Bros. Records)
Victor and Raven joined Ministry in 2005 to write and tour in support of their album Rio Grande Blood (2006). They were nominated for a Grammy in 2007 for the song Senior Peligro in the "Best Metal Performance" category. The two also appear on Ministry's follow up album The Last Sucker (2007), although in a more limited capacity.
On June 4th, 2007, Prong posted a MySpace bulletin stating that they were recording in El Paso, Texas. The band left Locomotive Music, and were signed to Al Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records, who released their latest album Power of the Damager on October 2, 2007.
The band embarked on the "Slicing Across America" and "Slicing Across Europe" tours supporting Power of the Damager in 2007 and early 2008. Joining Tommy Victor in the current live membership of the band is bassist Monte Pittman and drummer Aaron Rossi.
Paul Raven died of an apparent heart attack in his sleep on October 20, 2007 at the age of 46. He was recording with French recording artists Treponem Pal on their new album with Ted Parsons at the time of his death.
Aaron Rossi was joining Ministry as their new drummer on the "C U LaTour" which started in March 2008.
In February 2008, Headbanger's Ball premiered the video "Power Of The Damager".
13. Proud Division
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The mindless banter of all the derogatory
It's the best thing that could happen even with all the dread
It'll so good to see the backs of your heads
Got my own sign, my own line, to hell with the doubt
Got my own sign, my own line, you gotta hear me out
Got my own place, my own space
It's my proud division that will free me
My proud division that will free me
Piece together the madness with a clue to all the wrong
Follow the right way never wanna be wrong
Pledge allegiance to all your own beliefs
In accordance to your own individual breed
Got my own sign, my own line divisive and proud
Got my own place, my own place to hell with the doubt
Got my own place, my own ways to fight the crowd
It's my proud division that will free me
It's my proud division that will free me, yeah
A clue from knowledge, ward off the casualties
The mindless banter of all the derogatory
It's the best thing that could happen even with all the dread
It feels so good to see the back of your head
Got my own sign, my own line, divisive proud
Got my own sign, my own time, divisive proud
The song "Proud Division" by Prong is all about finding the strength to be true to oneself despite societal pressures. The lyrics suggest that the world is filled with mindless banter and derogatory comments, and that it can be difficult to navigate these negative influences without losing oneself in the process. However, the singer of the song finds hope in the idea that by embracing their own individuality and taking ownership of their beliefs and motivations, they can create a sense of pride and freedom that will help them to overcome these obstacles.
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes their determination to be true to themselves, no matter what others might say or think. They declare that they have their own sign, their own line, and their own place in the world, and that they refuse to let doubt or fear hold them back. They urge listeners to follow their own path and to pledge allegiance to their own beliefs, rather than conforming to the expectations of others. Ultimately, the message of the song is one of empowerment and self-determination, as the singer finds strength in their proud individualism and encourages others to do the same.
Overall, "Proud Division" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks to the struggles of finding oneself in a world that often seems determined to tear us down. With its message of pride and independence, the song encourages listeners to embrace their own uniqueness and to celebrate the things that make them who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
A clue from knowledge, ward off the casualties
Use your intelligence to avoid harm and danger.
The mindless banter of all the derogatory
Ignore the thoughtless insults and criticisms of others.
It's the best thing that could happen even with all the dread
Despite the fear, it's still the best outcome.
It'll so good to see the backs of your heads
I'll be glad to be rid of you and your negativity.
Got my own sign, my own line, to hell with the doubt
I have my own beliefs and confidence, and doubt won't stop me.
Got my own sign, my own line, you gotta hear me out
Listen to what I have to say, I have my own unique perspective.
Got my own place, my own space
I have my own environment in which to be myself.
It's my proud division that will free me
My individuality is what will liberate me.
Piece together the madness with a clue to all the wrong
Use reason to uncover solutions to chaos and problems.
Follow the right way never wanna be wrong
Stay on the correct path and avoid making errors.
Pledge allegiance to all your own beliefs
Be loyal to your own convictions and principles.
In accordance to your own individual breed
Act in harmony with your unique identity.
Got my own sign, my own line divisive and proud
I have my own symbol and style that may cause division, but I'm still proud.
Got my own place, my own place to hell with the doubt
I have my own physical and emotional territory despite any doubters.
Got my own place, my own ways to fight the crowd
I have my own methods to stand out and resist conformity.
It feels so good to see the back of your head
I feel relief and satisfaction when someone who is negative is gone.
Got my own sign, my own time, divisive proud
I have my own timing and unique characteristics that may divide opinions, but I feel proud nonetheless.
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