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".
3rd option
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last to judge the laughers
That turned out to be none
So you're hearing me out
I'm alone in the light
I try keeping my mouth shut
I just want more
The options are getting clearer
The options
Who thought before tonight
Who'd be brought into this trial
Nothing could be foretold
Options
All about me
You never know when you've been robbed
The option I am told
You're either in or you are out
You've got your methods
I've my own
Third option of my own
I'm so disappointed
I thought I had the one
I'm so disappointed
I thought I'd fought and won
So you're hearing me out
I can never be right
Just keeping my mouth shut
I just want more
Who could hold on so tight (Options)
To what's gotten to be so old
It's time now for the same fight (Options)
Who could care less
It's all about me
The options are very real
The options
All about me
3rd option of my own
You're either in or you are out
3rd option of my own
Of what you know to be so right
You never know when you are wrong
Thrills, thrills, thrills
That's what I opt for
Thrills sick fills
That's when I'm out of sight
Sick thrills fills
That's what I want more
Thrills, thrills, thrills
That's what I opt for
Having you for one night
I'm alone in the light
What is all that I fight for
All crazy in life
The options are very real
The options are very clear
The options are very real
The options they are real
In this song, Prong explores the concept of disappointment in relationships and the search for a third option as a way to feel more in control. The singer is expressing their disappointment in what they thought was "the one" but turned out to be just like the others. They are alone, trying to keep their mouth shut, but they want more from life. The options are getting clearer, which may indicate that the singer is starting to see that they have more agency than they thought, and they can make choices that are not limited to the binary of being in or out.
The singer asks who could hold on so tight to something that's gotten old and suggests that it's time for the same fight. They believe that it's all about them and that they have their own third option, which isn't limited to the typical two choices. They want thrills and sick fills, stating that that's what they opt for. They are alone in the light, fighting for something crazy in life, and the options are very real and clear to them.
Overall, this song explores the idea that sometimes our disappointments in life can push us to find a third option, something outside the norm, where we can feel more in control and feel more alive.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so disappointed I thought I found the one
I am feeling let down because I believed that I had finally found the ideal person for me.
Last to judge the laughers
I did not criticize others and acted with fairness towards everyone.
That turned out to be none
However, the person I believed to be perfect for me was not actually the one.
So you're hearing me out
I am sharing my thoughts and feelings with you.
I'm alone in the light
Although I am surrounded by light, I still feel isolated and alone.
I try keeping my mouth shut
I attempt to remain silent and not express my opinions or emotions.
I just want more
Nonetheless, I still have a strong desire for more or something greater than what I currently have.
The options are getting clearer
I am becoming more aware of the alternatives and opportunities that I have before me.
Who thought before tonight
Before today, who would have expected that something like this would happen?
Who'd be brought into this trial
Who would have thought that they would be the ones going through this challenge?
Nothing could be foretold
It was impossible to predict what would happen with any certainty.
All about me
The focus is entirely on me and my needs, wants, and desires.
You never know when you've been robbed
It is often impossible to recognize when someone or something has taken away something valuable from you.
The option I am told
I have been informed that there is a particular possibility or choice available to me.
You're either in or you are out
There are only two possible paths to take – either fully committing or completely avoiding.
You've got your methods
You have your approach or techniques for doing things.
I've my own
Similarly, I also have my own distinct style or strategy.
Third option of my own
In addition to the two currently presented choices, I have my own alternative to consider.
I thought I fought and won
I believed that I had defeated an adversary or conquered an obstacle.
I can never be right
I feel that I can never be correct or do anything entirely right or well enough.
Who could hold on so tight
It is admirable that some people have the strength and perseverance to cling tenaciously to something that has lost its freshness and appeal.
To what's gotten to be so old
Although the situation has become dull and stale, individuals still cling to it.
It's time now for the same fight (Options)
It's now time to fight for the same things but with new possibilities and options.
Who could care less
There are people who simply do not care about what is happening around them or about the circumstances of others.
Of what you know to be so right
You can never be too sure of what you believe is the right thing to do.
You never know when you are wrong
You may think you are right, but in reality, you are incorrect, and you may never realize it.
Thrills, thrills, thrills, That's what I opt for
I'm a person who seeks excitement and pleasure through challenging experiences.
Thrills sick fills
These intense experiences give me a sense of gratification and pander to a particular aspect of my personality.
That's when I'm out of sight
When I am experiencing these intense emotions, I am driven out of my mind and into another world.
Sick thrills fills
I gain a sense of enjoyment and coping from these risky, thrilling experiences.
Having you for one night
I only have one night with you, and very likely, we might not be able to have another encounter.
What is all that I fight for
This is what I am battling for or working towards - this moment with you.
All crazy in life
Everything in life sometimes appears hectic, gritty or insane.
The options are very clear
I have been given numerous choices, and their ramifications have been made abundantly understood to me.
The options are very real
These choices are actual and possible, and I have powerful reasons to pursue any of them.
3rd option of my own
Even with the presented choices, I always have, and will always have, my own option or decision to take.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind