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".
Contradictions
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now who shall be blamed
With the change of weather
Scapegoats are acclaimed
Acts of no reason: populous response
Opinions are like assholes
Everyone's one
Are bound to confuse
What wrong will you choose?
Can I ask a question?
Or am I out of line
Some more lip service
Will smooth it out nice
The song "Contradictions" by Prong is a depiction of how people are contradictory and double-minded in their actions and beliefs. It begins with the lines "Time for double standards, now who shall be blamed, with the change of weather, scapegoats are acclaimed". These lines suggest that people often change their opinion and standards depending on the circumstance and then blame others for their own actions. In other words, people have double standards and shift the blame rather than accepting their responsibility.
The next lines continue to depict how people are irrational in their actions, "Acts of no reason: populous response, opinions are like assholes, everyone's one". This section highlights how people are led by the crowd and act without any logic, just because everyone else is doing it. It also sheds light on how everyone has an opinion, just like everyone has an anus, which implies that opinions are not necessarily important or valuable.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the confusion that arises due to these contradictions. It says, "All these contradictions are bound to confuse, what wrong will you choose?" This line stresses how the contradictions and double standards of people can create confusion and chaos, leaving people unsure of what is right or wrong.
In the final section of the song, the singer asks if they are allowed to ask a question or if they are stepping out of bounds. This suggests that even questioning the contradictions of others is often met with resistance or criticism. The last line, "Some more lip service will smooth it out nice", implies that people often offer empty words to make things seem better instead of addressing the issues themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Time for double standards
It is becoming increasingly acceptable to hold hypocritical beliefs
Now who shall be blamed
When something goes wrong, people are quick to point fingers instead of taking responsibility
With the change of weather
As circumstances change, people's attitudes and behaviors often shift as well
Scapegoats are acclaimed
Rather than taking responsibility for their own mistakes, people often blame someone or something else as a way to avoid consequences
Acts of no reason: populous response
People can often act irrationally and make decisions based on emotions rather than facts or logic when they are part of a group
Opinions are like assholes
Everyone has an opinion, but not all of them are valuable or valid
Everyone's one
Even if someone's opinion is not based in fact, they will often cling to it regardless
All these contradictions
The conflicting attitudes and beliefs that people hold can be very confusing to outsiders
Are bound to confuse
Trying to make sense of contradictory beliefs can be frustrating and overwhelming
What wrong will you choose?
In a world full of contradictions, it can be difficult to know what is right and wrong
Can I ask a question?
Questioning the status quo can be dangerous or unpopular, but it is important nonetheless
Or am I out of line
People may resist having their beliefs or practices challenged, even if it is for their own benefit
Some more lip service
People often pretend to care or take action without actually doing anything substantial
Will smooth it out nice
Empty words and gestures may temporarily appease people, but they ultimately do not solve any problems
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: VICTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind