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".
Controller
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See how far you get on top
Held down just to impair you
We know who's ahead of the game
You know who'll get the blame
You're in the grip of the controller
Do you really want it all back?
See how far you get on top
It's the fear that you can't do right
See how you lose in your life
Cut down, they will impale you
Can you really get it on track?
You tried to make it all stop
Time will tell how much they denied you
You just got burnt by the controller
You'll never know how to react
You're sucked to the very last drop
Time will tell what has been denied you
Are you clear in your mind and sight?
Are you clear right out of your head?
Just angry at the things that have failed you
So you want to get it all back
You tried to make it all last
Tied down to control you
The opening lyrics of Prong's song Controller - "Go ahead and rise above, see how far you get on top" - immediately set the tone for the message of the song which is about breaking free from the control and manipulation of others. The second and third lines "Held down just to impair you, we know who's ahead of the game" convey the idea that feeling held down and restricted is a deliberate tactic of the person or people controlling you. The chorus returns twice to the phrase "you're in the grip of the controller" which drives home the idea that the person controlled is powerless and unable to escape the person's hold over them.
The second verse begins with a question: "Do you really want it all back?" which is followed by repetition of the first verse. The bridge acts as a moment of introspection for the controlled person as they ask themselves if they're "clear in their mind and sight" or just "angry at the things that have failed" them. The song returns to the chorus which ends with the lines "tied down to control you" as if to echo the sentiment of the opening lines that the controlled person is trapped in a cycle of manipulation.
Line by Line Meaning
Go ahead and rise above
Encouraging the listener to strive towards success and surpass the limitations placed upon them.
See how far you get on top
To observe how much one can accomplish with perseverance and drive.
Held down just to impair you
Being purposefully kept in a disadvantaged position to hinder one's growth or success.
We know who's ahead of the game
Acknowledgement of the people or entities with more power and control in a given situation.
You know who'll get the blame
The accountability that comes with the pursuit of control and power.
You're in the grip of the controller
Being manipulated or controlled by a person or entity in power.
Do you really want it all back?
Challenging whether the desire for control or power is worth the cost and effort.
It's the fear that you can't do right
The insecurity and doubt that hinders one's ability to succeed.
See how you lose in your life
Acknowledging the setbacks and failures one has experienced in their past.
Cut down, they will impale you
Threats from those in power who seek to weaken and harm others.
Can you really get it on track?
Asking if one is capable of achieving their goals despite obstacles and opposition.
You tried to make it all stop
At a point of exhaustion or frustration from the constant battles for power and control.
Time will tell how much they denied you
The truth of the damage caused by those who sought to control and manipulate will be revealed over time.
You just got burnt by the controller
The damage suffered from the one in power who used and discarded them for their own gain.
You'll never know how to react
Feeling lost and unsure of how to move forward after being hurt and oppressed.
You're sucked to the very last drop
Feeling drained and depleted from the struggle for power and control.
Time will tell what has been denied you
The uncovering of the ways one has been held back and denied opportunities due to manipulation and control.
Are you clear in your mind and sight?
Wondering if one can see through the deception and manipulation of those in power and gain the clarity needed to move forward.
Are you clear right out of your head?
A more extreme version of the previous line, asking if one has truly gained enough clarity to break free from the cycle of power and control.
Just angry at the things that have failed you
Feeling the frustration and anger of the setbacks and failures experienced, and the people who stand in the way of success.
So you want to get it all back
The desire to regain power and control after being oppressed and held back.
You tried to make it all last
The attempt to hold onto fleeting moments of power and control.
Tied down to control you
Being bound and restricted by those in power and unable to break free.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALBERT, PARSONS, RAVEN, VICTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind