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".
For Dear Life
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the battlefield of bureaucracy the trenches you shall tend
In these days of adversity, the hassle never ends
The nemesis of fortitude, holds a gun to your head!
On your knees! Kneel! Say your prayers!
For dear life! For dear life! For dear life! For dear life!
You're holding on for dear life
Show some humility to the powers that be
On your knees! Kneel! Say your prayers!
For dear life! For dear life! For dear life! For dear life!
You're holding on for dear life!
Life. For dear life
The lyrics of Prong's song For Dear Life speak of the struggles of the common people in the battlefield of bureaucracy where they have to fend for themselves amidst the adversities. The flag of free enterprise is a symbol of freedom and opportunity, but in reality, it is the people who have to fight for their survival. The trenches they shall tend symbolize the hard work and determination required to survive in such conditions. The nemesis of fortitude, which holds a gun to their heads, is a metaphor for the challenges and obstacles faced by the people. In these hardships, they have no choice but to get on their knees and pray for dear life.
The second verse speaks of the need for humility towards the powers that be, the ones who are in control. The people have to make a gesture to their own mortality and recognize their own limitations in the face of greater power. They must acknowledge the blind liberty they have been fighting for and the price they have to pay for it. The people are still on their knees, saying their prayers and holding on for dear life.
The lyrics of For Dear Life are a commentary on the struggles of the common people in the face of a powerful and oppressive system. The song highlights the need for perseverance in difficult situations and the importance of recognizing one's limitations. It also speaks of the need for humility and the acknowledgment of the greater powers in control.
Line by Line Meaning
The flag of free enterprise fronts as you fend
As you try to survive in the world of business, the idea of free competition is promoted as if it benefits everyone.
In the battlefield of bureaucracy the trenches you shall tend
Navigating through the complex rules and regulations of the system requires a lot of effort and patience.
In these days of adversity, the hassle never ends
Challenging times make life difficult, and problems never seem to stop coming.
The nemesis of fortitude, holds a gun to your head!
Strong willpower is constantly threatened by external forces and it feels like you're always at gunpoint.
On your knees! Kneel! Say your prayers!
You feel powerless and at a loss of what to do, so you resort to prayer and supplication.
For dear life! For dear life! For dear life! For dear life!
You are desperately trying to hold on and survive, because your life is at stake.
You're holding on for dear life
You are fighting to keep going and survive, no matter how tough it gets.
Show some humility to the powers that be
You need to accept that there are people in authority who hold the power, and you may need to play by their rules.
A gesture to mortality your blind liberty
Your freedom is not absolute, because there are consequences to your actions that can be fatal.
Life. For dear life
You are fighting for your life, for your survival, no matter how high the odds are stacked against you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VICTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind