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".
Get A Grip
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been around and seen a lot, to shake me anyhow
Begged and borrowed, sometimes I admit I even stole
The worst crime that I ever did was playin' rock and roll
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
But the money's no good
Suffering convictions on a two-way stretch inside
The air in here is pretty thick, I think I'll go outside
Committed for insanity and crimes against the soul
The worst crime that I ever did was playin' rock and roll
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
And you should know
Now I find from week to week, the sentence sticking fast
Turn the corner, rub my eyes and hope the world will last
Stranger from another planet, welcome to our hole
Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock and roll
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
And you should know
The song Get A Grip by Prong is an anthem to the struggles of a rock and roll musician. The lyrics describe the hardships of not having enough money to afford a Morris car and resorting to begging, borrowing, and even stealing. Despite this, the singer acknowledges that playing rock and roll is the worst crime he has ever committed.
Along with financial struggles, the rock and roll lifestyle is also said to bring convictions that put one on a two-way stretch inside. The air is thick with suffering, and the singer feels the need to go outside to breathe. He also claims to have been committed for insanity and crimes against the soul, which suggests a feeling of alienation from society due to his music.
Line by Line Meaning
Didn't have the money 'round to buy a Morry Thou
I was financially struggling and couldn't afford a Morris Minor car
Been around and seen a lot, to shake me anyhow
I have experienced many things that could not easily affect me
Begged and borrowed, sometimes I admit I even stole
I had to resort to various means to be able to get by, including theft
The worst crime that I ever did was playin' rock and roll
The only mistake I made was pursuing my passion for music
But the money's no good
Money doesn't mean much if you don't have your priorities in order
Just get a grip on yourself
Stay calm and collected, and focus on what's truly important
Suffering convictions on a two-way stretch inside
I feel trapped and conflicted within myself
The air in here is pretty thick, I think I'll go outside
This place is suffocating and I need some fresh air
Committed for insanity and crimes against the soul
I feel like I'm being punished for being true to my artistic expressions
Now I find from week to week, the sentence sticking fast
I feel like I'm doing a life sentence and the time isn't passing quickly
Turn the corner, rub my eyes and hope the world will last
I try to keep a positive outlook, but the future seems uncertain and fragile
Stranger from another planet, welcome to our hole
I feel like an outsider in this world that doesn't fully accept me
Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock and roll
Music is the universal language that can bring us all together
And you should know
This is a message that everyone should understand and take to heart
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.