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".
Letter To A "Friend"
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At times I feel so disserviced other times I thank God alone
Was it a gift of independence to find my own self as a whole
But mostly I think you were selfish not knowin' these answers at all
Which one was it whichever it shall be
Which one was it to be kind or displease
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free which one was it
But now in a flash I realize experience wisdom to know
Which one was it whichever it shall be
Which one was it to be kind of displease
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free
Can I let go of it can you answer truthfully
Don't you remember you never did answer me
Left to interpret alone don't you remember
I never got an answer can I try to resolve
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free
Can I let go of it can you answer truthfully
But now in a flash I realize experience wisdom to know
Did this myself to conquer the worm of your cavernous soul
Which one was it now I really don't care
Which one was it I hope I never ask that question again
Which one was it now I really don't care
Which one was it I hope I never ask that question again
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free
Can I let go of it can you answer truthfully
The lyrics of "Letter To A 'Friend'" by Prong are written in the form of a letter to an unknown person who seemingly had a significant impact on the songwriter. The lyrics are a reflection on the relationship between the two and the songwriter's search for answers regarding the nature of their interactions. The first verse speaks of conflicting emotions felt by the songwriter towards the unknown individual, ranging from feeling unjustly treated to seeing the experience as a blessing. In the second verse, the songwriter questions the unknown person's motivations and actions towards them and wonders if they were being kind or intentionally hurtful. The chorus of the song is a plea for answers and resolution, the songwriter desperately seeking to move on from the unanswered questions and find closure.
As the song progresses, the tone becomes more introspective and self-reflective. The experiences with the unknown individual have led to personal growth, giving the songwriter the strength to conquer their fears and become more self-reliant. The final verses see the songwriter reaching a state of acceptance, no longer seeking answers to the questions that once consumed them. The final lines express a desire to move on from the past and find peace.
Overall, "Letter To A 'Friend'" is a powerful expression of the complexities and often confusing nature of interpersonal relationships. It tackles themes such as self-discovery, growth, and forgiveness in a raw and honest manner that is both relatable and deeply moving.
Line by Line Meaning
At times I think you served injustice sometimes I take it blessing alone
Sometimes I feel like you didn't treat me fairly, but other times I try to see the positive in it and consider it a lesson.
Was it a gift of independence to find my own self as a whole
Did you intentionally help me become an independent person and find my true self?
But mostly I think you were selfish not knowin' these answers at all
Overall, I believe that you were selfish and didn't have the answers to my questions.
Which one was it whichever it shall be
I want to know which one it was, whether it was kind or unkind.
But now in a flash I realize experience wisdom to know
Suddenly, I've gained the experience and wisdom to understand things clearly.
Did this myself to conquer the worm of your cavernous soul
I overcame the negative influence you had on me and conquered the darkness in your own soul.
Which one was it now I really don't care
I don't really care which one it was anymore.
Which one was it I hope I never ask that question again
I don't want to ever have to ask that question again.
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free
I'm still bothered by not knowing the answer and it's affecting my peace of mind.
Can I let go of it can you answer truthfully
Can I finally let go of this question if you give me an honest answer?
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Campbell
At times, I think you served injustice
Sometimes I take it, blessing alone
At times, I feel so disserviced
Other times, I thank God alone
Was it a gift of independence
To find my own self as a whole?
But mostly I think you were selfish
Not knowin' these answers at all
Which one was it? Whichever it shall be
Which one was it? To be kind or displease?
I really wanna know it
With silence, I'm not free
Which one was it?
But now, in a flash, I realize experience, wisdom to know
Did this myself to conquer the worm of your cavernous soul
Which one was it? Whichever it shall be
Which one was it? To be kind or displease?
I really wanna know it
With silence, I'm not free
Can I let go of it?
Can you answer truthfully?
Don't you remember?
You never did answer me
Left to interpret alone
Don't you remember?
I never got an answer
Can I try to resolve?
I really wanna know it
With silence, I'm not free
Can I let go of it? Can you answer truthfully?
But now, in a flash, I realize experience, wisdom to know
Did this myself to conquer the worm of your cavernous soul
Which one was it? Now I really don't care
Which one was it? I hope I never ask that question again
Which one was it? Now I really don't care
Which one was it? I hope I never ask that question again
I really wanna know it
With silence, I'm not free
Can I let go of it? Can you answer truthfully?
Bladed Misfit
Tommy you've got me through so much it's not even funny. Someone who can actually write lyrics that mean something in this fake plastic vacuum land franchise we call a world.
Prometheus
Lyrics:
At times I think you served injustice sometimes I take it blessing alone
At times I feel so disserviced other times I thank God alone
Was it a gift of independence to find my own self as a whole
But mostly I think you were selfish not knowin' these answers at all
Which one was it whichever it shall be
Which one was it to be kind or displease
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free which one was it
But now in a flash I realize experience wisdom to know
Did this myself to conquer the worm of your cavernous soul
Which one was it whichever it shall be
Which one was it to be kind of displease
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free
Can I let go of it can you answer truthfully
Don't you remember you never did answer me
Left to interpret alone don't you remember
I never got an answer can I try to resolve
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free
Can I let go of it can you answer truthfully
But now in a flash I realize experience wisdom to know
Did this myself to conquer the worm of your cavernous soul
Which one was it now I really don't care
Which one was it I hope I never ask that question again
Which one was it now I really don't care
Which one was it I hope I never ask that question again
I really wanna know it with silence I'm not free
Can I let go of it can you answer truthfully
Charles Hill
Yes this fits perfectly
James Torres
Beautiful
Loss Orderly
At times the only thing that matters is Tommy Victor and co.
Bee M High Fives Everybody
Funny how the record label fucked up & made this song with a different song title lol!