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".
Snap Your Fingers...
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than memories now formed
Every moment a new seed
Is grown to no reason the trouble unfolds
For the trials of today
I'm no jury really don't care how you feel
The pleasant notion of miraculous change
You want the good life, you break your back
You snap your fingers, you snap your neck
Seconds drip through my hands
Washed of moments unborn
All the spaces between bleed
A tribute to a sacrament never exposed
A message to the forces
I've no pity don't know how thankful to feel
Expectations of my daily bread
Gives me the hunger to steal
You want the good life, you break your back
You snap your fingers, you snap your neck
You want the good life, you break your back
You snap your fingers, you snap your neck
You want the good life, you break your back
You snap your fingers, you snap your neck
You want the good life, you break your back
You snap your fingers, you snap your neck
Snap your fingers, snap your neck
Snap your fingers, snap your neck
Snap your fingers, snap your neck
Snap your fingers, snap your neck
In the song Snap Your Fingers by Prong, the lyrics suggest that memories and experiences can breed contempt for the world. The line "Every moment a new seed is grown to no reason the trouble unfolds" implies that every moment creates a new issue, or "seed," that can lead to trouble. The singer then goes on to say that they have no interest in hearing about people's problems, and any hope for positive change is met with ridicule. The chorus serves as a warning to those who want a good life, suggesting that hard work and sacrifice are necessary, hence the phrase "You want the good life, you break your back/You snap your fingers, you snap your neck."
The second verse is more introspective, talking about the passage of time and missed opportunities. The lines "Seconds drip through my hands/Washed of moments unborn" suggest that time is fleeting and opportunities can slip away. The "spaces between bleed" could represent the missed connections or chances in life. The singer then goes on to express a lack of sympathy for others and a desire to take what they need, even if it means stealing. The repetition of the chorus further hammers in the idea that success requires hard work and sacrifice, and that shortcuts will not lead to fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing breeds more contempt for this world
There is nothing more likely to cause intense disdain for the world than the memories that exist in our minds.
Than memories now formed
These memories that have been created in the present moment intensify this disdain for the world.
Every moment a new seed
With each passing moment, a new possibility for something to grow is created.
Is grown to no reason the trouble unfolds
However, these possibilities often lead to unnecessary trouble and problems with no apparent reason.
For the trials of today
In reference to the present challenges that are faced every day.
I'm no jury really don't care how you feel
I cannot be considered a judge and do not have any regard for your emotions or feelings.
The pleasant notion of miraculous change
The idea of a sudden, miraculous transformation is comforting.
Drifts into multiple jeers, jeers, jeers
However, this idea is met with mockery and scorn from others.
You want the good life, you break your back
If you want a life of luxury and success, you'll have to work tirelessly for it.
Seconds drip through my hands
Time passes quickly and quietly.
Washed of moments unborn
These passing moments wash away any potential experiences that could have been had.
All the spaces between bleed
The gaps of time between experiences seem to be painful and distressing.
A tribute to a sacrament never exposed
This pain and distress is a form of honoring something that has never been revealed or experienced.
A message to the forces
This is a communication to the powerful, overarching entities in the world.
I've no pity don't know how thankful to feel
There is no compassion for others and an inability to feel grateful for life's blessings.
Expectations of my daily bread
Referring to the basic necessities of life such as food and shelter.
Gives me the hunger to steal
The desperation and need for these basic necessities can drive one to commit illegal or immoral acts, such as stealing.
Snap your fingers, snap your neck
This repeated phrase is a call to action to take control of one's life in a powerful and aggressive manner.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TED PARSONS, THOMAS VICTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind