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 FingersSnap Your Neck
Prong Lyrics
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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
The lyrics to Prong's song "Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck" discuss the frustration and bitterness that can arise from living in a world filled with memories and struggles. The first verse implies that every moment adds to the troubles of life, and that these problems seem to arise for no reason. The singer then declares that he doesn't care about anyone else's feelings or opinions and that change seems impossible and only invites ridicule.
The second verse intensifies the despair by describing the fleeting nature of time and the constant bleeding of moments that have been lost. The singer then directs a message to some unnamed forces, declaring that he feels no pity and is not sure how to be thankful. In fact, the hunger he feels for daily bread can drive him to steal.
The chorus of "Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck" then reinforces the pessimistic message of the song. The good life, which could mean different things to different listeners, requires serious effort, and even then, it may only result in pain and despair. The repeated phrase "snap your fingers, snap your neck" seems to suggest that even the simplest gesture, like snapping your fingers, can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Overall, the lyrics to "Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck" express a sense of frustration and a feeling of being trapped in an inescapable cycle of struggle and disappointment. The song seems to suggest that even the most minor misstep can lead to disaster, and that the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment may ultimately be futile.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing breeds more contempt for this world
There is nothing that creates more hatred for this world.
Than memories now formed
Especially when those memories are recent.
Every moment a new seed
Every moment is an opportunity.
Is grown to no reason the trouble unfolds
But often trouble arises with no discernible reason.
For the trials of today
The challenges we face currently
I'm no jury really don't care how you feel
I cannot judge you and I'm not concerned with your emotions.
The pleasant notion of miraculous change
The idea of a pleasant and miraculous transformation.
Drifts into multiple jeers, jeers, jeers
Is often met with ridicule and skepticism from others.
You want the good life, you break your back
If you want to succeed, you have to work hard.
You snap your fingers, you snap your neck
You will be punished if you try to take shortcuts.
Seconds drip through my hands
Time seems to pass too quickly.
Washed of moments unborn
Moments that could have been are lost forever.
All the spaces between bleed
The empty spaces are filled with pain and regret.
A tribute to a sacrament never exposed
A reference to something unknown or hidden, possibly sacred.
A message to the forces
A communication to those in power.
I've no pity don't know how thankful to feel
I don't have sympathy or know how to feel grateful.
Expectations of my daily bread
The hopes and demands for my basic needs.
Gives me the hunger to steal
Creates a desire to take what I need by force.
Snap your fingers, snap your neck
Represents the punishment for taking shortcuts or trying to cheat the system.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TED PARSONS, THOMAS VICTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind