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".
Worst Of It
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People playing
Yes they're staying with their ego
In silence alone
All upheaval
Yes still staying with my ego
With no resolve
Advantage feeding all your egos
Advantage meaningless as people
At last we're sucked into the evil life
Thanks for the worst of it
Thanks for the least of it
You never do it right
You never do it right
Change for the need of it
Judgmental control
The portrayals, the assails we're all in need of
Possession utmost in denial
Keep a journal of your demons
Of your demons
Advantage feeding all your egos
Advantage meaningless as people
At last we're sucked into the evil life
Thanks for the worst of it
Thanks for the least of it
Can you see the light
Can you see the light
Change for the egoist
Change
Advantage feeding all your egos
Advantage meaningless as people
At last you're sucked into the evil life
Thanks for the worst of it
Thanks for the least of it
You never do it right
You never do it right
Thanks for the worst of it
Thanks
Thanks
The lyrics to Prong's song "Worst Of It" discuss the idea of people staying entrenched in their own ego and the negative consequences that can arise. The first verse describes people playing with their egos and staying entrenched in them, while the second verse describes the singer doing the same thing despite feeling upheaval and having no resolution. The chorus then thanks others for the worst and least of everything while acknowledging the failure to do things right, followed by a call to change for the need of it. The bridge talks about judgmental control, the need for portrayals and assails, and the importance of recognizing and keeping track of our own demons.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the negative effects of ego and how it can lead to meaningless behaviors, the proliferation of evil, and the failure to achieve our goals. The lyrics suggest that the only way to change is to recognize the problem and work towards a solution.
Line by Line Meaning
Advantage no love
Benefits of self-interest without regard for love and compassion
People playing
Individuals engaging in manipulative behavior
Yes they're staying with their ego
Selfishness prevails and is prioritized above all else
In silence alone
Isolation and loneliness
All upheaval
Experiencing turmoil and unrest
Yes still staying with my ego
Refusing to let go of self-centeredness and pride
With no resolve
Unable to find a solution or resolution for personal issues
Advantage feeding all your egos
Selfishness and narcissism leading to personal gain
Advantage meaningless as people
Prioritizing profit and personal gain over meaningful connections and relationships with others
At last we're sucked into the evil life
Self-serving behavior leading to a harmful, negative lifestyle
Thanks for the worst of it
Ironically expressing gratitude for the negative experiences
Thanks for the least of it
Ironically expressing gratitude for the minimal, insignificant positive experiences
You never do it right
Criticism and disappointment towards oneself and others in their actions and decisions
Change for the need of it
Urging for change and growth for personal improvement and development
Judgmental control
Exercising power and authority over others based on personal values and beliefs
The portrayals, the assails we're all in need of
The need for reflection and introspection on one's own flaws and shortcomings
Possession utmost in denial
Desiring and coveting material possessions despite the lack of need or justification
Keep a journal of your demons
A call to self-reflection and awareness of one's own negative traits and behaviors
Can you see the light
Questioning the ability to see and understand the potential for positive change and growth in oneself and others
Change for the egoist
Encouraging change for the sake of personal gain and benefits
Thanks
A final, sarcastic expression of gratitude despite the negative experiences
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chimpachelka4054
By far my favorite prong track. This album is so good!!
@fake-kh2hy
Track gets an endless loop if I find the time ;-)
@fake-kh2hy
But I know another mix of this song way more weird. Does anybody know what I mean? It was deleted from here some years ago
@cheapenstein
It may be from the Remix album Power Of The Damn Mixxer