Prong (band)

Prong
Tommy Victor, Monte Pittman and Aaron Rossi, performing live with Prong in Graz, Austria, on January 16, 2008
Background information
Origin	New York City, New York, United States
Genres	Hardcore punk groove metal thrash metal industrial metal crossover thrash
Years active	1986–1997, 2002–present
Labels	Epic Locomotive 13th Planet
Associated acts	Swans Abstinence Danzig The Dirtbombs Fear Factory Godflesh Jesu Killing Joke Ministry Murder, Inc. Wasted Youth Damage Mest SEISMATIK
Website	www.prongmusic.com
Members	Tommy Victor Jason Christopher Art Cruz
Past members	Ted Parsons Paul Raven John Bechdel Charlie Clouser John Tempesta Sterling Flournoy Troy Gregory Rob "Blasko" Nicholson Frank Cavanagh Dan Laudo Brian Perry Mike Kirkland Mike Riggs Monte Pittman Aaron Rossi Mike Longworth Tony Campos Alexei Rodriguez Matt Celmer

Prong is an American heavy metal band formed in 1986. Prong had two independent releases, Primitive Origins and Force Fed. The albums attracted the attention of Epic Records, who signed the trio in 1989. The group disbanded in 1997 after the Rude Awakening tour, but reformed in 2002. To date, they have released eleven studio albums, one live album, four EPs, one DVD and one remix album. A pioneer of the urban metal scene, Prong is fronted by Tommy Victor, the band's sole constant member. Korn's Jonathan Davis, Demon Hunter's Ryan Clark, and Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor all cite Prong as an influence to their musical style.

The band was founded by singer/guitarist Tommy Victor (then a sound engineer for the club CBGB) and bassist Mike Kirkland (doorman at CBGB’s). Ex-Swans drummer Ted Parsons joined a few months later. Prong released an EPPrimitive Origins and an album Force Fed that were noted for their brutal hardcore punk sound. The recordings were released on Southern Records in the U.K. and Europe in the late 1980s. Although Force Fed was recorded and completed in 1987, due to label problems, the album was not released until early 1989, coinciding with the band's first European tour.

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 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.