Interview

Prong's Tommy Victor: "This Record Has More Solutions Provided In The Lyrics.

Prong is a rare band. Not only has the group survived 30 years, the group has continued to evolve. Band mastermind, vocalist and guitarist, Tommy Victor, could have called it quits a long time ago due to many reasons such as band members leaving and his involvement with major players Ministry and Danzig. Victor has a long list of musicians whom have Prong on their resume, but at the end of the day what matters most is how these artists come together to make a cohesive unit, to make a good album. Prong’s latest recording “X-No Absolutes,” is a good album. In fact, don’t be surprised if this album makes many fan and journalist top ten lists.

Artists often herald their latest release as the best of their career. Victor echoes this assessment on the new album, and it’s really hard not to agree with him. The record is DAMN good in so many aspects, from the duality and problem=solution (not always easy to see) lyrics to the speed of drummer Arturo "Art" Cruz to the catchy grooves laid down by Victor and bassist Jason Christopher (who has also played in Stone Sour), it’s a solid record, through and through.

Rex_84: “X-No Absolutes” dropped on Friday, February 5th. How has the talk about the album been so far? What are the fans/critics saying?

Tommy Victor: Great! It’s been a wonderful response all around!

Rex_84: What was the recording process like? Who produced the album and how do you feel about it?

Victor: Chris Collier and I produced it. I love the way it came out. It’s one of our strongest releases if not the best of all time, and people have been saying that. I can’t go into the complete details of the process. I will tell you that some of it was done at home, Erie Loch’s studio, Prong’s rehearsal spot and most at Chris’ Mission Black Studio.

Rex_84: When did you write the album? Was that after touring with Danzig?

Victor: No we started last January. Here and there little by little. But most of the writing, yes was completed after that Danzig tour. Lyrics are written in pieces over time and then its all put together pretty fast. We had a deadline to make, so we bashed through a bunch of songs. Erie Loch, who I worked with on “Primitive Race,” helped out writing a few songs as well.

Rex_84: What does the album title refer to? Is it a big deal to you that this is your tenth album?

Victor: No, we just thought an X as Roman numeral for ten would be a nice preface and look good for artwork. One of the song titles being “No Absolutes,” we thought that was the best title to get a complete theme to stand behind. It implies insecurity and false identities in our personal life as well as a worldwide concern.

Rex_84: In Bravewords.com you mention this album not being a milestone. You would have released twenty albums by now if you hadn’t broken up five times. What are some of the problems you’ve encountered trying to keep a band together for 30 years?

Victor: A whole slew of issues. I’ve been considerably disenchanted a couple of times, not wanting to do this anymore. A lot of it does come down to financial challenges. We’ve had people quitting the band. Some guys wanted to live a normal life, and they’re probably smart for wanting that. I’ve had to live real frugally to keep this thing going, others don’t want to do that. I’ve put more effort into other projects several times, putting Prong on the back burner. There’s been all kinds of crazy stuff. Drug and alcohol abuse being one; that can have nasty side effects. Marriages splitting up. Crazy new girlfriends in the mix. Bad record deals. For instance the day “Scorpio Rising” came out our label went out of business. We’ve had A&R guys get fired and new guys coming in wanting to change everything. I mean, it’s been a crazy ride.

Rex_84: Jason Christopher (bass, ex-Sebastian Bach, ex-Stone Sour) and Arturo "Art" Cruz (ex-Winds of Plague) comprise your lineup now. How did you find these guys and what is your outlook on their future with Prong?

Victor: I don’t “find” guys, they sort of find me, or they are given to me as “gifts”. I got real lucky with these guys showing up. They’re amazing. There’s a real good chemistry right now…But he’s really an old NYHC dude. He’s a powerhouse. He’s sober, and a good guy to have around because I think he could probably kick anyone’s ass. Art, what can one say? One of the best drummers out there now. We’ve all become close friends too. We have a real good time together. There’s a lot of love floating around the Prong camp these days.

Rex_84: Has playing with Danzig and Ministry put a strain on Prong? Of course with Danzig you’ve toured together, like you did in 2002, but has this put Prong on hold much?

Victor: I don’t like the word “strain”. That makes it sound like some kind of blame is being placed and that there’s a negative situation somewhere. I’ve fully enjoyed being involved with Glenn and Al. I guess I’ve been selfish and may have done harm to the Prong Nation, that being , that being not so good.. But I just couldn’t refuse working with guys of that caliber. It’s been an honor.

Rex_84: What are some of the themes expressed in your lyrics on this album? Are you topics similar to past recordings?

Victor: There's a strange dichotomy going on with my lyrics on this record. On one hand I talk about identity crisis and ego deflation. And on the other I write about grabbing onto ideals to get through life, like in "Belief System.” "In Spite Of Hindrances" has this good old NYHC type theme of taking personal responsibility and overcoming obstacles. But in the title track "No Absolutes" and maybe "Cut And Dry" I attack the concept of thinking one has any control over anything. On "Do Nothing" and "Sense Of Ease" I question instant gratification and honor abstinence. But with "No Absolutes" and "Cut And Dry" and even "Without Words,” there's a world view implied as well. I think we are all moving towards soul purification through crisis. So I guess in the tradition of Prong’s lyrics being introspective as well as a bit politically charged, this record holds no exception. Some times themes can have duel meanings and contradictory messages. I don’t really have a problem with it. There are some differences from older records here though. I think this record has more solutions provided in the lyrics.

Rex_84: The lead track “Ultimate Authority” contains a line about the consequences of the right. Are you referring to right-wing, fascist mind set in politicians on the far right of the political system?

Victor: That lyric has a bit of duality in it as well I think. It’s a little hard to explain. I’m really referring to Universal Law or Justice or karma. People are propping their egos running around telling us what’s right and what’s wrong without accepting reality. And what’s that reality? Universal Law; whatever is, is at this moment. All these human squabbling about right and wrong don’t mean a damn thing to the Universe. But of course, whatever you do, you have to take responsibility for it. Nothing is free. We pay for everything.

Rex_84: Prong hardly evolves memories of melody, but “Do Nothing” is a great, melodic tune. It’s almost in the territory of Metallica’s “Fade to Black.” It really hits home to me, personally. What inspired this track? Was this a response to your own depression?

Victor: When our “wants” and “needs” get out of whack, that’s where the depression comes in. Stop the desire , the will to control, and attachments to things we think make us happy. It’s an advisory song; it just doesn’t wallow in negativity. This is an example of where there’s a solution implied in the lyrics. I’ve had depressed songs in the past like “Unfortunately” where I’m just wallowing in self pity. This song is more about cleaning up your act and realizing you are the cause of your own problems by wanting too much. Self pity is just pride gone wild. It’s a crying out for humility, this song is.

Rex_84: Prong has a reputation for being one of the fore-runners of the groove-based metal that characterized the ‘90s and helped shape upcoming scenes like deathcore. How do you feel about being such an inspiration to so many bands?

Victor: We go so far back that I really doubt the deathcore bands feel they have any connection to Prong. I’ve never heard anyone make that comparison, and I’m a bit flattered because of any new movement that’s happened in recent years, that’s the one I like most. I’m sorry I rather listen to Impending Doom, Suicide Silence, All Shall Perish, etc., than let’s say some djent bands or Asking Alexandria or other popular stuff with kids. There’s this band Continent that is a little like early early Prong on maximum steroids and hate. I see the Swans influence that we had in their stuff a lot. A lot of these death core bands blow my mind. They’re so fucking heavy, I love it!

Rex_84: “X” is very groovy album, but Prong has always maintained that sound. In fact, Prong deserves credit for, along with Pantera, Machine Head and Fear Factory and Sepultura, bringing in the groove metal style into the ‘90s. How do you feel about that sentiment? Do you think you were an inspiration on the groove that would ensue?

Victor: Well we sort of designed Prong to move in that direction around the time of “Beg To Differ”. We just didn’t want to be a typical thrash band or hardcore crossover, grind core or what have you. We added more groove and industrial mentality to the hardcore punk and metal and that set us apart. We just took our own inventory and saw what we thought was needed and made adjustments. A matter of survival really. We also wanted to have “songs” though too, and that made the whole thing even more difficult to succeed. I think in all honesty Prong has finally gotten the mission accomplished on the new “X-No Absolutes” record.

Rex_84: First song has a Pantera like riff. Prong toured with Pantera. What did you think when they broke up? Do you remember where you were when you heard the news of Dime being murdered?

Victor: I’ve known those guys for years and I knew a lot what was going on inside the band before it all hit the fan later. So the break up was no surprise to me. I still think about the whole Dimebag tragedy. Besides thoughts of the world losing a great talent and a wonderful dude I still feel for Vinnie a lot. What a horror! I despise violence more and more. It’s sickening. Really disgusting fucking bullshit.

Rex_84: This album and at least the previous two have shown you pick your guitar faster than earlier, groove-based records. Am I correct in that assessment of your playing faster or am I off?

Victor: Well I have a young gentleman named Art Cruz playing drums for Prong now and I have to keep up with this young gun somehow, right? I might as well put his talents to use as well giving him some shit to thrash on, no?

Rex_84: How do you like working with SPV? This seems like a good home for bands that have been around at least a couple of decades. How is this label aligned with Steamhammer?

Victor: They have Longbranch and Steamhammer, their two subsidiaries. SPV has been unbelievably supportive of Prong. I think our willingness to make consistent records has a lot to do with being on their Steamhammer label. When you have great people busting their asses for you, you just don’t want to let them down. Same thing with Prong’s management team. It’s gotten to the point where they tell me do something and I’m happy to do it. I never thought there would be all this respect , especially in this crappy business.

Rex_84: You were once on your band mate, Al Jourgenson’s label 13th Planet. Why did you leave him?

Victor: I never really quit. Al was talking retirement all the time and I didn’t want to invest too much more into something that wasn’t going to continue. And then after securing a deal with SPV I definitely put more of my creative energies back into Prong.

Rex_84: In your press release about your tour, you mention fans will get a set list of old and new songs. How do you decide what to include in your set after releasing so many albums?

Victor: We sort of know what songs go over the best after trial and error. It’s gets pretty obvious what songs can’t be omitted, is more the case. We have our “hits’’ and we play them.

Rex_84: You have tours coming up. Can you tell your fans and our readers about where they can catch Prong live?

Victor: Please check our official Web site for tour dates. Also check our Facebook page and on Instagram at Prongtheband on Instagram. See you soon!