TOMMY
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fter being a part of several self-destruc-
ting bands, Tommy Victor decided to
get a steady gig as the soundman at
the legendary punk mecca, CBGB’s.
He
met doorman John Kirkland on the job,
and he convinced a reluctant Tommy to
return to the over-populated, cut-throat
underground New York hardcore scene
and start a band. The two young and eager
musicians recruited ex-Swans drummer Ted
Parsons in 1986 and Prong was incarnated
unto the New York underground.
The trio independently released the EP
Primitive Origins with the short hardcore
punk tracks “Watching,” “Cling to Life,”
and “Dreams Like That,” all written by
Victor and Kirkland.
With the enthusiasm
still on fire, they quickly released their first
full-length album, Force Fed, in 1988 and
Parsons was included in the writing process
for the first time. Showcasing the brilliant
tunes “Freezer Burn,” “Forgery,” and
“
Third From the Sun,” Epic Records was
swift to acquire Prong to their label in
1989.
Their inaugural
major label release
in 1990, Beg to Differ, offered the crushing
tracks of “For Dear Life,” “Steady De-
cline,” and the title track “Beg to Differ.”
Featuring unmistakable harmonies,
melodies, and complex timing changes the
album earned Prong much deserved MTV
airtime on the classic Headbanger’s Ball
WRITER | Rob Grissom
PHOTOGRAPHY | Scott Smallin
KINGS OF NEWYORK
UNDERGROUND HARDCORE
VICTOR
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