North and West Texas Heavy Metal Fans Meet Industry Icons

They say if you don't like the weather in Texas, wait a minute, as it will variably change. Tuesday, April 26, many North and West Texas hardcore heavy metal fans drove through, and nearly missed a variety of inclement weather conditions to meet at "Jake's Backroom" in Lubbock. From Sterling towards Big Spring, they endured golf ball sized hail, red wind gusts sporadically with periods of zero visibility, and even a report of a micro-burst near Abilene. Despite the adversity, none of this stopped fans from seeing the internationally known band "Prong."

John Cohrone, USAF retired, drove from Abilene with his daughter Daryenne Johnson from Dumas. Cohrone said he has been a fan of the band since 1991, but has never seen them perform.  

"I raised my daughter listening to Prong and remember having 'mosh parties' for her and her friends," he recalled. When she was a child, Johnson and Cohrone would take the cushions off the couch and jump around, sing and mosh to the beat. This was a special day for the pair, for they would both see the band they loved together for the very first time.

Fans started showing up around 7 p.m. when the doors opened. Soon, whispers generated that "Volbeat" was playing across town, so rather than compete for the same time slot, Prong was delayed until after the other show ended at midnight. This news still did not deter fans from seeing the band. Avid fan "Frank," from Midland, said, "This is my fourth time seeing them live, but tonight is the first time I have ever gotten to actually speak to lead singer Tommy Victor, [and] thank him for coming someplace like West Texas."

Victor is the only original member of the band formed in 1986. The current trio consists of him: vocals and lead guitar; Jason Christopher, bass and backing vocals; and Art Cruz, drums. Originally from New York, Victor has made Los Angeles his home for many years, but still maintains a heavy New York accent, which in no way is reflected with his musical vocals. His deep, raspy, gut wrenching lyrics, paired with groove and thrash metal and a tinge of hard rock, are his signature sounds generations have come to know and love. Serious fans can recite every word from 1987's "Primative Origins," to the band's tenth and current release "X-No Absolutes" (2016). 

Opening for Prong was local Lubbock Progressive Metal band "Wicked County Road." The band consisted of singer Wesley Rudd; Lead Guitar, Waylan Field; Drums, "They just call me Dawson;" and Bass player-Miguel Yanez. Taking the stage around 11 p.m., fans weren't sure what to expect. Field came out dominating the room like the Ted Nugent many people came to love and respect in the 70s, and the crowd went crazy, edging closer to the stage. Dawson, though only with the band for the last year, was on point; it was as if he'd been with the band since their inception 8 years ago. Baby-faced Rudd, a mountain of a man with long blonde hair, took the mic and let out a howl that, if people didn't know better, they'd swear he was Glenn Danzig. Yanez played the entire 45-minute set without breaking a sweat, as if he were born to play bass. The band ended with "El Fin," and they thanked the crowd for their support and encouraged them to check the band out on Facebook. They also acknowledged what a privilege it was to share the same venue with Prong.

A little after midnight, Prong took the stage, and for the next 70 minutes fists were pumping, heads were banging, fans sang along, and, for many, their last 29 years of listening to the band became a sort of "religious experience" as they were now "one with the music" in the presence of Victor. Base player Christopher and Victor were in constant motion, crisscrossing the stage, jumping and moshing while Cruz beat the drums faster and harder, sending the crowd into a unified frenzy. 

Prior to Tuesday night, Prong recently returned to the states after a brief European tour, and Victor said he notices the reception differences.  

"It's a very big difference playing Europe and America because the people over there are much more serious about this genre of music," he said. "I just think they're much less subjected to what the media tells you to like. America is a big country and it's a bit hard to reach everyone. Radio and mass production have a much bigger effect on the scene in America; it's just more of a hardcore following over there."

Regarding basic limited hardcore Metal play on typical radio stations, Victor said, "I don't think in Europe radio matters that much. It's not like they have commutes where people are stuck in their cars that long, or are really that attentive to radio as much. There's a lot more of a thriving scene with clubs, kids go out at an earlier age and are allowed to enter drinking establishments. It's definitely an atmosphere that's easier for a band like Prong to be accepted more." 

Victor said he lives a fairly normal life outside of touring.  

"I never get recognized. I hang out and do whatever; I'm just like a normal slob," he said with a grin.

He added that he never has had a sense or attitude of entitlement in regards to his rock star image.

"I'm just amazed that I can still tour and make records at my age. It's baffling to me."

In regards to him turning 50 this year, Victor noted, "I tried to get out of the music business several times, and it just never seemed to work out. I have sort of like faith (I always call them like the 'Art Gods') and go with the flow. I don't even know if I really chose this sort of life, but it sort of like came to me and I just gotta keep doing it." 

There is no doubt Prong is the most underrated band when it comes to Heavy metal, when, ironically, Victor is actually one of its pioneers. He has been noted as being an "influence" for such bands as Nine Inch Nails, Korn, and Slipknot, and has worked alongside such great artists as Danzig, Rob Zombie, and Marylin Manson. 

In regards to a smaller venue and playing on a weeknight, Victor said he anticipated a small crowd but the show must go on.  

"Essentially, that's part of professionalism; sometimes, you just don't have control of a lot of these things and it's like whatever it is, it is. Tomorrow's another day, and so is the day after that. You just plow through these things. It's never the end of the world."

In his humble laid back manner, Victor summed up his general philosophies towards upcoming generations. He said, "I think that at my age, [and] the reality of the situation is you sort of have obligations to others and have to be sensitive to the fact that each of us individually isn't really that important. We have to communally live together harmoniously really; and that is of the utmost importance. You just gotta do what's right for yourself--being on the path you've selected to be on, so be sort of accepting of that."

 

Prong started their American tour in California April 21, and will play the southern states first, working their way up the east coast and onto a route that will eventually land them back in California June 5th. Victor said, "We never really have a day off," and the dates not scheduled are "travel days."

He added, "A review in 'Metal Hammer' (after their London show) said we 'have the perfect balance between the newer Prong and the older Prong on the set list.' Victor added that this show has probably been their best yet and  "has been really well received."

Overall, the show was full of high energy. Fans definitely got more than they paid for. As for the band, it was yet another successful stop on the tour.

For more information on Prong (tour dates, photos, videos, merchandise, and history), check them out at www.prongmusic.com, YouTube, or on their Facebook page "Prong (Musician/band)."