Pitchfork

All Music Guide:

One of the earlier punk bands on the San Diego scene, Pitchfork are most remembered for being the first collaboration between Drive Like Jehu guitarists John "Speedo" Reis and Rick Froberg (then calling himself Rick Fork). Influenced primarily by SST (Sonic Youth, Meat Puppets, Hüsker Dü) and proto-emo bands (Rites of Spring, Squirrel Bait), Pitchfork formed circa 1985 or 1986, with a rhythm section featuring drummer Joey Piro and a bassist known -- with typical punk informality -- only as Nick. At first, Reis led this lineup as a trio; new lead vocalist and guitarist Froberg's arrival brought not only a beefed-up instrumental sound, but a greater dedication. Pitchfork signed with the indie label Nemesis and released their debut 7" single, "Saturn Outhouse," in 1989; they'd already recorded a full-length album the year before, and it was finally released in 1990 under the title Eucalyptus. By that time, Reis and Froberg had decided to pursue other projects. Reis founded and led major-label trash-punkers Rocket From the Crypt, and he and Froberg teamed with a new rhythm section to form the acclaimed, progressive post-hardcore band Drive Like Jehu.

Wikipedia:

A pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and long, thin, widely separated pointed tines (also called prongs) used to lift and pitch (throw) loose material, such as hay, leaves, grapes, dung or other agricultural materials. Pitchforks typically have two or three tines. Other similar types of fork may have up to six tines with different lengths and spacing depending on purpose. They are usually made of steel with a long wooden handle, but may also be made from wood, wrought iron, bamboo, alloy etc. In some parts of England a pitchfork is known as a prong and, in parts of Ireland, a sprong refers to a 4 pronged pitchfork. The pitchfork is similar to the shorter and sturdier garden fork.

The pitchfork and scythes has frequently been used as a weapon by those who couldn't afford or didn't have access to more expensive weapons such as swords, or, later, guns. As a result, pitchforks and scythes are stereotypically carried by angry mobs or gangs of enraged peasants.

In Europe, the pitchfork was first used in the early Middle Ages, at about the same time as the harrow. The pitchfork was originally made entirely of wood; today, the tines are usually made of hard metal.

Symbolism, literary and artistic references

Artistic usage

Arguably the most notable American artistic display of the pitchfork is in American Gothic, the painting by Grant Wood. In this painting it symbolizes hand labor. Less famous are paintings by various artists which depict a wide variety of pitchforks and other tools in use and at rest.

Political usage

Because of its association with peasantry, the pitchfork is often a populist symbol and part of the nickname of populist leaders, thus:

The Gangster Disciples, a street gang in the midwestern United States, use a three-pointed pitchfork as one of their symbols.

Religious symbolism

The pitchfork is often used in satire of Christian demonology in popular media, especially in early humorous cartoons where a popular joke was a caricature of an angel and a pitchfork-wielding devil sitting on the shoulders of the protagonist.

The Greek god Hades wields a bident, a weapon strikingly similar in form to a pitchfork.