=>Beginning History
Ian Stuart Donaldson, formerly of The Rolling Stones cover band Tumbling Dice, formed Skrewdriver after seeing the Sex Pistols in Manchester. Skrewdriver at first had a punk appearance, but they changed their image into a skinhead look in 1977. They also temporarily had a rocker/biker look, around the time they released the EP Built Up Knocked Down. In 1978, Donaldson moved to Salford, where he recruited guitarist Glenn Jones and drummer Martin Smith. This lineup toured extensively, but many venues were reluctant to book the band because of their reputation as a violent skinhead band attracting audience fights.
Performing largely for a skinhead fan-base, the first versions of the band released one album and two singles on the Chiswick label. This version of the band split up in January 1979 after a concert in Warrington, but Donaldson resurrected the name Skrewdriver in 1982 using new musicians. Several past individuals associated with the group, many of them politically left-wing or centrist, have condemned the latter third position incarnation.
=>Band Musicians And More History
As mentioned, Skrewdriver inherited its first line-up from it’s predecessor, the band Tumbling Dice, which Donaldson had formed in 1975. They felt influenced by contemporary hard rock as well as seminal punk contemporaries such as the Ramones and The Clash. They were Ian Stuart Donaldson, Kev McKay, John Grinton and Phil Walmsley. When the band changed from punk to skinhead, Walmsley bowed out and was substituted with skinhead Ron Hartley. The 1977 release All Skrewed Up managed to give the group considerable underground success, and it's been regarded since as an early punk classic. However, by 1978, the band disbanded.
Both moving to Salford’s Cheetham Hill, McKay and Donaldson reformed the band in 1979 with local Manchester talents Glenn Jones and Martin Smith. Skrewdriver became a regular act at the Mayflower club in Belle Vue and toured local gig venues around Greater Manchester. The version of the band was to be short-lived and, after an ill-fated concert in Warrington in 1980, the band fell apart again.
This time, Donaldson left all the others behind and moved on his own down to London. By 1981, Skrewdriver had reformed for the 3rd time, still with Ian Stuart Donaldson of course. The new additions were Mark Neeson, Mark French and Geoff Williams. French and Williams had previously played with The Elite.
It was this line-up that released the 12” EP 'Back With A Bang' on Last Resort Records in 1982. External pressure on the band took its toll, and, by 1984, all three had left the band. Donaldson recruited Mark Sutherland, Adam Douglas, and Murray Holmes. Holmes, an Australian, had previously played with the band Quick And The Dead. Skrewdriver soon released their LP Invasion on the newly-signed West German label Rock-o-Rama Records, which would stay faithful to the band until the tragic end. The line-up was strengthened with Steve Roda coming in the following year.
Touring extensively once again, by 1987 the line-up is described on artwork as Ian Stuart (Donaldson), Mark Sutherland, Martin Cross, Ross McGarry, Merv Shields, and John Burnley who was the brother of No Remorse’s Paul Burnley. Steve Calladine, better known as Stigger, joined Skrewdriver in late 1987. Donaldson also launched a solo career as Ian Stuart with the release of solo material backed by a group known as 'Strikeforce', which essentially was the remaining band. Skrewdriver as a band continued, however, in parallel with Donaldson’s solo career.
In 1990, the sprawling line-up was added to with John Hickson. Over the 80s, the group released a variety of albums, many of them striking a chord with disillusioned British youths unhappy with both Thatcherism and the Labour alternative, much to the alarm of the mainstream press. Skrewdriver concerts were, although planned in advance, highly secretive, and Donaldson faced many attempts on his life. Releases at this time prominently included the albums Boots & Braces, Blood & Honour, and Hail The New Dawn.
On the 24th of September 1993, Ian Stuart Donaldson died from the injuries sustained in a car-crash the previous evening and with him the band Skrewdriver ceased. Although subject to a large variety of conspiracy theories, most fans have agreed that the death was a surprising, sudden accident. Since then, countless benefit and remembrance gigs has been played in his and the band’s honour, with virtually every rock against communism band worth their salt, producing a Skrewdriver cover.
=>Labels
During their 17-year career, Skrewdriver were signed by five labels:
1977 - Chiswick Records
1979 - TJM Manchester
1982 - Last Resort Sounds
1982 - White Noise Records
1984 - Rock-O-Rama Records
(This list does not include compilations and spin-off work)
=>Members List
(Initial Band)
Ian Stuart Donaldson - Vocals & Guitar
Phil Walmsley - Guitar
Ron Hartley - Guitar
Kev McKay - Bass
John "Grinny" Grinton - Drums
(Other Members)
Glenn Jones
Martin Cross
Dave Cording
Bradley Napier
Mark French
Geoff Williams
Mark Neeson
Joseph Smith
Adam Douglas
Merv Shields
Murray Holmes
Dave Wane
Paul Swain
Stiv "Iena" Roda
Stigger
John Burnley
Colin Smith
Mushy
Mike French
Mark Radcliffe
Andrew Skinner
Ford Freemantle
Back With a Bang
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you remember in summer back in 1978?
When they reckoned that the skinheads' days were numbered
And the papers dripped with liquid hate
Being patriotic's not the fashion so they say
To fly your country's flag's a crime
But the spirit lives until the end of time
Chorus:
Back with a bang, now!
Back with the gang, now!
Back with a bang, now!
Back with gang, now! 2-3-4!
Reckoned every skinhead was a bad man
Enough to make an honest man be sick
And they filled the papers with this rubbish every day
Never missed a dirty little trick, what did I say...
(Repeat Chorus)
Solo
(Repeat Chorus)
And still today they keep on lying
Four years on and they still ain't learned
That the skinhead way of life is getting stronger every day
And we are never gonna turn
(Repeat Chorus) x2
The Skrewdriver's song "Back With a Bang" is an anthem for skinheads who had to face the brunt of society's disapproval and condemnation during the 1970s. The opening line talks about the year 1978, when there was a lot of negative publicity in media about skinheads. The media labeled them as violent and harmful young people that needed to be controlled. The song suggests that the authorities tried their best to "kill" them, but their spirit lives on forever. The lyrics reflect on a time when being patriotic was considered a crime, and society enforced the idea that hating your country was fashionable.
The chorus of the song "Back with a bang, now! Back with the gang, now!" is a call to action, inviting fellow skinheads to join forces and fight back against societal oppression. The lyrics further elaborate on how the media portrayed skinheads in a negative light, spreading lies about them and portraying them as individuals with bad intentions. The song, however, emphasizes that the skinhead culture and lifestyle is getting stronger every day and that it's here to stay.
The song shows how Skrewdriver fought for the rights of skinheads against society's disapproval, and it resonated with the punk scene of the 70s as a working-class anthem. The song is seen by many as a reflection of the times and a symbol of solidarity for those who felt they were being victimized.
Line by Line Meaning
Back with a bang now!
Skrewdriver is back and ready to make a big impact.
Do you remember in summer back in 1978?
Skrewdriver is reminiscing about a historical moment in skinhead culture.
When they reckoned that the skinheads' days were numbered
Mainstream society believed that skinheads were on their way out.
And the papers dripped with liquid hate
The media constantly spread hateful messages about skinheads.
Being patriotic's not the fashion so they say
According to society, being patriotic is not cool.
To fly your country's flag's a crime
It's considered a crime to proudly display your country's flag.
Society tried its best to kill you
Society has attempted to destroy the skinhead culture.
But the spirit lives until the end of time
However, the spirit and beliefs of skinheads will never be completely extinguished.
Back with a bang, now!
Skrewdriver is reiterating the message that they are back and ready to make an impact.
Back with the gang, now!
Skrewdriver is back with all of their members.
Reckoned every skinhead was a bad man
Society believed that all skinheads were bad people.
Enough to make an honest man be sick
The hate and lies spread about skinheads were enough to revolutionize even the most upstanding person.
And they filled the papers with this rubbish every day
The media was constantly creating and spreading lies about skinheads on a daily basis.
Never missed a dirty little trick, what did I say...
They were always coming up with bad and nasty things to say about skinheads.
And still today they keep on lying
Even today, the media continues to spread harmful messages about skinheads.
Four years on and they still ain't learned
Despite years passing, mainstream society has not learned the truth about skinheads.
That the skinhead way of life is getting stronger every day
The skinhead culture is only getting stronger with time.
And we are never gonna turn
The skinhead culture will never fade away or turn its back on their beliefs.
Back with a bang, now!
Skrewdriver is reiterating the message that they are back and ready to make an impact.
Back with gang, now!
Skrewdriver is back with all of their members.
Back with a bang, now!
Skrewdriver is repeating their message again for emphasis.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thechurchofevil
This is pure Skinhead Punk Rock bliss...One of the greatest anthems ever made easily.
@sonaliano
so you listen to Japanese music, follow NBA, want to protect your freedoms... yet you follow a neo-nazi fascist band??? Make it make sense
@kashpresentsofficial
Can you please recommend some good white pride rock/metal/punk? Outside of screwdriver I don't know any 😭🫡🙋🏼♂️
@traviesoelblanco4627
Facts....regardless of their leanings, this song hits hard, every time
@traviesoelblanco4627
@@kashpresentsofficialbad brains
@nazidyke69
@@kashpresentsofficial
Pluton Svea, Jocke Karlsson, Mistreat, Vapaudenristi, Code 291, Stormheit
@ChrisAbbott
Brings back some crazy memories from the 80's
@kamazos2
szf 44
@mileshenryreloaded9217
We're so back with a bang
@celticperspective5183
Ian would have loved the zone