Skrewdriver was originally an apolitical punk rock band that upon their sec… Read Full Bio ↴Skrewdriver was originally an apolitical punk rock band that upon their second release took a turn into white power skinhead centered music. They formed in Poulton-le-Fylde, England in 1976 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Ian Stuart Donaldson. They became one of the first nationalist rock bands, playing a leading role in the third position rock against communism (rac) movement. Ian's death in September 1993 ended the group.

=>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

Better of Crazy
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't wanna be no office boy
I wanna hold my head up high
And if I want to fight somebody
I don't wanna be asked why

(Chorus)
My friends tell me, I'm better off crazy
My friends tell me, they tell me that I'm better off crazy

I ain't like more money to get me by
I just wanna have some fun
I don't want no grey-haired judges
Asking me what I've done.

(Chorus)

I don't have to give no reasons
I don't have to give, no one my name
I'm gonna steal me a fast car, hit a Highway 49
Pick me up some fair-haired woman, have us a real-good time

I don't care how much it costs
Ain't coming back this way
Gonna give no shit about tomorrow, baby
All I care about is today

(Chorus)

I don't have to give no reasons
I don't have to care, no one but me

Because I'm crazy
Yeah, yeah, I'm crazy!

Overall Meaning

Skrewdriver's song "Better off Crazy" is a rebellious anthem that reflects the band's fighting spirit. The lyrics express a desire to live a life free from constraints and expectations, where the singer can do as he pleases without having to justify himself to anyone. The opening line, "I don't wanna be no office boy, I wanna hold my head up high," sets the tone for the song's anti-establishment theme. The singer refuses to conform to societal norms and instead wants to live life on his own terms, even if it means going against the established order.

The chorus, "My friends tell me, I'm better off crazy," reinforces the idea that being crazy or unconventional is a positive thing because it allows for a more fulfilling life. The second verse, "I ain't like more money to get me by, I just wanna have some fun," illustrates the singer's priorities: he prioritizes pleasure and freedom over money and material possessions. The final verse, "I don't care how much it costs, ain't coming back this way, gonna give no shit about tomorrow, baby, all I care about is today," further emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and not worrying about the future.

Overall, "Better off Crazy" is a song about rebellion, freedom, and living life to the fullest. It encourages listeners to break free from societal expectations and embrace their "crazy" side, whatever that may be.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't wanna be no office boy
I don't want to work a boring job that doesn't bring me fulfillment

I wanna hold my head up high
I want to feel proud of who I am and what I do

And if I want to fight somebody
If I feel like fighting someone, I shouldn't be questioned about it

I don't wanna be asked why
I don't want to have to explain my actions to anyone else

My friends tell me, I'm better off crazy
According to my friends, I'm better off being wild and reckless

My friends tell me, they tell me that I'm better off crazy
My friends insist that I'm better off living a carefree, spontaneous life

I ain't like more money to get me by
I don't need more money to be happy or satisfied with my life

I just wanna have some fun
I want to enjoy myself and not worry about responsibilities or obligations

I don't want no grey-haired judges
I don't want to be questioned or judged by people who don't understand me

Asking me what I've done.
I don't want anyone to scrutinize my actions or demand explanations from me

I don't have to give no reasons
I don't have to justify my behavior or decisions to anyone

I don't have to give, no one my name
I don't have to reveal my identity or be accountable to anyone

I'm gonna steal me a fast car, hit a Highway 49
I plan to steal a car and go on a wild adventure, breaking the law and taking risks

Pick me up some fair-haired woman, have us a real-good time
I will find a woman to have fun with and live in the moment without thinking about the consequences

I don't care how much it costs
Money is not a concern for me, I just want to have fun

Ain't coming back this way
I don't plan on returning to my current life, I am done with it

Gonna give no shit about tomorrow, baby
I won't worry about the future or the consequences of my actions

All I care about is today
I am only focused on the present moment and enjoying myself without any regard for the future

Because I'm crazy
I am behaving recklessly and taking risks that others might consider insane

Yeah, yeah, I'm crazy!
I am proud of my wild, uninhibited lifestyle and don't care what others think of me

Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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