=>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
Blood of the Kings
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The memories of a by-gone age
An age of heroes, and age of kings
An age of valour and enchanted rings
A man was judged on the battlefield
Became a leader if he did not yield
A traitor'd never stand against the storm
(chorus)
We're descended from the blood of the kings
We're descended from the blood of the kings
We're descended from the blood of the kings
We don't back down to anything, or anyone
We hold a pride in our history
A memory of it used to be
Before the traitors took the reins
Condemned our people to misery and pain
However hard they try to grind us down
Our nation's spirit will never drown
So take heed you evil ones
One day your corruption will all be gone
(chorus)
instrumental break
(chorus)
For the blood of the martyrs
The blood of the kings
No surrender is the song we sing
They try to gas us with their stinking laws
But all they are, are alien whores
Paid for treason, against their own
The stink of traitors always lingers on
When we rise it's their turn to hide
We'll smell their fear when it's time to die
(chorus) x2
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song Blood of the Kings celebrate the history and heritage of the white race. The band's lyrics have been associated with the white supremacist movement but were originally intended to celebrate their British heritage. The song begins with memories of an age of heroes and kings, where a man's worth was measured by his bravery on the battlefield. The lyrics then contrast this period of valor with the present, where people are expected to conform and wear uniforms. The chorus reiterates the idea that the band members are descendants of kings and will not back down from any challenge. The song ends with a promise that traitors and their corruption will eventually be vanquished, and the people will be free again.
Line by Line Meaning
It's in our minds as we take the stage
We are filled with memories of a time long gone as we perform
The memories of a by-gone age
Recollections of past glories are ingrained within us
An age of heroes, and age of kings
A time of great valor and warriors worthy of legend
An age of valour and enchanted rings
A time of bravery and magical relics
A man was judged on the battlefield
The worth of a man was measured in his performance in war
Became a leader if he did not yield
Those who refused to surrender became respected leaders
A traitor'd never stand against the storm
An act of betrayal is never forgiven during times of hardship
But now we got 'em in uniform
Those who were once traitors are now among our ranks
We're descended from the blood of the kings
Our lineage can be traced back to great rulers
We don't back down to anything, or anyone
We refuse to show intimidation or fear
We hold a pride in our history
We have a deep sense of admiration for our past
A memory of it used to be
Our current state is nothing compared to our former glory
Before the traitors took the reins
Our decline began when our own people betrayed us
Condemned our people to misery and pain
Their treachery resulted in great suffering for our society
However hard they try to grind us down
No matter what they do, we will never be broken
Our nation's spirit will never drown
Our collective morale is unbreakable
So take heed you evil ones
Those who oppose us better beware
One day your corruption will all be gone
The day will come when your immoral actions are no more
For the blood of the martyrs
We remember those who died for our cause
No surrender is the song we sing
We will never give up or give in
They try to gas us with their stinking laws
Their unfair policies are like a poisonous gas choking us
But all they are, are alien whores
They are outsiders who serve their own interests
Paid for treason, against their own
They went against their own people for personal gain
The stink of traitors always lingers on
The memory of their treachery never truly disappears
When we rise it's their turn to hide
When we gain power, they will be the ones to fear
We'll smell their fear when it's time to die
Their panic will be evident when their time is up
Contributed by Max W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@odv3373
This content is authentic and you have a natural story teller swag. I’ve done so many years in prison as a youngster.
This make me feel like I’m listening to my elder. Who’s giving me the history of the place. You know the guy I’m talking about. He’s the one who’s been behind the walls since forever. Usually find him In the legal library.
If you want some amazing prison history
Washington State Prison Walla Walla is one hellva place. With Wild West history. Dating back to 1886..
Next is. Washington state reformatory. Monroe.
They used to have the boxing ring.
@aarommccaffrey3987
Imagine thinking you're a badass by beating up defenseless homeless people.
@zameion90
And knowing full well where gang bangers hangout but instead targeting homeless people and kids. Fucking panzis
@ChaseDaOrk3767
Truly despicable
@MandenTV
Imagine thinking you’re a hero
@MiddleManT0m
They should’ve did this shit in the hood if they wanted to be “tuff” they would’ve had to get tuff fast 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@commodoresixfour7478
@@MandenTV Most hero's don't. Unless that's what you're getting at.
@bloodaonadeline8346
This guy is upset because he tried snitching to lower his sentence and it blew up in his face? Poetic justice at its finest.
@jurassicchrist
Everyone knows those phones are monitored
@assholes545
This is The flame of blood and honour and we are just Back since a halv a year ago so stop spridning propaganda The White ring around The planet is my Creation and that is The new skinhead coulture and Blood and honour
@jongrotrian5067
Like BIG TIME snitching on his friends wtf