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

Don't Let Them Pull You Down
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're walking 'round the street
And a van slows down
They pull you off your feet
And they knock you 'around

Whoever they are
If it's the Reds or the blues

Well they spit on the flag
When they take it out on you

Chorus:
We're flying the Union Jack
And there ain't nothing wrong with that
We're flying the Union Jack
And there ain't no turning back, White man

Wherever you go, whatever you do
You're always getting picked on
For your Red White and Blue

The judges in the pocket
The best that money buys
And the other sort of leaders
Who wave a Red flag

(Repeat Chorus)

Don't let 'em pull you down
Don't let 'em pull you down
Don't let 'em pull you down
Don't let 'em pull you down

Listen Argentina
We smashed you
'cause you tried to tried to mess with
The Red White and Blue

And if you try again
We're gonna go for your throat
We will rule the waves
We've still got the boats

(Repeat Chorus)

Don't let 'em pull you down
Don't let 'em pull you down

Don't let 'em pull you down
Don't let 'em pull you down

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't Let Them Pull You Down" by Skrewdriver is a nationalist and patriotic song that seems to address the oppression and persecution that the white British people, who identify with the Union Jack, face on a regular basis from people who belong to opposing groups such as the Reds or the blues. The song suggests that the Union Jack, which symbolizes the United Kingdom, is disrespected and trampled on by these opposing groups while they simultaneously aim their attacks on the Union Jack supporters. The chorus emphasizes a strong and unwavering loyalty to the Union Jack, with a message that one should never let anyone bring them down, and they should be proud of who they are, defending their country, and waving their flag boldly.

The lyrics also touch on issues of corruption, and how the "judges are in the pocket", clearly suggesting some sort of systemic oppression. The song seems to suggest that those who identify with the Red flag are the ones responsible for this corruption and oppression. The final verse alludes to the Falklands War where Argentina is singled out as an enemy who was defeated because they tried to threaten the Union Jack. The Chorus is repeated multiple times to emphasize the importance of standing tall and never faltering.

Line by Line Meaning

You're walking 'round the street And a van slows down They pull you off your feet And they knock you 'around
You are randomly attacked and assaulted by a group of people who appear out of nowhere and attack you without any provocation. They attack you physically and make you fall to the ground.

Whoever they are If it's the Reds or the blues Well they spit on the flag When they take it out on you
Regardless of the group that attacks you, be it the communists or capitalists, they disrespect the nation's flag by assaulting you because of your race, nationality, and political beliefs.

Chorus: We're flying the Union Jack And there ain't nothing wrong with that We're flying the Union Jack And there ain't no turning back, White man
We, the white people, proudly wave the Union Jack flag, and we will continue doing so without any guilt or shame. We will not back down from our beliefs and identity.

Wherever you go, whatever you do You're always getting picked on For your Red White and Blue
No matter where you go or what you do, you will always be targeted and bullied for being proud of your national and cultural background, especially the colors of the flag - red, white, and blue.

The judges in the pocket The best that money buys And the other sort of leaders Who wave a Red flag
The judges are corrupt and can be easily bought with money. The leaders who identify themselves with the communist party and wave the red flag, also contribute to the deterioration of society.

Don't let 'em pull you down Don't let 'em pull you down Don't let 'em pull you down Don't let 'em pull you down
Do not let them overpower or overwhelm you with their constant attack on your beliefs and identity. Stand strong and fight back.

Listen Argentina We smashed you 'cause you tried to tried to mess with The Red White and Blue
We successfully defeated Argentina in the war because they attempted to interfere with our culture and beliefs regarding our national flag colors.

And if you try again We're gonna go for your throat We will rule the waves We've still got the boats
If anyone tries to challenge our beliefs and identity again, we will launch an even more severe attack and annihilate them. We are the greatest nation and possess the power to rule the world.

Chorus: Don't let 'em pull you down Don't let 'em pull you down Don't let 'em pull you down Don't let 'em pull you down
Do not let them overpower or overwhelm you with their constant attack on your beliefs and identity. Stand strong and fight back.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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