=>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 itβs 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 Salfordβs 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 12β 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 Remorseβs 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 Donaldsonβs 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 bandβs 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
European Battle Song
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Join in the chorus of our rousing battle song
Hear the beet of the feet, of our mighty nation waking
Far ahead the tread, of our comrades marching on
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
With steel and sinew, as our fathers fought of old
The whole land echoes, our triumphant shout
The night of want is breaking, and day will see their rout
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
Raise aloft the standards, our ideals march before us
Our battalions march along, without ado, without a fuss now
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
Can't you hear the sound of the victors marching on?
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
Can't you hear the sound of our Mother Europe's sons?
The Skrewdriver's "European Battle Song" is a rallying call for the white supremacist movement. The lyrics begin by raising the idea of "our ideals" being marched forth, and an invitation to join in the communal singing of the battle song. The song's tempo is upbeat, with a strong drumbeat evoking images of a march. The song's chorus repeats the line "Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?" as if to reaffirm this is a call to arms.
The second set of lyrics echoes the sentiment of fascist movements - to fight against the "tyrants," which in today's context, means non-white races, and the "power of gold," which means Jews. The song also evokes a sense of pride in the heritage of the "fathers fought of old," implying a deep-seated tradition of white supremacy. The triumphant shout is coupled with the idea that victory is close, and dawn will bring their defeat. The final two lines are a reaffirmation of the idealistic vision of Mother Europe, all being white and united.
According to Skrewdriver's lead singer Ian Stuart Donaldson, the song was written in response to the constant harassment of white nationalists by the left-wing Anti-Nazi League. The song not only became popular in white supremacist circles in Europe but also America.
Line by Line Meaning
Raise aloft the standards, our ideals march before us
We lift our values and principles high as we move forward
Join in the chorus of our rousing battle song
Sing along with us as we celebrate our cause and our people
Hear the beat of the feet, of our mighty nation waking
Listen to the sound of our people rising up and becoming strong
Far ahead the tread, of our comrades marching on
Our fellow fighters go before us, leading the way to victory
Can't you hear the sound of our European battle song?
We are proud of our struggle and want you to join us in our fight
Against the tyrants, we fight the power of gold
We stand against those who oppress and seek only wealth and power
With steel and sinew, as our fathers fought of old
We fight with the same determination and strength as our ancestors
The whole land echoes, our triumphant shout
Our message of victory and freedom is heard throughout our land
The night of want is breaking, and day will see their rout
The darkness and despair of our enemies is ending and our victory is at hand
Our battalions march along, without ado, without a fuss now
Our soldiers move forward efficiently and without hesitation
Can't you hear the sound of the victors marching on?
Our triumphant march forward towards freedom cannot be ignored
Can't you hear the sound of our Mother Europe's sons?
Our brothers and sisters, united in our struggle, are making our voices heard
Contributed by Emily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ELLIOTT.
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
nazis are not very nice icl :/
april
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
Mark are you racist. I won't tell.
april
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
Mark are you okay
ELLIOTT.
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
GANG THEY ARE RACIST PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!! THEY ARE NAZIS SPEAKING ABOUT IMMIGRANTS!!!!!
ELLIOTT.
on The Evil Crept In
THEY ARE BEING RACIST!!!! THEY WERE NEO-NAZIS GANG WTH
PH
on Tearing Down The Wall
This is not a metaphorical wall. It's literally referring to The Berlin Wall that divided Germany at the time.
PH
on Tearing Down The Wall
Hail The New Dawn was the LP. Invasion was the single