=>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
Free My Land
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so easy to see that it's being taken away
All the immigrants and all the left wing lies
Why does no one ever ask the reason why
[Chorus]
We were the country that had everything
We were the country, Rule Britannia we would sing
Once a nation, and now we're run by Jews
We want our country back now!
It's time our people stood together side by side
It's time we stood and fought against the media's lies
The capitalists and the communists, well they co-exist
If you love your country, you'll be on their list.
The sands of time are running out for this land
It's time the people stood and raised their hands
It's time we drove out the traitors that we can see
Now is the time this nation should be free, free my land
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song "Free My Land" address the singer's concerns about the changes happening in his country. The lyrics suggest that the country, the UK, is being taken away from them, and it is easy to see because of the influx of immigrants and the propagation of left-wing ideologies. The singer questions why no one asks the reason for the sudden changes happening in the country. In the chorus, the lyrics refer to the past glories of the UK - a country that had everything, a country where the citizens sang "Rule Britannia" with pride. However, now, the country is supposedly run by Jews, and the singer implores that they want their country back now.
The second verse continues the patriotic call to stand together and fight against the media's lies. The lyrics mention that the capitalists and the communists co-exist, and if one loves their country, they will be on their list. The final stanza talks about time running out for the country, and it's time to raise hands to drive out the traitors they can see. Now is the time when the nation should be free.
Line by Line Meaning
I stand and watch my country today
Observing the current state of my country
It's so easy to see that it's being taken away
It's evident that my country is being taken over
All the immigrants and all the left wing lies
Referencing immigrants and what the singer considers lies from the left wing
Why does no one ever ask the reason why
Asking why people do not inquire about matters at hand
[Chorus]
The main chorus of the song
We were the country that had everything
The country had everything it needed
We were the country, Rule Britannia we would sing
As citizens, they would sing 'Rule Britannia'
We were the country, and we could never lose,
The country was invincible
Once a nation, and now we're run by Jews
The country is now controlled by Jewish individuals
We want our country back now!
They desire their country to return to its prior state
It's time our people stood together side by side
They want their people to unite and stand in solidarity
It's time we stood and fought against the media's lies
The artist wants to speak out against lies presented in media
The capitalists and the communists, well they co-exist
The political ideologies exist together
If you love your country, you'll be on their list.
People who love their country are being watched by the capitalists and communists
The sands of time are running out for this land
The situation is time-sensitive
It's time the people stood and raised their hands
The artist believes it's time for people to fight back
It's time we drove out the traitors that we can see
They want to get rid of those they believe are traitors to their country
Now is the time this nation should be free, free my land
The country should be free, free from those they consider to be oppressors
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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SkvΔlΓ½ cover
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