=>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
Here Comes A Commie
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing but air in his head
Appears in your eyes, peddling lies
Selling ideas that are dead
He's out there every single morning
Talking 'bout his new day that is dawning
Red star on his breast
Oh no, here comes a commie
Won't you give it a rest?
He hates his own land, he has a plan
To bring it all down to the ground
Confuse you with lies, installs his spies
Brings our destruction around
He just wants to see our nations dying
His desire is for a Red flag flying
Support for his plans, comes from alien lands
People who don't belong here
They come to these shores, they always want more
With their lies and their crocodile tears
The Red gets his support from these invaders
Hopes that their sheer numbers will evade us
Oh no, here comes a commie
Says his revolution is right
On no, here comes a commie
Won't you off and die?
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song "Here Comes A Commie" are a critique of communism and those who support its ideals. It highlights the dangers of communism and how it can lead to the destruction of a nation. The first verse describes the communist as someone who worships the beast, indicating that they are misguided and lack intelligence. The second verse portrays the communist as peddling lies, trying to sell ideas that are no longer relevant. The use of the phrase "nothing but air in his head" signifies the emptiness and lack of substance in communist ideologies.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the threat that the communist poses to the nation, with his red star on his chest symbolizing his loyalty to communism. The line "Won't you give it a rest?" implies a sense of frustration and annoyance towards the communist movement.
The third verse highlights the communist's hate for his own land and his agenda to bring it down. The reference to spies indicates that communism often brings about an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion. The final verse talks about how the communist receives support from people who do not belong in the country, which implies that communism is a foreign ideology and does not align with the values of the nation.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the dangers of communism and its potential to destroy a nation from the inside.
Line by Line Meaning
He looks to the east, he worships the beast
He is a communist who idolizes the Soviet Union.
Nothing but air in his head
He is foolish and has no clear thoughts or ideas of his own.
Appears in your eyes, peddling lies
He tries to convince others to join him in his communist beliefs by spreading false information.
Selling ideas that are dead
He is promoting an outdated and impractical political ideology.
He's out there every single morning, Talking 'bout his new day that is dawning
He is persistent in trying to convince others of the supposed benefits of communism.
On no, here comes a commie, Red star on his breast
He proudly displays the symbol of communism, which is a threat to the freedom of others.
Oh no, here comes a commie, Won't you give it a rest?
His constant promotion of communism is tiresome and unwanted.
He hates his own land, he has a plan, To bring it all down to the ground
He despises his own country and wants to destroy it.
Confuse you with lies, installs his spies, Brings our destruction around
He uses deceitful tactics and espionage to undermine and damage his enemies.
He just wants to see our nations dying, His desire is for a Red flag flying
He wants to see the fall of democratic nations and the rise of communist governments.
Support for his plans, comes from alien lands, People who don't belong here
His supporters are foreigners who do not share the same values and traditions as the native population.
They come to these shores, they always want more, With their lies and their crocodile tears
The foreigners who support communism do so for their own benefit, not out of genuine concern for the greater good.
The Red gets his support from these invaders, Hopes that their sheer numbers will evade us
He relies on the support of foreign communists to bolster his cause, hoping that their large numbers will overpower opposition.
Oh no, here comes a commie, Says his revolution is right
He tries to convince others that his communist revolution is the correct course of action.
On no, here comes a commie, Won't you off and die?
His presence and beliefs are so repulsive that the singer wishes he didn't exist.
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@salazar_portugal-cc6ny
Back in black, hit the sack
I've been too long I'm glad to be back
Let loose, from the noose, that kept me hanging about
I keep looking at the sky 'cause it's getting me high
Forget the hearse 'cos I'll never die
I've got, 9 lives, cat's eyes
Usin' every one of them and running wild
'Cos I'm back, yeah I'm back
We'll I'm back, Yeah I'm back
Back, back
Back in black
Back in black!
Back in the back of a Cadillac
Number one with a bullet in a power pack
Now, altogether, with the gang
Gotta catch me if they want me to hang
On the track, beat the flack
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap, now
Look at a me now, making my play
Try and push your luck or get out of my way
'Cos I'm back, yeah I'm back
We'll I'm back, Yeah I'm back
Back, back
Back in black
Back in black!
'Cos I'm back, yeah I'm back
We'll I'm back, Yeah I'm back
Back, back
Back in black
Back in black!
'Cos I'm back, yeah I'm back
We'll I'm back, Yeah I'm back
Back, back
Back in black
Back in black!
@stuartandrews7780
Missed but not forgotten Ian Stewart rip luv from Ulster skins
@stuartandrews7780
Old skool who are you
@curtisanderson8013
WP!!!✋️🎱🎱💪⚔️🐺⚒️
@jodywest9044
Thank you for your service
@dankAnne576
Legenden sterben nie
@salazar_portugal-cc6ny
Back in black, hit the sack
I've been too long I'm glad to be back
Let loose, from the noose, that kept me hanging about
I keep looking at the sky 'cause it's getting me high
Forget the hearse 'cos I'll never die
I've got, 9 lives, cat's eyes
Usin' every one of them and running wild
'Cos I'm back, yeah I'm back
We'll I'm back, Yeah I'm back
Back, back
Back in black
Back in black!
Back in the back of a Cadillac
Number one with a bullet in a power pack
Now, altogether, with the gang
Gotta catch me if they want me to hang
On the track, beat the flack
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap, now
Look at a me now, making my play
Try and push your luck or get out of my way
'Cos I'm back, yeah I'm back
We'll I'm back, Yeah I'm back
Back, back
Back in black
Back in black!
'Cos I'm back, yeah I'm back
We'll I'm back, Yeah I'm back
Back, back
Back in black
Back in black!
'Cos I'm back, yeah I'm back
We'll I'm back, Yeah I'm back
Back, back
Back in black
Back in black!
@careful__Icarus
Shouldn't it be Right in White?
@willgregg1076
Away in white
@oicovers7490
Forwards in White
@smalltownwhitetrash9983
White pride