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

House of Treason
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm just a politician, I do it all for you
I always answer truthfully, honestly I do
Even if you did not vote, I 'll do my very best
I'm here to get this country, out of such a mess

[Chorus]
Na, nanna, na, elect me to the House of Treason
Na, nanna, na, you can kiss good-bye to freedom

Na, nanna, na, elect me to the House of Treason
Na, nanna, na, you can kiss good-bye to freedom

I'll be standing over you, keeping you safe while you're in your bed
Can't you see my honesty, as I kiss your babies heads?
I'll give you promises, I'll promise luxury
I'll promise you all everything, if you just vote for me, now

[Chorus]

I do declare in my position as a politician to lie, steal and rob you blind. Give money and property to people who shouldn't get it, while you go hungry and homeless. I also declare that I will do my best to bring this once-great nation down to the ground, and make it into some sort of second-rate banana republic. You know, in my position as a voice of the people, ha, ha, I will attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of those who have put me into this esteemed position of authority. Haven't you realised yet that my friends and here in the House of Treason on the banks of the old river, are just treacherous vermin who one day will destroy you all. Fools! You're just fools. Yeah fools. Fools

[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song House of Treason is a biting indictment of politics and politicians, especially those who use their position to accumulate wealth and power while ignoring the plight of the people they are supposed to represent. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer claiming to be a politician who does everything for the people, but in reality is only interested in gaining their votes while doing nothing to improve their lives. The chorus is a mocking call for people to elect him or her to the "House of Treason," a metaphor for government, and a warning that freedom will be lost if they do.

The second verse takes on a more ominous tone, with the politician promising to keep people safe while they sleep and kissing their babies' heads, but these promises are empty and meaningless. The politician will make promises of luxury and riches but will not deliver, leaving the people to suffer. The final verse takes on a more aggressive tone, with the politician declaring his or her intention to lie, steal, and rob the people blind while doing everything possible to bring the nation down. The House of Treason becomes a metaphor for the corrupt and treacherous shenanigans of the political elite, who will eventually destroy the ignorant fools who put them into power.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm just a politician, I do it all for you
I declare that I am a politician and whatever I do is only for your benefit.

I always answer truthfully, honestly I do
I assure you that I always tell the truth and never lie to you.

Even if you did not vote, I 'll do my very best
I promise to do my best for the country even if you didn't vote for me.

I'm here to get this country, out of such a mess
I declare that I am here to get this country out of the current situation of chaos and disarray.

Na, nanna, na, elect me to the House of Treason
I am asking you to elect me to the House of Treason.

Na, nanna, na, you can kiss good-bye to freedom
By electing me to the House of Treason, you will be saying goodbye to your freedom.

I'll be standing over you, keeping you safe while you're in your bed
I promise to keep you safe while you sleep.

Can't you see my honesty, as I kiss your babies heads?
If you see me kissing your babies, you will know that I am honest and trustworthy.

I'll give you promises, I'll promise luxury
I will make promises to provide you with luxurious things.

I'll promise you all everything, if you just vote for me, now
If you vote for me now, I will promise you everything you desire.

Na, nanna, na, elect me to the House of Treason
I am asking you to elect me to the House of Treason.

Na, nanna, na, you can kiss good-bye to freedom
By electing me to the House of Treason, you will be saying goodbye to your freedom.

I do declare in my position as a politician to lie, steal and rob you blind.
I boldly announce that as a politician I will deceive, take away from you, and steal from you successfully.

Give money and property to people who shouldn't get it, while you go hungry and homeless.
I will give money and property to those who do not deserve it while you suffer from hunger and homelessness.

I also declare that I will do my best to bring this once-great nation down to the ground, and make it into some sort of second-rate banana republic.
I also declare that my efforts will be to tear down this once-great nation and turn it into an insignificant and weak republic.

You know, in my position as a voice of the people, ha, ha, I will attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of those who have put me into this esteemed position of authority.
As a representative of the populace, I will attempt to deceive those who put me into power.

Haven't you realised yet that my friends and here in the House of Treason on the banks of the old river, are just treacherous vermin who one day will destroy you all.
Are you not yet aware that my associates in the House of Treason, located on the old riverbank, are deceitful traitors who will one day bring about your downfall?

Fools! You're just fools. Yeah fools. Fools
You, who voted for me are just foolish, and you are being taken advantage of.

Na, nanna, na, elect me to the House of Treason
I am asking you to elect me to the House of Treason.

Na, nanna, na, you can kiss good-bye to freedom
By electing me to the House of Treason, you will be saying goodbye to your freedom.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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