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

I Can See the Fire
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can see the glint of belief shining in your eyes
I know you won't turn back, from the future as it lies
You feel the anger, direct it at the people all around
For it seems that they are asleep, it seems their hands are bound

I can see the fire and I know that it won't die
I can see the flames are burning deep inside your eyes

You're walking 'round, it seems as if you're in another land
It seems the people function with their heads deep in the sand
You start to shout, you start to scream, but the sleepers slumber on
Then you awake, open your eyes, but the nightmare hasn't gone

It seems that life is going to be uphill all the way
But you won't yield, it's no surrender until your dying day

For your ideals mean more to you than very life itself
For the pride you feel is all you need, it's more than any wealth

Overall Meaning

The Skrewdriver's song "I Can See the Fire" talks about an individual who is deeply committed to a particular belief, purpose or ideal. In the song, the individual who is being addressed in the lyrics holds onto their belief with a fierce passion that goes beyond life itself. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is highly disillusioned with the world around them and can see things that others can't. Despite feeling like they are in a different world, they continue to hold onto their beliefs and remain steadfast.

The lyrics also highlight the frustration and anger that the individual feels towards others who seem oblivious to their beliefs. They are upset that other people are content to go through life without questioning the world around them or with their heads buried in the sand. The song portrays this individual as someone who is determined to shout and scream until they are heard, even if no one seems to be listening.

The song's title, "I Can See the Fire," underscores the passion and intensity that the individual possesses. It appears that they possess a deep inner fire that drives them to keep fighting for their ideals, even when the going gets tough. The lyrics suggest that this individual's fire will never die, and they will continue to fight for what they believe until their dying day.

Line by Line Meaning

I can see the glint of belief shining in your eyes
I can perceive that you have a strong faith or trust in something, which is visible through the gleaming effect in your eyes

I know you won't turn back, from the future as it lies
I am aware that you are determined and won't retreat from the future, no matter how unpredictable it may appear

You feel the anger, direct it at the people all around
You experience rage, channeling it towards the individuals in your vicinity

For it seems that they are asleep, it seems their hands are bound
It appears that those around you are inactive, as if they are unconscious, and unable to take action

I can see the fire and I know that it won't die
I can observe a burning passion within you, and I am certain that it will not extinguish

I can see the flames are burning deep inside your eyes
I can see that the intensity of your feelings is reflected in the radiance of your eyes

You're walking 'round, it seems as if you're in another land
You are walking around, and it appears as though you are in a different place due to the differences in views or beliefs

It seems the people function with their heads deep in the sand
It appears that people are not facing reality, specifically concerning unpleasant or uncomfortable truths

You start to shout, you start to scream, but the sleepers slumber on
You begin to yell, to shout and make noise, but those who are sleeping remain inactive and still

Then you awake, open your eyes, but the nightmare hasn't gone
Then you wake up, open your eyes and keep on facing the unpleasant situation or experience that was happening before

It seems that life is going to be uphill all the way
It seems that life will be rough and difficult from now on

But you won't yield, it's no surrender until your dying day
However, you won't give up or quit, you will fight until the end of your life

For your ideals mean more to you than very life itself
Your beliefs and principles are more important to you than your own life

For the pride you feel is all you need, it's more than any wealth
The satisfaction you experience is everything you need, it's much more valuable than any riches

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS