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

If There's A Riot
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Walking down the street, avoiding the cops
With size ten boots and a number one crop
People aviod you as you pass by
Only the smart ones know the media lies

Chorus:
If there's a riot, in here tonight

If you try it, in here tonight
If there's a riot, in here tonight
That's bad news

Read the latest slander in the daily news
Whatever lies that the editors choose
Stories concocted in a liar's lair
How could we do it, when we weren't there

(Repeat Chorus)

You'll find yourself banned from everywhere
You'll find the criticism real hard to bear
Keep a strong will, hold your head up high
Make sure skinheads never die

(Repeat Chorus) x2

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song "If There's A Riot" reflect the perception of society towards skinheads in the 1980s. The song speaks about the experience of being a skinhead and the feeling of being ostracized by society. The opening lines, "Walking down the street, avoiding the cops, with size ten boots and a number one crop," describe the appearance of a skinhead and the fear of being targeted by law enforcement due to their appearance.

The second verse speaks about the biased representation of skinheads in the media. The lyrics, "Read the latest slander in the daily news, whatever lies that the editors choose," highlight the frustration of being misrepresented and stigmatized by the media. The song emphasizes the notion that without being present in a situation, one can't accurately judge what occurred.

The chorus, "If there's a riot, in here tonight, if you try it, in here tonight, if there's a riot, in here tonight, that's bad news," suggests that the band sees riots as a destructive force and implies that skinheads are often unfairly associated with riots. Overall, Skrewdriver's "If There's A Riot" presents the message of skinheads being a misunderstood part of society that is unfairly shunned and stereotyped due to their appearance.

Line by Line Meaning

Walking down the street, avoiding the cops
Walking down the street while trying to avoid getting caught by the police

With size ten boots and a number one crop
Wearing boots and having short hair

People avoid you as you pass by
People stay away from you as you walk by

Only the smart ones know the media lies
Only intelligent people understand that the media spreads false information

If there's a riot, in here tonight If you try it, in here tonight If there's a riot, in here tonight That's bad news
If there is a riot happening, it is not a good idea to participate in it

Read the latest slander in the daily news
Read the most recent false statements published in the news

Whatever lies that the editors choose
Editors select whichever false information they want to publish

Stories concocted in a liar's lair
The falsified stories are created in a place where deceptive people are found

How could we do it, when we weren't there
How could we be involved in something if we were not present?

You'll find yourself banned from everywhere
You will be excluded from everywhere

You'll find the criticism real hard to bear
You will find it challenging to deal with the negative feedback

Keep a strong will, hold your head up high Make sure skinheads never die
Stay determined and confident, and ensure the skinhead movement continues

(Repeat Chorus) x2
The chorus is repeated twice

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS