=>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
New Nation
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The traitors are celebrating, they think they've won the game
They can stop their clowning, 'cos soon they'll be frowning
They think that they have beaten us, but we will not be tamed
(chorus)
New nation free and true, I pledge my life to you
Now the situation is so tense
If you fall we'll fall in your defense
The cowards are running, the pressure is coming down
And people who were on our side, now turn and look away
State money is never short, they use the people that they have bought
They may buy some traitors, but we will have our day
They might think that they have won, but one day our time will come
They'll regret their treason, revenge will taste so sweet
When our people come around, all the red flags will be torn down
No longer will the money men look down from power's seats
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song New Nation talk about the struggles and oppositions faced by an emerging new nation. The song starts off by referencing how the cattle is lowing and vultures are crowing, which could be a metaphor for how the weak and helpless are being taken advantage of by those in power. The traitors, who are celebrating their presumed victory, are warned that their victory is short-lived since they will soon be frowning.
The chorus of the song reiterates the singer's loyalty and pledge to this new nation. He acknowledges the tense situation but insists on standing by the new nation's side, and if they were to fall, he would fall in their defense. In the second verse, the song writer speaks about how cowards are running and how times are getting tougher with pressure coming down. Many who were once on their side have turned their backs on them and look away. The state has control over much of the wealth and money, and they use it to buy people into betraying the new nation. However, the song writer is not discouraged as he believes there will come a time when the new nation's people will seek retribution, and those who have betrayed them will pay. They will tear down the red flags, and the money men who looked down from their seats of power will be overthrown.
Line by Line Meaning
The cattle are lowing, the vultures are crowing
The weak and vulnerable are suffering, while those who prey on them are celebrating their victory.
The traitors are celebrating, they think they've won the game
Those who have betrayed their community are rejoicing in their perceived victory against the song's protagonists.
They can stop their clowning, 'cos soon they'll be frowning
Their happiness won't last long, as they will have to face the consequences of their actions.
They think that they have beaten us, but we will not be tamed
The song's narrator and his supporters are not easily defeated and will resist against oppression.
New nation free and true, I pledge my life to you
The singer is devoted to a new, independent and authentic nation-state, which he perceives as being righteous.
Now the situation is so tense
The political climate is volatile and dangerous for the song's protagonists.
If you fall we'll fall in your defense
The supporters of the new nation will defend it, even at the cost of their own lives.
The cowards are running, the pressure is coming down
Those who lack the courage of their convictions are fleeing, as the pressure of the struggle increases.
And people who were on our side, now turn and look away
People who were previously supportive of the new nation are changing their minds, which undermines the movement's legitimacy and strength.
State money is never short, they use the people that they have bought
Those in power leverage state resources to buy off support, and co-opt the population to do their bidding.
They may buy some traitors, but we will have our day
The state may be able to bribe some people, but the new nation will ultimately win because of its superior moral position.
They might think that they have won, but one day our time will come
The singer and his supporters know that victory will eventually come to the cause they support.
They'll regret their treason, revenge will taste so sweet
Those who betrayed their people will regret their decision, and their punishment will be satisfying to the song's protagonists.
When our people come around, all the red flags will be torn down
The communist symbols and ideology will be destroyed when the new nation becomes a reality.
No longer will the money men look down from power's seats
The wealthy and influential will no longer have a stranglehold on power, as the new nation will be open and inclusive.
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AdamAtrocity17
This song has been on the top of my playlist for almost a week now! Thanks for the good tunes guys!
@hughzapretti-boyden9187
I remember buying 'All Skrewed Up' in 1977 & seeing them in London later that year.
'Before The Night Falls' my favourite track but unavailable on YouTube....
@Einsatzgruppen610
You are one lucky guy thats for sure, skrewdriver for life.
@seekeroftheway
Thank you for this reupload, HAIL THE NEW DAWN! 👌🏻
@SlavicBrotherhoood
I actually rendered this vid myself lol
@reneedavies9231
custard
@SlavicBrotherhoood
@@reneedavies9231 what
@mcstabba
@@reneedavies9231 Rhymes with mustard!
@reneedavies9231
Goes with rhubarb
@chazsmash2345
Blood of our blood sprit of our sprit....❤