=>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 itβs 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 Salfordβs 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 12β 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 Remorseβs 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 Donaldsonβs 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 bandβs 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
Power From Profit
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Upon the face of our nation, there seems to be a frown
Once we were all proud men of this green and pleasant land,
But we've lost a lot of tears over you
Very soon our time will come, our nation's doom will toll
They've bought up all our industries, and they've tried to buy our souls
Yes, we've lost a lot of tears over you
Chorus:
It's power from profit, they're buying our souls
It's power from proit, puts you on the dole
It's power from profit, a good job's hard to find
It's power from profit, they'll soon own our minds
I think it's time our people stood together all as one
And took back all our nation's wealth when the profiteers have gone
Our working men would be fairly paid, for all their sweat and toil
Yes, we've lost a lot of tears over you
(Repeat Chorus)
It's power from profit, the capitalist's a thief
If he stands against us, he better stay out of our reach
We will fight against them with a hammer and a gun
And when our people start to rise, the traitor's time will come
(Repeat Chorus)
And when our time has finally come, and we've gained our brave new world
The people stand and hail the dawn, the banners are unfurled
We've got to be on guard to see that they don't come again
Because we've lost a lot of tears over you
(Repeat Chorus) x2
The song "Power From Profit" by Skrewdriver speaks to the loss of national identity and pride due to the greed of capitalists. The lyrics express the idea that the people have let their country down by allowing the wealthy to control and manipulate their industries, causing the working-class to suffer, lose their jobs, and become slaves to the rich. The song suggests that it's time for the people to stand together and fight back against the capitalists, to take back their wealth, and fairly compensate the hard-working men and women of the nation.
The lyrics of the song reflect the band's far-right views and are often associated with the white supremacist movement. However, the song can also be interpreted as a working-class sentiment against capitalism, which is why it resonates with some people who are not part of the white supremacist movement. The song also highlights Skrewdriver's unique blend of punk rock and heavy metal that made them popular among some listeners in the 1980s.
Line by Line Meaning
It's time to face the music, we've let our country down
We have failed our nation, and it is time to acknowledge this.
Upon the face of our nation, there seems to be a frown
This nation is no longer content and happy.
Once we were all proud men of this green and pleasant land,
We were once proud citizens of this beautiful nation.
But we've lost a lot of tears over you
We have been very saddened because of this loss.
Very soon our time will come, our nation's doom will toll
We are nearing our end as a nation.
They've bought up all our industries, and they've tried to buy our souls
All our industries are owned by outsiders, and they have tried to control us.
And then our nation's working men, will be the rich man's slaves
The rich people will make slaves out of our working class.
Yes, we've lost a lot of tears over you
We are grieving over our loss.
It's power from profit, they're buying our souls
The capitalists are using their money to control us.
It's power from profit, puts you on the dole
They use their power to keep us unemployed.
It's power from profit, a good job's hard to find
They make it difficult to find a decent job.
It's power from profit, they'll soon own our minds
The capitalists are close to owning our thoughts.
I think it's time our people stood together all as one
It is time for us to stand united.
And took back all our nation's wealth when the profiteers have gone
We should take back our wealth when the capitalists are gone.
Our working men would be fairly paid, for all their sweat and toil
Our hard-working people will finally be paid fairly.
Yes, we've lost a lot of tears over you
We are grieving over our loss.
It's power from profit, the capitalist's a thief
The capitalist is a thief who uses his power to steal from us.
If he stands against us, he better stay out of our reach
If he opposes us, he will regret it.
We will fight against them with a hammer and a gun
We will use force against the capitalists.
And when our people start to rise, the traitor's time will come
Those who betray us will face the consequences.
And when our time has finally come, and we've gained our brave new world
When we have a new nation, we will have reached our goal.
The people stand and hail the dawn, the banners are unfurled
We will celebrate our new nation.
We've got to be on guard to see that they don't come again
We must watch out for any new capitalists who try to take control.
Because we've lost a lot of tears over you
We are grieving over our loss.
It's power from profit, they're buying our souls
The capitalists are using their money to control us.
It's power from profit, puts you on the dole
They use their power to keep us unemployed.
It's power from profit, a good job's hard to find
They make it difficult to find a decent job.
It's power from profit, they'll soon own our minds
The capitalists are close to owning our thoughts.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Benito
on The Evil Crept In
Wayciss
ELLIOTT.
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
nazis are not very nice icl :/
april
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
Mark are you racist. I won't tell.
april
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
Mark are you okay
ELLIOTT.
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
GANG THEY ARE RACIST PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!! THEY ARE NAZIS SPEAKING ABOUT IMMIGRANTS!!!!!
ELLIOTT.
on The Evil Crept In
THEY ARE BEING RACIST!!!! THEY WERE NEO-NAZIS GANG WTH
PH
on Tearing Down The Wall
This is not a metaphorical wall. It's literally referring to The Berlin Wall that divided Germany at the time.
PH
on Tearing Down The Wall
Hail The New Dawn was the LP. Invasion was the single