=>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
Prisoner Of Peace
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The European brother war, and lives were being lost
He saw the grieving mothers whose sons could not be found
He wanted peace to stop the endless coffins on the ground
He got up on one morning and he went out to his plane
He said good-bye to his wife, but doubts were in his brain
But the bankers' grip was oh so tight, and the chance for peace was gone
Chorus:
Free Rudolf Hess
How long can they keep him there? We can only guess
I said free Rudolf Hess
How long can they keep him there? We can only guess
He never realized that day that chivalry had died
Britain was in alien hands but at least a man had tried
Forty years is a long long time in a prison cell to be
And I feel ashamed at the sentence passed on a man who wanted peace
(Repeat Chorus)
And now the situation has changed in many ways
The Allies want to let him go, they've decided he has paid
The Red scum in the Kremlin with their kosher values try
To keep a proud man locked away until the day he dies
(Repeat Chorus)
He's a prisoner of peace
Kept there at the will of the Marxists in the east
He's a prisoner of peace
Kept there at the wishes of the Marxists in the east
The song "Prisoner of Peace" by Skrewdriver is a tribute to the Nazi leader Rudolf Hess, who was imprisoned in Spandau Prison in Germany for 40 years. The lyrics speak about Hess being a man who wanted peace during the European brother war but was instead kept captive for his beliefs. The song describes him as a hero who stuck up for his country but didn't like the cost of war. He witnessed the grief of mothers whose sons couldn't be found and wanted peace to stop the endless coffins on the ground.
The song goes on to explain how Hess went out to his plane with doubts in his mind to sue for peace in 1941. He was unsuccessful as the bankers' grip was too tight, and the chance for peace was gone. Chorus-free Rudolf Hess, how long can they keep him there, we can only guess-expresses the sympathizer's desire to see Hess released from prison, questioning how much longer he will be kept there.
Furthermore, the song portrays Britain as being in alien hands and how chivalry had died. The Allies wanted to let Hess go after 40 years of captivity, but the Red scum in the Kremlin, with their kosher values, tried to keep him locked away until the day he died.
Overall, the song "Prisoner of Peace" is a call to free Rudolf Hess, who was kept in Spandau Prison by Marxists in the East for his beliefs in peace during the Second World War.
Line by Line Meaning
He stuck up for his country, but he didn't like the cost
He defended his country, but the war was taking too many lives.
The European brother war, and lives were being lost
The war between brothers in Europe resulted in numerous deaths.
He saw the grieving mothers whose sons could not be found
He witnessed the sorrow of mothers who lost their children and could not locate them.
He wanted peace to stop the endless coffins on the ground
He desired peace to prevent the constant burying of deceased soldiers.
He got up one morning and he went out to his plane
One morning, he left via plane.
He said good-bye to his wife, but doubts were in his brain
He farewelled his wife with doubts in his mind.
To sue for peace was his idea in 1941
He intended to initiate peace proceedings in 1941.
But the bankers' grip was oh so tight, and the chance for peace was gone
The bankers' influence obstructed his peace initiatives.
Chorus:
Recurring refrain
Free Rudolf Hess
Release Rudolf Hess
How long can they keep him there? We can only guess
It is uncertain how much longer he will be detained.
I said free Rudolf Hess
I urge Rudolf Hess's liberation.
(Repeat Chorus)
Recurring refrain
He never realized that day that chivalry had died
He was unaware that chivalry had perished on that day.
Britain was in alien hands but at least a man had tried
Although Britain was under foreign control, he attempted to procure peace.
Forty years is a long long time in a prison cell to be
Being imprisoned for forty years is an extended duration.
And I feel ashamed at the sentence passed on a man who wanted peace
I am ashamed of the punishment imposed on a man who desired peace.
(Repeat Chorus)
Recurring refrain
And now the situation has changed in many ways
The situation has transformed in various aspects.
The Allies want to let him go, they've decided he has paid
The Allies intend to release him since they believe he has suffered enough.
The Red scum in the Kremlin with their kosher values try
The Communists in the Kremlin endeavor to hold him captive for their beliefs.
To keep a proud man locked away until the day he dies
They intend to detain him for life.
(Repeat Chorus)
Recurring refrain
He's a prisoner of peace
He is detained for his peace intentions.
Kept there at the will of the Marxists in the east
The Marxists in the east are responsible for keeping him imprisoned.
He's a prisoner of peace
He is incarcerated for his peace efforts.
Kept there at the wishes of the Marxists in the east
His imprisonment is by the orders of the Marxists in the east.
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