=>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
Retaliate
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've got to make a choice now, in the middle of a war
The enemy is taking over out on the streets
And we are not united, and so we face defeat
-
(chorus)
Retaliate, will be our only hope
Retaliate, can we ever cope
Retaliate, fight against defeat
-
As a young man lies dying, the mob begins to cheer
Older people tremble, they have never known such fear
The enemy's taking over out on the streets
And we are not unite, and so we face defeat
-
Mr. Politician, I won't say I told you so
But now the flames are rising, do you want to know?
You're blaming unemployment and the racists on the beat
I don't see our unemployed looting on the street
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song "Retaliate" convey an urgent call for action in the midst of a war-like situation. The opening lines paint a picture of chaos and violence, with petrol bombs flying and people locking themselves in. The next line, "We've got to make a choice now," hints at a critical decision that needs to be made. The song then addresses the sense of disunity and lack of organization among the people, which is causing them to face defeat at the hands of their enemies. The chorus makes it clear that they need to retaliate to have any hope of survival - to face their opponents on the streets and fight against being defeated.
The second verse builds on the theme of fear and helplessness in the face of the enemy's takeover, with the added element of cheering from the bystanders as a young man dies. The bridge is a direct address to the politicians, who are blamed for blaming unemployment and racism for the violence on the streets. Skrewdriver's message is that they're missing the point, and that unemployed people aren't the ones causing the looting and violence. The song ends on a defiant note, with the call to arms of "Retaliate" repeated once more.
Overall, "Retaliate" is a powerful and timely song that speaks to the need for unity and action in the face of violence and oppression. The lyrics are straightforward and direct, leaving no doubt as to what needs to be done.
Line by Line Meaning
The petrol bombs are flying, the people lock their doors
The violence and chaos has caused citizens to fear for their safety and protect themselves.
We've got to make a choice now, in the middle of a war
The situation has escalated into a conflict with sides to choose from.
The enemy is taking over out on the streets
An opposing force is gaining control over the streets.
And we are not united, and so we face defeat
The lack of unity among the people is contributing to their failure.
Retaliate, will be our only hope
Taking action to fight back is the only chance for success.
Retaliate, can we ever cope
Retaliating brings uncertainty and challenges, but is still necessary.
Retaliate, face them on the streets
The retaliation must be taken by confronting the enemy on their own territory.
Retaliate, fight against defeat
Retaliation is the only way to continue the fight and avoid defeat.
As a young man lies dying, the mob begins to cheer
The violent and chaotic situation has desensitized the mob to death and tragedy.
Older people tremble, they have never known such fear
The older generation is scared and shaken up by the severity of the situation.
Mr. Politician, I won't say I told you so
The politician has been warned about the dangers of current issues.
But now the flames are rising, do you want to know?
The situation has escalated and intensified, and the politician must acknowledge it.
You're blaming unemployment and the racists on the beat
The politician is blaming unemployment and a certain group for the violence and chaos.
I don't see our unemployed looting on the street
The unemployed are not the ones causing the violence and chaos.
Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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