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

Shining Down
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can you tell me why, so many days?
Spent in the rain, with so much pain
Why can't the sun, come breaking through?
Come shining down now, on me and you, yeah

(chorus)
Why can't the sun, come shining down?
Then we'll have won, no black clouds around

Too many hours, spent in the gloom
Watching visions of, impending doom
Get off your seats, and stand up straight
For you can control, your own fate

(chorus)

instrumental break

(chorus)

Then don't tell me, nothing can be done
With that attitude, nothing will be won
So we'll stand and fight, looking up to the sky
As we wait for light, it's either win or die, now

(chorus) x2

Come shining down
Come shining down

Come shining down
Come shining down on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Skrewdriver's song Shining Down speaks about overcoming difficulties and how one's attitude can control their fate. The song starts with the question "Can you tell me why, so many days spent in the rain with so much pain" which suggests a sense of hopelessness and despair. The repetition of "Why can't the sun come breaking through?" expresses the desire for a change in the situation and a brighter future. The "sun" here symbolic of hope and better times to come. The chorus acts as a kind of mantra that reinforces the idea that with the arrival of the sun all problems will be lifted.

The second verse encourages listeners to take control of their fate and not give up. The line "For you can control your own fate" is a powerful message that puts power in the hands of the listener, inspiring them to stand up and fight. The instrumental break helps to build tension in the song, followed by an even stronger chorus repeated twice. The lyric "Then don't tell me nothing can be done, with that attitude, nothing will be won" suggests the importance of having a positive attitude in life. The song ends with a call to action, a plea to the sun to come shining down on the singer and the listener.

Overall, Shining Down is an uplifting and motivational song that encourages listeners not to give up, no matter how difficult the situation may seem.

Line by Line Meaning

Can you tell me why, so many days?
Asking for an explanation of why there have been so many difficult days.

Spent in the rain, with so much pain
Enduring hardships, whether literal or metaphoric, that bring a lot of suffering.

Why can't the sun, come breaking through?
Questioning why things can't improve and become more positive.

Come shining down now, on me and you, yeah
Expressing hope that some good fortune or positivity will come to the singer and the listener.

Why can't the sun, come shining down?
Repeating the question of why things can't just get better, emphasizing the desire for improvement.

Then we'll have won, no black clouds around
If the sun were to shine, things would improve enough that victory over whatever adversity they're facing would be achievable.

Too many hours, spent in the gloom
Detailing the amount of time that has been spent feeling down or struggling.

Watching visions of, impending doom
Describing a feeling of anxiety or pessimism about the future.

Get off your seats, and stand up straight
Encouraging listeners to take control of their situations and be proactive in making things better.

For you can control, your own fate
Asserting that the individual has the power to shape their own destiny and overcome obstacles.

Then don't tell me, nothing can be done
Don't give up or be defeatist; there are still possibilities for improvement or progress.

With that attitude, nothing will be won
Reinforcing that having a negative or inactive attitude will only make things worse and won't allow for success.

So we'll stand and fight, looking up to the sky
Deciding to persevere in the face of hardship and take an active role in fighting against it.

As we wait for light, it's either win or die, now
Waiting for positive changes, but also acknowledging that the stakes are high and success is crucial.

Come shining down
The repeated phrase reflects the desire and hope for a positive change or outcome.

Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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