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

Sick Society
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You risked your life for this country when you were young
Never questioned orders that they gave
Because the love of the Red White and Blue was in your heart
And I never thought I'd ever see the day, when I'd hear you say

(Chorus)
Now look at a sick society
Look back in time

Now look at our sick society
Who commits the crime

You did your time for king and country overseas
Spent years to keep this nation free
Now you're not allowed to walk the British streets today
Now you're fighting against a foe you cannot see

When you want to march in a democratic fashion
Through the streets of the country that you love
Then you're struck down by a mob of screaming monkeys
Raining in, with bricks from above

We'll remember the things that you have done
Against all odds you would not run
We'll remember the life you gladly gave
Put an English rose upon your grave

Now you have died whilst fighting for your country
Fighting against an enemy that's within

Now I'll make a promise to your memory, Albert Mariner
We'll keep on fighting until we win, yeah, we'll never forget you

Overall Meaning

The Song Sick Society by Skrewdriver is a tribute to Albert Mariner, a British soldier who faced discrimination from his own country after returning from serving overseas. The lyrics express a sense of betrayal and disappointment that Mariner felt towards his country, which he had risked his life for. The song opens with a tribute to Mariner's service - "You risked your life for this country when you were young/Never questioned orders that they gave/Because the love of the Red White and Blue was in your heart."

However, the tone of the song soon turns bitter as the lyrics describe the discrimination Mariner faced when he returned home - "Now you're not allowed to walk the British streets today/Now you're fighting against a foe you cannot see." The lyrics express outrage that Mariner, and other soldiers like him, would be treated so poorly by the country they had fought for.

The chorus of the song asks listeners to reflect on the state of society - "Now look at a sick society/Look back in time/Now look at our sick society/Who commits the crime." The verse that follows describes a peaceful march that Mariner participated in, only to be attacked by a violent mob - "When you want to march in a democratic fashion/Through the streets of the country that you love/Then you're struck down by a mob of screaming monkeys/Raining in, with bricks from above."

Overall, the song is a powerful indictment of the mistreatment of soldiers by their own country, and an anthem of resistance and vengeance in the face of injustice.

Line by Line Meaning

You risked your life for this country when you were young
You served in the military, putting your life on the line for your country when you were young

Never questioned orders that they gave
You followed orders without hesitation, trusting in the leadership

Because the love of the Red White and Blue was in your heart
You had a strong sense of patriotism and love for your nation

And I never thought I'd ever see the day, when I'd hear you say
It surprises me to hear you express negative thoughts about our society

Now look at a sick society
Our society is now sick and suffers from problems

Look back in time
Reflect on the past and compare it to the present

Who commits the crime
Who is responsible for the issues and crimes in our society?

You did your time for king and country overseas
You served in the military overseas to protect our nation

Spent years to keep this nation free
You sacrificed years of your life to ensure the freedom of our country

Now you're not allowed to walk the British streets today
Due to societal issues, you are not welcome to freely walk the streets of your own country

Now you're fighting against a foe you cannot see
You are now fighting against an invisible enemy, facing new challenges

When you want to march in a democratic fashion
When you want to peacefully protest and march for democracy

Through the streets of the country that you love
In the streets of your own country that you deeply care about

Then you're struck down by a mob of screaming monkeys
However, you are met with violent opposition from a group of people

Raining in, with bricks from above
Who throw bricks down on you from above

We'll remember the things that you have done
We will always remember your past sacrifices and achievements

Against all odds you would not run
You persevered despite difficult circumstances and did not back down

We'll remember the life you gladly gave
We will always cherish and honor the life you dedicated to your country

Put an English rose upon your grave
Symbolically, we will decorate your final resting place with an English rose

Now you have died whilst fighting for your country
Sadly, you have passed away while fighting for your nation

Fighting against an enemy that's within
You were fighting against an internal enemy

Now I'll make a promise to your memory, Albert Mariner
As a tribute to you, I promise to keep advocating for our country

We'll keep on fighting until we win, yeah, we'll never forget you
We will continue to work towards a better future and never forget your contributions to our nation

Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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