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

Smash the I.R.A
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

On the streets of Ulster, the battle rages on
British people fighting for their land
Fought in two world wars for us, fought and died for Britain
Gotta help them, support the Red Hand

Chorus:
Smash! Smash! The IRA!

Smash! Smash! The IRA!
Smash! Smash! The IRA!
Remember the victims of their bombs

Gotta change our policies and hang the IRA
Let the Army deal with them their way
Corrupt politicians and sniveling left-wing scum
Are quite content to let them get away
Come on Ulster!

(Repeat Chorus)

Solo

(Repeat Chorus)

IRA supporters are marching on our streets
Are we gonna let them spread their lies?
Are we gonna let them march or are we gonna smash them?
Laughing while the British people die
Come on Ulster!

(Repeat Chorus) x2

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Skrewdriver's song "Smash the Ira" essentially glorify the actions of the British people fighting against the IRA in Ulster, and advocate for violence against the IRA. The opening lines describe the ongoing battle in Ulster, and the second line emphasizes that this is a fight for the British people and their land. The next lines are a reminder of the many wars that the British people have fought and died in, including on behalf of Ulster, and therefore the call to action to help support the Red Hand, a symbol of Ulster loyalism.

The chorus is a clear call to action, urging listeners to "smash" the IRA, and is repeated throughout the song. The final line of the chorus is a reminder of the violence perpetrated by the IRA, asking listeners to remember the victims of their bombs. The second verse calls for a change in policy toward the IRA and implies that politicians and left-wing individuals are willing to let them get away with their violent actions. The song ends with a call to action against the IRA, asking if the listeners are going to allow them to continue marching on British streets or if they will "smash them" instead.

Overall, the lyrics are highly politically charged and promote violence against a specific group, the IRA. The song reflects the tensions that existed in Northern Ireland during the time it was written, and the lyrics can be seen as a reflection of the views of some Ulster Loyalists who opposed the IRA.

Line by Line Meaning

On the streets of Ulster, the battle rages on
The ongoing conflict between the British people and the IRA is still taking place in Ulster.

British people fighting for their land
British people are fighting to protect their land from being taken over by the IRA.

Fought in two world wars for us, fought and died for Britain
The British people have fought in two world wars and given their lives for their country, Britain.

Gotta help them, support the Red Hand
It is necessary to provide support to the British people and their symbol, the Red Hand, in order to defeat the IRA.

Smash! Smash! The IRA!
The IRA must be destroyed completely and forcefully.

Remember the victims of their bombs
We must always remember and honor the innocent victims who suffered due to the violent actions of the IRA.

Gotta change our policies and hang the IRA
It is time to make significant policy changes and take action to punish the IRA accordingly, even to the point of capital punishment.

Let the Army deal with them their way
The Army should be given the power and support to use their own methods and tactics to handle the IRA.

Corrupt politicians and sniveling left-wing scum
Politicians who are corrupt and weak-minded individuals who hold left-wing beliefs are content with letting the IRA carry out its attacks without consequence.

Are quite content to let them get away
These politicians and people do not feel the need to take any action against the IRA to stop their violent behavior.

IRA supporters are marching on our streets
People who support the violent actions of the IRA are holding marches on the streets.

Are we gonna let them spread their lies?
It is crucial to stand up against the false propaganda that the IRA supporters are promoting.

Are we gonna let them march or are we gonna smash them?
It is time to decide if we will allow the IRA supporters to continue marching or if we will take forceful action to stop them.

Laughing while the British people die
The IRA and its supporters are showing little empathy or concern for the British people who are killed or injured due to their violent actions.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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