=>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
Streetfight
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reds are gonna lose their power, skinheads gonna call the tune
Pushing through the Red scum, feeling pretty good
The pride of being White men, go for commie blood
Chorus:
All that pent up anger that goes pouring through your head
Alright now!
The time is nearly here, the tension starts to build
Communists all over, Jubilee Gardens are all filled
Reds are pretty worried about the skinheads at the show
Sheep they fly their Red flag, but the skinheads have their own White Power!
(Repeat Chorus)
solo
(Repeat Chorus)
The lyrics to Skrewdriver's "Streetfight" are incredibly violent and deeply disturbing. It opens with a call to arms against the "Red scum", referring to left-wingers and supporters of communism. The song describes a never-ending cycle of violence and conflict between skinheads and communists in the street, with the skinheads coming out on top. The chorus celebrates the prospect of violence, with the band invoking the idea of "pent up anger" that needs an outlet, leading inevitably to a street fight in which the Reds will end up dead.
The song is essentially a white supremacist anthem, glorifying violence against anyone who doesn't fit the band's idea of what a "real man" should be. It's disturbing to think that there are people out there who would listen to this kind of music and take these lyrics seriously, but unfortunately, that's the reality we live in. Skrewdriver has been notorious for their far-right leanings throughout their career, and "Streetfight" is just one example of how dangerous their lyrics and ideology can be.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiting for the weekend, on a left-wing afternoon
Anticipating the weekend amidst a leftist atmosphere
Reds are gonna lose their power, skinheads gonna call the tune
Leftists will lose control to skinheads
Pushing through the Red scum, feeling pretty good
Asserting dominance over leftists and feeling proud
The pride of being White men, go for commie blood
Expressing pride in being white and going after leftists
All that pent up anger that goes pouring through your head
Referring to the feeling of anger built up inside
Streetfight in the city, the Reds are gonna end up dead
Portraying a violent confrontation between skinheads and leftists and the alleged outcome
The time is nearly here, the tension starts to build
Anticipation of a conflict and the building of tension
Communists all over, Jubilee Gardens are all filled
Communists have occupied Jubilee Gardens
Reds are pretty worried about the skinheads at the show
Leftists have fear of skinheads in their gathering
Sheep they fly their Red flag, but the skinheads have their own White Power!
Leftists blindly show allegiance to their flag, whereas skinheads take pride in their white identity
Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@timmymcbee2459
Anything of truth is feared by evil. AWESOME to see this music coming back with a bang when the world could use it more than ever. βοΈ
@MattW30356
Amazing what we're witnessing, Evil is definitely terrified of truth. Sad anything that's labeled RAC is practically blacklisted.
@spanglestein66
Strange that you canβt find their single WHITE POWER online anywhere
@JaymeSplendid
Funny you'd say that on THIS song, as this was released BEFORE Skrewdriver had any political leanings and none of these band members rejoined the group after the split in late 70's. This was before Ian Stuart Donaldson reformed SD and before he ever got involved with the Far Right. And no, he didn't have ANY political views before meeting with the NF which is stated in not only Diamond in the Dust - The Ian Stuart Biography, but also the book "A Memoir"
@scottwelsh6847
Fucking A son!
@scottwelsh6847
@@JaymeSplendidmaybe the only reason he said THAT on THIS song is not being able to listen and comment on the OTHER version,taken down by the mighty YouTube.thought about this,eh?
@joeyrb4509
True working class music., Great band.
@BobGeanis
lol gay
@@AIDSfaggot6
@dreamersdisease2481
Glad to see they have this up. Such an amazing song from a outlawed band.
@vanillamuffinssugaroipunkc2456
what a voice, even me as non political person must respect his incredible voice!