=>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
Suddenly
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When certain thoughts are now a crime
Power flows through an evil pen
And freedom's light in growing dim
(chorus)
One day if suddenly, I'm forced to take my leave
Will you still carry on, with the things that we believe?
Will you still be fighting to win a bright new day?
The people who've stood against us
They seem to be above the law
With the power to listen into private moments in our lives
And the power to come kick down your door
(chorus)
Our strength has come from ideals many years' old
A strength that has survived within our blood
A strength our foe has recognised, and sworn to drag it down
He wants to drag our people through the mud
(chorus) x2
The Skrewdriver song Suddenly is a reflection on the current state of society and the oppressive governments that seem to have power. The lyrics suggest that we live in changing times where certain thoughts are now considered a crime. The government has power that flows through an evil pen which dampens the freedom's light that is growing dim. The chorus questions whether people will still carry on fighting for their beliefs in case the artist suddenly gets forced to take his leave or gets killed - proving that the artist feels that they are under threat from the government.
The song goes on to describe the people who have stood against them, that they seem to be above the law, and they have the power to listen to their private moments and kick down their doors. Despite this, the strength of the people has come from ideals that have been passed down over many years. These ideals have been recognized by their enemies who are trying to drag them down and tarnish their name. The people have to continue fighting to win a bright new day despite the challenges they face.
Line by Line Meaning
We live in changing times
The present is changing and different from the past.
When certain thoughts are now a crime
There are some ideas that are no longer accepted and can get you punished.
Power flows through an evil pen
The written word has the power to control and influence people, possibly in a negative way.
And freedom's light in growing dim
The freedom which we have been nurturing is slowly disappearing.
One day if suddenly, I'm forced to take my leave
If I leave this world without warning,
Will you still carry on, with the things that we believe?
Will you continue with the principles and values we hold dear?
One day if suddenly, they take my life away
If someone kills me without warning,
Will you still be fighting to win a bright new day?
Will you still be working towards a better future?
The people who've stood against us
The people who have opposed us,
They seem to be above the law
They appear to act without any consequences, as if they are not bound by the laws of the land.
With the power to listen into private moments in our lives
They have the capability to eavesdrop on our personal conversations and actions.
And the power to come kick down your door
They have the ability to forcefully enter our homes.
Our strength has come from ideals many years' old
Our strength comes from principles which were established many years ago.
A strength that has survived within our blood
This strength runs through our veins and has been passed down from generation to generation.
A strength our foe has recognised, and sworn to drag it down
Our enemy has identified this strength and is determined to extinguish it.
He wants to drag our people through the mud
He wants to bring shame and dishonor to our people.
Contributed by Violet N. 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