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
=>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
The New Boss
Skrewdriver Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Skrewdriver:
19th Nervous Breakdown (adapted from The Rolling Stones) You're the kind of pers…
9 Till 5 Another Monday morning, another day Come Friday evening, whe…
A Case of Pride You're wondering how you'll make it through the day Pack you…
A Time Of Change Times are changing, everywhere Our flags are raising, the ti…
After the Fire The fires raged for many years, it was a time…
Alabama Sweet wheels keep on turning, carry me home to my…
An-ti-so-cial I don't like papers, reading books Getting sick, think it s…
Antisocial I don't like papers, reading books Getting sick, think it su…
As Life Bleeds Away Out there on the fields, where battles are fought There lie…
Back Street Kids Backstreet kids, no future in sight Backstreet kids, can't s…
Back With a Bang Back with a bang now! Do you remember in summer back…
Backstabber In every town, every neighbourhood You'll always meet one, …
Backstreet Kids Backstreet kids, no future in sight Backstreet kids, can't s…
Before The Night Falls They come here to this country from the jungles and…
Behind Blue Eyes No one knows what it's like To be the bad man To…
Behind the Bars Lying in the cell, lookin through the bars Lookin at the…
Better of Crazy I don't wanna be no office boy I wanna hold my…
Better Off Crazy I don't wanna be no office boy I wanna hold my…
Blood To dream of freedom in this world Our banners flying proudly…
Blood of the Kings It's in our minds as we take the stage The memories…
Boots Trying to figure out just what to do Wonder what the…
Breakdown You're the kind of person You meet at certain Dismal dull …
Breakout Well I left the rain city for the smoky south, No…
Built Up / Knocked Down The summer was coming, I was out in the fields Well…
Built Up Knocked Down The summer was coming, I was out in the fields Well…
Built up Knocked Down (live'87) The summer was coming, I was out in the fields Well…
Confusion All the counselors, in Blackpool With their poxy cars, can j…
Deep Inside Once he stood upon a hill And looked down on our…
Diamonds in the Dust You stand out from the crowd With the love for your…
Don't Be Too Late Don' be too late, don't miss the train We gotta get…
Don't Let Them Pull You Down You're walking 'round the street And a van slows down They p…
Don't Need Our Love Well I know what I want But baby you do too Well…
Dont Let Them Pull You Down You're walking 'round the street And a van slows down They p…
Europe Awake Europe what have they got to do to make you…
European Battle Song Raise aloft the standards, our ideals march before us Join …
European Dream Hey brother across the sea, what future for you and…
Excalibur It derived from the time of legends Came merlin to put…
Eyes Full Of Rage One day you'll wake up to find They've taken possession of…
Flying The Flag We live on the streets now, we fight for our…
Fools No More Gloom in the trenches, fire in the sky You wait for…
Forty Six Years Eighty-seven was his final year Nearly five decades through…
Free My Land I stand and watch my country today It's so easy…
Friday FRIDAY NIGHT What a time we had on Friday night…
From the Land I stand and watch my country today It's so easy to…
Glory Deutschland erwache! It took us twelve hours since the jou…
God of Thunder Panic spreads, misery Lot of people live in poverty Declin…
Gotta Be Young Nothing to do again Such a boring day Sweet FA, what a…
Governement Action What a drag, what a waste of time Want more money…
Green Fields Of France Well, how do you do young Willie McBride? Do you mind…
Hail and Thunder Despite the heavy load, that on our shoulders goes We march…
Hail the New Dawn Comrades, the voices of the dead battalions, Of those who…
Hail Victory Hail victory They keep coming back but we won't go away…
Here Comes A Commie He looks to the east, he worships the beast Nothing but…
House of Treason I'm just a politician, I do it all for you…
I Never reckoned much to mixing People always mess me 'round A…
I Can See the Fire I can see the glint of belief shining in your…
I Don Well I know what I want But baby you do too Well…
I Don't Like You 1-2-3-4 I don't like you! Get out on the job in…
I Don't Need Your Love Well I know what I want But baby you do too Well…
I Dont Like You 1-2-3-4 I don't like you! Get out on the job in…
I Know What I Want I've been sitting 'round here waiting for somebody's call I …
I'm a Free Man Times are hard and times will get much harder For the…
If there Walking down the street, avoiding the cops With size ten boo…
In the Ghetto As the snow fell, on a cold and grey Chicago…
In the Wasteland The warrior fought the battle, out on the battlefield Too l…
Intro: Hail Victory Hail victory They keep coming back but we won't go away…
Intro: Mother Europe's Son We are Mother Europe's sons And we are the chosen ones We…
Invasion They came across the border in the middle of the…
Jailbait Long blond hair, looks so good Temptation, think I should …
Johnny Joined the Klan Way down in Louisiana close to New Orleans Way back up…
Justice My knees feel weak as I'm dragged from the dock My…
Land of Ice Talking bout a land that is made of ice A land…
Land On Fire Summer time, rising crime, the lands on fire The riots star…
Mean Streets It's not easy outside, looking in Never being part of thing…
Mist On the Downs In shrouded forests, in England's leafy dales An air of mys…
Mother Europe Many people, of a kind, Mother Europe's sons Faced so many…
Mr Nine to Five It's 8 a.m. and your day has nearly started You must…
Needle Man He's the kind of man who sticks his job for…
New Nation The cattle are lowing, the vultures are crowing The traitor…
Night Trains NIGHT TRAINS Night trains, filling up, on a railway statio…
Oh No Here Comes A... He looks to the east, he worships the beast Nothing but…
Old Albion The scent of an English meadow wafts gently through the…
On the Streets It's not easy outside, looking in Never being part of things…
One Fine Day Daily papers, black headlines, won't you tell us all the…
One in a Million Into battle, a fearless man Been around since the struggle …
One Land Once a mighty nation, split asunder A calm blue sky, beset…
One Land (Re-Unification) Once a mighty nation, split asunder A calm blue sky, beset…
Open Up Your Eyes Open up your eyes You are in for such a…
Our Pride Is Our Loyalty This is our land, the European man So where are…
Out In The Cold Out in the cold Out in the cold now The powers say…
Paranoid Finished with my woman 'cause she could not help me…
Pennies From Heaven Walking 'round the streets, one place to another I feel like…
Poland You over-run my country, with your blood and steel Never…
Power From Profit It's time to face the music, we've let our country…
Pride Is Our Loyalty This is our land, the European man So where are…
Pride Of A Nation The flags are raised in glory, before the battle starts Tim…
Prisoner Of Peace He stuck up for his country, but he didn't like…
Race and Nation I believe in the White race A race apart, we've got…
Red Flags Are Burning Red flags, may day, there's got to be a better…
Renegade You've been lying, for far too long You're just another sna…
Retaliate The petrol bombs are flying, the people lock their doors We…
Return to Camelot Got a phone call, Veneto An invitation to play a show To…
Rising We remember things that have been said From the fire that…
Searching I never stop looking I'm gonna have more now Wish someone co…
Shining Down Can you tell me why, so many days? Spent in the…
Shove the Dove Don't wanna talk about the government peace, It's just anoth…
Sick Society You risked your life for this country when you were…
Simple Man My mother told me, when I was young Come sit…
Skinhead Pulling on the boots and tightening up the laces? Shaving t…
Skrew You Hey you up there in your office Hiding in your private…
Skrewdriver-Sweet home alabama Sweet wheels keep on turning, carry me home to my…
Smash the I.R.A On the streets of Ulster, the battle rages on British people…
Snow Fell He sat in a room In a square of the…
Soar Aloft The country's rugged heathland See the nation's sea and san…
Soldier Of Freedom I don't fight for the money, don't fight for blood I'm…
Stand Proud I get a feeling, despite the double-dealing Someone's tryin…
Stolz Du hast ein Gefühl, das in deinem Herzen ist (You have…
Streetfight Waiting for the weekend, on a left-wing afternoon Reds are …
Streetfight (live'87) Waiting for the weekend, on a left-wing afternoon Reds are g…
Strike Force I want to tell you about South Africa, and the…
Suddenly We live in changing times When certain thoughts are now a…
Sweet Home Alabama Sweet wheels keep on turning, carry me home to my…
Tearing Down the Wall It's been a long wait now, 1945 Lot of people've paid…
The Evil Crept In They've done it all behind our backs Took advantage of the…
The Jewel In The Sea You're walking along a wind-swept seafront with the cold nor…
The Only One Never reckoned much to mixing People always mess me 'round A…
The Road to Valhalla There is a road and it leads to Valhalla where only…
The Showdown Look to the future, outlaw The storm is coming now, race…
The Snow Fell He sat in a room In a square of the…
The Strong Survive When we make a stand they try to knock us…
The Voice Of Britain Walking 'round streets, hand-in-hand with fear No-one can te…
The Warriors Song Returning home from the battlefields Take your seat in the …
The Way It Walk around the city and you hold your head up…
Their Kingdom Will Fall They came upon our people in the dead of the…
This Feeling Got feelings, inside Deep feelings, they won't die This fe…
This Little Piggy this little piggy went to the market, this little piggy to…
Thunder in the Cities THUNDER IN THE CITIES We see corruption at all…
Time to Die Live your life to the full, never say die Keep on…
Tomorrow Belongs to Me The sun on the meadow is summery warm The stag…
Tomorrow Is Always Too Late You tell me what you'd like to do, but I…
Unbeliever I don't believe in Jesus No matter what the vicar say What…
United Look around, they're moving in Move around, when they begin…
Vampire So many lies, until the day he died They say he…
Voice in Britain Walking 'round streets, hand-in-hand with fear No-one can te…
Voice of Evil Crime in the classroom, spouting forth from some Red mouth …
Warlord No one's ever gonna take away his land Not whilst…
Warzone Damp pavements, street lights She was born to stand and fig…
We Don We got new faces We got somethin' new Yeah we're all strange…
We Fight For Freedom Out of the smoke, our blood stained battalions fly We charg…
We March to Glory We march in glory, to the jaws of death we…
What Price Freedom Well I ain't got much money, don't care too much…
When The Boat Comes In Take no shit from anyone 'cos Great Britain rules We fight…
When the North Wind Blows For far too long, we've let our enemies knock us…
When the Snow fell He sat in a room In a square of the…
When the Storm Breaks Democracy won't stand the test of time Unemployment and a r…
and many more tracks by Skrewdriver.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
GIAMPO
FRIDAY NIGHT
What a time we had on Friday night
What a bird you went with, what a sight
And you made excuses for her face
With the usual drinks on the Friday night
Gotta get a girl 'cos time is tight
But the world looks different today
(chorus)
Friday, pay day, good night, I'll say
Friday, a good night
Friday, is all right
Wake up on a Saturday, wonder what's your fate
Gotta face the trial from your mates
But for that you didn't really care
Said you'd see her again, what have you done
When you see her face you just want to run
Reckon you're on fruit juice from now on
(chorus)
(chorus 2)
Friday, Friday night now
Friday, Friday night now
Friday, Friday night now
Friday, Friday night now!
(chorus)
(chorus 2)
Goin' out on Friday, pickin' up your raise
Gonna hit the pub, you've had a real hard day
Forgotten what you did last week
Get into the pub order up a drink
Feeling better now you get a second one
Action replay's in the cards again
(chorus)
Matt Sheezy
Outstanding songwriting, & vocals 👍
DAN KOMOROWSKI
Man. This takes me back... Standing around a half barrel of beer, passing the spliff...
I can almost smell the hairspray and spraypaint🍺🍺🍺
Hot Coffeemod
"Ian Stuart Donaldson was by far one of the most homoerotic acts of my day, funny to see him wearing our t-shirt" - Lemmy Kilmister
rouker1
Just a great musician
Mister Knister
What a great Songwriter! Begnadet !!! so sad he's gone😔✌🏼
Irina Yudina
The best punk band. The best skinhead band. The best oi band. The best rock band. Skrewdriver.
Rackatoowie
Yes
Rackatoowie
Oioi oi to that
GIAMPO
FRIDAY NIGHT
What a time we had on Friday night
What a bird you went with, what a sight
And you made excuses for her face
With the usual drinks on the Friday night
Gotta get a girl 'cos time is tight
But the world looks different today
(chorus)
Friday, pay day, good night, I'll say
Friday, a good night
Friday, is all right
Wake up on a Saturday, wonder what's your fate
Gotta face the trial from your mates
But for that you didn't really care
Said you'd see her again, what have you done
When you see her face you just want to run
Reckon you're on fruit juice from now on
(chorus)
(chorus 2)
Friday, Friday night now
Friday, Friday night now
Friday, Friday night now
Friday, Friday night now!
(chorus)
(chorus 2)
Goin' out on Friday, pickin' up your raise
Gonna hit the pub, you've had a real hard day
Forgotten what you did last week
Get into the pub order up a drink
Feeling better now you get a second one
Action replay's in the cards again
(chorus)
Shorty Staton
The greatest songwriter ever.