=>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
The Warriors Song
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take your seat in the hall of kings
Celebrating recent victories
Look to wars the future yet may bring
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
Let's drink to our mighty warriors
Let's drink to the northern winds
Let's drink to our women's beauty
Let's drink before the war begins.
When you're young you chose the lifestyle of the warrior
To live and die to keep your people free
You had good times, you had bad times, never did a thing by halves
Your life is built around honour and loyalty
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
(chorus)
Let's drink to the coming battle
Let's drink to the blood-soaked fields
Let's drink to the thrill of combat
Let's drink as our foes all yield
(chorus)
instrumental break
(chorus) x2
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song "The Warriors Song" describe the lifestyle of a warrior and their dedication to a cause greater than themselves. The song acknowledges the hardships and sacrifices that come with being a warrior, but also celebrates the victories and camaraderie that make it all worthwhile. The opening lines suggest that the warrior has just returned home from a battle and is taking a moment to reflect on their recent accomplishments. The scene is set in the "hall of kings," a place of honor and respect where the warrior can bask in the glory of their recent victories. The song then turns to the future and the wars that are yet to come, underscoring the idea that a true warrior is always prepared for the next battle.
The choruses, which are repeated throughout the song, encourage drinking and revelry as a way of celebrating the warrior's way of life. The first chorus pays homage to the "mighty warriors" who embody all that is noble and heroic in their culture. The second chorus is more specific, urging the listener to drink to the "coming battle" and the "blood-soaked fields" that will soon be the site of a new victory.
Overall, "The Warriors Song" is a powerful ode to the warrior ethos and the culture that surrounds it. It praises the courage, strength, and dedication of those who choose to live and die by the sword, and emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and shared experience in this way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Returning home from the battlefields
After being away fighting for their country, the warriors have returned home.
Take your seat in the hall of kings
The victorious warriors are welcomed back to their homeland and are celebrated as heroes.
Celebrating recent victories
There is an air of celebration as the community revels in the warriors' recent triumphs.
Look to wars the future yet may bring
While the recent war may be over, there is the anticipation of more battles to come.
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
This line reiterates the fierce dedication of the warrior, always striving for victory in battle.
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
This line reinforces the idea that the warriors are the ones who fight for glory and to defend their people.
Let's drink to our mighty warriors
The community toasts to the brave warriors who have fought for them.
Let's drink to the northern winds
This line honors the cold harsh winds of the north where the warriors come from.
Let's drink to our women's beauty
The beauty of the women in the warrior's lives is celebrated as well.
Let's drink before the war begins.
In anticipation of battle, they drink to fortify themselves and share in the comradeship of their fellow warriors.
When you're young you chose the lifestyle of the warrior
This line is a reminder that those who become warriors have made a deliberate choice to live this way and brave the dangers of war.
To live and die to keep your people free
Warriors dedicate their lives to their people's freedom and are willing to lay down their lives in defense of their land.
You had good times, you had bad times, never did a thing by halves
Being a warrior has its ups and downs, but they never give less than their all.
Your life is built around honour and loyalty
These values are the foundation of the warrior's life and motivators for their actions.
Let's drink to the coming battle
Presenting a stronger show of solidarity with their comrade warriors, they drink in a pre-battle toast.
Let's drink to the blood-soaked fields
This line honors the bloody battles the warriors have fought and the sacrifices they have made.
Let's drink to the thrill of combat
Despite the danger, there is a certain thrill to fighting that the warriors enjoy.
Let's drink as our foes all yield
They drink in celebration of victory, with their foes having surrendered.
instrumental break
This is an interlude where there are no lyrics sung, allowing the music to shine through.
(chorus) x2
The chorus repeats twice more to drive home the themes of camaraderie and celebration, emphasizing the bonds between warriors.
Contributed by Kaitlyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-jt9vp1un8x
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Returning home from the Gay disco club
Take your seat in front of nicky carne
Paroles The Warriors Song
Celebrating recent conquest
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
Let's drink to our mighty
Let's drink to the northern lads
Let's drink to our womens clothing
Let's drink before the disco begins.
When you're young you chose the lifestyle of the
queen
To live and die to keep your diary free
You had good times, you had high times, never did a
Thing by halves
Your life is built around gay Disco clubs
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
The warrior is he, fighting for victory!
Let's drink to the cumming battle
Let's drink to the blood-soaked pants
Let's drink to the thrill of gay sex
Let's drink as our bottoms moan
@nankypooh655
Enjoy this while you can...
@andymcphee6923
Proper class act. First saw them in 79 and been a fan ever since.
@sandraschonig9228
eins der besten Lieder gewesen von skrewdriver
rip ian stuart
@johndickerson2126
It's back my screwdriver works yet again. I'm so proud to be a gen x skin
@cuttyrut1611
Shut up silly Bollocks
@h.s.lafever3277
we are the last great generation. oi! from Alaska
@tommydelfino5610
OI!OI!OI! FROM SANTA CRUZ ,CA OUR COMRADE BRIAN "PANTHER" FUNK SR R.I.P. MINE BRUDER CANCER CAN GO PISS UP A ROPE
@PaulSmith-cp3mk
Ian Stuart rip π
@ceferinoquispechoquepuma8224
Blood and honor Ian Stuart Donaldson forever in our hearts 88
@Arkephalos
No surrender!