=>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 Way It's Got To Be
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sheep they'll try and drag you down with their aggression and their lies
Your life is just a struggle 'cause you're proud of your contry
But you just keep on fighting, that's the way it's gotta be
People try and put you down and stamp you to the ground
They don't seem to realize there's no way you'll back down
'cause we'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's gotta be
Solo
We'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's gotta be.
They'll always put the blame on you and tell the public lies
But we'll be here a long long time 'cause the spirit never dies
We'll speak our minds, we'll fly our flags, we'll fight for victory
We'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's got to be
Yeah, we'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's got to be
I say, we'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's got to be
The Skrewdriver's song "The Way It's Got To Be" is a triumphant anthem for pride and resilience against detractors, particularly in the context of nationalist pride. The lyrics encourage the listener to hold their head up high and be proud of their country, despite being met with aggression and lies from others, who act like sheep. The lyrics suggest that one's life is a constant struggle to continue fighting for their beliefs.
The song carries a message of unwavering strength in the face of external pressure. The singer declares that even when others try to put you down, there is nothing they can do to stop "you and me" from fighting back. The chorus amplifies this message, stating that they will continue fighting because it's just the way it's got to be.
The message of the song is somewhat amplified by its history, given that Skrewdriver was known for their far-right nationalism, unfortunately attracting a following from white supremacists. Some argue, however, that the band's earlier releases (before they became associated with skinhead subculture) didn't have any explicit racial or xenophobic links and the song "The Way It's Got To Be" can be seen from a positive patriotic angle.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk around the city and you hold your head up high
Even though there are people who hate us, we will remain proud of who and what we are.
The sheep they'll try and drag you down with their aggression and their lies
Those who do not agree with us will use aggressive and deceitful tactics to try and bring us down.
Your life is just a struggle 'cause you're proud of your country
Being proud of your country may cause difficulties but the struggle is worth it.
But you just keep on fighting, that's the way it's gotta be
Despite the struggles, fighting for what we believe in and what we love is the only way to live.
People try and put you down and stamp you to the ground
There will always be those who try to suppress us and keep us from being heard.
They don't seem to realize there's no way you'll back down
We will not give up on our beliefs, even in the face of adversity.
There is nothing they can do to step on you and me
No matter what they do, we will persevere and continue to fight.
'cause we'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's gotta be
Our unwavering dedication to our cause is the only way forward.
They'll always put the blame on you and tell the public lies
Those who oppose us will attempt to defame us and spread false information about us.
But we'll be here a long long time 'cause the spirit never dies
Our spirit and beliefs will continue to endure, regardless of what others may say or do.
We'll speak our minds, we'll fly our flags, we'll fight for victory
We will not remain silent and will express our beliefs openly and proudly, always striving for success.
We'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's got to be
No matter what happens, we will continue to struggle for our cause.
Yeah, we'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's got to be
Our dedication and determination cannot be extinguished; we will never give up.
I say, we'll just keep on fighting, that's the way it's got to be
Repeated reaffirmation of our values and unwavering commitment to our cause will see us through to victory.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@milliken603
Skrewdriver is a time machine for me. The only thing different now is this old man that's taken over my face in the mirror.... .oi oi oi
@danielrieker4862
bought right brother
@kookadams85
Skrewdriver 77-85 was killer!
@pariahthistledown540
'87 was called "Summer of Hate" in US...I shaved my friend, Jeff's head ...in South Carolina 1990...and he traded his leather and combats for a flight and some OxBlood Docs. I remained Deathrock, lol...but i bought alot of Trad OI records at the shop, cuz i dig OI! Jeff either grew up, is dead, or in prison. Anyone who went full Hammerskin, that i know, is either grown up, dead, or in prison. Some WP kids are out...covered in WP ink, and finding adjustment VERY hard. Silly fekkers ought have listened to me, and others, but so be it. Trad 4evr!
@sd-nq4yz
Yeah.. not all of us..
@kookadams85
@@pariahthistledown540 nationalist is more trad than "sh.arp" could ever hope to be. I ain't a skin , jus' a wood but anyone who sympathizes for the left has No credibility or honour. 🇱🇷
@martinheidegger1125
It wasn't just listening to Skrewdriver, Oi, ska and hardcore all alone that made you a skin but it was your friends (your crew) that made the scene in your particular area that made us all a force to be reckoned.
@pariahthistledown540
LOL! I am an aged Deathrocker...with VERY good taste in Oi! Unt,....La Politica, es Venneno! Believe it!
@martinheidegger1125
@@pariahthistledown540 no digo que la politica era bueno pero la junta tenia fuerza.
@williamgregg8062
I was listening to no doubt before skrewdriver