=>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
Their Kingdom Will Fall
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Death and destruction in the morning light
Jail for our fighters, bondage for the strong
They've had their own way for far too long
(chorus)
Their kingdom will fall
Their kingdom will fall
They put the people into debt and slavery
It's not the way a healthy nation should be
They censored what we said, they censored what we thought
But now is the time that we cannot be bought
(chorus)
instrumental break
(chorus)
They tried to put us on a highway to hell
But now we'll wake our people with the toll of the bell
Our land will be ours, our people will be free
Now we're on the road to recovery
(chorus) x2
Skrewdriver's song "Their Kingdom Will Fall" is a politically charged piece that tackles themes of oppression, resistance, and the eventual downfall of oppressive regimes. It starts by describing the violent and destructive tactics of those in power who have had their way for far too long. The lyrics suggest they've been able to do so by putting fighters in jail and keeping the stronger ones in bondage.
The chorus is a fitting response to such tactics, as it repeatedly proclaims, "Their kingdom will fall." The second verse delves deeper into their oppressive methods, highlighting how they've managed to enslave people through debt and censorship. Despite their efforts to control the people, the lyrics state that it's now time for change and that they cannot be bought.
The instrumental break serves as a moment of reflection before the final chorus, which intensifies with every repetition, emphasizing that their kingdom will indeed fall. The song ends on a hopeful note, assuring the listener that their people will soon be free and that they're on the road to recovery.
Line by Line Meaning
They came upon our people in the dead of the night
They attacked our community during the night, catching us off guard.
Death and destruction in the morning light
They caused a lot of damage and harm to us in the morning when the sun came out.
Jail for our fighters, bondage for the strong
They imprisoned and enslaved our bravest people, those who stood up against them.
They've had their own way for far too long
They've been in power unchecked for an extended period of time without facing any repercussions.
Their kingdom will fall
Their regime will eventually crumble and fail.
They put the people into debt and slavery
They made us indebted and enslaved us to their system.
It's not the way a healthy nation should be
This is not the model for a thriving, prosperous community.
They censored what we said, they censored what we thought
They censored our speech and even our thoughts, limiting our expressions and our liberties.
But now is the time that we cannot be bought
We won't accept bribes or be swayed by their manipulative tactics anymore.
They tried to put us on a highway to hell
They tried to lead us down the path of destruction and misfortune.
But now we'll wake our people with the toll of the bell
Now we'll awaken our compatriots with the call to action.
Our land will be ours, our people will be free
We'll reclaim our territory and our independence.
Now we're on the road to recovery
We've started on the path to healing and restoring our community.
Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ELLIOTT.
nazis are not very nice icl :/
april
Mark are you racist. I won't tell.
april
Mark are you okay
ELLIOTT.
GANG THEY ARE RACIST PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!! THEY ARE NAZIS SPEAKING ABOUT IMMIGRANTS!!!!!
@Tattoosurferkiller910
Fantastic track...