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

Time to Die
Skrewdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Live your life to the full, never say die
Keep on breaking rules up 'til the end
Don't let nobody, tell you what to do
In the end the decision's up to you

Live life, to the full
It'll soon be time to die

There are people high up there, trying to limit you
They believe they can run the people's lives
Don't let them grind you down, bring their towers to the ground
You'll never know if you don't go and try

Live life, to the full
It'll soon be time to die

New day, comin' soon, in time to save our lives
New day, comin' soon, it'll soon be time to die
New day, comin' soon, in time to save our lives
New day, comin' soon, it'll soon be time to die

Live life, to the full
It'll soon be time to die

Overall Meaning

The song Time to Die by Skrewdriver reflects the theme of individualism and self-empowerment. The lyrics express the importance of living your life to the fullest without allowing others to dictate your life's path. The song encourages breaking the rules, taking chances, and not being afraid to try. The lyrics suggest that life is short, and each person should make the most of it before their time on this earth comes to an end. The lyrics also touch on the idea of government and authority figures trying to control people's lives. The song suggests that people should resist being controlled and take action to resist those who attempt to limit their freedom.

The song’s message of defiance and individualism resonated with Skrewdriver's skinhead following. The song was popular with the far-right, who interpreted the lyrics as a call to resist authority and reject mainstream society. This interpretation of the song was diametrically opposed to the original intent of the lyrics, as Skrewdriver's frontman Ian Stuart was a staunch defender of traditionalism and conservatism, but he disapproved of the far-right's extremist agenda.

Line by Line Meaning

Live your life to the full, never say die
Enjoy life without fear of death

Keep on breaking rules up 'til the end
Continue breaking barriers until life ends

Don't let nobody, tell you what to do
Don't let anyone dictate your life choices

In the end the decision's up to you
Ultimately, you have control over your own destiny

There are people high up there, trying to limit you
People in power want to restrict you

They believe they can run the people's lives
Those in power think they can control society

Don't let them grind you down, bring their towers to the ground
Don't let them break you, fight against their control

You'll never know if you don't go and try
You won't know what you're capable of until you try

New day, comin' soon, in time to save our lives
A future, better day is coming that will save us

It'll soon be time to die
Death is inevitable and approaching

Live life, to the full
Enjoy life while you still can