=>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
Unbeliever
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No matter what the vicar say
What you've got is just a bungee
Better just to keep away
So I said Jesus
I don't believe in
Jesus when we're gonna today now
That's the only way
Making people see our problems
Don't let them fade away
So I said Jesus
I don't believe in
Jesus when we're gonna today now
Jesus I don't believe in
Jesus when we're gonna today now
Just cos you've got that big smile
Got no picture unaware
Gotta hit them in where it hurts now
Making folk stop and stare
So we said Jesus
We don't believe in
Jesus when we gonna see that
Jesus ...
Jesus I don't see how
This song "Unbeliever" by Skrewdriver is a rebellious anthem, in which the singer expresses his disbelief in religion, specifically Jesus. The first verse sets the tone of the song, stating that he doesn't believe in Jesus and doesn't care what the vicar thinks. The second verse expresses the singer's belief in violence as a means of creating change and spreading their message. He thinks that violence is more effective in getting people to see their problems than religion.
The chorus repeats the line "Jesus I don't believe in" multiple times, emphasizing the singer's strong stance against religion. He believes that people need to be hit in the places where it hurts in order to make them take notice of issues that need to be addressed. The final line of the chorus, "Jesus I don't see how," is a powerful statement that challenges the idea of a higher power that many people believe in.
The message of the song is clear - religion is not the solution to the problems that society faces. The singer believes that violence and direct action are necessary to bring about change. The song is a call to arms for those who share this belief, urging them to reject religion and take matters into their own hands.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't believe in Jesus
I do not have faith in Jesus Christ
No matter what the vicar say
Despite the words of a religious authority
What you've got is just a bungee
The belief in Jesus Christ is flimsy and unreliable
Better just to keep away
It is preferable to distance oneself from such a belief system
So I said Jesus
An expression of disbelief towards the idea of Jesus Christ
I believe in violence
Violence is the only means to address our issues
That's the only way
No other approach will bring solutions to our problems
Making people see our problems
By using violence, we make it evident that our concerns are of great importance
Don't let them fade away
We cannot allow our problems to be ignored or trivialized
Just cos you've got that big smile
Appearing happy and friendly does not mean you are truly benevolent
Got no picture unaware
There is no genuine understanding of the person's character behind such a smile
Gotta hit them in where it hurts now
We must directly confront and challenge such individuals
Making folk stop and stare
Through confrontation, we make people acknowledge our presence and views
So we said Jesus
Jesus Christ is not relevant to our worldview
We don't believe in
Our lack of faith in Jesus Christ
When we gonna see that Jesus ...
When will people realize that Jesus Christ is not a solution to our problems?
Jesus I don't see how
There is no logical reason to believe in Jesus Christ
Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RebelAnimalMother
I Love your skrewdriver Cover, mate.
Can you make some Streetfight or back With a Bang?
@kevguitarmusic6348
I will see for some Streetfight in the future !!
@lamanche1066
Awesome!
@kevguitarmusic6348
Thank you !!
@GabrielolliverAlmeida
Awesome! Play too Honor zolnierz polnocy brother you have an talent.
@polf3572
good punk rock :-)
@kevguitarmusic6348
Yes it is !!
@trishhines4589
Hey! I was wondering, do you know how the LEAD guitar goes in Built up,Knocked Down? Im fairly new to LEAD guitar. I know the tune is in G, does that mean I can use G Pentatonic? Any help would be very appreciated. Obviously hard to find anything on this song.🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
@kevguitarmusic6348
G pentatonic seems a good start if the tune is in G ... Never forget to use your ears, if it sounds good, it's good !!
@blotsinn8868
Do you know the chords for the bass? Or can you write the guitar chords, thank you mate! great cover