=>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
Voice of Evil
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some call it a teacher, they'll try to tell you that north is south
They're making up stories
Tell you that fighting for your land is wrong
Then want us all weak now
They're not doing their job if you are strong
(chorus)
Stand up and be strong
Ignore the voice of evil
'Cos you're right and they're wrong
They never stop trying, to make you feel bad
Ashamed is how they want you, for the things your country's had
They say self-defence is evil
They tell you should take it all
Losing is good now
What a load of bull, I say stuff 'em all
(chorus)
instrumental break
(chorus)
They say all men are equal, there's no difference at all
Well who's it that lives in mud huts, yeah while others live in halls?
Yeah do we run 'round with spears?
Do we eat other men?
Are we a gang of bankers?
But the teacher says we're just the same as them
(chorus) x2
The lyrics to Skrewdriver's "Voice of Evil" convey a message of resistance and defiance against those who seek to manipulate and control the masses through false information and propaganda. The song speaks to the dangers of blindly following authority figures who try to convince us that right is wrong, and wrong is right. The reference to "crime in the classroom" implies that these lies and distortions are being taught to us by those who are supposed to be educating us, further emphasizing the insidious nature of this type of manipulation.
The lyrics also highlight the importance of resisting this "voice of evil", of standing up for what we believe in and refusing to be swayed by those who seek to control us. Whether it be in politics or personal beliefs, we must remain vigilant and steadfast in our convictions, even in the face of opposition and scorn.
In essence, "Voice of Evil" is a call to action, encouraging us to be strong and true to ourselves, and to resist the forces that try to shape us into something we are not.
Line by Line Meaning
Crime in the classroom, spouting forth from some Red mouth
The teacher is spreading communist propaganda in the classroom
Some call it a teacher, they'll try to tell you that north is south
The teacher is lying and distorting the truth
They're making up stories
The teacher is fabricating false information to push their agenda
Tell you that fighting for your land is wrong
The teacher is advocating against defending one's country
Then want us all weak now
The teacher is trying to weaken the students and make them subservient
They're not doing their job if you are strong
The teacher's job is to teach, not indoctrinate students with political beliefs
Ignore the voice of evil
The song urges listeners to reject the teacher's communist propaganda
Stand up and be strong
The song encourages listeners to be strong and resist the teacher's influence
'Cos you're right and they're wrong
The students are in the right and the teacher is wrong for spreading false information
They never stop trying, to make you feel bad
The teacher is attempting to shame the students for their country's past actions
Ashamed is how they want you, for the things your country's had
The teacher wants the students to feel guilty and embarrassed for their country's history
They say self-defence is evil
The teacher is against the idea of self-defense
They tell you should take it all
The teacher wants the students to be passive and accept everything without question
Losing is good now
The teacher is advocating for complacency and a defeatist attitude
What a load of bull, I say stuff 'em all
The song rejects the teacher's ideology and encourages listeners to stand up for themselves
They say all men are equal, there's no difference at all
The teacher is pushing for an unrealistic and ideologically-driven belief in universal equality
Well who's it that lives in mud huts, yeah while others live in halls?
There are clear differences and inequalities between people and societies
Yeah do we run 'round with spears?
The song challenges the idea that all cultures and societies are the same
Do we eat other men?
The song emphasizes the absurdity of promoting universal equality despite obvious cultural differences
Are we a gang of bankers?
The song rejects the notion that all people and societies have the same opportunities and access to resources
But the teacher says we're just the same as them
The teacher's misguided belief in universal equality ignores the complexity and diversity of human societies
Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@noskinsx_cz
you are in better place Ian... Your songs are still the best and truthful. Your songs predict today's times
@strangerdanger7945
🎱🎱 rest in peace brother 💪🏻💪🏻
@PaulSmith-cp3mk
Great artist Ian Stuart rip
@Muzicand-ir2cg
I used to love Skrewdrivers first album, and others I liked cos the music was better - this album I liked but didnt exactly agree with Ians views.....but I didnt think Id come to the point to saqy that he predicted it all and was right about it all even if he didnt think it would go this sick sick way