=>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
We March to Glory
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We know the gods are on our side
No one's gonna halt us, great power we wield
Upon great battle-steeds we ride
For years we have waited, revenge will be sweet
No one's gonna stand against our might
Stand out if you're weak, or fear grips your heart
We march to glory and great victory
We'll drive the enemy down to his knees
Great warriors beside us, all riding abreast
Our battle-shields are gleaming in the sun
Our swords are unsheathed, and thirsty for blood
And eager for the battle that will come
We march to glory and great victory
We'll drive the enemy down to his knees
We march to glory and great victory
We'll drive the enemy down to his knees
As swords clash on shields, and fire fills the air
Our enemy is driven to retreat
Blood stains the earth, they scatter in fear
We know now that we have got them beat
We march to glory and great victory
We'll drive the enemy down to his knees
We march to glory and great victory
We'll drive the enemy down to his knees
The song "We March to Glory" by Skrewdriver is a classic example of the genre of white power music. The lyrics depict a militaristic and aggressive approach to life and conflict, with a focus on the supremacy of those who identify with white power ideology. The lyrics are both confrontational and exclusionary, reflecting a worldview that pits the white race against other racial groups and seeks to establish a white nationalist state.
The first verse of the song describes the willingness of white power adherents to march to their own deaths, certain of the support of the gods and their own strength. The second verse refers to a long-held desire for revenge against anyone who might stand in the way of the white power movement. The third verse emphasizes the importance of strength and courage in the face of fear, highlighting the idea that those who lack “stomach for the fight” are unworthy of respect. The final verse describes a battle scene in which the enemy is defeated and the white power forces are triumphant.
The song as a whole glorifies white power and encourages its adherents to be strong and assertive in pursuit of their vision. It is aimed at a specific audience that shares the band’s white nationalist beliefs, and seeks to inspire that audience to take action in support of these beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
We march in glory, to the jaws of death we ride
We are fearless and ready to face death as we march towards our glorious victory.
We know the gods are on our side
We believe that we have divine support and that the gods are helping us in our fight.
No one's gonna halt us, great power we wield
We are unstoppable and possess great strength to face any obstacle in our way.
Upon great battle-steeds we ride
We ride on powerful horses ready for battle, enhancing our strength and mobility.
For years we have waited, revenge will be sweet
We have been planning and awaiting this moment for a long time and the satisfaction of victory will be so much sweeter.
No one's gonna stand against our might
We are so powerful that no one will dare to confront us in battle.
Stand out if you're weak, or fear grips your heart
If you lack courage, you might as well step aside and not fight with us as it will only bring us down.
If you've not got stomach for the fight
If you are not prepared mentally or emotionally for the battle, then you should reconsider joining us and stay away.
Great warriors beside us, all riding abreast
We stand with other brave warriors who share our goal, and we ride together towards the enemy.
Our battle-shields are gleaming in the sun
Our shields are shining brightly in the sun, showing our commitment towards victory and being a daunting sight for the enemy.
Our swords are unsheathed, and thirsty for blood
We are ready and eager for battle, with our swords drawn and ready to make our enemies bleed.
And eager for the battle that will come
We are raring to go and looking forward to the fight, as it will bring us one step closer to our victory.
As swords clash on shields, and fire fills the air
The sounds of fighting fill the air as swords hit shields, and fire from guns and explosions rage all around us.
Our enemy is driven to retreat
We have the upper hand and are pressing hard, forcing our enemies to flee and retreat from the battle.
Blood stains the earth, they scatter in fear
There is a lot of bloodshed, with our enemies running scared and trying to escape us, staining the ground red.
We know now that we have got them beat
We have won and are victorious, as it is clear that our enemies have been defeated and we have emerged as the stronger party.
We march to glory and great victory
We are marching towards our triumphant victory, with the realization that we are going to emerge as the successful ones.
We'll drive the enemy down to his knees
We will defeat our enemies so convincingly that they will be forced to submit and accept defeat.
Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jackie McAtee
If Edward Norton didn't play that role, the whole movie would have been down the drain and not have the same impact...
what's up
Edward nortan has hate in his heart the way he played that role :) it was amazing
Frsh Mlk
There's only one other actor that would of been perfect for the role of Derek, and that's Elijah Wood.
jackie McAtee
@Legacy Turbo ? ? ? ? ?
Alpha Delta
So the opposite of The Incredible Hulk.
LivanaFaolan
I'm glad Joaquin turned down the role of Derek Vineyard. I don't think he could have pulled it off.
Daron O'Fennell
Lmao I was thinking the same thing
shot forshot
@Love Canis I used to know a lot of skins. (Not racist ones) Some possible genius level, but they all liked to fight and never turned down the opportunity.
Love Canis
@shot forshot Dude, those skinheads have their own personalities besides their violent stereotype. My friend's ex was one of them and he was just like Norton's Vinyard. Phoenix might be good as Joker but I cannot imagine him as Derek Vinyard. Norton was perfectly fit.
Kyle Wagner
@shot forshot he was a cerebral character , Joaquin doesnt play leaders just creeps