=>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
What Price Freedom
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I care for my nation, and this has took its toll
For I just want to live my life in the manner proud and true
Don't need no interference from the good old boys in blue, and I say...
(chorus)
What price freedom, in this world today?
What price freedom, what am I allowed to say?
Don't care too much for Tories, Labour wants to flood this land
Don't care too much for Liberals, with their wishy-washy plans
I just care for my country, and the people who belong
And 'cause I'm proud to say it, they'll probably ban this song, when I say...
(chorus)
instrumental break
(chorus)
Our banner's not a dollar sign, nor a blood-red rag
Nor a white surrender, but a proud and honest flag
And no one's gonna stop us, from holding it up high
For the honour of our nations, we'll fight until we die, and I said...
(chorus) x2
The lyrics of Skrewdriver's song, "What Price Freedom," address themes of nationalism, independence, and freedom. The singer begins by acknowledging that they do not have much money or care for material possessions, but what they do care for is their nation and its people. This sentiment has come at a cost, as they have likely faced opposition from the police, or "the good old boys in blue," in their pursuit to live their life with pride and authenticity. The chorus asks, "What price freedom, in this world today?" and considers the limitations on what one can say or express without fear of censorship or punishment.
The singer also expresses their political views by saying they do not support the Tory or Labour parties, and criticize the Liberal party for their lack of conviction. What they do care for is their country and the people who belong to it. The singer is proud to express these views, even if it means that the song itself may be banned as a result.
The final verse of the song makes reference to a "proud and honest flag" and a commitment to fight for the honor and independence of their nation until death. The singer's words are a call to action for those who share their beliefs and a challenge to the forces that may oppose them.
Overall, "What Price Freedom" is a song that speaks to the desire for personal liberty and national sovereignty, while also criticizing mainstream political parties and addressing the challenges and obstacles faced by those who seek to express their views freely.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I ain't got much money, don't care too much for gold
I don't have much money and I don't value material things like gold.
But I care for my nation, and this has took its toll
However, I do care deeply about my nation and this has caused some difficulties for me.
For I just want to live my life in the manner proud and true
All I want is to live my life with pride, in a way that is honest and true to my beliefs.
Don't need no interference from the good old boys in blue, and I say...
I don't want the interference of law enforcement, and I won't back down from this stance.
What price freedom, in this world today?
At what cost does freedom come in our world today?
What price freedom, what am I allowed to say?
What kinds of things am I allowed to say in the name of freedom?
Don't care too much for Tories, Labour wants to flood this land
I don't support the Conservative party, and the Labour party wants to allow too many people into our country.
Don't care too much for Liberals, with their wishy-washy plans
I also don't support the Liberal party, as I don't believe in their vague and indecisive policies.
I just care for my country, and the people who belong
My only concern is for my country and the people who are part of it.
And 'cause I'm proud to say it, they'll probably ban this song, when I say...
And because I'm proud to express these views, they may try to ban this song.
Our banner's not a dollar sign, nor a blood-red rag
We don't rally behind symbols of money or bloodshed.
Nor a white surrender, but a proud and honest flag
Our banner is one of pride and honesty, not of submission.
And no one's gonna stop us, from holding it up high
No one can keep us from displaying that banner proudly.
For the honour of our nations, we'll fight until we die, and I said...
We will fight endlessly for the honor of our countries, even if it means our lives.
What price freedom, in this world today?
What price freedom, what am I allowed to say?
This is repeated as the chorus.
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Braner021
Одлично. Поздрав из Србије.
@michaelguy5151
Hello Serbia!From Tampa Florida USA OI OI oi
@olegdanzig4073
Iz Kosovo Serbska or not ??
@saquarenado
Ramones torever
@saquarenado
Ramones forever
@lightdefender4310
@@olegdanzig4073it is
@stuartwilliams3104
Glad to see skins are still alive and kicking
@88hyperman
Of course you fool, the skins will be there forever!!
@EngineersQuest
@@tinac8777 These skins are a stain on true skinhead history.
@JustAGooseman
@@EngineersQuest a true trad would know that skinhead culture isnt about politics. Oi!