=>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
Where's It Gonna End
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't need transport, don't travel far
I don't need friendships, I don't need foes
It's just the thing now, the way it goes
But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night
From the fade in the day 'til the black and the gray of the night
I make a living, it's just the same
Got no more money, ??????????
My life's ??????????????????
But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night
From the fade in the day 'til the black and the gray of the night
I'd like to know where it's gonna end
Push me one way, and I won't bend
But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night
From the fade in the day 'til the black and the gray of the night
[Instrumental Break]
But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night
From the fade in the day 'til the black and the gray of the night
But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night
From the fade in the day 'til the black and the gray of the night
The lyrics of "Where's It Gonna End" by Skrewdriver can be interpreted in a few ways. There's a sense of resignation to a difficult life that's present in the lyrics, as the singer admits to not having much money, not owning a car, and not having many friends. However, the singer mentions that they make a living and have a love for performing on stage, suggesting that despite difficulties, they have found a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their work. The repeated line "But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night, from the fade in the day 'til the black and the gray of the night" serves as a sort of mantra for the singer, reaffirming their passion for music and their commitment to their craft.
The lines "I'd like to know where it's gonna end, push me one way, and I won't bend" suggest a sense of uncertainty or anxiety about the future, as well as a determination to stay true to oneself regardless of outside pressures or influences. This could be interpreted as a statement of resilience and defiance in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Where's It Gonna End" presents a complex and nuanced portrayal of a life that's defined by a love for music and performing, as well as the challenges and uncertainties that come with pursuing a career in the arts.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't got much money, ain't got no car
I don't have a lot of money, and I don't own a car
I don't need transport, don't travel far
I don't require transportation since I don't travel much
I don't need friendships, I don't need foes
I don't require friends or enemies in my life
It's just the thing now, the way it goes
This is how it is, and there's nothing to be done about it
But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night
What I love doing the most is performing on stage every night
From the fade in the day 'til the black and the gray of the night
From the start of the day until late at night after the sun has set
I don't need stardom, I don't need fame
I don't need to be famous or a star
I make a living, it's just the same
I earn a living, but it's nothing special
Got no more money, ???? ?????????
I don't have any more money
My life's ???????????????????
My life is just average, there's nothing remarkable about it
I'd like to know where it's gonna end
I would like to know how all of this will eventually conclude
Push me one way, and I won't bend
I won't back down, no matter what obstacles I face
Contributed by Olivia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andy McAlister
Ain’t got much money
Ain’t got no car
Don’t need no transport
Don’t travel far
Don’t have no friendships
Don’t know no foes
It’s just the thing now
The way it goes
But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night
From the fade of the day
To the black and the grey of the night
Don’t need no stardom
Don’t need no fame
I make a living
It’s just the same
Don’t need much money
Just food and keep
My house is open
My stage is sleek
But the thing that I love…
I like to know where’s it gonna end
Push me one way but I won’t bend
But the thing that I love is to play on the stage every night
From the fade of the day til the black and the Grey of the nightthe night
Repeat chorus
dustbinbroom
This whole album is a punk rock treasure, an archived article of a time and place. Also it just kicks ass...
chevy vett
We're keeping the magic alive for you Ian greetings from Florida USA
Greg Mercil
I definitely don’t agree with their politics, but damn does this band have some great tunes.
King Ozzy
Yeah man!!
Brad
Were just another punk band when this album was released 🤷🏻♂️
MARKXXIX
Du... Du hast... Du hast mich
Paul Smith
What a record Ian Stuart rip 🙏 🪦
jocc07
i dont get why youtube banned all songs from this album.
Anthony F. Vega
I like it all the rockabilly he did in the klansman with demon teds
King Ozzy
I'll work on adding more. Didn't know it was the whole album rip