=>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
white noise
Skrewdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's my nation, first and last
No one's gonna take our pride away
No one can tell me that we asked for this
To have our land thrown into the abyss
Treason and deceit are the orders of the day
(chorus)
Come on boys, hear the white noise
What you gonna do when it's too late?
Let the stranger control your fate?
Let all our music be taken away?
It's a little weird how it's gone so far
Like a madman at the wheel of a car
No one's gonna know the final date nor day
(chorus)
instrumental break
(chorus)
We know the ones who've brought us to this
The ones who gave our land the deadly kiss
Hidden behind the screens and the daily news
A nation of warriors prepares to die
Beaten by the airwaves and the lies
A maritime nation's final deadly cruise
(chorus)
Control your fate
Before it's too late
Control your fate
Before it's too late
White noise, white noise (to fade)
The song "White Noise" by Skrewdriver is a powerful expression of nationalism and patriotism. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and anger towards the current state of the nation, with the singer feeling that their country is under attack and that their way of life is in danger. The chorus, "Come on boys, hear the white noise," is a call to arms, urging listeners to pay attention to the message of the song and to take action to protect their country.
The line "It's my nation, first and last" emphasizes the importance of national identity, with the singer declaring that their loyalty lies with their country above all else. The phrase "No one's gonna take our pride away" is a defiant statement of resistance against anyone who would seek to diminish their country's accomplishments or denigrate its people. The song also touches on the idea of conspiracy, suggesting that there are powerful forces at work that are trying to destroy the nation from the inside.
Overall, "White Noise" is a powerful and emotionally charged song that speaks to the fears and concerns of those who feel that their country is under threat. It is a call to action, urging listeners to take a stand and do whatever is necessary to protect the nation and preserve its way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Things have got worse as time has passed
Over time, the situation has deteriorated
It's my nation, first and last
I prioritize my own nation above all else
No one's gonna take our pride away
We will not allow our pride to be taken from us
No one can tell me that we asked for this
I reject the notion that we somehow deserve this
To have our land thrown into the abyss
Our land has been ruined
Treason and deceit are the orders of the day
Deception and betrayal are commonplace
Come on boys, hear the white noise
Listen to the message of our movement
What you gonna do when it's too late?
What actions will you take when it's too late?
Let the stranger control your fate?
Do you want outsiders to determine your future?
Let all our music be taken away?
Will we allow our culture to be erased?
It's a little weird how it's gone so far
The situation has escalated strangely
Like a madman at the wheel of a car
The situation is being driven recklessly
No one's gonna know the final date nor day
We cannot predict the end of this crisis
We know the ones who've brought us to this
We are aware of who is responsible for our situation
The ones who gave our land the deadly kiss
Those who have caused our land's destruction
Hidden behind the screens and the daily news
Those who have done us harm are not easily visible
A nation of warriors prepares to die
We are ready to fight for our nation, even if it means death
Beaten by the airwaves and the lies
We are being defeated by propaganda and deception
A maritime nation's final deadly cruise
Our nation's voyage may lead to its doom
Control your fate
Take control of your own future
Before it's too late
Act before it's too late to change the outcome
White noise, white noise (to fade)
Repetition of the chorus as the song fades out
Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Benito
on The Evil Crept In
Wayciss
ELLIOTT.
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
nazis are not very nice icl :/
april
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
Mark are you racist. I won't tell.
april
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
Mark are you okay
ELLIOTT.
on Their Kingdom Will Fall
GANG THEY ARE RACIST PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!! THEY ARE NAZIS SPEAKING ABOUT IMMIGRANTS!!!!!
ELLIOTT.
on The Evil Crept In
THEY ARE BEING RACIST!!!! THEY WERE NEO-NAZIS GANG WTH
PH
on Tearing Down The Wall
This is not a metaphorical wall. It's literally referring to The Berlin Wall that divided Germany at the time.
PH
on Tearing Down The Wall
Hail The New Dawn was the LP. Invasion was the single