Skrewdriver was an English punk rock and (later) white power skinhead band formed by Ian Stuart Donaldson in Poulton-le-Fylde in 1976. Their original line-up was a non-political punk band, but Skrewdriver evolved into the one of the first neo-Nazi rock bands, playing a leading role in the Rock Against Communism movement and becoming the most prominent white power band in the world.^[1]

Career[link]

Ian Stuart Donaldson, formerly of the cover band Tumbling Dice, formed Skrewdriver after seeing the Sex Pistols in Manchester. Skrewdriver at first sported a punk appearance, but they changed their image to a skinhead look. They also temporarily flirted with a rocker/biker look, around the time they released the EP Built Up Knocked Down.^[2][3] In 1978, Donaldson moved to Manchester, where he recruited guitarist Glenn Jones and drummer Martin Smith. This lineup toured extensively, but certain venues were reluctant to book the band because of their reputation as a violent skinhead band. Performing largely for a skinhead audience, the first versions of the band released one album and two singles on Chiswick Records. This version of the band split in January 1979, but Donaldson resurrected the name Skrewdriver in 1982 using new musicians in a different format.

Although the original band had a minor reputation for attracting violence at their concerts (Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof was reportedly knocked unconscious by a friend of Donaldson who, at a concert, felt Skrewdriver's sound had been sabotaged as the support band),^[4] they did not openly support any political party.^[5] The reformed Skrewdriver eventually became openly supportive of far right white nationalist groups, after a lengthy period of denying such claims.^[6] Although both Skrewdriver and the band Sham 69 had skinhead followings and racist fans early in their careers, Sham 69 denounced racism and performed at Rock Against Racism concerts.^[7][8] Donaldson eventually aligned himself with neo-Nazism, saying: "I would describe myself as a British National Socialist, not a German one, and so don't think I'm at odds with British patriots."^[9]

The band became associated with white nationalist groups such as the National Front and British National Party, raising funds for them (and affiliated organizations) through the White Noise record label. They also released records on Rock-O-Rama, a label that became known for far-right sympathies. Skrewdriver was instrumental in setting up Blood and Honour, a neo-Nazi music promotion network.

Some members of the original Skrewdriver objected strongly to the new direction in which Donaldson took the later band. Roger Armstrong of Chiswick Records said:

It is a shame that the name was dragged through the gutter like that. The other three guys in the band were really pissed off too. Grinny the drummer came from solid northern socialist stock... When they made records for us Ian Stuart showed no signs of fascism. The skinhead image was a — maybe in hindsight misconceived — fashion thing. It was cooked up by a bunch of us, including the band's then-management and the photographer Peter Kodik.^[10]

However, John "Grinny" Grinton later stated in an interview that he had no problem with the new Skrewdriver, and that he became a member of the National Front along with Donaldson.^[11]

Donaldson died on 24 September 1993 following a car crash. His death catalyzed the demise of Skrewdriver, and had a strong impact in the white power rock scene.^[12] John "Grinny" Grinton died from cancer in 2005.

Members[link]

Original line up[link]

• Ian Stuart Donaldson - Vocals, Guitar
• Phil Walmsley - Guitar
• Ron Hartley - Guitar
• Kev McKay - Bass
• John "Grinny" Grinton - drums

Other members[link]

• Glen Jones
• Martin Cross
• Mark French
• Geoff Williams
• Mark Neeson
• Joseph Smith
• Adam Douglas
• Merv Shields
• Murray Holmes
• Dave Wane
• Paul Swain^[13]
• Stiv "Iena" Roda
• Stigger
• John Burnley
• Colin Smith
• Mushy
• Mike French
• Mark Radcliffe^{[14][15][16][17]}
• Andrew Skinner
• Ford Freemantle
• Scott Sullivan
• John Sharkey III
• Ian Plummer
• Steve Brown

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• All Skrewed Up (1977) (Chiswick) (later re-issued as The Early Years w. extra tracks)
• Hail the New Dawn (1984) (Rock-O-Rama)
• Blood & Honour (1985) (Rock-O-Rama)
• White Rider (1987) (Rock-O-Rama)
• After the Fire (1988) (Rock-O-Rama)
• Warlord (1989) (Rock-O-Rama)
• The Strong Survive (1990) (Rock-O-Rama)
• Freedom What Freedom (1992) (Rock-O-Rama)
• Hail Victory (1994) (Asgard Records - A division of Rock-O-Rama)

12" EPs[link]

• Back With A Bang /I Don't Like You (1982) (SKREW1 label)
• Boots & Braces (1987) (previously released tracks) (Rock-O-Rama)
• Voice Of Britain (1987) (previously released tracks) (Rock-O-Rama)

Singles[link]

• "You're So Dumb" / "Better Off Crazy" (1977) (Chiswick)
• "Antisocial" / "Breakdown" (1977) (Chiswick)
• "Street Fight" / "Unbeliever" (1977) (Chiswick - recorded but not released)
• "Built Up, Knocked Down" / "Case of Pride" / "Breakout" (1979) (TJM label)
• "White Power" / "Smash The IRA" / "Shove The Dove" (1983) (White Noise)
• "Voice of Britain" / "Sick Society" (1984) (White Noise)
• "Invasion" / "On The Streets" (1984) (Rock-O-Rama)
• "After The Fire" / "Sweet Home Alabama" (1988) (Street Rock'n'Roll)
• "Land of Ice" / "Retaliate" (1988) (Street Rock'n'Roll)
• "Their Kingdom Will Fall" / "Simple Man" (1989) (Street Rock'n'Roll)
• "The Evil Crept In" / "Glory" (1989) (Street Rock'n'Roll)
• "The Showdown" / "Deep Inside" (1990) (White Pride Records)
• "You're So Dumb" / "The Only One" (1990) (Street Rock'n'Roll)
• "Streetfight" / "Where's It Gonna End" (1990) (Street Rock'n'Roll)
• "Stand Proud" / "Backstabber" (1991) (Street Rock'n'Roll)
• "Warzone" / "Shining Down" (1991) (Street Rock'n'Roll)

Live albums[link]

• Live Marquee (1977)
• We've Got the Power (1987) (Viking) (live) (reissued on CD w. bonus live & demo tracks)
• Live and Kicking (1991) (Rock-O-Rama) (double album)
• Live at Waterloo (1995) (ISD/White Terror) (recorded 12 Sept. 1992)
• This One's For The Skinheads (live, recorded 23 April 1987)
• The Last Gig in Germany (1996)

Radio[link]

• Peel Session (1977)^[18] BBC Radio 1

Songs on compilations[link]

• "When The Boat Comes In" on This Is White Noise (1983) - 7" EP featuring three other bands
• "Boots & Braces" and "Antisocial" on United Skins (1982) - LP by The Last Resort shop
• "Don't Let Them" and "Tearing Down The Wall" on No Surrender (1985) - LP by Rock-O-Rama
• "Land Of Ice", "Free Men" and "The New Boss" on Gods Of War 1 (1987) - LP by Street Rock & Roll
• "Rising" and "We Can't Be Beaten" on Gods Of War 2 (1989) - LP by Street Rock & Roll
• "Antisocial" on The Ugly Truth About Blackpool (2005) - CD by Just Say No To Government Music
• "Night Trains" on 'Ballads of Blood and Honour' (?) - CD by Unknown

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• White Noise: Inside the International Nazi Skinhead Scene. Edited by Nick Lowles and Steve Silver, London 1998. ISBN 0-9522038-3-9
• Skrewdriver The first ten years - The way it's got to be! by Joe Pearce. Skrewdriver Services, London 1987.
• Ian Stuart - His message across to you. Everlasting songs. Excalibur Services, Antwerp 1995.
• Diamond in the Dust - The Ian Stuart Biography. Blood and Honour England, London 2002.
• Nazi Rock Star - Ian Stuart-Skrewdriver Biography by Paul London (a.k.a. Paul Burnley of No Remorse). Midgård, Gothenburg 2002.
• Ian Stuart Donaldson - Memories by Mark Green. PC Records, Chemnitz 2007.

External links[link]

• Skrewdriver.com
• Punk 77 Information about early Skrewdriver
• Skrewdriver Lyrics, Discography and Photos