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Skrewdriver

For the tool, see Screwdriver.
Skrewdriver
The Skrewdriver Eagle Logo
The Skrewdriver Eagle Logo
Background information
Origin Blackpool, UK
Genre(s) Punk rock
Oi!
Rock Against Communism
Years active 1976-1993
Label(s) Chiswick
Rock-O-Rama
Members
Ian Stuart Donaldson
Phil Walmsley
Ron Hartley
Kev McKay
John "Grinny" Grinton

Skrewdriver was a punk rock band formed in Blackpool in 1976 by Ian Stuart Donaldson. They later changed into a skinhead band and then became one of the first white power rock bands, playing a leading role in the far right Rock Against Communism movement.

Contents

  • 1 Origins
  • 2 Racist reincarnation
  • 3 Members
    • 3.1 Original lineup
    • 3.2 Other members
  • 4 Discography
    • 4.1 Studio albums
    • 4.2 12" EPs
    • 4.3 7" Singles
    • 4.4 Live albums
    • 4.5 Songs on compilations
  • 5 Notes
  • 6 Further reading
  • 7 See also
  • 8 External links

Origins

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. They also temporarily had a rocker/biker look, around time they released the E.P. Built Up Knocked Down. Donaldson had moved to Manchester in 1978, 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 skinhead reputation. This version of the band split up in January 1979 after a gig in Warrington, but Donaldson resurrected the name Skrewdriver in 1982 using new musicians. Performing largely for a skinhead audience, the first versions of the band released one album and two singles on the Chiswick label.

Racist reincarnation

Although the original band had a reputation for attracting violence at their gigs (Bob Geldof was reportedly knocked unconscious at one Skrewdriver gig), they did not openly support any political party. The reformed Skrewdriver eventually became openly supportive of extreme right wing groups, after a period of denying such claims. Frontman Ian Stuart eventually described himself as a neo-Nazi, 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."

The band became associated with groups such as the National Front and British National Party, and raised funds for them (and affiliated organizations) through the White Noise record label. They released records on Rock-O-Rama Records, a record label that is known for far right sympathies. Skrewdriver was instrumental in setting up Blood and Honour, a network of bands promoting militant neo-Nazi ideas through music and concerts.

Some members of the original Skrewdriver were not impressed by the new direction in which Donaldson took the band, as this interview with Roger Armstrong of Chiswick Records illustrates:

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. The teeth on the back of the sleeve are Patti Paladin's of Snatch fame — NY art punk !

However, Grinny, the drummer of the band 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 Ian Stuart.

One of Skrewdriver's songs, "Tomorrow Belongs To Me", which appears on their 1984 album Hail the New Dawn, is a hard rock cover of a song from the play and subsequent film Cabaret. Both of the song's composers, John Kander and Fred Ebb, are Jews.

Members

Original lineup

Other members

Discography

White Rider album featuring a Klansman mounted on a horse
White Rider album featuring a Klansman mounted on a horse

Studio albums

12" EPs

7" Singles

Live albums

Songs on compilations

Notes

  1. http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/skrewdriverdiscography.htm
  2. http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/skrewdriver.htm
  3. http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/skrewdriverinterview.htm
  4. http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/skrewdrivecuttings.htm
  5. http://www.skrewdriver.net/diamond.html
  6. http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/skrewdriver2.htm
  7. http://www.ainaskin.com/interviews/
  8. http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/skrewdrivergrinnyint.htm

Further reading

See also

External links


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