Skrewdriver

Skrewdriver were formed in Blackpool in 1976 by Ian Stuart Donaldson after he saw The Sex Pistols in Manchester. The band later changed into a skinhead band and then became one of the first “White Power” bands, playing a leading role in the far-right ‘Rock Against Communism’ movement.

Although the original band had a reputation for attracting violence at their concerts (Bob Geldof was reportedly knocked unconscious by a friend of Donaldson at one concert), they did not openly support any political party.

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 due to their reputation as a skinhead band.

Performing primarily for a skinhead audience, 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.

The reformed Skrewdriver eventually became openly supportive of far-right-wing groups, after a period of denying such claims. Donaldson 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 the National Front and British National Party and raised funds for them (and affiliated organisations) through the White Noise record label. They released records on Rock-O-Rama Records, a record label that became 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 did not like the new direction that Donaldson took the band in. Roger Armstrong of Chiswick Records stated, “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.”

However, John “Grinny” Grinton later stated in an interview that he had no problem with the new Skrewdriver and that he had become a member of the National Front, along with Donaldson.

Ian Donaldson died in a car crash on the A38 on 24 September 1993. A friend and fellow Neo-Nazi, Stephen Lee Flint, died from injuries sustained in the crash the following day.

John “Grinny” Grinton died from cancer in June 2005. Bassist Merv Shields died on 1 January 2022 due to COVID-19 complications.

Ian Stuart Donaldson
Vocals, guitar
Ron Hartley
Guitar
Kev McKay
Bass
John “Grinny” Grinton
Drums
Phil Walmsley
Guitar, bass
Mark French
Bass
Mark Meeson
Guitar
Geoff Williams
Drums
Mark Sutherland
Drums
Scotty
Drums
Adam Douglas
Guitar
Paul Swain
Guitar
Mervyn “Big Merv” Shields
Bass
Martin Cross
Guitar
John Burnley
Drums
Steve “Stigger” Calladine
Guitar
Jon “Smiley” Hickson
Bass
Paul “Mushy” Marshall
Drums