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 line-up
toured extensively, but certain venues were reluctant to book the
band because of their reputation as a skinhead band.
Performing largely 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
organizations) 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 in which Donaldson took the band. 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 became a member of the National Front along with
Donaldson.
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