Klasse Kriminale
Punk · IT · Active since 1985

Klasse Kriminale

Gritty Italian street punk fused with soulful ska rhythms. Anthemic, working-class music for the front lines and the pub floor alike.

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Intro

Klasse Kriminale delivers a high-octane blend of traditional Oi! and the rhythmic bounce of 2nd-wave ska. Their sound is defined by a raw, unpolished energy that feels like a live performance even in the studio. You'll hear the aggressive, distorted guitar riffs typical of street punk, but they are frequently punctuated by the upbeat, skanking guitar strokes and occasional brass that signal their deep love for The Specials and The Selecter. It is music that is fundamentally communal, designed for the collective experience of the crowd.

What truly sets them apart is their Mediterranean perspective on a traditionally British genre. While they share the sonic DNA of bands like Sham 69 or Angelic Upstarts, Klasse Kriminale injects a specific Italian urgency and melodic sensibility into the mix. Their vocals are gravelly and passionate, often giving way to massive gang-vocal choruses that invite the listener to join in. They manage to balance the 'rough and ready' aesthetic of the skinhead subculture with a sophisticated political consciousness and a genuine sense of soul.

For those new to the band, Faccia a faccia is the essential entry point. It captures the band at their peak of melodic aggression, showcasing their ability to write hooks that stick in your head long after the record stops. It is the perfect soundtrack for anyone who values music as a tool for social unity and a celebration of street-level identity.

Klasse Kriminale is an Italian punk rock band founded in the Liguria region of Italy in 1985. Their sound is a fusion of Oi!, punk, ska and reggae. Their lyrics discuss social issues such as work, unemployment, drugs, media, street life, and generational gaps. Their influences include The Clash, Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts and The Specials. In 1988, after some line-up changes, Klasse Kriminale recorded their first single. In 1989, they recorded their debut album, Ci Incotreremo Ancora Un Giorno. They have played concerts in Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, France, Czech Republic, Canada, and the United States. They have played at anti-racist and anti-fascist events, and at European festivals such as Holidays In The Sun, the Monte Paradiso Belgian Oi! festival, Punk & Disorderly in Berlin, and Rude Boys & Girls UnityAnti-Racist festival in Geneva (Switzerland). The band's lead singer, Marco, created the fanzine Kriminal Class and has produced the compilation albums Oi! It's A World League, Oi! Against Silvio, Oi! Against Racism and Stay Punk!
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Our Catalog10 Albums · 1989 · 2010
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