Klasse Kriminale

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Klasse Kriminale is an Italian punk rock band originating in the Liguria region of italy. The band was founded by lead singer Marco in 1985 when punk in Italy was considered dead. However, the movement was in fact quite alive, and Klasse Kriminale began their long career.

1988, after some line-up changes, Klasse Kriminale recorded their first single, which did well in Italy as well as abroad. Klasse Kriminale's sound is a strong mixture of Oi!, punk, ska and reggae. Their lyrics speak of social problems, such as work, unemployment, drugs, media, street-life, and generational gaps. The band's influences run from The Clash, Sham 69, and Angelic Upstarts to The Specials. In 1989 Klasse Kriminale recorded their debut album "Ci Incotreremo Ancora Un Giorno" in studios used by Nabat. Shows followed with The Stab, Rappresaglia, Ghetto 84, Nabat, Red Alert, Lurkers, GBH, Oppressed, Angelic Upstarts, Sham 69, Red London, Public Toys, Agnostic Front, Snap Her, Stage Bottles, and others.

They then went on to play many shows in the UK, Germany, Poland, France, Czech Republic and Canada; they also toured in Italy with US Bombs, Dropkick Murphys, The Business, The Toasters; they have played at anti-racist and anti-fascist meetings and played at European festivals, such as Holidays In The Sun, and in 2000, at Monte Paradiso, the 2nd Belgian Oi! Festival, and recently at Punk & Disorderly 2005 in Berlin (KK was the only Italian band present at the show).

In their 15 year career, Klasse Kriminale has recorded: "Faccia A Faccia" (for the sub-label of New Rose, Division Nada, managed by Francois, ex Berurier Noir and with Alteau's artwork), "I Ragazzi Sono Innocenti", "1985-95, Orgoglio Per Le Tue Passioni" and "Live/Vivo" (produced by Paul Chain), "Mind Invaders" (featured by Luther Blissett ), "Electric Caravanas" (produced by Jimmy "Sham 69" Pursey); "I Know This Boy" (with Riccardo Pedrini, writer and ex-Nabat guitarist); "Stai Vivendo O Stai Sopravvivendo?, ""Welcome To Genoa" (one CD with a video-track about the police violence during the G8 in Genoa), and the latest album, "Klasse Kriminale," (produced by Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers). Some of their greatest hits came out of Argentina, Brazil and in all European countries ("The Best Of Klasse Kriminale" came out on Captain Oi!; they were the first non-English speaking act to appear on this label).

Marco, in those years, worked on his fanzine "Kriminal Class", has produced some compilations ("Oi! It's A World League", "Oi! Against Silvio", "Oi! Against Racism" and the latest “STAY PUNK!” with 24 bands from all over the world) and new bands and he has helped bring numerous groups to Italy for shows.