Klasse Kriminale

Klasse Kriminale is an Italian punk rock band originating in the Liguria region of italy. The band was founded by lead singer Marco Balestrino 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. The band's 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 in studios used by Nabat. Concerts followed with bands including: The Stab, Rappresaglia, Ghetto 84, Nabat, Red Alert, The Lurkers, Charged GBH, The Oppressed, Angelic Upstarts, Sham 69, Red London, Public Toys, Agnostic Front, Snap Her and Stage Bottles. They then went on to play many concerts in the UK, Germany, Poland, France, Czech Republic and Canada. They also toured in Italy with US Bombs, Dropkick Murphys, The Business and The Toasters. They have played at anti-racist and anti-fascist events and at European festivals such as Holidays In The Sun, the 2000 Monte Paradiso Belgian Oi! festival, and Punk & Disorderly 2005 in Berlin.

Marco, who created the fanzine "Kriminal Class", has produced the compilation albums Oi! It's A World League, Oi! Against Silvio, Oi! Against Racism “STAY PUNK!”.