Banda Bassotti

Banda Bassotti formed in Rome in 1981, a group of musicians drawn together by ska, punk, and leftist politics. Their name comes from the Italian Disney character The Beagle Boys, which gives you a sense of their playful, satirical approach. They've built their sound on a mix of ska, punk, Latin rhythms, and Italian folk melodies, with songs like 'Luna Rossa' and 'El Paso El Ebro' showing that range.

Their version of 'Bella Ciao,' released in 2004, became particularly well-known. The song is a World War II-era folk ballad that they turned into an anthem of resistance, though it's worth noting that track isn't listed among their top songs in the catalog. Their actual recorded work includes albums like 'Piccolo Contro Il Mondo' from 2006 and 'No Borders, No Nations' from 2016.

Their openly political stance has drawn criticism from right-wing groups over time, but they've kept at it. The current lineup includes Felice 'Felpa' Tenaglia on vocals and guitar, Alessandro 'Manna' Tersigni also on vocals and guitar, and Gian Paolo 'Pallino' Palma on drums, among others. They're still putting out records, with 'Strade' arriving in 2020.