Italian political punk collective Banda Bassotti formed in 1987 and took its name from the Italian version of the Disney cartoon gang in Ducktails, The Beagle Brothers. With the majority of its songs sung in the Roman dialect and focusing on anti-fascist and pro-communist topics, the band became popular both amongst punk fans and in underground political circles. Though the group disbanded in 1997, the band members decided to reunite by 2001, as they were disturbed by the shift in world politics that resulted in figures like George W. Bush and Silvio Berlusconi coming to power. After playing multiple benefit concerts, the group released an album made up of covers of popular political songs from around the world. Banda Bassotti continues to tour and release political music today.
