Franti

The Profile

Franti are a Turin (Italy) underground collective active in the mid-1980s, known for a fierce DIY/anarchist stance and a unique blend of punk, hardcore, new wave, jazz and folk. Key members include vocalist Lalli and multi-instrumentalist Stefano Giaccone. Landmark releases include Luna nera and Il giardino delle quindici pietre, later collected in the book/album Non classificato. They briefly reunited for a 2006 concert.

From the reviews: Turin-based, anarchist and uncompromising; embrace self-management and self-production; performed songs like Questa è l’ora and a Dylan cover (Gates of Eden); Non classificato is cited as a spring ’92 book-album; reunited for a single Italian concert in 2006 at C.S.C. San Vito di Leguzzano; members referenced include Lalli, Stefano Giaccone, Vanni, Marco and Massimo; explicit anti-copyright stance is quoted.

The reviews portray Franti as a Turin cult group blending punk, hardcore, new wave, jazz and folk with a staunch DIY/anarchist ethos. Luna nera is hailed as an underground masterpiece, the Split with Contrazione documents their political urgency, and Non classificato frames their 80s output and ideals. A 2006 reunion show confirms their lasting force and substance.