Fedeli alla linea: CCCP and the Italian way to punk

Punk in Italy has largely been overlooked as a research topic in the past, focussing instead on the scene in other nations. This article examines the Italian punk scene and its transition from classic to post-punk, focussing on its most famous and significant band: CCCP – Fedeli alla linea. After a short introduction to the historical and cultural background, the results of a qualitative textual analysis of CCCP lyrics using algirdas Greimas’ methodology for narrative semiotics (1983) will be presented. as the results show, CCCP’s artistic production can be interpreted as a subversive and ironic parody of the collectivist traditions that were dominant in Italian politics and culture at the time (communism and Catholicism), and as a creative critical reaction to neoliberalism. The conclusion briefly discusses certain theoretical issues such as the relationship between punk and authenticity, and compares Italian punk with british and Portuguese punk.