“We’ve become aware of people saying they think we’re a good band or whatever, but they can’t be bothered with all the politics,” says Lilly Macieira, bassist of the punk band Lambrini Girls, “If that’s something that puts people off, then that’s a them problem.”
A testament to that fact, on January 10 the Brighton-based duo will release their full-length debut Who Let the Dogs Out, a raucously charismatic record that perfectly captures the band’s anger towards police brutality, toxic masculinity, the government and everything in between through scathing and witty social commentary, as well as cheeky humor.
Written in two brief sessions, the first saw the pair follow a strict routine of waking up early, running, writing until 7 p.m., cooking, going to bed and doing it all over the next day. The second burst was a frenzy. “We had something like 48 beers, a bottle of vodka, six bottles of wine, two bottles of Lambrini, rum and tequila,” Phoebe Lunny, (vocalist and guitarist). The juxtaposition of the two sessions is a perfect depiction of the controlled chaos that makes the band what they are.
Unapologetically raw and riotous, Lambrini Girls is a punk two-piece that says something and means it. The duo uses their platform as a band to speak about the most pressing political issues, but it’s their actions that speak the most. Earlier in 2024, the band pulled out of SXSW (among other festivals) due to its links to the defense contractor RTX Corporation, who has supplied weapons to the Israeli government. The two have also sold merchandise where 50% of the profits were donated to Palestinian charities.
For Lambrini Girls, that is the essence of punk-rock, not performative and passive behavior that has no follow-through. “If you’re building a platform off politics, you better speak up for the people who actually need it, as opposed to just making it your brand or a selling point for your band,” says Lunny.
We had a friend the other day, he said something which really stuck with me for a minute. They said to us, ‘Well, if you weren’t in a band. Would you still be talking about it? We both immediately said yes,” Lunny continues, “It’s something we’re very passionate about.”
As you can imagine, the pair had quite a lot to say when it comes to the results of the U.S. election, admitting they do have a level of privilege as not being American citizens. “Anyone who lives outside America and thinks they’re safe is a fucking idiot. I think we very much need to take this as a warning…The fact that Trump’s running mate literally said Project 2025 has some good points, and it’s been endorsed by Trump, is fucking terrifying for what that means for trans people and queer people,” says Lunny.
She also sees a lot of similarities between the political landscape in the UK, citing how they believes the Democratic party will move from a more centrist candidate to a right-leaning candidate. “This is what we see now in the UK,” she says, “I think our countries very much mirror each other. What’s happening in America needs to be taken as a sign of what’s in store for the UK.”
Macieira didn’t see a viable campaign for workers’ rights, surmising that people who were on the fence weren’t faced with a coherent option. ”They were gonna go for the more nuclear option, because they believe there will be more change with the more nuclear option…Trump and a lot of his Cabinet and his followers hold some extremely damaging views towards marginalized people. Him coming into power is only going to strengthen those views.”
As things become more and more politically divided, Lambrini Girls believe the time of turning the other cheek is coming to an end. Lunny mentions far-right streamer Nick Fuentes’ house getting doxxed after he tweeted, “Your body. My choice,” as an example.
“I think for a really long time, people on the left have taken the high road and have not retaliated using those kinds of methods…And I think that time is now coming to an end, because it’s becoming so obnoxious and so in your face. I saw someone say now women look like we’re becoming the bear in context of the whole ‘being alone with a man or bear in the woods,’” she says.
With so many atrocities happening worldwide, the duo does find it difficult to remain hopeful, but they’ve been able to find solace in both the band and their fans. Music is a powerful tool and has given the two musicians a community. “I’m getting a lot of hope just from being in this band and seeing people react to the things that we talk about,” says Macieira. ”[Music] has allowed us to sort of cluster people together that share the same values.”
Lunny echoes this but also thinks people in general aren’t paying attention nearly enough, instead becoming either willingly or involuntarily apathetic toward what’s happening in the world. “By the time Trump gets in again after the fact that he’s literally a rapist, felon and encouraged the events of January 6, 2021. We’ve just become so desensitized to the point, so I don’t think it drives people nearly as insane as it should.”
What makes people feel the most powerless, Lunny says, is that they feel like they can’t do anything to help or fight these monstrosities. “But you can! You can go to the streets, educate others, share resources, go to protest rallies, write to your representatives. It might not feel like much, but you’re doing something.”
“I think what can give people hope is the opportunity of change…not necessarily coming from a political leader, but through community approach and being around people who are like-minded and share the same beliefs and values as you.”
The two friends also use humor as a way of coping with it all, joking that their goals for 2025 include playing in space and at the Sphere in Vegas—”But with massive poos projected,” adds Lunny—releasing another album titled Who Let the Dogs In” getting a sponsorship from Vaseline (so Lunny can slip and slide across the stage in it) and adding more fire (literally) to their performances.
When asked if the duo has any plans to come across the pond to tour in 2025, the pair couldn’t say much. “If we did, it would be an amazing tour, and every show would be fantastic. And it would be maybe sometime in the summer,” Lunny says, with Macieira throwing in an “allegedly” at the end for good measure.
As for final words, Lunny says, “Free Palestine. Free the Congo. Free Lebanon. Free Syria. Trans lives matter. Fuck the police and fuck the government.”
“Remember, we are not all free until everyone is free,” adds Macieira.
Who Let the Dogs Out is out on Friday on City Slang Records and you can pre-order it directly from the band. Follow Lambrini Girls on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Photos by Scott Murry
