Lambrini Girls to the Front: Punk Rock Rebels Fighting the Status Quo

Unfiltered and fierce, Lambrini Girls bring punk protest with a punch, challenging toxic culture and igniting a much-needed community spirit.

Phoebe Lunny’s Comeback from Chaos

If you asked me to describe Phoebe Lunny, the fiery lead singer and guitarist of Lambrini Girls, I’d say she’s the kind of person who’s always ready to start a riot—but life recently forced her to take a breather. Earlier this year, Lunny suffered a serious neck fracture and acute brain injury after a wild stage dive off a balcony in Sydney during a show in Australia. It was a reckless move that sidelined the band and pushed back their eagerly awaited U.S. tour from spring to June.

“I’m doing a lot better,” she tells me during a video call from her Brighton home, where she’s still resting on supportive pillows. Despite the bed rest, Lunny’s trademark bluntness shines through quickly. “I’ve had enough of it. I told my doctors, ‘I’m going back to work.’”

Lambrini Girls taking the stage with raw energy. (Credit Jessie Morgan)

Reflecting on the incident, Lunny laughs and admits, “In hindsight, I know it was fucking stupid. No more jumping off balconies or stage diving for me.” The timing couldn’t have been worse: the injury happened just weeks before Lambrini Girls were set to hit the U.S. with critical club dates and a debut at Coachella—the latter canceled and Jack White stepping in to fill their slot.

Rest, Reflection, and a Band That Won’t Be Silenced

While doctors demanded rest, Lunny and bassist Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez found ways to pass the time creatively. Lunny dived into documentaries, poetry, and, well, plenty of cigarettes. Selin, on the other hand, balanced her downtime between England and Portugal, where her family lives.

When I mentioned that their tour postponement announcement somehow made its way onto Fox News in America, both women burst out laughing. Given Lambrini Girls' sharp-tongued punk rock anthems railing against “bro” culture (“Big Dick Energy”), toxic authority (“Bad Apple”), homophobia (“No Homo”), and misogyny (“Cuntology 101”), it’s almost surreal.

“That’s so silly. Fuck Fox News and their stupid fucking stories,” Lunny says, taking another drag.

But as the saying goes, all press is good press. Their profile has grown significantly since the announcement. Venues have upgraded to larger spaces, and the band has garnered co-signs from punk icons like Kathleen Hanna, Iggy Pop, and Sleater-Kinney. Tours with Idles and Amyl & the Sniffers have spread their message, with appearances at Warped Tour, Bonnaroo, Riot Fest, Shaky Knees, and Ohana Festival—all testament to their growing standing in the punk scene.

Why Going to the U.S. Matters Now More Than Ever

Lunny is passionate about why Lambrini Girls continue to tour the States despite all the political and social tensions abroad.

“It’s really important for bands to be going to the States right now,” she insists. “While I completely understand if artists don’t feel safe, what scares me is seeing those walls go up because it limits what people have access to and reduces voices trying to challenge the status quo.”

She believes politically charged bands have a responsibility to bring their message across the ocean. “There are so many people in the States who share our beliefs and desperately need community and spaces that support them.”

Lambrini Girls bring powerful energy to every stage. (Credit Jessie Morgan)

The band is aware of the risks that come with being outspoken—passports can be revoked, privileges can be stripped. “It’s not because we’re not passionate,” Lunny explains, “it’s just that we know the stakes. But I believe every artist should reflect the world around them.”

“Empathy is the baseline,” she adds. “If people are suffering, you should speak about it.”

Taking a Stand — And Owning Mistakes

Lambrini Girls have never shied from controversy. Their name itself, borrowed from a British “toilet wine” brand, signals their cheeky irreverence. In 2023, the band publicly clashed with British writer Graham Linehan over trans rights. During a London gig opening for Iggy Pop, a visualizer behind them displayed “trans lives matter,” sparking a heated back-and-forth on social media where Linehan, a prominent figure known for hit British TV comedies, launched verbal attacks.

Lunny recalls the moment, “I started just being like, ‘Yo, fuck you,’ but then realized this guy had hundreds of thousands of followers. It became this media circus.”

From that drama, both Lunny and Macieira-Boşgelmez learned valuable lessons.

“We always say we’re pissing off the right people,” Selin says, “but we realized our antagonizing wasn’t constructive and could harm the trans community.”

“Our hearts were in the right place, but as cis women, we have privilege, and that’s something we constantly remind ourselves of now,” she adds.

Lunny nods in agreement. “It’s crucial to acknowledge your privilege while highlighting issues—some affect us directly, some don’t. Sensationalizing isn’t helpful.”

When Advocacy Meets Backlash

Advocacy hasn’t been smooth sailing. In April, Lunny was arrested after warning concert promoters about a dangerous male musician on a lineup. She urged the removal of the act to protect women artists but was instead charged with harassment.

“It’s a perfect example of how laws meant to protect women can be weaponized against them,” Lunny says firmly. “I don’t want my story to deter anyone from speaking out. It’s vital to keep speaking out.”

She connects this to a viral moment with actor Javier Bardem at Cannes, who spoke on toxic masculinity fueling violence against women.

“Men need to stick up for women,” Lunny stresses. “Most of the time, it’s just women screaming, and no one listens. The system works for men, so they have to step up and empathize, even if they can’t relate directly. All oppression connects. It has to be a community effort.”

Sel agrees wholeheartedly. “There are so many things to be angry about, and people tend to only engage with issues that affect them directly. But real change starts when you care about what doesn’t affect you.”

She points out how our modern conveniences—on-demand TV, food delivery—keep us isolated and divided, dulling our sense of community.

“There’s a growing awareness among younger generations who are waking up to the fact that this isn’t how life is supposed to be.”

The band’s live shows are a rallying cry for change. (Credit Jessie Morgan)

From Brighton Bars to Punk Rock Sisterhood

Phoebe and Selin’s journey began in 2019 in Brighton’s lively music scene, where they both worked behind the bar at different venues before joining forces.

“It’s a small, interconnected scene,” Sel points out. “Phoebe and I bonded over shared frustrations, and that stuck.”

Originally a four-piece, Lambrini Girls quickly slimmed down to the dynamic duo. Sel jokes about “swooping in” as the bassist, and Lunny admits she found her career footing only after Sel joined.

“We communicate well, make space for each other, and share core beliefs and values,” Sel says of their partnership.

Though they hail from different backgrounds, their worldviews aligned. Sel’s privileged upbringing in Germany included attending private schools and grappling with her identity. For years, she went by “Lily,” a more palatable European name, before reclaiming her Turkish birth name, Selin.

“I suppressed my identity to fit in, but now I’m proud of my roots,” she shares.

Phoebe comes from a musical lineage too—her grandfather is famed Irish folk musician Dónal Lunny—but credits her single mother’s hardworking spirit for inspiring her path.

“Shout out to Irish people and single mums,” she smiles.

The Sound of Resistance: ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’

Lambrini Girls don’t chase fame or collaborations for clout. Their 2025 debut album, Who Let the Dogs Out, is a fiery mix of humor and serious subjects, featuring voices of activists Angela Davis and Kwame Ture on the track “Filthy Rich Nepo Baby.” As Sel explains, it’s about spotlighting deeper political voices “that aren’t necessarily our own.”

Their latest single, “Cult of Celebrity”, launched in March, is a scathing takedown of fame’s dark side. With sharp lyrics referencing Harvey Weinstein and notorious “Lolita islands,” they end with the chilling line, “If your name’s on the list, just say you saw nothing.”

Why Lambrini Girls Are Punk Icons for Today

What keeps Lambrini Girls roaring? It’s their fans.

“We have such beautiful fans,” Lunny beams. “It’s the people you meet at shows, strangers caring for each other, shoulder to shoulder, crying, shouting, laughing. Community is the most beautiful thing we have.”

And sometimes, it’s worth breaking a neck for.

FAQ

• How did Phoebe Lunny’s injury affect Lambrini Girls’ tour?
  Phoebe’s neck fracture and brain injury from a stage dive in Sydney delayed their U.S. tour from spring to June.
• What themes do Lambrini Girls explore in their music?
  Their songs confront “bro” culture, toxic authority, homophobia, misogyny, and celebrity culture with sharp punk rock energy.
• How did the band form?
  Phoebe and Selin met in Brighton’s music scene while working bar jobs and bonded over shared frustrations before forming Lambrini Girls.
• What controversies has the band faced?
  They sparked a public clash over trans rights with British writer Graham Linehan and Phoebe was arrested after warning about a dangerous male musician at a show.
• Why do Lambrini Girls emphasize touring the U.S.?
  They believe it’s crucial for politically minded bands to challenge the status quo and build community in a fractured society, especially in the States.

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