Liverpool punk trio Yee Loi have announced their debut album, Flicks, licks, party tricks, set for release on 15 January 2027 via Modern Sky UK. The news landed with an exclusive party in the basement of Yungblud’s Denmark Street store, where the band played a packed, high-octane set on Tuesday 29 September.
Teenage siblings Rose (guitar, backing vocals), Matilda (drums, vocals) and Don Don (bass) turned the Soho basement into a showcase of raw, unfiltered UK punk. The set moved between the full-throttle melody of recent single ‘Social Suicide’ and the morbid storytelling of ‘Down In The Bunker’, tracks that have already landed on songs of the week lists at Kerrang!, MTV UK and Northern Exposure.
Journalists also heard breakout tracks ‘Why Ask Why’ and ‘Mystery Train’, plus unheard album songs ‘Miraclist’ and ‘Picture Perfect’. The night made the case that, although the band’s spirit sits with classic punk history, their energy belongs to the present. Photos from the show are credited to Cris Watkins.
In October, fans can catch Yee Loi supporting 1980s pop-punk icons Transvision Vamp on their first full UK tour since 1991. Handpicked by frontwoman Wendy James, the trio will take their fast-paced melodies into major venues nationwide, following earlier support slots with Adam Ant in late 2025.
The band do things their own way. Rose said: “We don’t really care what people think. It’s the way that we were raised.”
That ethos runs through ‘Social Suicide’, which takes aim at a music industry that pushes artists to trade creativity for views, likes and digital clout. Rose said: “The more we get involved in music the more we realise that for many people, musical ability just isn’t enough. A good song now needs every type of social media exposure possible to be able to achieve any success. It just seems that people are prepared to sell their souls for views, likes and follows. We just want to make great punk rock and roll songs that move people.”
Flicks, licks, party tricks fuses classic punk inspirations, including The Ramones, with the band’s own DIY, melodic identity. Matilda said the title is about “the joy that comes from playing this high energy type of music. It makes you wanna go crazy on stage and try to make everyone join in the fun.” She added: “It was important for me to finally put out my own lyrics and melodies and not have to rely on covers. I have quite a lot to say and maybe somebody will be interested!”
Rose said: “My guitar playing on this album is all me and it’s high energy but you can definitely hear my influences. I’m quite proud of that! The songs on this album show that young girls can play high intensity guitar rock as good as anybody if not better!”
Usually the quietest member of the group, bassist Don Don also spoke up. “I love this album and I’m fed up of listening to the lightweight, backing-tracked songs that pass for so-called punk rock today.”
The album goes on presale on Tuesday 5 October via Townsend.
Flicks, licks, party tricks tracklist
Side 1
- Down In The Bunker
- Performer
- Why Ask Why
- Stalker
- Move On
- Gatekeeper
Side 2
- Picture Perfect
- Miraclist
- Social Suicide
- 5000 Days
- White Hat
- Count Me Out
Yee Loi’s Transvision Vamp tour dates
- 6 October: Newcastle, O2 City Hall
- 9 October: Glasgow, O2 Academy
- 10 October: Leeds, O2 Academy
- 14 October: Cambridge, Junction
- 15 October: Leicester, O2 Academy
- 16 October: Liverpool, O2 Academy
- 17 October: Oxford, O2 Academy
- 18 October: Cardiff, Tramshed
- 20 October: Manchester, O2 Ritz
- 21 October: Bournemouth, O2 Academy
- 22 October: London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
- 24 October: Norwich, Epic
- 28 October: Brighton, Chalk
- 29 October: Birmingham, O2 Institute
- 30 October: Bristol, O2 Academy
Image credits: Cris Watkins
In this article:
Disclosures: TheFestivals is funded through advertising and sometimes earns a commission on purchases made through links on this website, including in this article: None
Add as a preferred source