Introduction
The Bambees are a high-voltage punk-rock band from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, known for explosive live shows and masses of energy. Since 2022, they’ve been winning fans with sharp riffs, catchy chaos, and heartfelt lyrics. Tracks like Modern Casanova and new track NOEYES//NOLOVE showcase their fearless, unique sound. We recently caught up with the band! Let us know what you think to the interview.
Interview
First, we should probably start with the name. How did you come up with it, and what prompted the tweak from what we previously knew you as? And be honest, do you now hate brass?
The Bambees: Our original name, Brass Bambees, came from when our lead vocalist Rhys was working in an auction house. One day a huge brass deer came into the shop, and someone said “Brass Bambi” — like the Disney film. We loved the sound of it.
Growing up as Arctic Monkeys fans, we think we were drawn to it because it had that same adjective then animal kinda thing.
We put our own spin on it by spelling it “BAMBEES” partly to reflect the phonetics of a Welsh Valleys accent, and partly to avoid a lawsuit from Disney.
Over time, though, we realised a couple of things. A) People assumed we were a ska band because of the word “brass” and were visibly confused when we weren’t. B) No one could remember the second half of the name. We’ve been called Brass Banshees, Barneys… everything. So we shortened it to something snappier and more memorable.
Taking it back a bit, “On The Show” was our first impression of you. How do you think your music has evolved since then?
The Bambees: On with the show was written in the very early days of the band. We still love it, we think it’s written well and communicates the same identity we have today. We always aim to put Merthyr Tydfil life at the forefront.
Although, as we have progressed with our writing, we realised that our music is at its best when it’s more abrasive and confrontational sounding. It suits our live experience better, and our lyrics and subject matter too. We’re not apposed to writing a slower, more introspective song again in the future, as long as it fits in with our overall sound.
As a continuation of that, how do you see your sound changing moving forward?
The Bambees: We don’t like to limit ourselves, especially when it comes to genre. It’s hard to describe your sound without boxing yourself in.
What really guides us is what excites us. When we’re learning or writing new material, we can feel straight away if something clicks. If we stop connecting with a song over time, we’re not afraid to scrap it and start again.
As long as it feels authentic and translates well live, we’ll run with it — even if it’s a little left-field compared to what we’ve done before.
You have just released “NOEYES//NOLOVE”. Would you be able to break down the inspiration behind the track? What is it about?
The Bambees: Musically, Ainslee brought this insane, gritty riff to practice one day that made all of us snap our heads around. We’d been listening to a lot of Turnstile over the summer, and you can probably hear that influence in the repetitive hooks and the way the track builds momentum. We love how chaotic it feels. Layered, intense, and slightly unhinged.
Lyrically, it’s a bit self-deprecating. The “parasite” is a metaphor for the parts of yourself you don’t like — the thoughts that slowly eat away at you and drain your energy. That said, our messages are never 100% serious. There’s always some tongue-in-cheek in there, even when dealing with darker themes.Rhys nearly had a breakdown writing about worms for days on end.
Sticking with the new single, it grabs you from the very first moment and keeps that energy throughout. When you are writing, do you tend to create the music first or the lyrics?
The Bambees: It really depends on the song. Sometimes Ainslee builds music around Rhys’ lyrics. Other times Rhys is still tweaking lines right up until the last minute.
Lately, though, we’ve found that the strongest songs come when we build them collaboratively from the ground up. Starting from the bare bones and shaping it together feels the most productive for us as a band .
“Heartbreak Kid” came out in 2025. What was that song actually based on? And more importantly, who in the band breaks the most hearts?
The Bambees: None of us — we promise!
It’s loosely inspired by a friend who’s chronically unlucky in love. We wanted to explore modern dating culture and how isolating it can feel. There’s this strange, almost cult-like pressure to find a relationship, which can make people colder and more superficial in the process of looking for genuine connection, which is ironic and sad.
Returning briefly to the EP that “Heartbreak Kid” featured on, Soup Of The Day. What would be your personal choice for soup of the day, and which one would end up down the kitchen sink?
The Bambees: For a band that dedicated their first EP to soup, we’re surprisingly basic with our favourites. Apart from me (Sofia), who is a true connoisseur and seems to love every soup known to mankind.
That said, we’re all united on one thing… fish soup belongs down the sink, and from there there’s a special place in hell reserved for it.
This is the second time you have been featured on our site. The first was a mini interview before you played a show with The Blackout. What was that experience like?
The Bambees: It was unbelievable. As an alternative band from the Valleys, so early in our career, we never imagined we’d be playing a castle. It felt surreal, medieval, massive, and honestly intimidating.
We’d never played to that many people before, but realising we could hold our own in such a huge space was incredible.
We can’t thank Sean enough for how much he’s championed us. We’ve always looked up to what him and the rest of The Blackout have built. Sharing a stage with them again was class. They’ve introduced so many new people to our music, and we’re genuinely so grateful for that.
Everyone loves to bust out some moves when listening to music. You should see what I do when I listen to BAMBEES. If you had to name a signature dance move inspired by your music, what would it be and how do we perform it?
The Bambees: We get a lot of mosh pits at our shows, but if we had to create a signature move… maybe something like a deer kicking its legs?
“DO THE BAMBEE.”
Is it dangerous? Probably. But that’s part of the fun.
Who in the band has the worst taste in pizza toppings, and has it ever caused arguments?
The Bambees: We’re actually pretty normal when it comes to pizza. No fruit. No BBQ sauce. The weirdest order is definitely Rhys’, sweetcorn and mushrooms. It’s giving serial killer energy.
How does the band prepare for a live show, do you have any pre-show rituals?
The Bambees: As cringe as it sounds, before gigs we literally just hang out. Life is so busy and stressful, between work and other life stuff we don’t get to just hang out with each other much. We’re all genuinely close mates so it’s super nice to just kick back, enjoy the gig and have some quality friend time too.
If you could play any festival in the world, which one would you choose and why?
The Bambees: 2000 trees feels like the perfect fit for us. The line-ups are always stacked with alternative, punk and heavier acts, and it’s still an independent festival, which we really respect. It’s got that grassroots, community-driven energy, and that inclusive vibe is exactly what we’re about.
Being a band based in Wales, you come from a region rich in musical talent. Which Welsh bands that people might not already know should they check out?
The Bambees: The South Wales scene is absolutely thriving right now. Wales has always produced class acts, but lately they just get better and better. We’re very proud to be part of it all.
Some brilliant bands we’ve played with that deserve more attention are Frog and The Belligerence, Lantana, and Baby Schillaci.
If there was one message you would like people to take from your music, what would it be?
The Bambees: Authenticity is key. Never be ashamed of who you are and be proud of where you come from. Have fun, it’s your life, not theirs.
When can fans expect your first album?
The Bambees: We’re planning to release a few more singles first and see where things go. In today’s music climate, everything is so online that content can feel more important than the music itself. It’s incredibly hard to market a full EP or album as an independent band. Releasing singles allows us to focus all our energy on each track and promote them properly.
Could you tell us something about the band that nobody else knows?
The Bambees: We used to have a synth in the band for a couple of songs, till’ we realised nobody could really play it. It lasted like two gigs.
Let us end on a fun one. If the band could only travel on tour using one weird mode of transport, what would you pick and why?
The Bambees: Clown cars. That way we can squeeze in all the cool people we meet on tour to come party with us.
Fox Reviews Rock 
Let Fox Reviews Rock know what you think!