Review: Simple As

Simple AS – SMR Radio Session

South Wales punk trio Simple AS are tearing up the rulebook with a sound that’s loud, melodic and full of bite. Captured across three blistering tracks from their SMR Radio Session, the band prove that punk doesn’t have to be sloppy or predictable to hit hard - it just has to be real.

First up, “Fabrication” bursts out of the gate with punk thrash energy, but it’s the soaring, rock-infused vocal that immediately sets Simple AS apart. The song is tightly controlled, resisting the urge to go full speed from the start - instead, it ebbs, flows and erupts at just the right moments. The result is melodic punk that still punches like a heavyweight. The chorus absolutely kicks like a mule, combining aggression with an emotional intensity that lingers. There are flashes of hard rock, metal and even a soulful edge, giving the track real personality and depth.

Then comes the brilliantly titled “Friends, Enemies and Those Under Review.” From the opening bars, it’s a masterclass in tension and release - the pounding drums and filthy bass line (yes, we blushed too) set the stage before the whole thing explodes into chaos. The raw, pained vocal adds fury, while the harmonious counter-vocal balances it beautifully, proving that rage and melody can coexist perfectly. Think early Rancid meets NoFX, but with a distinctly modern twist. The breakdown throws us back to the 70s punk era, only to detonate into a wall of pure, glorious noise. It’s unhinged, unstoppable and would absolutely destroy live.

Finally, “Second Chances” closes the set with heartfelt grit. There’s a nod to the late, great Scott Sorry, as the band blend soul and sincerity into their trademark melodic aggression. The dual vocals are outstanding - rough yet emotional, impassioned without over-polish - the sound of a band that means every word. And just when you think you’ve got them pegged, they throw in a chaotic, Cobain-esque solo, teetering on the edge of control but never falling over it.

Simple AS aren’t just another punk band - they’re a reminder of what made punk matter in the first place: honesty, passion and fearless energy. These three tracks show a band firing on all cylinders, unafraid to mix heart with havoc.

Simple AS? Maybe by name - but their sound is anything but. These lads make punk complicated in all the right ways.