Buckeyes, Yinzers, and The Broken Relics

The Broken Relics.  Ohhhh, The Broken Relics. Comprised of the brothers Warmouth, Zach and Bryce,  Zach “Potsie”  Potkanowicz, Alex Jakovina, and David Walters, they are an alternative rock band with roots in Northeast and Central Ohio and one I’ve become very familiar with since a fateful day 4 years ago that landed them in my life. I’m also going to go out on a limb here and tell everyone, I love this band. The love is so big I’m probably breaking the rules of journalism right now because they teach that when you write about something or cover it, you need to have an unbiased opinion on that topic. For me, there is no such thing as unbiased when it comes to them.  Matter of fact, any one who knows me, knows all about my love for this particular band and my drive to make that love for them world wide, which is why I’m here breaking all the rules. 

In the last year, they have made some incredible progress in their quest to bring great music to the people. All starting with the release of their first full length album, Night In The Desert, which they debuted at a sold out show at The Basement in Columbus back in November of 2022. 

Here in the present moment, The Broken Relics (or TBR’S as they are affectionately known by some) had two shows in 48 hours last week. One at Rumba cafe in Columbus and the other, in Pittsburgh which was their first venture outside the friendly confines of the home state.

Let’s start out by talking about the Rumba show. The Native Tongue kicked the night off and they did it so well that even the guys in the Broken Relics were seen out in the crowd enjoying the set.  When TBR’s took the stage, they treated everyone to a fresh set list that included, a few oldies in the form of Where The Creatures Roam, and The Mortal, off their first EP that they hadn’t played in a while.

The band also debuted a song that they had never performed before and I was told, had learned just prior to showtime that evening.  That song was a cover of Times Like These by Foo Fighters. Rumor has it, the guys decided to play it for someone in audience and someone else who could not be in attendance that evening.  (Both parties involved were very moved by the touching gesture or so I’ve heard.)

Next up, Pittsburgh. 

The show took place at Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh where they were one of two opening bands for local Burgh band, Chip & The Charge Ups as they celebrated the release of their 4th album. (More about The Charge Ups and that in an upcoming article to follow.)

Before things kicked off, lead guitar player Zach Warmouth gave me his thoughts on getting back into the groove of almost back to back shows and conquering new cities.

“Our goal was always to kind of kick off this new normal, the new post covid world, or whatever you would like to call it and get back into it and kind of pick up where we left off in 2019, so doing a couple shows within a few days and then also checking off a new city/new state as one of those it’s a good momentum shift.”

That good momentum shift was evident and the excitement of a new city was something you could tell the entire band was looking forward to. When they took the stage they seemed energized and relished the opportunity to get their music out to a new crowd of people.  You could definitely see throughout their 30 minute set how much being there meant to them. I’m not sure I saw the smile leave any of their faces within that half hour.   

The band truly enjoyed the moment and that sentiment was echoed from lead singer Bryce Warmouth when asked about the band’s experience. 

“It’s always been a dream of ours to expand outside of our comfort zone, outside of our home state, we knew that this was the year that we were either going to do it or not do it. Obviously, with the great help of a lot of amazing people and a lot of hard work between all of us it finally came to fruition. Being out here, it’s one of our favorite cities in general and it was a great time to break into the Pittsburgh scene, we’re just happy to be here.”

Happy to be there and it showed. Even the crowd seemed to reciprocate that feeling as I can not tell you how many people stopped as they walked by to let the guys know how much they liked their set.

With their first out of state show in the books, I wanted details of what the rest of 2023 looks like for The Broken Relics.

“We’re writing music!  I have some stuff that we collectively as a band are expecting me to bring to the table here in the next couple of months or so and we’re going to get back into the studio, so just to keep making music, and keep making better music.” Bryce told me.

Zach added, “We’re working on shows for the fall, we have a couple more in the summer to round out and then trying to end the year with a couple big shows and other than that, it’s really just trying to make sure people hear the album we worked so hard on.” 

Speaking of the album they worked so hard on, I have a little story I’d like to share on that topic.  Earlier this year I took a trip out to Joshua Tree National Park and while sitting there in the utter darkness taking photos of the brilliantly beautiful night sky, I had the title track Night in the Desert playing because it was beyond fitting for my night in the desert. It was this great moment of tranquility that I’ll hold with me forever and that song was a big part of it. I think about that night every time I hear the song now. 

As a journalist who should be completely unbiased I will tell you that The Broken Relics are a damn good band, with great songs and a fun stage presence that shows off how much these five guys love what they do on that stage and doing it together. 

As someone who drove 3 hours to watch a 30 minute set of a band she had seen 48 hours prior I’m going to say I’m excited to see what the future has in store for them. I know it’s going to be bright wherever it may lead, and I absolutely can not wait to see the world catch up with I already know, they are a beyond talented band who are going to go far and deserve all the love and success this universe has to offer. 

You can catch them live in July at a place called West Side Bowl in Youngstown, but until then, you can and should definitely check them out on all the social media platforms you can dream of.

Links are here… (told you so)

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Qg1rK9hvWbeipRR1UyTdE?si=ak5oS75VS9WxhuUyCHV0Ig

https://www.instagram.com/thebrokenrelics/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrokenRelics/