
Four players, one loud conversation
Built on the blues, raised on the radio.
Garrett Lee and the Relics is a blues rock band from southwest Iowa. Four players who grew up on different records and ended up in the same room.
The short version
Loud enough to feel it.
Garrett Lee and the Relics is a dynamic blues rock band that combines the timeless influences of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers with their own unique sound. This talented group of musicians has been impressing audiences with their soulful performances and infectious energy.

01 — The players
Meet the Relics

Gary Bond
Drums and Vocals

Jeff Norman
Bass and Vocals

Garrett Stephens
Lead Guitar and Vocals
Bryan Pellman
Vocals
Gary BondDrums and Vocals
Gary started drumming in organized bands when he was 16 and in high school. Like many others he was inspired by watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, but after hearing Ginger Baker's double bass drumming with Cream, he was interested in developing more skills and started emulating drummers such as John Bonham with Led Zeppelin, Don Brewer of Grand Funk, Neil Peart of Rush and Shannon Larkin with Godsmack.
He has toured the 5 state area with several bands and opened for national acts. He has recorded and written music. Added up that makes over 50 years of playing music!
When he heard Garrett's classic rock and blues style he had to provide rhythm, age being no issue!
Pro Mark sticks, Ludwig, Yamaha and Pearl drums, Zildjian and Sabian cymbals, Roland and dDrum electronics.
Jeff NormanBass and Vocals
Jeff has been singing and playing bass guitar in many different bands since the early 80's, ranging from country/southern rock to classic rock. Jeff's brother Don taught Jeff to chord on piano by ear.
One of his early influences was a high school buddy who had a Neil Young chord book, and Jeff and Jon would get passes from Jon's dad (the band teacher) to go jam in the band room. From there, Jeff's brother Don convinced Jeff to take up guitar, and they formed a band. When the bass player quit the band, Don coaxed Jeff to sing and to play bass guitar, which became his favorite pastime.
Jeff and his brother Don were in many different bands together. One of the longest-running bands was the Axis Band. They opened up for Head East and Jimmy Van Zant.
Fender Precision and Jazz bass, Markbass head, Aguilar speakers.
Garrett StephensLead Guitar and Vocals
I have been playing guitar for about 7 or 8 years now. Ever since I was a kid I have always loved guitar and music in general. As a kid I remember watching Jeff play in some of his previous bands and I always thought it was so cool that they could replicate the sound of the bands I heard on the radio. I have always been around classic rock music but never went deep into it until I was about 13. The first band who really caught my attention was the Eagles and of course one of their lead guitar players Joe Walsh. As I got older I explored deeper into guitar players and came across Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton; those were two artists who were a huge influence for me while still developing my style of playing. Some of my biggest influences on guitar are Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman and Derek Trucks. You can hear all of these guitar players' techniques when I solo or when playing rhythm guitar.
My favorite thing about playing guitar is being able to play some of my favorite songs like Texas Flood, Voodoo Child and Whipping Post, not only using some of the licks from these guitar players but also putting my own twist on them to make them sound like me. My favorite part of playing in the band is when we are all feeding off of each other. While in the middle of a song it's almost like we all know where each other is going and we are able to really explode or quiet down depending on the mood that night.
Throughout the few years I have been playing I have had my fair share of guitars and other equipment. My go-to setup on stage is a Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master amp paired with a Voodoo Lab pedal board with a PX-8 Plus pedal switcher. My most common setup on stage is a Maxon OD9 PRO+ running into an MXR M102 Dyna Comp. To get that Texas blues and Stevie Ray Vaughan sound I use a Pedal Pawn Texas Twang along with my Maxon pedal, and for my wah I use a Dunlop Cry Baby.
Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master, Voodoo Lab PX-8 Plus, Maxon OD9 PRO+, MXR M102 Dyna Comp, Pedal Pawn Texas Twang, Dunlop Cry Baby.
Bryan PellmanVocals
Bryan is a Creston, southwest Iowa native who grew up standing in front of the radio while his mom played country, falling in love with singing and storytelling. These days he brings that same heart to the stage with Garrett Lee & the Relics and The Imperial Mud Puppies, singing songs that blend down-home honesty with a little grit and a lot of soul.
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