Greta Van Fleet are overcoming Led Zeppelin comparisons and that ‘Pitchfork’ review
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30.08.2019

Greta Van Fleet are overcoming Led Zeppelin comparisons and that ‘Pitchfork’ review

Greta Van Fleet
Words by Kate Streader

There’s certainly a comparison to be drawn, but they certainly aren’t copycats.

A bad review can make or break an emerging band, but for Greta Van Fleet, a scathing critique of their debut album Anthem of the Peaceful Army – on Pitchfork, no less – offered a challenge of sorts. ‘Show us you’re more than a cheap knock-off,’ it begged underneath the barrage of poetic insults.

“Greta Van Fleet sound like they did weed exactly once, called the cops, and tried to record a Led Zeppelin album before they arrested themselves,” opens the review in question. “The poor kids from Frankenmuth, Michigan don’t even realize they’re more of an algorithmic fever dream than an actual rock band.”

And that’s not even the worst of it.

Since then, the name Greta Van Fleet has become synonymous with that of Led Zeppelin, but that’s not to say the Michigan quartet are riding the coattails of the rock behemoths.

“Obviously we hear the similarity,” Greta Van Fleet vocalist Josh Kiszka told Rolling Stone in an interview earlier this year. “That’s one of the influences of ours. But at this point it’s like, ‘Okay, we’ve acknowledged that. Let’s move on.’”

It’s impossible not to clock the familiarity of Josh’s voice. Even Robert Plant has commented on the resemblance, telling The Project, “They are Led Zeppelin One” and calling the Greta Van Fleet frontman “a beautiful little singer”.

“He borrowed [his voice] from somebody I know very well,” he joked.

But despite tiring of the constant comparisons, the band’s guitarist Jake Kiszka told FaceCulture that being likened to Zeppelin is “one of the greatest compliments that could ever be given to a young band”.

Still, to amount Greta Van Fleet simply to their Zeppelin likeness ignores their talent. This year, they received Grammy nominations in four categories, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, Best New Artist and Best Rock Album, taking out the latter for their 2017 EP From the Fires.

It’s an impressive feat for a band that released their debut album just last year and whose oldest members are just 22. Half the band can’t even legally drink in the venues they play across their homeland.

Comprising brothers Josh, Jake and Sam (bass and keys) and their long-time friend Danny Wagner (drums), the four-piece spent their first year together selling out shows across North America and Europe – all before they’d even dropped an album.

As it happens, a 1.6 rating didn’t tarnish the appeal of Anthem of the Peaceful Army and Greta Van Fleet have begun talks of its follow up, scheduled for release before the year is out.

“It’s an example of where we are musically right now,” the band told NME of the forthcoming album. “It’s definitely much different than Anthem Of The Peaceful Army.”

“I think as far as the intent goes, it’s just incorporating more sounds, more tones, more styles of music, perhaps, and taking a step in the cinematic direction.”

Whether their new direction is an attempt to step away from constant Zeppelin comparisons remains to be seen, as is how it will be received, but there’s no question that Greta Van Fleet are writing their own story.

Greta Van Fleet hit The Forum on Friday September 6 (sold out) and Festival Hall on Saturday September 7. Tickets are on sale now via Live Nation.