US rockers Greta Van Fleet have grown tired of being compared to Led Zeppelin, saying it’s “time to move on”.
Ever since Greta Van Fleet formed in Michigan back in 2012, their classic, hard-rock stylings have drawn plenty of comparisons to Led Zeppelin. It’s not hard to see the common themes though, from their vocal delivery, stage presence, and musical compositions, it’s clear they owe a debt to the great icons.
However, not everyone has been positive of the band’s similarity to the English rock icons, with famed music site Pitchfork tearing into Greta Van Fleet’s 2018 debut, writing that “the poor kids from Frankenmuth, Michigan don’t even realize they’re more of an algorithmic fever dream than an actual rock band.”
In fact, even Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant got in on the action, noting back in March that Greta Van Fleet vocalist Josh Kiszka “borrowed [his vocals] from somebody I know very well”, and explaining that the band “are Led Zeppelin I“.
However, the band have said they’re tired of the comparisons, explaining to Rolling Stone that it’s about time people got over the similarities.
While Josh Kisza stated that he chose to take Robert Plant’s previous comments as a “lovely” compliment, he explained that the comparisons aren’t lost on the members of Greta Van Fleet.
“Obviously we hear the similarity,” Kiszka explained. “That’s one of the influences of ours. But at this point it’s like, ‘Okay, we’ve acknowledged that. Let’s move on.’”
Check out Greta Van Fleet’s ‘When The Curtain Falls’:
Of course, this isn’t the first time that the band have responded to the Led Zeppelin comparison, with guitarist Jake Kiszka explaining they’ve “become more conscious of it” as time has gone by.
“It’s being said over and over, and I think it’s one of the greatest compliments that could ever be given to a young band like ourselves,” Jake Kiszka said. “They’re arguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time, so that is humbling and inspiring and honorable, in that sense.”
“But I think that we’ve become more conscious of the similarities, because it’s been said, and I think we’ve taken some time to go back and almost identify with it. ‘Oh, it’s interesting, because there is a lot of those commonalities.’”
“Even if it exactly wasn’t an overwhelming influence of ours, it still was influential and we can certainly see it. But overall, it doesn’t really affect the writing of our music.”
Check out Greta Van Fleet’s ‘Black Smoke Rising’:
Elsewhere in the band’s Rolling Stone interview, Josh Kiszka explained that the band are already looking ahead to their next album, with plans to branch out a little more than last time.
“We’re setting some ground work for the next album,” he explained. “We hope to get an album out this year. This time, we feel less pressure than we did before the last one.”
“We can’t wait to explore a little more of the Greta Van Fleet universe.”
Incidentally, Greta Van Fleet are set to descend upon Australia later this month for their debut tour of the country. Kicking off in Sydney, the band are set to hit up Brisbane and Melbourne, before heading home to ostensibly work on their new record.
Check out Greta Van Fleet’s ‘Highway Tune’:
Greta Van Fleet Australian Tour 2019
Tuesday, January 29th (Sold Out)
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Wednesday, January 30th
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Sunday, February 3rd
Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane, QLD
Tuesday, February 5th (Sold Out)
Forum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday, February 6th
Festival Hall, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets available from Live Nation
