Greta Van Fleet

[TAC]

Gotta give SW props for saying it like it is. This band being popular is great proof you don't need to be good or original to have success.

So Steven Wilson is a genius? Since when has this been news?

[Zantera]

Gotta give SW props for saying it like it is. This band being popular is great proof you don't need to be good or original to have success.

So Steven Wilson is a genius? Since when has this been news?

No he's not. He's a pretty good progressive rock musician who definitely could be hit back with this argument himself (though to a lesser extent) as he has borrowed elements in his music too, but he is 100% right in everything he said. Terrible band - check. Shamelessly ripping off a band nowhere near the same level - check. Forgotten in 10 years - no way to tell yet but probably yes.

Could have been a Nickelback member saying these quotes and I would have said "yeah thats correct".

[The Walrus]

Two highly subjective opinions there. He is not 100% right.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

Okay, I get it, but humor me: why should originality have ANYTHING to do with success? Success is determined entirely by the perception of the audience, and it seems like they're doing fine in that regard. If people enjoy it, who really cares if it's "original"? Almost everything has already been done before. It is incredibly, exceedingly difficult to make music that is actually new and pushes things forward. I see a lot of hate for Greta Van Fleet on my social media from people who listen to 300 new metal bands a year that do absolutely nothing new.

As someone who thinks making throwback music isn't the worst thing in the world, this kind of defeatist mentality in bold is something I don't jive with.

I'm sure music listeners in decades past have thought the same thing, yet look where we are now. It's only this type of mindset that sets the progression of art backwards and hinders growth.

[Zantera]

Two highly subjective opinions there. He is not 100% right.

Whether you agree with him or not, SW has always had strong opinions on bands that mimic other bands. It's a general sentiment I can agree with but then sometimes it comes back to bite him, like when he was bashing a lot of quite popular prog bands (i believe transatlantic, flower kings) saying they were everything that was wrong with progressive rock because they went backwards for inspiration instead of forward, but then he put out Raven a year later and it was essentially a homage to 70s prog rock.

[The Walrus]

Okay, I get it, but humor me: why should originality have ANYTHING to do with success? Success is determined entirely by the perception of the audience, and it seems like they're doing fine in that regard. If people enjoy it, who really cares if it's "original"? Almost everything has already been done before. It is incredibly, exceedingly difficult to make music that is actually new and pushes things forward. I see a lot of hate for Greta Van Fleet on my social media from people who listen to 300 new metal bands a year that do absolutely nothing new.

As someone who thinks making throwback music isn't the worst thing in the world, this kind of defeatist mentality in bold is something I don't jive with.

I'm sure music listeners in decades past have thought the same thing, yet look where we are now. It's only this type of mindset that sets the progression of art backwards and hinders growth.

It is not a defeatest mentality to point out how difficult it is to be original, and it also doesn't hinder growth to point it out either.

Two highly subjective opinions there. He is not 100% right.

Whether you agree with him or not, SW has always had strong opinions on bands that mimic other bands. It's a general sentiment I can agree with but then sometimes it comes back to bite him, like when he was bashing a lot of quite popular prog bands (i believe transatlantic, flower kings) saying they were everything that was wrong with progressive rock because they went backwards for inspiration instead of forward, but then he put out Raven a year later and it was essentially a homage to 70s prog rock.

I don't think it does any favors for the stereotype that prog rock musicians/fans are music snobs especially about mainstream acts, which is something I'm a bit surprised Steven Wilson himself isn't apparently aware of (or perhaps he just doesn't care, which is more likely).

[Ben_Jamin]

I dont get why they got so popular.

They're alright. Not my cup of tea. They're really hardcore with the '70s style though. Even going for the look.

[Adami]

Just on the idea that lots of bands aren't 100% forward thinking, etc.

I can't speak to Porcupine Tree's first few albums. Never heard them.

But when an artist is inspired by certain things and incorporates those sounds (be they 70's, 80's, whatever) into his/her music, that is one thing. When a band just sounds EXACTLY like bands from a certain decade or style that is long established, and have began their career in that sound, it's a different thing.

You can grow by incorporating older elements into your sound. But then you just create your sound out of older sounds only, it's not forward thinking at all.

Not saying it's a bad thing, or that no one else does it. Plenty do. But it's very different than paying homage or something when you're already established.

[The Walrus]

Have ya'll even listened to their album? Age of Man doesn't sound a damn thing like Led Zeppelin.

(EDIT: I agree with most of the points in your post there, Adami. I just think you're arguing something that isn't fully applicable to Greta Van Fleet. It's disingenuous to dismiss them as nothing but a Zeppelin carbon copy.)

[TAC]

Have ya'll even listened to their album? Age of Man doesn't sound a damn thing like Led Zeppelin.

I got that song in my roulette this round! Definitely not Led Zeppelin. I can vouch.

[Elite]

[Adami]

Have ya'll even listened to their album? Age of Man doesn't sound a damn thing like Led Zeppelin.

(EDIT: I agree with most of the points in your post there, Adami. I just think you're arguing something that isn't fully applicable to Greta Van Fleet. It's disingenuous to dismiss them as nothing but a Zeppelin carbon copy.)

Not sure I ever typed Zeppelin.

[The Walrus]

Have ya'll even listened to their album? Age of Man doesn't sound a damn thing like Led Zeppelin.

(EDIT: I agree with most of the points in your post there, Adami. I just think you're arguing something that isn't fully applicable to Greta Van Fleet. It's disingenuous to dismiss them as nothing but a Zeppelin carbon copy.)

Not sure I ever typed Zeppelin.

Like I already said, I agree with what you're saying in that post, I just don't think it's 100% applicable to Greta Van Fleet because there's more to the group than their alleged clone nature. All that matters at the end of the day is that they make music people like, just like any other artist out there.

[Adami]

Of course. I'm glad people like them. They're talented kids. Nice to see it's paying off for them. I was just explaining why 1) I don't like them very much and 2) why their sound isn't the same as simply not being 100% original all the time. That's all. Not saying they're bad or that people shouldn't like them.

[Zook]

The few songs I've heard scream " we want to be Led Zeppelin", but they weren't bad. Nothing that deserves an award though, and nothing that makes me want to keep listening.

[Fritzinger]

I am going to repost what I posted under a music video of theirs, to demonstrate how I feel about this band:

They sound a lot like Led Zeppelin, yes (duh), but then again, Led Zeppelin also sounded like a lot of older artists. BUT, GVF only sounds like the more basic/easy rock tunes by Led Zeppelin, far away from their real masterpieces Kashmir, Stairway, In The Light, Achilles. But their stuff is still awesome. And at least, real music made by real musicians with real instruments is going viral again. So, in conclusion, I have no idea how to feel about this band.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

I don't think it does any favors for the stereotype that prog rock musicians/fans are music snobs especially about mainstream acts, which is something I'm a bit surprised Steven Wilson himself isn't apparently aware of (or perhaps he just doesn't care, which is more likely).

Bingo.

[Adami]

This is also a problem when a rock band (or any band that writes their own stuff) gets a lot of popularity before/around the time of their first album.

They haven't really been around long enough to truly develop their sound or find themselves. Most bands get popularity around 3 or so albums in, sometimes even later. These guys are being judged as kids who are still finding themselves. And sadly labels will likely pressure them to just stay with their current sound because it's what made them popular, stymying their ability to really grow.

[cramx3]

This is also a problem when a rock band (or any band that writes their own stuff) gets a lot of popularity before/around the time of their first album.

This for sure, SW reads like someone jealous of their success and well, there's good reason to be.  I understand that and it plays a role in many people's dislike of them.  They have't "earned it" but that's the way life works sometimes.  They caught a break when others did not. 

[Stadler]

This is also a problem when a rock band (or any band that writes their own stuff) gets a lot of popularity before/around the time of their first album.

This for sure, SW reads like someone jealous of their success and well, there's good reason to be.  I understand that and it plays a role in many people's dislike of them.  They have't "earned it" but that's the way life works sometimes.  They caught a break when others did not.

SW being jealous of anyone's success is his own issue.  I'm a prog guy - even the other genres I like like metal are better when they have an element of prog in them - and I have a hard time with Wilson's material.  The only Wilson work I really like is Fish's "Sunsets On Empire".   I do believe that bands/artists generally get the level of success they "deserve", and so him being jealous says more about him than it does Greta Van Fleet. 

[Skeever]

I don't think Steven Wilson is "jealous", his music and general attitude has always been pretty contrarian. For better or worse, a lot of his artistic vision along the line seems to have been a reaction to things he did not like about the overall rock scene. He has always been open about things he did not like at a given time - other bands, production styles, even listening format - and his own music has always tried to provide an alternative to those thing, even if Wilson later embraced them (like having his music on Spotify). I agree with him about GVF though, there's not much to like and thinking about them just makes me sad that hard rock is now just another nostalgia genre.

[KevShmev]

Finally checked this band out and they sure do sound like Zeppelin knockoffs.  Not sure how anyone could listen to Safari Song and Highway Tune and think they aren't trying to sound exactly like Zeppelin.

That aside, I get why they are popular, as this is like throwing red meat to the portion of the masses who, believe it or not, are still craving mainstream hard rock.

[jcmoorehead]

I still haven't gotten around to listening to GVF so I can't really comment on them being Zeppelin knock-offs or not yet, but if they are and that's the music they enjoy creating then good luck to them. Every band/artist has to start somewhere, and mimicking your idols is generally where most will begin.

I did however have to comment on Wilsons stuff, I'm a fan of Steven Wilson although I do admit I have to be in the mood to listen to him and some of the Porcupine Tree stuff did take a while to click for me. I just find his comments to be really bad form,

I made a similar comment to this on a facebook post earlier but I think considering his own little rants at concerts about how people who didn't enjoy his 'pop' stuff were musical snobs and also ranting about how 'kids these days' don't know what an electric guitar is, him having a go at a young band that clearly have a passion for it does smack of hypocrisy.

They're not exempt from criticism by any means and everyone is entitled to an opinion but I think just straight up attacking them like he did does him no favours and makes him look a tad silly.

EDIT: Finally started to check them out, Safari song definitely does sound like Zeppelin but *shrug*, it sounds good to me. I'm into it.

[KevShmev]

True, good music is good music, and while it sounding too much like another band can be a bit oft-putting at first, I can usually get past it, even the music holds up and is good enough.  We'll see if this band passes the smell test in that regard.

As for SW's comments, he is British.  A bit of cheekiness is to be expected.

[jcmoorehead]

True, good music is good music, and while it sounding too much like another band can be a bit oft-putting at first, I can usually get past it, even the music holds up and is good enough.  We'll see if this band passes the smell test in that regard.

As for SW's comments, he is British.  A bit of cheekiness is to be expected.

Yeah, I can definitely understand why it might be off putting to some. Especially when it comes to a band like Zeppelin in which people do have this really strong emotional connection. Zeppelin were a force, they were huge and helped pave the road for hard rock, so when a new band comes along and sounds like them I can see why people would have a fairly negative reaction.

I do really like what I'm hearing from this first EP though, it is incredibly Zeppelin like which is fine by me. I like Zeppelin so I like this too. it's not bad to my ears. As you say though, whether or not they can build or remain consistently good with it remains to be seen. I like to be optimistic and hope they will.

Haha, see i'm the opposite with my form of Britishness, i'm too polite to be overly critical. I'm always trying to find something good to say 



Haha, that is true as well. See I'm the complete opposite, I'm British and can't find it within myself to be nasty about stuff like that 

[ShadowWalker]

This is also a problem when a rock band (or any band that writes their own stuff) gets a lot of popularity before/around the time of their first album.

They haven't really been around long enough to truly develop their sound or find themselves. Most bands get popularity around 3 or so albums in, sometimes even later. These guys are being judged as kids who are still finding themselves. And sadly labels will likely pressure them to just stay with their current sound because it's what made them popular, stymying their ability to really grow.

Agreed. My biggest complaint about GFV is not the comparison to Zeppelin (other than their sometimes denial of it in interviews... c'mon). but rather the lack of diversity in their sound. I have the two CDs on my iPod and listening to both albums back-to-back, it simply gets kinda boring after a while. Kinda like listening to AC/DC or The Ramones for an extended period. Everything starts to sound the same. I can see exactly what you are saying Adami and that could end up being a long-term issue with GVF...

[cygnusx1jg]

I dont get why they got so popular.

They're alright. Not my cup of tea. They're really hardcore with the '70s style though. Even going for the look.

I like their music. The LZ comparison isn't a bad thing IMO. However, do you really think mainstream media would be promoting this band if they were 35+ and looked like Lemmy (RIP). They are good looking guys, barely old enough to legally drink, and IMO they are for the youth fanbase. Not a 51 year old like me. And that's not a bad thing if younger people start enjoying music of a better, let's just say, quality.

[Stadler]

I dont get why they got so popular.

They're alright. Not my cup of tea. They're really hardcore with the '70s style though. Even going for the look.

I like their music. The LZ comparison isn't a bad thing IMO. However, do you really think mainstream media would be promoting this band if they were 35+ and looked like Lemmy (RIP). They are good looking guys, barely old enough to legally drink, and IMO they are for the youth fanbase. Not a 51 year old like me. And that's not a bad thing if younger people start enjoying music of a better, let's just say, quality.

Yeah, nope. 

[The Walrus]

70s fashion didn't even look good in the 70s. "What's he wearing?" "A sofa."

[NunoBadmintoncourt]

I can't help but wonder if there are any Greta Van Fleet fans who shit on the likes of Kingdom Come, Whitesnake, and Great White for being "Zeppelin clones" back in the '80s.

[cramx3]

I can't help but wonder if there are any Greta Van Fleet fans who shit on the likes of Kingdom Come, Whitesnake, and Great White for being "Zeppelin clones" back in the '80s.

GVF fan and I'm looking forward to seeing Whitesnake soon, David's voice is pretty much garbage these days but I'd like to see them in a smaller venue doing a full set.

[Stadler]

I can't help but wonder if there are any Greta Van Fleet fans who shit on the likes of Kingdom Come, Whitesnake, and Great White for being "Zeppelin clones" back in the '80s.

GVF fan and I'm looking forward to seeing Whitesnake soon, David's voice is pretty much garbage these days but I'd like to see them in a smaller venue doing a full set.

Was thinking EXACTLY the same thing about Whitesnake.   

[NunoBadmintoncourt]

I can't help but wonder if there are any Greta Van Fleet fans who shit on the likes of Kingdom Come, Whitesnake, and Great White for being "Zeppelin clones" back in the '80s.

GVF fan and I'm looking forward to seeing Whitesnake soon, David's voice is pretty much garbage these days but I'd like to see them in a smaller venue doing a full set.

I'll say something that's fitting for the controversial opinion thread - in their prime, Lenny Wolf, David Coverdale, and Jack Russell were all better live singers than Plant. I saw Whitesnake and Great White together, and while Whitesnake was good, Great White was fucking flawless.

I also remember Zebra being thrown into the mix of "Zeppelin-esque" bands, and I never understood it. Granted, Randy Jackson did play in a Zeppelin tribute band, but Zebra sounded absolutely nothing like Zeppelin to me.

[Stadler]

I can't help but wonder if there are any Greta Van Fleet fans who shit on the likes of Kingdom Come, Whitesnake, and Great White for being "Zeppelin clones" back in the '80s.

GVF fan and I'm looking forward to seeing Whitesnake soon, David's voice is pretty much garbage these days but I'd like to see them in a smaller venue doing a full set.

I'll say something that's fitting for the controversial opinion thread - in their prime, Lenny Wolf, David Coverdale, and Jack Russell were all better live singers than Plant. I saw Whitesnake and Great White together, and while Whitesnake was good, Great White was fucking flawless.

I also remember Zebra being thrown into the mix of "Zeppelin-esque" bands, and I never understood it. Granted, Randy Jackson did play in a Zeppelin tribute band, but Zebra sounded absolutely nothing like Zeppelin to me.

I don't know about "better than Plant" - he's a rock god for a reason - but you don't have to sell me on Jack Russell.  The dude is fucked up, but he owns a voice from the heavens.  I just got his solo record - "For You" - and his band is out of this world (Bob Kulick, Tony Levin, Billy Sherwood, and Vinnie Colaiuta).  I just wish the songs - written by Kulick, Sherwood and Russell - were a shade better. 

[TAC]

Seemed if you had a high pitched voice, you were called a Zeppelin clone. Both of which Whitesnake and Great White definitely were NOT.
Zebra either.


Kingdom Come on the otherhand...