Greta Van Fleet (rant)

[88keys]

So I’m not gonna be the first guy to say “hey they sound just like Led Zeppelin” let alone be the first guy to rant about it. But here is what gets under my skin about these guys. First off, I’m not gonna say that their music is bad. I’m not even criticizing them for sounding like Led Zeppelin. My gripes center entirely around the how they won’t even own up to the fact that is exactly what they’ve set out to do.

I’m sorry, but you just don’t come up with a sound like that by total accident. It’s so ridiculous that I can even trace the exact Led Zeppelin song that they're ripping off in some cases.

From the scream at the beginning of “The Safari Song” or the guitar riff and main chorus in “When the Curtain Falls” I cant help but feel like they ask themselves “What would Robert Plant or Jimmy Page do at this point in the song?”... “Oh yeah, that sounds good because they did that in that one song, so let’s do that!”

Ugh. It’s one thing to lack your own musical identity or signature sound, but to blatantly rip off a classic musical act and not own up to it is something that I have no respect for. If they would at least say “Hey we formed a band with the intention of sounding just like Led Zeppelin”, I could respect that. It’s like ‘accidentally’ painting a replica of starry night or something. That just doesn’t happen... unless it was done with a photocopier in which case.....


Anyway, Im sure their popularity will be short lived unless they can come up with their own signature sound. The Led Zeppelinesque novelty will wear off because their songs will never compare to the classics, just as a photocopied “Starry Night” would have no place in an art museum.

/end rant.

 

[zinfamous]

While I don't instantly recognize the name, I know exactly what you are talking about because I recently saw some new band for a brief moment--Austin City Limits, maybe?--and thought the exact same thing. and then yeah...that was their name.

 

[dasherHampton]

Anyone remember these guys?

The riff is Black Dog turned upside down, and then straight into Kashmir. lolololol

 

[nakedfrog]

From what I understand, they also dress in a similar fashion. Their logo also bears a bit of similarity to the Stranger Things logo.

 

[KMFJD]

remember hearing the lead singer try and squirm his way out of the Zeppelin thing by saying they were way more influenced by Aerosmith...

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I have no problem with bands copying other bands. They still have to have talent or, no one would listen to them.

 

[dasherHampton]

I think there's a fine line between being influenced by and copying.

The band in the video I posted just flat out copied Led Zeppelin.

 

[Ajay]

I think there's a fine line between being influenced by and copying.

The band in the video I posted just flat out copied Led Zeppelin.

Except for the fact that they suck.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I think there's a fine line between being influenced by and copying.

The band in the video I posted just flat out copied Led Zeppelin.

Who does it harm? Does it lessen your enjoyment of Led Zeppelin? Does it take money from Led Zep? As a Chef, I don't believe in secret recipes. If someone wants to put the effort and attention to detail into the food that I do, more power to them. I'll hand them any recipe they want.

 

[dasherHampton]

I spent a lot of time in music over the course of my life, and I've maintained pro level musicianship to this day.

Copying someone annoys me as an artist.

 

[Fritzo]

Here's my response: SO THE HELL WHAT IF THEY SOUND LIKE SOMEONE ELSE. Musicians wear their heart on their sleeve, and they have original music that is in the style of a group they admire. They're putting rock back on the map, they actually PLAY INSTRUMENTS, and people seem to like them as they're selling out venues. When they put out some new material, I'm sure they'll evolve into something else. Music needs to build on the foundations of those that came before. That stopped happening about 20 years ago and the result we've had two decades of unmemorable synthesized music. If I became popular people would probably say I'm ripping off Jimmy Page, BB King, and Scotty Moore because they taught me every lick and trick I know. Every musician in the 60's and 70's used the styles of 40's and 50's blues and rockabilly players. You emulate your idols and build on their work. That's how music evolves.

I'm very very tired of the Internet judgement committees- they're literally ruining everything artistic. What's the goal of this criticism? To get them to stop playing? To get people to stop enjoying their music? To prove your superior intellect by seeing through their charade? What's the endgame here?

 

[DigDog]

TLDR but there is a band of girls who are like, Led Zeppeling, but actually good. Dont belive me just watch (tm)

 

[zinfamous]

I spent a lot of time in music over the course of my life, and I've maintained pro level musicianship to this day.

Copying someone annoys me as an artist.

...then why do you defend Zeppelin? Hi-yo!

 

[dasherHampton]

...then why do you defend Zeppelin? Hi-yo!

Again - "being influenced by" vs "copying"

Houses of the Holy is their masterpiece (imo). Who did they copy with that album?

 

[KMFJD]

TLDR but there is a band of girls who are like, Led Zeppeling, but actually good. Dont belive me just watch (tm)

not a fan of that version but to each his own (too much keyboards for me ), i do like their studio stuff, Far From Earth is their newest (Delusion is a great song)

 

[WilliamM2]

I have no problem with bands copying other bands. They still have to have talent or, no one would listen to them.

You haven't turned on a radio in a while have you. No talent required. Looks maybe...

 

[Fritzo]

Again - "being influenced by" vs "copying"

Houses of the Holy is their masterpiece (imo). Who did they copy with that album?

Rain Song - riff inspired by "Something" by the Beatles
Over The Hills and Far Away - acoustic riff comes from standard Irish folk music
Crunge - Straight James Brown riff
Dyer Maker- Bob Marley riff
The Ocean - solo had heavy James Burton influences

We're all an accumulation of those that came before us.

 

[nakedfrog]

Here's my response: SO THE HELL WHAT IF THEY SOUND LIKE SOMEONE ELSE. Musicians wear their heart on their sleeve, and they have original music that is in the style of a group they admire. They're putting rock back on the map, they actually PLAY INSTRUMENTS, and people seem to like them as they're selling out venues. When they put out some new material, I'm sure they'll evolve into something else. Music needs to build on the foundations of those that came before. That stopped happening about 20 years ago and the result we've had two decades of unmemorable synthesized music. If I became popular people would probably say I'm ripping off Jimmy Page, BB King, and Scotty Moore because they taught me every lick and trick I know. Every musician in the 60's and 70's used the styles of 40's and 50's blues and rockabilly players. You emulate your idols and build on their work. That's how music evolves.

I'm very very tired of the Internet judgement committees- they're literally ruining everything artistic. What's the goal of this criticism? To get them to stop playing? To get people to stop enjoying their music? To prove your superior intellect by seeing through their charade? What's the endgame here?

In the OP's case, it seems like he wants them to just acknowledge their debt.

 

[dasherHampton]

Rain Song - riff inspired by "Something" by the Beatles
Over The Hills and Far Away - acoustic riff comes from standard Irish folk music
Crunge - Straight James Brown riff
Dyer Maker- Bob Marley riff
The Ocean - solo had heavy James Burton influences

We're all an accumulation of those that came before us.

Those examples are over the top ("over the hills and far away" is a standard Irish riff? I've played a lot of Irish music in my life) but thanks for admitting it's "influences", not "copies".

I'll give an example from classical music: I've always been annoyed by Ravel. Instead of building upon it he absolutely copied Debussy's original style, from melody to harmony to orchestration. It's no wonder Debussy hated his guts.

2nd rate hack.

 

[88keys]

Honestly, I don’t have an issue with copying, paying homage or whatever. Just own up to it. The fact that they (Greta Van Fleet) deny it is what bugs me the most. If they set out to be a modern day Led Zeppelin, theyre doing a good job at it. If they claim to be even slightly new and original, then they are full of shit. Period.


Edit:

The other thing I want to clarify here is that it is one thing to have a song or two that sounds like it’s from another band. Billy Squiers “Lonely is the Night” sounds like it could be Led Zeppelin, but that’s one song. Influence, and homage is one thing. But building your entire career around sounding like someone else is wholly another. Especially when you won’t acknowledge the originators. IIRC, I think even Robert Plant called them out on it.

 

[DigDog]

not a fan of that version but to each his own (too much keyboards for me ), i do like their studio stuff, Far From Earth is their newest (Delusion is a great song)

to be honest, i did also feel the same way. But, they are 4 sisters. One had to play keyboards. whacchagonnadu, kick her out? And, the final result is pretty darn outstanding. The drummer really has the right spirit.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You haven't turned on a radio in a while have you. No talent required. Looks maybe...

I don't think that's a radio you're listening to...

 

[Fritzo]

Those examples are over the top ("over the hills and far away" is a standard Irish riff? I've played a lot of Irish music in my life) but thanks for admitting it's "influences", not "copies".

I'll give an example from classical music: I've always been annoyed by Ravel. Instead of building upon it he absolutely copied Debussy's original style, from melody to harmony to orchestration. It's no wonder Debussy hated his guts.

2nd rate hack.

You didn't play enough: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_Hills_and_Far_Away_(traditional_song) A and G flatpicking/pulloff style tends to all sound the same, and the acoustic part of that song was lifted from that in the same way Stairway to Heaven was lifted from a descending scale from old classical and baroque music:

Can you show an example of a song copied by Gretta Van Fleet? They have no similar arrangements and no similar lyrics.They simply are making heavy blues-rock the way Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Santana, and every other 70's band did. Is it the singing? David Coverdale took a lot of flack for sounding like Robert Plant too, but Coverdale actually went to the extent of looking like Plant, singing Plant's songs, and playing with his former guitarist.

 

[Ventanni]

I like 'em a lot. I think they're a refreshing experience to listen to.

 

[88keys]

You didn't play enough: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_Hills_and_Far_Away_(traditional_song) A and G flatpicking/pulloff style tends to all sound the same, and the acoustic part of that song was lifted from that in the same way Stairway to Heaven was lifted from a descending scale from old classical and baroque music:

Can you show an example of a song copied by Gretta Van Fleet? They have no similar arrangements and no similar lyrics.They simply are making heavy blues-rock the way Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Santana, and every other 70's band did. Is it the singing? David Coverdale took a lot of flack for sounding like Robert Plant too, but Coverdale actually went to the extent of looking like Plant, singing Plant's songs, and playing with his former guitarist.

Really? You can’t hear the similarities? Like the “ahhhh” at the beginning of “Safari Song” is t something that Robert plant wouldn’t do? I could name tons of examples. Their new song “You’re the one”, just the way he sings “Ain’t no denying”, and “ But you’re eeeevil, you oughta know”. I could go on and on. That doesn’t sound like Hendrix, or any other band from that era. Like I said earlier, it’s one thing to sound kinda like this band or that band. It’s another when you’ve built an entire career around sounding like one specific band, and that’s what they’ve done. There’s a ton of memes about Greta Van Fleet copying Led Zeppelin’s style. That’s fine if you like it. But you’re in denial if you can’t hear the similarities.

 

[Rifter]

I agree with OP, just admit it, it bothers me as well. I would have no problem with them if they were honest about it.