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Jimmy Page, It's time to call your lawyers?

I'm pretty late to this party--as usual.  A Chicago radio station is starry-eyed over Greta Van Fleet.  I gave them a listen today.  All I could think was...

Is this a Zeppelin parody band? 

There are so many features to their sound, playing, and sonics that sound just like LZ--so much so that I cannot get into the music passionately.  These are (IMHO):  Vocals (phrasing mimics Robert Plant without stopping);  Lyrics (the themes seem, based on limited listening, to track LZ);  Lead Guitar (I cannot think of another guitarist who sounds like he's trying to sound like Page as much as this one).  

Does Greta Van Fleet sound like a facsimile to you?  I'm not hung up on punishing artists who copy, as I think it's part and parcel of the art form.  But I'm having real trouble getting past the photocopy nature of this.  Again, this is just one person's opinion. So curious to hear what others think and feel about this group.  I'd like to give them more of a chance and maybe others can help.  For now, I can't keep listening.

128x128jbhiller
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
The only thing Zep-ish about the Van Fleets is the singer's voice...the dynamics pretty much lack with Fleet and most modern bands, which hasn't hurt their career I suppose. Zep's early performances were very dynamic, and utilized all the smart tricks of the trade from their attitude and utterly organized relentless showmanship and musical chops, which in Van Fleet's case means the guitar and bass player jump around a lot. They can get better, but based of their sudden success they might not have to. The Bass-keyboard kid has some serious talent so maybe he can think up some good material.
n80
2,116 posts
 
If you know LZ and if you know Robert Plant you will see that the singer of GVF even parodies his movements and stage presence. Nothing wrong with that. Just saying.

I don’t see them as a parody band. I think they are serious about what they do.

I don’t see them as a tribute band because they’re not really playing LZ songs.

I don’t see them as thieves. They’re just doing what rock musicians do. And let’s not forget, probably none of them were born before LZ broke up.

The problem I have with them is that they just aren’t very good. I can’t listen to them for more than a few minutes. The way they have ’borrowed’ just doesn’t work for me. It seems like a very formulaic borrowing, not just a matter of learning and influence.

I think they have the ability to be a good band. I think if they want that to happen they need to stop listening to LZ immediately and start listening to hard raw blues all day and all night for a year and then write some music.


tablejockey
3,885 posts
 
"If you know LZ and if you know Robert Plant you will see that the singer of GVF even parodies his movements and stage presence. Nothing wrong with that. Just saying."

n80-
I was wondering if my criticism was too harsh, mentioning the RP stage persona.
Listening to the singer, and watching the guitarist ape Jimmy’s moves,just became corny.

I don’t think of GVF as a Zep rip-off band, their just lacking in originality.

ANY Rock band coming up these days, has to not only have musical chops, but the rare ability to somehow, add something fresh. Ripoff or not, the mighty Zeppelin, and others did just that.

Those boys need to draw deeper within. A visit to the "crossroads" perhaps?


wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
As mentioned previously, this band is very successful already...very...so I somehow doubt they give a rat's patootie about entertaining suggestions about getting better at anything as what they do seems to be  working out OK. I think one reason I like them at all comes from watching some Youtube interviews where they display an above average intelligence and gracious attitude...seem like nice kids, and regardless of reasonable criticism I predict they'll be the biggest band in the world in maybe a year. I still won't listen to them except accidentally, but so what? 
n80
2,116 posts
 
The band is successful in a grass roots sort of way. They're still playing 1000 seat clubs etc. Nothing wrong with that but they certainly haven't hit the 'big time' yet. Lots of low level bands get on the late shows etc.

I wish them all the luck in the world and hope they do make it big. But I think most of their fan base is the kind of folks who would go to an LZ tribute show. Nothing wrong with that either. But not enough to sustain a long lucrative career probably.

And of course they don't care what us arm-chair agent/managers have to say. And if they're management is good and has a good sense of what people want, they may do well. I just don't think their current tack is going to take them much further. 

My predictions are worth exactly nothing.
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