For a young rock band, there is perhaps no greater blessing—and no heavier curse—than being compared to the titans of the genre. Since their explosive arrival on the mainstream circuit, Greta Van Fleet has occupied a unique position in the musical zeitgeist. While their soaring riffs and banshee-wails have earned them a massive global following, they have simultaneously faced a relentless barrage of criticism, with detractors frequently labeling them as nothing more than a high-fidelity Led Zeppelin “ripoff.”
In a revealing conversation with FaceCulture, guitarist Jake Kiszka addressed these persistent comparisons head-on, offering a glimpse into how the band processes the polarized reception of their sound. Rather than responding with defensiveness or frustration, Kiszka’s perspective suggests a band that is both grounded and increasingly self-aware.
A Growing Consciousness
According to Kiszka, the band wasn’t initially seeking to replicate the “Hammer of the Gods.” In fact, the realization that they sounded so much like Jimmy Page and company came largely through the public’s reaction rather than a conscious effort in the studio.
“I think that we’ve become more conscious of it, because I don’t think before we ever really realized, in a lot of senses, the similarities or the commonalities that we share with that group,” Kiszka remarked. It appears that the external noise acted as a mirror, forcing the band to look back at their own influences and identify the sonic DNA they share with the legendary British quartet.
Compliment or Constraint?
While some artists might bristle at the suggestion that their work lacks originality, Greta Van Fleet chooses to view the comparison through a lens of gratitude. Kiszka described the accusations as “one of the greatest compliments” a young ensemble could receive. To be mentioned in the same breath as arguably the greatest rock band in history is, in his eyes, both “humbling and inspiring.”
However, this “honorable” comparison has led to a period of introspection. The band has taken the time to revisit Led Zeppelin’s discography to better understand why the world sees them as successors to that specific throne. “It’s interesting, because there is a lot of those commonalities,” Kiszka noted, acknowledging that even if Zeppelin wasn’t an “overwhelming” primary influence during their formative years, their impact on the broader rock landscape remains undeniable.
Maintaining Creative Integrity
The most critical question for any artist in this position is whether the public discourse alters the creative process. If a band is told they sound too much like a predecessor, do they deliberately pivot to avoid the stigma?
For Greta Van Fleet, the answer is a firm no. Kiszka insisted that while they are now fully aware of the parallels, the “ripoff” narrative has no seat at the table during their songwriting sessions. “Overall, it doesn’t really affect the writing of our music,” he stated.
This refusal to let external criticism dictate their artistic direction suggests that Greta Van Fleet is committed to their path, whether that path leads them further into the classic rock revival or toward a sound that eventually sheds the Zeppelin shadow. For now, they seem content to carry the torch of stadium rock, regardless of whose fire it resembles.