Greta Van Fleet from Frankenmuth is generating a lot of buzz in the music industry.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — Is there a rock scene today?
In an age of hipsters, viral videos and EDM, today’s popular music seems more focused on the latest dance-club-DJ-turned-overnight-sensation.
What happened to rock ‘n’ roll?
Well, a band from Michigan might be the answer. Really.
The band is named Greta Van Fleet, and it consists of 4 guys from Frankenmuth who play old school rock ‘n’ roll inspired by their parents’ vinyl records. Those records featured blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Buddy Guy, and early rock pioneers such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who.
Two of the band members just graduated from high school this year. Two are only 21
In a matter of only a few months they’ve become radio darlings where songs from their four-song EP, «Black Smoke Rising, » have won over fans and created this massive buzz.
On the road right now with The Struts (including a show July 3 with Shinedown at the National Cherry Festival) , the guys just announced a three-week headlining tour in August.
The band is so hot that a show at the legendary Viper Room in Los Angeles sold out in 2 hours.
«Our greatest weapon is that we don’t really think about (all the success) , » said lead singer Josh Kiszka in a recent interview while getting ready to play Milwaukee’s prestigious Summerfest.
«That might frighten everybody.»
What’s frightening is how fast it’s happening.
Even though it formed in 2012, the band really hit its stride after signing to a management team that helped it land a deal with Lava/Republic Records.
The quartet of 21-year-old twin brothers Josh Kiszka (vocals) and Jake Kiszka (lead guitar) and younger brother Sam Kiszka, 18 (bass) and Danny Wagner, 18 (drums) recorded its EP at Rust Belt Studios in suburban Detroit with producers Al Sutton (Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr.) and Marlon Young from Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band.
The first single, «Highway Tune, » is blowing up. (See video below.)
In April, Apple Music named them Artist of the week, calling them «good-looking millennial guys who are out of step with their era: they’re unapologetic throwbacks to the golden era of classic rock — specifically, the golden era of Led Zeppelin.»
As for the first single, Loudwire called it a «gritty and infectious debut track» and gave them a spot in the magazine’s Best Rock Songs of 2017 (So Far) .
Along with the national exposure, the lead singer said support from family and friends in Frankenmuth has been «overwhelming.»
«It’s everything you would image it would be, » Josh said. «It’s a great thing. Everybody in Frankenmuth has always been very supportive. Now, things are happening, and they are just as excited as we are, really.»
Named after Gretna Van Fleet, a town elder in her 80s who still plays drums, the band is hoping it makes a lasting impression on all of its new fans.
«We have an extremely excited crowd to see us, now, » said Josh about the band’s tour with The Struts. «There is a vigor and excitement for what we’re doing, and people are accepting this as something that’s substantial.»
How does he describe the band’s sound?
«We all like the idea that our music provides love, peace and unity, » Josh said. «But it could all be cerebral and exciting. It’s nostalgic in some senses, too, in a unique way.»
As for the live show, he calls it a «wild experience.»
«We want it to be an experience, like the Grateful Dead, » he said.
«It’s not something you go to eat popcorn and watch for an hour and walk away from it. We want you to take something out of it…something that you feel inside or that has lifted you up or done something to change your life for the better.
«It’s like a really good movie, it has substance to it.»
GRETA VAN FLEET opens for Shinedown on July 3 at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. Ticket availability at cherryfestival.org. More on the band at gretavanfleet.com .
Other Shows:
July 4: 90s Dance Party (All-4-One, Vanilla Ice, C&C Music Factory and Freedom Williams)
July 5: REO Speedwagon
July 6: Cole Swindell
July 7: truTV Impractical Jokers starring the Tenderloins
July 8: Old Dominion
Greta Van Fleet Signs a Record Deal
Drummer misses High School Golf State Tournament because of tour
