Greta Van Fleet guitarist Jake Kiszka called Led Zeppelin hater trolls who trash them the ‘loud minority’ in a new Guitar interview.
“Art is supposed to elicit strong reactions, isn’t it? I actually think it’s a beautiful thing. There’s something sort of perfect about having one or another direct response to what we’re doing.
“It’s the essential point, really. Music can affect somebody in a very loving, peaceful, or inspirational way, or it can go the other way and you have a determined opposite reaction in which people are infuriated by it. I think that’s the objective of all artists…
“It’s somewhat perplexing. I think one has to establish the fact that we are commonly referred to as a ‘classic rock band’ or a ‘throwback band’ to comment on that.
“I’ve always thought it would be really puzzling to try to identify ourselves in those ways because I think we’re very much a product of our environment, politically and societally speaking.
“When I wake up tomorrow, I’m still going to be living in a world that surrounds me and influences me, and I think we’re contemporary in our flesh and blood.
“I think it has to do with age, really. Critics are hard to press, in particular to the Zeppelin reference, which we’re humbled by.
“We’re honored by that affiliation, but again there’s a point within factions of society that are drawn to ignorant criticism.
“It’s just something we’ll never be a part of contributing to. The loud minority will never speak for the quiet majority. That’s something Joe Bonamassa mentioned to me once, and I believe it’s pretty accurate.”
After listing the likes of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Elmore James, Robert Johnson, Lead Belly, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Howlin’ Wolf as his musical influences, Jake added:
“The list goes on. Blues is at the heart of my dominant influences, and the same goes for the rest of the band. What we do and how we do it is very truthful to us…
“It feels as if we’re dealing with things that other artists would normally encounter a decade into their careers.
“To be honest, we don’t feel a lot of pressure because we’re four guys who are creating what we want. I don’t think success is really a factor that plays into how we make our music. That’s on the back burner, I guess.”
