This review could be VERY easily completed with three words, to be honest.  The night could be summed up as INCREDIBLE, FRESH and ENERGIZING.

I was very excited to get the chance to see and cover Greta Van Fleet. The only thing I wish was that they would have played a bigger venue. They SOLD OUT Mr. Small’s Funhouse in Millvale PA. Rather quickly too. And from what I was told, they turned away quite a few people looking to get tickets the night of the show. This band could have easily packed a bigger venue such as Stage AE or the likes thereof. But we can hope for that the next time they visit Pittsburgh.

The band that consists of brothers Josh Kiszka, Jake Kiszka and Sam Kiszka, and friend and drummer Danny Wagner. The three brothers are musically gifted and will be at the forefront of the music industry for many years to come.

The shows started with a ton of energy and finished the same way.  Josh’s vocal’s while VERY Robert Plant-ish, are BEYOND incredible.  What he can do LIVE is phenomenal. Let alone what he can do on a record. Playing in these smaller venues, there is no taped vocals nor anything mysterious to be done with the sound systems. At Mr. Small’s HE BLEW THE CROWD AWAY with his incredible range and power. I really don’t want to compare Josh to anything that Robert Pant ever did. Many currently are calling them very Led Zepplin-like. However, Josh’s vocals are fresh and more powerful in my opinion. Plus, he plays with his range and ability much more than Robert Plant ever did, so again, I don’t want to compare him to Plant like many have. However, as GREAT of a performer as Robert Plant was, I will compare Josh to him in that regard. Josh kept the crowd in the palm of his hand all night and left them screaming and hoping for more. Black Smoke Rising, Highway Tune and Safari Song were AMAZING. Simply jaw dropping with what Josh can do with his vocal range. Josh’s range and crisp tone were great and he is not showing any signs of wear or tear on his vocals. I hope he takes care of his talent. It is indeed rare and breathtaking to say the least.

Edge of Darkness, Flower Power and When The Cold Wind Blows were equally as impressive. Josh’s blew the roof off Mr. Small’s on Flower Power. Again, his range makes the song.

 

Jake Kiszka really brought a lot to the table on guitar. He’s young very gifted just like his two brothers. He did some great things on the guitar that only a seasoned very really should be doing. Josh’s other brother, Sam while quiet and mellow at first really stepped out of his shell halfway through the show and shined.  His talent on the keyboards also put energized the show. By the end of the show, Sam was really loosened up and having a great time. With Danny Wagner on the drums and the only one outside the family, he really shined. No real solo, but did have some time where he got to shine on the skins.

 

The encore brought Highway Song and The Safari Song. INCREDIBLE set enders and the crowd really was into them. There is really nothing more than I can say about this band and the show. If they are putting on the same exact show now on the west coast that they did in Pittsburgh PA, the crowds are getting their money’s worth and telling their friends that they need to see this band and buy their CD.  Which by chance, is being released November 10th. Their new CD will be available on iTunes then and I expect to sell very well and hopefully setting up another leg of an American tour. Hopefully, Pittsburgh and Stage AE are on it.

All words and PIX Ed Thompson ©2017

 

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