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Greta Van Fleet

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Band Timeline

2012

Formation of Greta Van Fleet in Frankenmuth, Michigan

Greta Van Fleet was formed in 2012 by twin brothers Josh and Jake Kiszka, their younger brother Sam Kiszka, along with drummer Kyle Hauck in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Jake's aspiration to start a band led to practicing music together in the Kiszka family garage. The band name originated from a local resident "Gretna Van Fleet," and was adopted with her blessing. Initially, Kyle Hauck played drums and the band crafted early songs like "Cloud Train" and "Highway Tune." This year marked the beginning of their journey in the rock music scene.
2013

Lineup Change and Early Songwriting

In 2013, the band made a significant lineup change when drummer Kyle Hauck was replaced by Danny Wagner, a close friend of the Kiszka brothers. This solidified the core quartet of the band known today. The initial guitar riff for "Highway Tune," which would become their breakthrough hit, was reportedly written as early as 2010 by Jake Kiszka. The band continued honing their sound and live performance skills throughout this period, setting the stage for future releases.
2014

Early Releases and Exposure

In 2014, Greta Van Fleet began gaining exposure with the release of a live EP recorded in one take on February 28 and released later on June 7. Their song "Standing On" gained local attention through its use in advertisements for the Chevy Equinox in the Detroit area. These early recordings, including "Standing On" and "Cloud Train," helped establish the band's reputation and presence in the regional music scene, although some early songs later became unavailable as the band's catalog evolved.
2017

Breakthrough with 'Black Smoke Rising' and 'From the Fires' EPs

2017 was a landmark year for Greta Van Fleet. After signing with Lava Records in March, they released their debut EP, 'Black Smoke Rising,' in April, featuring the single 'Highway Tune' which topped Billboard's U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts for four consecutive weeks in September. Their growing popularity was further reinforced by the release of their second EP, 'From the Fires,' in November, which combined songs from the debut EP with four new tracks. 'From the Fires' won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, marking the band’s critical breakthrough.
2018

Release of Debut Studio Album 'Anthem of the Peaceful Army'

In October 2018, Greta Van Fleet released their first full-length studio album, 'Anthem of the Peaceful Army.' The album quickly rose to number one on the Billboard Rock Albums chart. Its lead single, 'When the Curtain Falls,' had been released earlier in July and became the band’s third number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The album also topped the Billboard Hard Rock chart and the Top Album Sales chart during its debut week, demonstrating their commercial viability and consolidating their place in modern rock music.
2021

Second Studio Album 'The Battle at Garden's Gate' and Continued Success

On April 16, 2021, Greta Van Fleet released their second studio album, 'The Battle at Garden's Gate.' This album marked an evolution in their sound with singles such as 'Heat Above,' 'Light My Love,' and 'My Way, Soon.' The release was commercially successful, debuting at number 8 on the Billboard 200 chart. This period demonstrated the band's continued growth and ability to engage a wider audience while expanding their musical style beyond their earlier blues-rock influences.
2023

Release of Third Studio Album 'Starcatcher'

Greta Van Fleet released their third studio album, 'Starcatcher,' on July 21, 2023, through Lava and Republic Records. Continuing their trajectory of evolving rock musicianship, this album reflects their artistic maturity and solidifies their standing within contemporary rock music. The release was anticipated by fans and critics alike, marking over a decade of the band's active career and ongoing contributions to the rock genre.

Albums

greta-van-fleet_1st_album
Anthem of the Peaceful Army
11 tracks
2018
greta-van-fleet_2nd_album
The Battle at Garden’s Gate
12 tracks
2021
greta-van-fleet_3rd_album
Starcatcher
10 tracks
2023
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Sam Kiszka

2012

Background vocals

Keyboard

Bass guitar

Daniel Wagner

2013

Drums (drum set)

Joshua Kiszka

2012

Lead vocals

Jake Kiszka

2012

Guitar

Background vocals

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Kyle Hauck

2012
2013

Drums (drum set)

Story of Greta Van Fleet

Greta Van Fleet: A Rock N' Roll Resurrection

Greta Van Fleet, hailing from the small town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, burst onto the scene in 2012 with a sound that harked back to the golden age of rock. The Kiszka brothers – Josh on vocals, Jake on guitar, and Sam on bass and keyboards – along with drummer Danny Wagner, have become a force to be reckoned with in the modern rock landscape.

Their early success came in 2017 when they signed with Lava Records. A month later, they unleashed their debut EP, "Black Smoke Rising," showcasing their raw energy and blues-infused riffs. The lead single, "Highway Tune," rocketed to the top of both the Billboard U.S. Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts for a solid four weeks, marking their first taste of mainstream success.

Building on this momentum, they released their second EP, "From the Fires," in November 2017, expanding their sonic palette with four new tracks. The album was a critical and commercial triumph, culminating in a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2019.

Their debut full-length album, "Anthem of the Peaceful Army," dropped in October 2018 and stormed the charts, claiming the top spot on the Billboard Rock Albums chart in its debut week. The lead single, "When the Curtain Falls," cemented their status as a chart-topping band, becoming their third number-one on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. "Anthem of the Peaceful Army" also conquered the Billboard Hard Rock charts and the Billboard Top Album Sales charts in its opening week, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with.

Continuing their relentless momentum, Greta Van Fleet unleashed their sophomore album, "The Battle at Garden's Gate," in April 2021. With each release, the band has refined their sound while staying true to their retro roots, proving themselves to be not just a throwback band, but a powerful new voice in the modern rock landscape.

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