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New Bands You Should Know (2017)

At Blues Rock Review we pretty much have an endless supply of new music we can listen to and because of that, it can be hard for bands to stand out, especially new bands. But every once in a while a new band will make its way into our ears and into our soul. These up and coming bands have certainly done that, so jump on the bandwagon now because they’ll be ones to watch.

Greta Van Fleet

Greta Van Fleet is a four-piece blues rock group out of Frankenmuth, Michigan and are certainly one of the most pleasant surprises of 2017. Get in your time machine and teleport back to the ’70s when rock was king. The group released a four track EP Black Smoke Rising in April and are quickly becoming one of the buzz bands of 2017. With a vocal powerhouse reminiscent of Robert Plant in frontman Josh Kiszka along with brothers Jake and Sam Kiszka, and Danny Wagner, Greta Van Fleet is heading for rock superstardom. Oh, did we mention that no one in the band is over the age of 21?

The Gringos

Put together four Americans and one Brazilian in Brazil and you get The Gringos. The psychedelic blues rockers released The Animal Kingdom in July and deserve more attention. The Animal Kingdom features otherworldly guitar playing and some of the grooviest jams of the year with a lead singer (João Castilhos) sure to draw comparisons to The Doors’ Jim Morrison with his vocal and lyrical style.

Rainbreakers

Rainbreakers are a four-piece blues rock group out of the UK and grabbed our attention with their latest EP, Rise Up. The track “On My Own” appeared on Blues Rock Review Album Sampler Volume 8. The group is a wonderful mix of blues, rock, and soul with a modern spin similar to Gary Clark Jr.

Pete Francis

Pete Francis is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Blues Rock Review. Pete founded Blues Rock Review in 2010 because he felt there was a major void in how the blues rock genre was covered. Pete is the host of Blues Rock Weekly and a co-host on the Blues Rock Show.

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9 thoughts on “New Bands You Should Know (2017)

  • I agree with your choices of The Gringos and The Rainbreakers, but Greta Van Fleet appears to be a bit premature to me…

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    • Totally agree with you John. The Gringos and Rainbreakers are talented bands, with formidable, original material. Greta Van Fleet appear to be little more than mimics of Led Zeppelin, the lead singer even standing like Robert Plant, copying his expressions and gestures. The lead guitarist seems to think he’s Jimmy Page … in his dreams. Sorry, but they’d be better to perform as a Led Zep tribute band.

      Reply
  • I really liked Greta Van Fleet… The other two groups put me to sleep and had no hooks. Sure Greta Van Fleet are Zep ‘knock offs’ but so what? At least they were energetic and entraining. They will develop their own sound in time.

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    • Agree Mike they are young and finding their feet – I seem to remember The Rival son’s being compared to Led Zep with there first few album releases until they found their unique sound – I personally think Greta Van Fleet are a band to watch

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      • I like Greta. You listen a couple of times and you’re hooked. I also like “Pressure and Time”. Been listening to Thorbjorn Risager’s “Dreamland” and “Long Forgotten Track”. Looking forward to the Bender so I can see Hamish Anderson. Keep the Blues Alive!!!

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  • Nothing really made me say yeah that’s it.

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  • Out of the 3 I like the Rainbreakers the best.Looking forward to what they bring next time around.
    I think GVF has potential if they develope their songwriting.The EP is good but nothing really stands out for me.Kind of like they are just developing.But could have potential for something real good.

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