Top 10 Most Infamous Rip-Off Bands Ever

In the early 2000s, Hinder emerged during a new phase of modern rock. Their intense sound fits right in with other post-grunge acts. While you could compare them to other 1990s bands, you could argue that they live in the shadow of Nickelback. It’s not the nicest comparison when their tracks could be considered derivative and safe. They might come from a familiar style, but Hinder also toured with Nickelback. In a similar vein, Creed is another contemporary thrown in with these artists. It doesn’t help that all three bands have deep-voiced vocalists and an emphasis on heavy guitars.

Unsurprisingly, The Beatles influenced a number of artists in the 1960s. This includes a less-remembered group named The Knickerbockers. In terms of pop rock and singing styles, their song “Lies” sounds more than a little bit like “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The British Invasion likely struck a chord with the band, with this act’s brief success partially tied to the movement. Unable to maintain commercial attention, the lineup didn’t survive too long. Their original run only lasted until the early 1970s, with many members leaving for other ventures. The New Jersey band might be best remembered in the context of the Liverpool juggernauts.

Arriving in the 2000s, this band came ready with some musical firepower. Their punchy songs like “Woman” walk in the footsteps of other hard rockers. You could mention Zeppelin, but they also have a spirit that reminds people of Black Sabbath. Frontman Andrew Stockdale has a bit of Ozzy Osbourne in his voice, reaching high notes with an almost-metal flair. Stockdale even mentioned guitarist Tony Iommi as one of his musical influences. If Sabbath was reimagined for a wild party, Wolfmother would be just the band to pull it off. They’re easily able to translate classic ideas into modern tracks.

Unless you’re a die-hard fan, you probably know this band for their biggest single. Jet came on the scene with their hit “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.” It’s a catchy tune, but it bears some resemblance to an Iggy Pop number. Band members like Nic Cester[a] argue it’s a Motown rip-off, but it’s fair to say Pop’s “Lust for Life” is another potential match. Not only that, the Australian group could’ve had a formal connection to AC/DC. Cester even auditioned to fill-in for Brian Johnson at one point. Their riffs and rhythms feel at home in another decade, earning them both new and old fans.

One glimpse at this band and you’ll imagine any number of old rock stars. Once they start playing, their glam and hard rock influences emerge. This includes some homages to the all-powerful Queen. With songs like “Could Have Been Me,” listeners can hear the lineage of British music. They bring the same kind of upbeat and arena-like style to their tracks. Singer Luke Spiller could even be a match for Freddie Mercury’s 1970s looks. With a focus on vintage sounds and sensibilities, The Struts bring back a fun-filled take on rock. They’ve even covered classics like “We Will Rock You.”

On your first listen, you know these Aussies love the history of rock and metal. You can also hear fellow countrymen in their sound. Listening to a single like “Runnin’ Wild,” the band seems to channel the artist behind “Highway to Hell.” There’s lots of 1970s and 1980s influence running through their albums from “No Guts. No Glory” to “Boneshaker.” On some tracks, audiences might hear something close to Angus Young’s guitar. It might be unfair to put Australian icons up against them, but it’s not a bad thing to be spoken of in the same breath.

When Creed came out, they helped fill the void after a decade of alternative releases. Their rock productions feature fuzzy guitars and a notable vocal sound. As Scott Stapp’s voice washes over you, you might even compare him to Eddie Vedder. The group arguably owes some of their success to bands like Pearl Jam. Some people have made the comparison, but rarely does the younger group come out on top. One of Stapp’s bandmates went after Vedder in the press, but they’ve avoided any kind of real feud. On the surface, listeners might find the similarities hard to dismiss.

Before Greta Van Fleet, Kingdom Come received criticism for being too close to Led Zeppelin. The German band released their self-titled debut in 1988. Upon further reflection, the group did have something of a link to the British legends. They have a splash of Zeppelin mixed with a number of acts from the 1980s hard rock scene. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to replicate their success. The comparisons are hard to deny after hearing “What Love Can Be.” Singer Lenny Wolf has the tone of a young Robert Plant, making anthems and ballads sound pretty close to the older musicians.

If you like classic rock, Greta Van Fleet certainly delivers on a nostalgic sound. They also seem a lot like one band in particular. When you hear a song like “Highway Tune,” you’ll hear some familiar wailing from the singer. To call Led Zeppelin an influence might be an understatement. Fleet deserves some credit for their production values, mimicking some of Zeppelin’s tunes with pinpoint accuracy. They’ve received mixed reactions for being able to imitate the older group. Haters might call them a glorified cover band, but that doesn’t discount their ability to play catchy hooks and grooves.

Many musicians have ripped them off, but Led Zeppelin isn’t exactly an original concept. They culled together plenty of influences from blues and rock history. When they aren’t covering legends, they’re running dangerously close to other people’s songs. Their classic “Stairway to Heaven” was even the subject of a plagiarism dispute. While they won that case, the band members haven’t denied how much they’ve been inspired by others. The songwriter Willie Dixon was given credit on “Whole Lotta Love” after a lawsuit. Zeppelin might be the epitome of turning a predecessors’ work into an international success.





Did we forget another band that might’ve been a ripoff? Let us know in the comments below.







[a]SESS-tur https://youtu.be/rj8nDsbGu1s?si=XXc3fAw-9sr8V8OD&t=2