Album Notes

Somewhere in the sonic universe there's a place where the auditory wizardry of Pink Floyd and Brian Eno intersects with the progressive groove consciousness of Funkadelic and Massive Attack and the experimental, virtuosic extremities of The Mars Volta and Tool. Gryphon Labs begins there, taking those influences and a myriad of others and putting them through an instrumental filter, resulting in a new fusion of rock, electronica, world music, and the improvisatory elements of jazz. But rather than relying on long solos to maintain the listener's interest, the song arrangements themselves become a soundtrack, a journey through many dynamics and emotions all in the time span of a radio-length pop song.
"The tunes float between fusion, electronica, and acid jazz/rock, employing killer vintage keyboard tones and modern drum-loop grooves in inventive and unexpected ways."
- Bryan Beller, Bass Player Magazine
Gryphon Labs began as the creation of bassist/composer Pete Griffin. He found himself needing a band to perform and record songs he had been writing when he wasn't onstage somewhere on the planet with different acts ranging from pop-rock brother band Hanson, to legendary classic rock icon Edgar Winter, to genre-defying Zappa Plays Zappa, Dweezil Zappa's presentation of his father's music. He recruited fellow Zappa Plays Zappa members Joe Travers (drums) and Jamie Kime (guitar), and began recording with producer Roger Cole. Cole's long career had recently included producing several records by southern groove rock pioneers Little Feat, and soon Richie Hayward (drums) and Paul Barrere (slide guitar) had made contributions to the Gryphon Labs sound.
In 2007 Gryphon Labs began performing regularly in the Los Angeles area with the core band of Griffin, Travers, and Kime, with guest appearances from Barrere as well as fellow Zappa Plays Zappa members Scheila Gonzalez and Aaron Arntz.