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A little bit about me...

Growing up a few miles from New York City, Pete got his first bass at thirteen and quickly realized his deep love of the instrument. When Pete's early bass mentor/idol, Dan Binggelli, passed away at the age of nineteen, Pete decided to dedicate his life to pursuing a career in music.

Pete obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the prestigious Northwestern University, studying jazz and classical in school while playing rock and pop gigs around Chicago. The day after graduation, he packed all his belongings in his car and moved to Los Angeles. Within a few years, Pete found himself touring the world with Grammy nominated pop-rock band Hanson, as well as playing gigs with classic rock icon Edgar Winter.

In 2006 Pete joined Zappa Plays Zappa, a tribute band dedicated to playing the music of Frank Zappa led by Zappa's son, Dweezil. Having grown up listening to Zappa music, Pete enthusiastically dove into playing this nearly impossible material with complete accuracy and authenticity. Zappa Plays Zappa toured the world several times over, won a Grammy Award in 2008, and was joined onstage by such legendary musicians as Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, George Duke, Chick Corea, Eric Johnson, Stanley Clarke, Mike Portnoy, and many others.

Having re-created some of his favorite music for nearly 6 years, Pete left the Zappa band in late 2011 to focus on creating new music, both with his own band Gryphon Labs (featuring other members of Zappa Plays Zappa) as well as other LA based bands in all genres, from technical metal to intelligent pop. In late 2012, Pete toured with the cartoon death metal band Dethklok, from the Adult Swim TV show Metalocalypse, featuring guitarist/creator Brendon Small, drummer extraordinaire Gene Hoglan, and guitarist Mike Keneally.

Pete curently lives in Los Angeles where he performs, records, and teaches on a regular basis.