Pete Griffin

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 Zappa. 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.

Soon Pete found himself as the go-to bassist for an impressive list of guitar legends, including being the sole bass player for Generation Axe, a guitar supergroup featuring Steve Vai, Zack Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi, as well as touring and recording with Paul Gilbert, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, and others.

In addition to his career playing “complicated music” Pete has also made a name for himself in the jam/funk scene, performing with New Orleans icon Dr. John and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.

Pete’s 25+ year career in the music industry has led him to also be included in several “supergroups” such as Giraffe Tongue Orchestra (featuring members of Mastodon, Mars Volta, Dillinger Escape Plan and Alice in Chains), The Legend of the Seagullmen (with Danny Carey of Tool on drums) and The Bird Brain (with Mike Keneally on guitar and Kris Myers of Umphrey’s McGee.)

In 2023 Pete released the Pete Griffin and His Lab Rats EP, written and produced entirely by himself and featuring the talents of drummer extraordinaire Gergo Borlai, guitarist Dave Davidson of thrash metal heavyweights Revocation, trumpet player Jamie Hovorka of the Eagles and more.

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

Contact

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• Threads
• Bandcamp
• YouTube

Discography

My Projects

Pete Griffin and His Lab Rats (2023)

The Bird Brain (2022)

with Kris Myers, Mike Keneally, Ben Thomas, and Jonathan Sindelman

Legend of the Seagullmen (2018)

with Danny Carey, Brent Hinds, and Jimmy Hayward

Giraffe Tongue Orchestra - Broken Lines (2016)

with Brent Hinds, Thomas Pridgen, Ben Weinman and William DuVal

Gryphon Labs - The Red Room (2011)

Gryphon Labs - Modern Mythology (2010)

Recording Credits

Mike Keneally - The Thing That Knowledge Can’t Eat (2023)

Vinnie Moore - Double Exposure (2022)

Generation Axe - The Guitars That Destroyed the World (2019)

Tony MacAlpine - Death of Roses (2017)

Mike Keneally - Scambot 2 (2016)

Tony MacAlpine - Concrete Gardens (2015)

Jeremy Bass - Winter Bare (2015)

Bear McCreary - Knights of Badassdom (2014)

Bear McCreary - Black Sails (2014)

Jamie Kime - Alleys (2014)

Bear McCreary - Defiance (2013)

Hans Platz - Timestamps (2013)

Dweezil Zappa - Live - In the Moment (2011)

Dweezil Zappa - Return of the Son of... (2010)

Zappa Plays Zappa (2008)

Dweezil Zappa - Go With What You Know (2006)

The Best of Hanson: Live and Electric (2005)

Lessons

Pete is available for private lessons from anywhere in the world!

Raised by a public school science teacher, Pete truly enjoys helping others develop a deeper personal understanding of music and how it can enrich their lives. Whether you’re a:

• Beginner looking to join your first band: Pete agrees, “bass is the easiest to start with when learning covers or even writing your own songs.” The first few lessons are some of his favorite because you can go so far so quickly. These include technique and posture, achieving good tone, landing the gig and basic music theory to accelerate your learning and songwriting.

• Intermediate student looking to get to the next level: Pete specializes in analyzing not only your playing but also your background and your goals to help you find new ways to get around whatever limitations you might think you have. Some of his techniques and focus areas include escaping the pentatonic “box”, writing more interesting basslines by getting away from the root, and discovering your own unique voice on the instrument.

• Advanced player looking for a new perspective: By unlocking some of the deeper rhythm and harmony concepts, Pete will show you the “true power of the bassist!” This includes developing your solos by learning what to omit, mastering odd time signatures, and advanced improvisation.

Pete personalizes each lesson by working with each student from an open lesson plan that never gets boring while ensuring you cover essential skills for improvement. Everyone has a different relationship with music, and we all learn differently. But regardless of where you are with music, Pete can help you get where you want to go and achieve your musical goals!

Reach out today and get started!

Get In Touch

Shows

One Shot Deal Plays Zappa at Alvas Showroom

Join us for two unforgettable nights of music with One Shot Deal as we play some Zappa!

• Joe Travers on drums
• Jamie Kime on guitar
• Matt Rohde on keys
• Pete Griffin on bass
• Ben Thomas on vocals/horns/guitar
• Billy Hulting on mallets/percussion

Show Details

• Date: October 11th (Fri) and 12th (Sat)
• Time: 8 PM
• Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St, San Pedro, CA
• Website: alvasshowroom.com

Don’t miss out on this electrifying performance!

Tickets Oct 11 Tickets Oct 12

Pete Griffin and His Lab Rats at the Baked Potato

Join us for an electrifying night of music with the Lab Rats! Featuring an incredible lineup:

• Chad Wackerman on drums
• Isamu McGregor on keys
• Jamie Kime on guitar
• Pete Griffin on bass

Show Details

• Date: August 12
• Time: 8 & 10 PM
• Venue: The Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd, Studio City, CA
• Website: thebakedpotato.com
• Contact: 818.980.1615

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable performance!

Get Tickets

Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins @ The Baked Potato

Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins are totally returning to The Baked Potato! Join us on the exciting nights of Friday, July 19th and Saturday, July 20th, 2024, at 3787 Cahuenga Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604.

The band will feature Mike Keneally, Joe Travers, Rick Musallam, and myself. There will be two sets each night at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Tickets are available at The Baked Potato Events Calendar.

Fri, July 19th Sat, July 20th

On tour with ProgJect

On tour with ProgJect in the summer of 2024, across the US and Canada!