Frank Viele & the Manhattan Project

FRANK VIELE / LEAD VOCALS, GUITAR

At the age of three, Frank began playing music by mimicing the tunes he heard on television at his grandmother's piano. Heavily influenced by Dave Matthews as a teenager, he then created music with his own guitar. It didn't take long before influences such as Eric Krasno, George Benson, and other jazz phenoms led him to study at the summer guitar program at Berklee Collge of Music. Since then, Frank has carried that inspiration to write a catalog of songs and attract a band of musicians from all over the Northeast.

MARIO CAPODIFERRO / PERCUSSION

A drummer for sixteen years, Mario has been seen all over the Northeast playing in such famed clubs as the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, Webster Hall in Manhattan, and Higher Ground in Burlington, Vermont. His solid grooves and mechanical timing have also graced the airwaves in the Hudson River Valley on the popular rock station WPDH 101.5. There is no doubt that he is the engine that fuels this band.

ROB LIPTROT / BASS, BACKING VOCALS

The savvy veteran of this group, Rob's been playing and recording in the music industry for many years. At age seventeen, he was recording with his high school friend and now famous R&B producer Troy Taylor. Since then, he has appeared on stage and in the studio with numerous groups, including the Average White Band, and had even sang in an acapella group in the early 1990's. Rob is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and vocalist. Now focusing on the Manhattan Project, Rob's skills are showcased with his nasty bass solos and funky grooves.

EDDIE ARJUN PETERS / LEAD GUITARS

At the age of twelve, Eddie began his lifelong affair with making music. He practiced his guitar diligently, often testing the waters by mixing hip-hop with rock, funk and eventually jazz improvisation in his first band, The Soul Dogs. A thirst for developing his musicality and technical proficiency led him to Nassau College where he studied Classical Guitar. Eddie has played and toured with the rock trio Jimmibeetles Rock Theatre from 1994 to 2001. He led his own successful instrumental funk-rock trio Arjun and has worked with several other artists in underground music scene of New York City. Now with the Manhattan Project, Eddie's musicianship is on full display, adding color chords when needed and stepping into the spotlight for his sultry solos.

PASQUALE T. IANNELLI / SAXOPHONES

Born and raised on Long Island, Pasquale started playing saxophone in the school band at the age of nine. Admiring Leroi Moore of DMB, the lyrical and aggressive playing in various solos inspired Pasquale to pursue music seriously. He has shared the stage with George Clinton & the Parliament Funkadelic, Tower of Power, The Wailers, One Republic, Hanson, Spin Doctors, Ryan Cabreara and many more. Pasquale can be heard on As Tall As Lions' self titled album (Triple Crown) and The Dear Hunters Act III Life and Death. Pasquale was also the lead tenor player and manager for Stealing Jane for six years and can be heard on their two EP's Say Something and The Signal.

ANDREW MERICLE / TRUMPET

Born and raised on Long Island, Andrew started playing trumpet at the age of seven. Looking up to accomplished players such as Miles Davis, Rayshawn Ross and Chris Botti, Andrew discovered that music was his passion. He has shared the stage with George Clinton & the Parliament Funkadelic, The Wailers, One Republic, Hanson, Spin Doctors, Ryan Cabreara and many more. Andrew can be heard on The Dear Hunters Act III Life and Death. He was also the lead trumpet player for Stealing Jane for three years and can be heard on their two EP's Say Something and The Signal.

This summer, Frank Viele & The Manhattan Project is pumped to release their debut full-length album Neon Lights on July 13, 2010. Spanning funk, rock, pop and a bit of blues and swing, the 9 tracks feature the band's signature combo of driving horns, funky bass lines, syncopated rhythms, Viele's gruff vocals, and impressive sax and guitar solos that are the icing on the cake. The songs are all upbeat and cover topics from love ("Somebody Else", "Try", "It Don't Seem Far"), flirtation ("Anticipation", "Turn Around"), temptation ("Portland Rain"), comforting a friend ("Neon Lights", "Cards, Right, Tonight"), and self-realization ("Right in Front of Me"). Each song is complex and intricately arranged, and like each member, has something fresh to offer each time the band performs it.

Blogcritics Magazine says about the Neon Lights album, "If you're looking for something different with some sensational horns and guitars and a funky modern feel, give Frank and the boys a listen." And SFCritic says, "...both the musical strength of the band and their skilled arrangement makes the album come alive, and makes it worth listening to."

In a short amount of time, Frank Viele & The Manhattan Project has achieved enviable strides as an independent band. Scoring endorsements from Breedlove guitars and Gibson/Tobias bass guitars, landing two nights at The Fairfield Theatre opening for Bob Marley's band The Wailers, and 2 TV appearances on the CBS "Better Connecticut" show in Hartford, CT. 2010 is looking even better for the band, with performances throughout the Northeast region, including at the Gig in the Sky Festival (with Eric Krasno, EOTO, and m.o.e.), the 45th Parallel Festival (with Everclear and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), co-headlining the Indie Art by the Sea Festival in Newport, Six Flags amusement parks, and many others!