The Manhattan Project began as a revolving door of talented musicians that lent their musical abilities to guitarist and singer-songwriter, Frank Viele, both on stage and in the studio. In the early months of 2005, Viele recorded a guitar track in his basement, which soon caught the attention of Label 11 Records, based out of New York City. By March of 2006, Frank's debut record, a 6 track EP entitled Blue Roses for Two, was made available nationally via channels such as iTunes, Tower Records, Best Buy and Rhapsody.
Followed by a solid year of touring and promoting with the band, a trio, a duo and solo acoustic, Frank gathered another crew of musicians to release his second EP entitled The Manhattan Project. It didn't take long before Frank's music was heard on radio stations across the Northeast and the track "Bein' Lonely Together" was featured on the New York Rockers For Life and Santa Fe Rockers For Life compilation albums in 2007. By early 2008, the track "Portland Rain" could be heard on regional college and independent radio stations.
Drawing comparisons to major modern groups including Maroon 5, O.A.R. and the Dave Matthews Band as well as classic artists including Chicago and Tower of Power, it is no surprise to learn that Frank Viele & the Manhattan Project have worked their way up the ladder. Over the last two years they shared the stage with top artists such as Gavin DeGraw, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Keller Williams, the Rustic
Overtones, Ingrid Michaelson, Nine Days and Marc Broussard to name a few. The story of this band has just begun to be written. 2010 The band released their first official full-length album titled "Neon Lights", which was partially recorded and mixed at Cove City Sound Studios in Long Island and features industry great Richie Cannata (Billy Joel). Now armed with a recording that truly reflects these musicians as masters of their craft, Frank Viele & the Manhattan Project are set to unleash their handcrafted sound on new audiences around the country.
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.
Frank Viele/ Lead Vocals, Guitar
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.
Mario Capodiferro/ Percussion
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.
Rob Liptrot/ Bass, Backing Vocals
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.
Eddie Arjun Peters/ Lead Guitars
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.
