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.