The Escape Engine

Infobox Musical artist
Name = the escape engine


Img_capt =
Img_size = 250
Landscape = No
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Paramus, USA
Genre = Post-Hardcore
Alternative rock
Screamo
Years_active = 2002 – 2006
Label = Fidelity Records
Associated_acts = Two Weeks From Tomorrow, Third Frequency
URL = [http://www.fidelityrecords.com/theescapeengine.html theescapeengine.com]
Past_members = Dom Lettera
George Leontaris
Kevin B. Robbins
John "Fitz" Fitzpatrick
Amanda Klimek
Chris Osborne
Mike Carroll
Conor Clark
Aaron Elliot

The Escape Engine is a post-hardcore band from Paramus, New Jersey. They were signed to Fidelity Records.

History

The Escape Engine was founded in the spring of 2002 by vocalist Dom Lettera and guitarist/vocalist George Leontaris after the break-up of Two Weeks From Tomorrow. Soon after, Kevin B. Robbins, John "Fitz" Fitzpatrick (who, along with George Leontaris, played in Two Weeks From Tomorrow as well), and Amanda Klimek joined the line up.

The band's name comes from a Burning Airlines song titled "The Escape Engine". It wasn't until the band was at the recording studio, finishing up their 4 song demo, where the engineer asked what name should be put on the master that the band finally agreed on the name.

Within a matter of months of recording their demo the band was approach by Jon Strauss whose intentions were to start an independent record label. The band ended up becoming the first band to sign with the newly created Fidelity Records (Race The Sun, Madison, We're All Broken).

Celebrity Role Model

In February of 2003, the band entered the studio with Jesse Cannon A Static Lullaby, Hot Rod Circuit, Northstar, Open Hand, Saves the Day, The Misfits, Shai Hulud to record their first full length record.

On May 27, 2003 the band released Celebrity Role Model. The album art featured photos taken of a young woman named Brittney Hammer, an friend of the band from California. She later appeared in the music video along with Eyerly St. James for the first single off the album titled "This Jagged Alibi" which was Produced/Directed by Darren Doane (Blink 182, AFI, Thursday, Jimmy Eat World, and Thrice) and shot by Shane Drake (Panic at the Disco, The Higher, Say Anything, Fall Out Boy). The video premiered on MTV2's Extreme Rock on July 13th, 2003 and soon after was broadcasted on MTV, MTVX, and MuchMusic. Video
filename=The escape engine video.ogg
title=This Jagged Alibi
description=The Escape Engine's music video for "This Jagged Alibi" off the album titled Celebrity Role Model
format = Ogg multiplexed audio/video file, Theora/Vorbis|filesize = 11.67 MB
duration= 3m38s
float=right

Alternative Press Magazine (August 2003) gave The Escape Engine's debut album Celebrity Role Model a 5-star rating and were selected as one of ten bands to perform on the 2003 Warped Tour (7/31 – 8/10).

The bands' video is featured on "XdoaneX - The Shape of Videos to Come" with A Static Lullaby, Far, Funeral for a Friend, Everytime I Die, A18, Spitalfield, Disengage, and Scars of Tomorrow.

"Welcome To The Conversation" was featured in Warren Miller's 2003 film titled "Journeys." While "In This Serenade" was the featured song for the movie's trailer.

Departures

Upon arriving back in New Jersey after 4 months of touring along the east coast and performing on the Warped Tour, John "Fitz" Fitzpatrick informed the other members that he was leaving the band.

Members

;Original
*Dom Lettera - vocals
*George Leontaris - lead guitar, vocals
*Kevin B. Robbins - rhythm guitar
*Amanda Klimek - bass
*John "Fitz" Fitzpatrick - drums, percussion

;Others
*Chris Osborne - drums, percussion
*Aaron Elliot – drums, percussion
*Mike Carroll - rhythm guitar
*Conor Clark - rhythm guitar

Discography

Press

* [http://www.njcoast.com/news2003/jan03_07.html All Ages at The Saint (live show review)] - NJ Coast Newsletter ("November 2002")
*The Engine's Mechanics - The Aquarian, East Coast Rocker ("June 2003")
* [http://www.theprp.com/reviews/theescapeengine.shtml Celebrity Role Model (cd review)] thePRP.com ("June 2003")
* [http://cdbaby.com/cd/escapeengine Celebrity Role Model (cd review)] - CD Baby ("2003")
* [http://www.punknews.org/review/2186 Celebrity Role Model (cd review)] Punknews.org ("August 2003")
* [http://www.wonkavisionmagazine.com/issue24reviews.htm Screamo? Emocore? Emo violence?] - Wonkavision Magazine ("August 2003")
*Alternative Press Magazine ("August 2003")
* [http://media.www.dennews.com/media/storage/paper309/news/2003/09/12/TheVerge/The-Escape.Engine.Offers.Repetitiveness-464032.shtml The Escape Engine offers repetitiveness] Den Music ("Setpember 2003")
* [http://belchinwaffles.com/cdreviews/194 Celebrity Role Model (cd review)] - belchinwaffles.com ("October 2003")
* [http://www.skratchmagazine.com/cd-reviews/CDreviewsOCT03.php Celebrity Role Model (cd review)] - Skratch Magazine ("October 2003")
* [http://www.nyunews.com/2.6167/1.645470 Forging their own scene] - Washington Square News ("November 2003")
* [http://www.wickedland.com/albumreviews/ Celebrity Role Model (cd review)] - Wickedland
* [http://issuu.com/thesexyarmpit/docs/9_1_buzz___the_escape_engine Honesty is the best Policy] - The Aquarian, East Coast Rocker ("November 2004")

External Links

* [http://www.purevolume.com/theescapeengine The Escape Engine on PureVolume]
* [http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/escape_engine/artist.jhtml The Escape Engine on MTV.com]
* [http://www.myspace.com/theescapeengine The Escape Engine on MySpace]
* [http://www.fidelityrecords.com Fidelity Records] ("label for The Escape Engine")