| The Escape Engine | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Paramus, New Jersey, United States |
| Genres | Post-hardcore Alternative rock |
| Years active | 2002–2006 |
| Labels | Fidelity Records |
| Associated acts | The Death Of Me, Those Mockingbirds, Two Weeks From Tomorrow, Third Frequency |
| Website | theescapeengine.com |
| Past members | |
| Dom Lettera George Leontaris Kevin B. Robbins John "Fitz" Fitzpatrick Amanda Klimek Chris Osborne Mike Carroll Conor Clark Aaron Elliott |
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The Escape Engine is a post-hardcore band from Paramus, New Jersey. They were signed to Fidelity Records.
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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).
In February 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 (band), 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 13, 2003 and soon after was broadcasted on MTV, MTVX, and MuchMusic.
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 "Intro", Celebrity Role Model's first track, was featured in the movie's trailer.
Upon arriving back in New Jersey after 4 months of touring along the east coast and performing on the Warped Tour, John Fitzpatrick informed the other members that he was leaving the band. Shortly after, the band auditioned several drummers as a replacement; among them were Chris Osborne and Aaron Elliott. The band eventually selected Osborne as Fitzpatrick's replacement. Osborne officially joined The Escape Engine in early October. Later that month, on October 22, 2003, John Fitzpatrick returned to play his last show with The Escape Engine at Tobacco Road in New York City as part of the 2003 CMJ Music Marathon.
The group hit the road again on November 3, 2003, this time for their first U.S. cross-continental tour. By early January 2004 guitarist Kevin B. Robbins, mutually departed from the band over creative differences. Mike Carroll, Lettera's longtime friend who often accompanied the band on tour, stepped in to replace Robbins. Robbins later partnered with Jonathan Strauss to assist in cultivating the Fidelity Records label.
In August 2011, Conor Clark (the band's final rhythm guitarist) passed away in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Full Length Album
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Song: A Lesson In Futility
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Song: This Jagged Alibi
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Song: This Jagged Alibi
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Song: This Jagged Alibi
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