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.

In February 2003, the band entered the studio with producer Jesse Cannon, to record their first full-length album, Celebrity Role Model.

The album art featured photos taken of a young woman named Brittney Hammer, a friend of the band from California.

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.

Mike Carroll, Lettera's longtime friend who often accompanied the band on tour, stepped in to replace Robbins.

In August 2011, Conor Clark (the band's final rhythm guitarist) died in Ridgewood, New Jersey.