| Model Engine | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Santa Barbara, California |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1994–2000 |
| Labels | 5 Minute Walk |
Model Engine was an alternative rock band based in Santa Barbara, California. Prior to 1997 the trio, consisting of Jeremy Post, Brad McCarter and Brent Nims were known as Black Eyed Sceva. Confusion over the meaning of the name and its constant mispronunciation led the band to change its moniker when drummer Erik Herzog replaced Nims prior to the release of the group's third album. They disbanded in 2000.
Influenced by artists as diverse as The Police, Rush and Uncle Tupelo, Model Engine/Black Eyed Sceva's music was a blend of alternative rock, grunge, and progressive rock. All of the group's albums were recorded and released under the 5 Minute Walk label and produced by Bruce Winter, an associate of Toad the Wet Sprocket.
Black Eyed Sceva
The group's original name was a reference to the seven sons of Sceva (pronounced with a silent "c"), briefly mentioned in the Bible in Acts 19:14–16. As Black Eyed Sceva the band released two commercially unsuccessful but critically acclaimed albums, Way Before the Flood (1994) and the EP 5 Years, 50,000 Miles Davis (1995). As a lyricist Post addressed provocative and intellectually challenging issues from a Christian viewpoint. Among the topics covered were premarital sex ("Mudhouse"), divorce and child abandonment ("Adrien James"), secular philosophy ("Comte's Perspective"), homosexuality and AIDS ("Handshake"), church divisions ("Ecumenical") and post-modern Christian media hype ("Soapbox"). The song "Twain" was an unapologetic assault on Mark Twain's book Letters from the Earth.
Model Engine
As Model Engine, The Lean Years Tradition (1997) continued the band's exploration of dark themes, including Christian martyrdom ("Hang You Upside Down"), prostitution ("Reeperbahn," based on the band's experiences in Hamburg) and pornography ("Anonymous F").
Discography
Black Eyed Sceva
- Way Before the Flood – (1995, 5 Minute Walk)
- 5 Years, 50,000 Miles Davis – (1996, 5 Minute Walk)
Model Engine
- The Lean Years Tradition – (1997, 5 Minute Walk)