The band, based around brothers Shahin and Shahryar Motia, was started while they were in high school. They reunited after college to make their first album, Other Mathematics, released in 2001 on Ace Fu Records. The subject of their lyrics ranges from sex to Jean Baudrillard and his philosophy about simulacra. For example, on "The Birth Of Disneyland", vocalist Shahin Motia sings "See the grown-ups act like children. It's a way of living." Many compare Shahin's vocals to David Byrne of Talking Heads or Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo.
Their second album, Zoo Psychology, was released two years later. It took ideas from the first album, but broke more rules. The songs became more dirty and noisy with peculiar time changes. By this time, bass guitarist Mike Masiello left the band. Zach Lehrhoff replaced him, providing vocals as well.
By 200,5 the band had been reduced to the duo of Shahin and Zach and a third album, Chrome Panthers, was released marking a new direction, even more repetitive and minimalist, which the band dubbed "Fundustrial Noise". Contributing on record and, occasionally, live was drummer Kid Millions of Oneida. Eventually the rhythms became more primal and when performing live the band would utilize as many as three drummers.
In 2006, the band performed at North East Sticks Together.
In 2007, the 'classic' line-up of both Motias, Zach and drummer Jake Fiedler performed in NYC's East River Park.
Ex Models are active in the Brooklyn music scene and are also in side bands. Shahin is in The First Lady Of Cuntry and the Cunts and Zach is in The Seconds and Pterodactyl. In 2006, a new side band formed called Knyfe Hyts in which Zach and Shahin were rejoined by Shah Motia.
A documentary for the Ex Models (currently untitled) is due to release sometime in the future.
From Wikipedia
