Panic! at the disco is going their separate ways after 20 years. Image Source: Kerrang
Panic! at the disco is going their separate ways after 20 years.
Panic! at the Disco, an American pop-rock band, announced on their official social media account that after 20 years as the band's frontman, Brendon Urie has decided to step back while he and his wife Sarah Urie await the arrival of their first child.
Brendon Urie chose to write that it's been an amazing adventure and that growing up in Vegas, he could never have envisioned where this life would consider taking him, adding that there are numerous destinations all over the world and all the friends they've made along the way.
The singer-songwriter went on to say that sometimes an adventure must end in an attempt for a new one to begin and that they had been attempting to keep it a secret, but some viewers had heard that he and his wife Sarah Urie are awaiting their first child together and that the potential of being a father and getting to witness his wife become a mother would be both humbling and thrilling, and he is looking forward to this new adventure.
The frontman went on to say that he is now going to close this chapter of his life and concentrate his energy and focus on his family, and with that, Brendon went ahead to thank fans all over the world for their love and support throughout the band's journey, and revealed that panic! At The Disco will be no more. He told the fans that whether they've been with them since the beginning or are just discovering them, it has been a delight not just to share the stage with so many brilliant individuals, but also to share their time with the fans, and he's looking forward to seeing them in Europe and the UK for one last run together.
Finally, Brendon stated that he appreciates and loves every fan and that he is grateful for everyone's existence. He added that he has sat there trying to come up with the perfect way to say this, and he truly cannot put into words how much it has meant for them. Panic! At the Disco was founded by Brendon in 2004 as the lead songwriter and singer. Brendon's childhood friends Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson were the earliest members of the group. However, by 2015, Brendon remained the only remaining band member, with backup instrumentalists performing in supporting roles alongside him. A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, the band's debut album, was released in 2005, and their initial single titled "I Write Sins, Not Tragedies," made them stand out in the crowd and the the album was certified triple platinum in the US. The song made it to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, and the music video was named video of the year at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
Pretty, band's second album, received the band's first Grammy nomination for best boxed or special limited edition package. Odd, their sophomore album, was released in 2009. Death of a Bachelor, their fifth studio album, was nominated for the Grammy for a best rock album in 2016. After Brent Wilson left the band in 2006, Jon Walker took over as bassist. After Pretty, Jon and Ryan Ross left since Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith wanted to implement more modifications to the band's style. Spencer Smith was a member of the group for the albums Vices & Virtues and Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! before leaving completely in 2015.
Back in 2015, Brendon Urie shared with ET online that his friend Spencer Smith had to leave the band due to his struggles with addiction. He mentioned at the time that it's still not over and they still talk and hang out. When Brendon wrote "This Is Gospel," he said it was about Spencer Smith’s struggle from his point of view and stated that it was tough to have conversations. According to Brendon, it's easier to put everything into a song, and it prompted a healthy conversation. He also acknowledged that he hadn't have spoken to Ryan in years and that no reunion with the group's founding members had been mentioned at the time.
The final panic! The disco tour, "Viva Las Vengeance Tour," will take place in the United Kingdom and Europe starting Feb. 20 and ending March 10.
