If you're wondering why your fourteen-year-old sister is so upset, look no further - teenage emo favourites Panic! At The Disco have all but broken up.
Split! Up The Disco
Founding member (and primary song writer) Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker announced on the groups Myspace that they are leaving Panic!, to pursue a new musical path together. That leaves lead singer Brendon Urie and drummer Spencer Smith to continue on as Panic. The boys were supposed to tour opening for blink 182 this summer, and will continue do so with unnamed replacement members taking over for Ross and Walker.
Neither side has spoken much since the split, leading to fan speculation on how amicable (or not) things may be. The primary reason for the decision seems to musical differences. Ross and Walker (who joined the band in 2005) are currently working together with a new group, rumoured to include former Phantom Planet member Alex Greenwald.
Internet Fever and Scandal
After the announcement fans were confused, wondering if their site had been hacked or if the posting were an elaborate joke. This was further fueled when Pete Wentz, who discovered the band and signed them to his label, posted a blog stating "! is alive and well".
He was referring to the exclamation point that had once been featured in the band's name, and apparently is making a return. He also updated his Twitter with news on the new demos being created by Urie and Spencer as Panic!, hoping to comfort distraught fans and remind them that the band is continuing on.
Another shock came soon afterward as photos leaked on the internet of Ross and some friends, with what appears to be a plate of cocaine in front of them. Members of indie bands The Like were also featured in the photo, which has been making the rounds on celebrity gossip blogs and fansites for the band. Ross hasn't commented on the photos.
Double The Disco
Depending how you look it at, there may be a silver lining to the decision. Urie and Smith are said to be working on an album similar to the group's debut, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, which featured a circus-esque theme, and Ross and Walker are pursuing a sound closer to their sophomore record, Pretty.Odd., which was obviously inspired by The Beatles.
That's right, there are essentially now two Panic! At The Discos. Teen girls, start drying your tears.
