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— CH. 1 · HIGH SCHOOL REHEARSALS —

Panic! at the Disco

~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 8
8 sections
  • In 2004, Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith met at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. They began playing music together during their ninth grade year. The two recruited Brent Wilson from Palo Verde High School to play bass. Wilson then invited his classmate Brendon Urie to join the group. The four friends rehearsed inside Smith's grandmother's living room. Ross initially sang lead vocals for the band. After hearing Urie sing during rehearsals, they made him the new frontman. Their early sound was a cover of Blink-182 songs. They modeled their name after a line in Name Taken's song Panic.

  • Ross and Urie sent a demo to Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz via a LiveJournal account. Wentz drove to Las Vegas to meet the unsigned band. He heard two or three songs during practice and decided to sign them immediately. The group became the first act on his Fueled by Ramen imprint label Decaydance Records. This happened around December 2004 before they played a single live show. Urie worked at Tropical Smoothie Cafe to afford rent for their new practice space. Fans online criticized the decision to sign an unproven band. Wentz promoted the group by wearing shirts with the text Pete! at the Disco onstage.

  • The band recorded their debut album from June to September 2005 in College Park, Maryland. They lived in a one-bedroom apartment while working twelve to fourteen hours daily. Ross recalled that everyone got on each other's nerves during the marathon sessions. The album split into two halves with electronic dance punk followed by Vaudevillian piano. It released on the 27th of September 2005, debuting at number 112 on the Billboard 200 chart. Sales were slow until the video for I Write Sins Not Tragedies came out. That song eventually went diamond in the United States. The record achieved quadruple platinum status overall. The music video won Video of the Year at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.

  • Brent Wilson left the band on the 17th of May 2006, after being fired via a phone call. Spencer Smith stated they made the decision based on Wilson's lack of responsibility. Wilson claimed he did not write or play any bass parts on the debut album. Jon Walker replaced him as the new bassist. The group headlined their first tour starting in November 2006 called Nothing Rhymes with Circus. Performances featured six-member troupes doing dance numbers and skits. Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times reviewed the show as charming yet chaotic. Urie was knocked unconscious by a bottle thrown during a Reading Festival performance but continued playing. The band toured nationally from January to August 2006 supporting Academy Is... before going headlining.

  • The band wrote songs for their second album inside a cabin on Mount Charleston, Nevada. They scrapped three-quarters of the material in August 2007 to start over. Pretty. Odd. released on the 21st of March 2008, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. First-week sales reached 139,000 copies in the United States. Critics praised the record as daringly beautiful compared to their previous work. Ross and Walker left the band in July 2009 due to creative differences. They formed a new group called The Young Veins. Urie wanted a polished pop sound while Ross preferred retro-inspired rock. The Honda Civic Tour followed with woodsy set pieces and floral projections.

  • Dallon Weekes joined the official lineup in 2010 after touring since 2009. Vices & Virtues released on the 22nd of March 2011, produced by Butch Walker and John Feldmann. Ian Crawford departed once that tour cycle ended in 2012. The fourth studio album Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! arrived on the 8th of October 2013. Smith unofficially left before its release due to health and drug issues. He wrote an open letter about his alcohol abuse in August 2013. Dan Pawlovich of Valencia filled in for him during live shows. Urie stated there were no plans for Smith to return to the band in September 2014.

  • Spencer Smith officially announced his departure from the band on the 2nd of April 2015. Urie began working on new material without any formal announcements. Death of a Bachelor released on the 15th of January 2016, written solely by Urie with a team of writers. Weekes reverted to being a touring musician once again. Dallon Weekes officially left the group on the 27th of December 2017. Nicole Row replaced him as the touring bassist. Pray for the Wicked dropped on the 7th of June 2018, featuring their highest charting single High Hopes. That song reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in fall 2018.

  • Viva Las Vengeance released on the 19th of August 2022, after teasing new music via a website called Shut Up and Go to Bed. The tour concluded on the 10th of March 2023, in Manchester, England. Urie revealed he was expecting a child with his wife on the 24th of January 2023. He decided to discontinue Panic! at the Disco to focus on his family. Former members Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith performed together at a Phantom Planet benefit concert on the 1st of February 2025. They played the band's song Do the Panic during that event. A 20th anniversary deluxe edition of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out followed later that year.

Common questions

When did Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith meet to form Panic! at the Disco?

Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith met in 2004 while attending Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. They began playing music together during their ninth grade year before recruiting other members.

Who was the original lead singer of Panic! at the Disco before Brendon Urie took over?

Ross initially sang lead vocals for the band before they made him the new frontman after hearing Urie sing during rehearsals. The group eventually became known as a four-piece with Urie on vocals.

What date did Brent Wilson leave Panic! at the Disco and who replaced him?

Brent Wilson left the band on the 17th of May 2006 after being fired via a phone call. Jon Walker replaced him as the new bassist shortly thereafter.

Which album marked the first major commercial success for Panic! at the Disco?

The debut album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out released on the 27th of September 2005 and achieved quadruple platinum status overall. Sales increased significantly after the video for I Write Sins Not Tragedies came out.

When did Ryan Ross and Jon Walker officially depart from Panic! at the Disco?

Ross and Walker left the band in July 2009 due to creative differences regarding their musical direction. They formed a new group called The Young Veins immediately following their departure.

On what date did Brendon Urie announce the end of Panic! at the Disco?

Urie decided to discontinue Panic! at the Disco to focus on his family after revealing he was expecting a child with his wife on the 24th of January 2023. Former members Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith performed together at a Phantom Planet benefit concert on the 1st of February 2025.

All sources

234 references cited across the entry

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  2. 6magazinePanic! at the Disco: New FacesChristian Hoard — November 17, 2005
  3. 7webPanic! At the Disco – InterviewBrandon Herbel — November 11, 2005
  4. 8magazineArtist of the Day: Panic! at the DiscoEmily Zemler — October 3, 2005
  5. 9magazinePanic! At The Disco Frontman Moves ForwardValerie Nome — March 22, 2011
  6. 10webWho are Panic! at the Disco?September 1, 2006
  7. 11webPanic! AttackJuly 11, 2006
  8. 14webPanic! AttacksMike Kalil — October 28, 2005
  9. 15webTime to hit panic buttonCathy McCabe — October 5, 2006
  10. 16webFall Out Boy to lead Nintendo Fusion TourHerald-Journal staff reports — July 29, 2005
  11. 23newsA sudden Panic! has hit the worldGene Stout — December 1, 2006
  12. 27webThe Academy Is… at Academy 2 - 10/10Alex Davies — January 19, 2006
  13. 32webCircus troupe Panic! steals the limelightJoanna Horowitz — December 5, 2006
  14. 33newsRock 'n' Roll 'n' Circus, on Tour From Las VegasKelefa Sanneh — November 15, 2006
  15. 42webPanic At The Disco Drop The Exclamation Mark!!!Scott Colothan — January 11, 2008
  16. 46webPanic at the Disco riding high on CD salesJason Bracelin — April 3, 2008
  17. 48webPretty. Odd. – ReviewBarry Walters — March 22, 2008
  18. 54newsExclusive Video: Panic at the Disco's New DVDLarry Fitzmaurice — November 25, 2008
  19. 57webPanic at the Disco Get (Cough) 'Green'John Norris — May 9, 2008
  20. 61webThe Young Veins, 'Take a Vacation!' (One Haven)Barry Walters — June 8, 2010
  21. 62webThe Young Veins: Take a Vacation! ReviewRyan Reed — June 16, 2010
  22. 63webThe Young Veins' Take A Vacation!: The Joke's On YouJames Montgomery — March 13, 2010
  23. 64webRyan Ross And Jon Walker Quit Panic! At The DiscoTamar Anitai — July 6, 2009
  24. 67webListen: Panic at the Disco Release New SongAnna Hyclak — July 28, 2009
  25. 69webPanic! At The Disco bassist leaves bandSam Moore — December 28, 2017
  26. 70webWeekes' album cover conceptDallon Weekes — July 14, 2011
  27. 71magazinePanic! At The Disco Sets Mar. 29 Release for Vices & VirtuesJillian Mapes — January 19, 2011
  28. 74webPanic! At The Disco Line Up Vices & Virtues Tour DatesJames Montgomery — March 14, 2011
  29. 75webPreview: Panic! at the Disco Plot Spring TourVann Alexandra — March 14, 2011
  30. 76webSoundwave: Counter Revolution Line-up, Tickets and InfoBrayden Darke — August 26, 2011
  31. 78webExclusive: Panic!, fun. Collaborate on New SongWilliam Goodman — May 12, 2011
  32. 81webPanic! At The Disco Announce Fourth Studio AlbumPam Gocobachi — July 15, 2013
  33. 85newsBrendon Urie to release a solo album?Globo — Pure Fresh — September 23, 2014
  34. 87webSpencer Smith Officially Leaves Panic! at the DiscoEmily Carter — April 2, 2015
  35. 89webPanic! At The Disco release new song, "Hallelujah"Matt Crane — April 19, 2015
  36. 92webPanic! at the Disco Premiere New Song, Death of a BachelorEmily Carter — September 1, 2015
  37. 93magazinePanic! at the Disco Shares New Song 'Victorious' – BillboardChris Payne — September 29, 2015
  38. 99webPanic! At The Disco, Weezer announce co-headlining tourTyler Sharp — January 15, 2016
  39. 101webSuicide Squad Movie Soundtrack RevealedMolly Freeman — June 17, 2016
  40. 107webPanic! At The Disco Announce New Live AlbumRobin Murray — November 11, 2017
  41. 110magazineMeet Panic! at the Disco's New Bassist Nicole RowChris Payne — March 20, 2018
  42. 111magazinePanic! At The Disco introduce new bass playerNicole Rork — March 19, 2018
  43. 113magazinePanic! At The Disco announce massive U.S. tourMaggie Dickman — March 21, 2018
  44. 116magazinePanic! at the Disco Set to Perform at Game 5 of the Stanley Cup: ExclusiveMackenzie Cummings-Grady — June 6, 2018
  45. 119magazinePanic! at the Disco Share Gravity-Defying Video For 'High Hopes': WatchAlessandra Rincón — August 27, 2018
  46. 123webPanic! At the Disco Find Replacement GuitaristDevon Hannan — October 6, 2018
  47. 124newsHear Panic! at the Disco's 'Frozen 2' Song 'Into the Unknown'Emily Zemler — Rolling Stone — November 5, 2019
  48. 125newsListen to Panic! at the Disco perform Frozen 2 song 'Into the Unknown'Nick Romano — Entertainment Weekly — November 4, 2019
  49. 133magazinePanic! At The Disco Release New Track 'Local God'James Wilson-Taylor — August 5, 2022
  50. 138newsPanic! At The Disco announces Breakup! At The DiscoHattie Lindert — January 24, 2023
  51. 140magazinePanic! At The Disco Are Calling It A DayJack Rogers — January 24, 2023
  52. 145newsPanic! at the Disco review – emo pop for a teen rebellionMark Beaumont — January 13, 2016
  53. 148webPanic! At the Disco Vices & VirtuesTerry Bezer — March 28, 2011
  54. 149webNo need to Panic: Baroque pop band is better than everChristopher Treacy — May 12, 2008
  55. 150webPanic! At The Disco: 'Death of a Bachelor' Album ReviewMegan Savage — January 17, 2016
  56. 151webThe 10 best Panic! At The Disco songs according to Brendon UrieThea de Gallier — September 5, 2016
  57. 154web10 Alternative Bands That Switched Genres…and it Worked!Mark Beaumont — August 31, 2021
  58. 155newsPanic At the Disco split … in halfSean Michaels — July 7, 2009
  59. 156webPanic! at the Disco is ending after nearly two decadesKaitlyn Radde — January 24, 2023
  60. 158magazinePanic! at the DiscoEmily Zemler — October 3, 2005
  61. 160newsPanic! At The DiscoAndrew Murfett — October 6, 2006
  62. 162journalIcons: The Rock Stars That Changed Your WorldBauer Media Group — March 4, 2006
  63. 167instagramThis weekend will forever live in my heart.Laurann Angel — 2025-10-21
  64. 168webProfile - Bartram NasonNoah Gardenswartz — November 8, 2006
  65. 170webMeet Adrian HibbsAugust 12, 2020
  66. 172newsRock 'n' Roll 'n' Circus, on Tour From Las VegasKelefa Sanneh — November 15, 2006
  67. 173webPanic! At The Disco Line Up Vices & Virtues Tour DatesJames Montgomery — March 14, 2011
  68. 175webPanic! at the Disco at The Woodlands, 8/19/2014Cynthia Woods et al. — August 20, 2014
  69. 176magazinePanic! At The Disco announce The Gospel Tour with Walk The MoonMatt Crane — February 24, 2014
  70. 178magazineHere's the full Panic! At The Disco 'Pray For The Wicked' tour setlistRachel Campbell — January 11, 2019
  71. 183magazineThe Academy Is… announce "Truckstops And Statelines" tourNicole Rork — November 30, 2005
  72. 185webBlink-182 Tour Openers Possibly More Excited Than You AreJames Montgomery et al. — May 20, 2009
  73. 188magazineHere Are All the Winners From the 2018 AMAsTaylor Weatherby — October 9, 2018
  74. 191magazineBillboard Music Awards 2019: See the full list of winnersLexi Vollero — May 1, 2019
  75. 192magazine2020 Billboard Music Awards Winners: Complete ListKatie Atkinson — October 14, 2020
  76. 194webPanic At The DiscoNovember 19, 2019
  77. 196magazineHere Are All the Winners From the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2019Denise Warner — March 14, 2019
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  79. 198web2019 MTV EMA Winners: See The Full ListMadeline Roth — November 3, 2019
  80. 199webHere are all the winners from the MTV EMAs 2022Ellie Robinson — November 14, 2022
  81. 203web2006 MTV Video Music Award NominationsScott Lapatine — July 31, 2006
  82. 204webTop 10 Panic! At the Disco SongsBill Lamb — November 30, 2017
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  90. 223magazineAnd the nominees are...May 4, 2011
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  93. 227magazineHere's a list of winners from the 2016 APMAsRabab Al-Sharif — July 18, 2016
  94. 228magazineHere's a list of winners from the 2016 APMAs (part 2)Rabab Al-Sharif — July 18, 2016
  95. 230webPeople's Choice Awards 2017: Full List Of NomineesNuzhat Naoreen — November 15, 2016
  96. 233magazineVote now in the Kerrang! Awards 2019April 24, 2019
  97. 235magazineBrendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco Gets Key to Las VegasMichael Silver — April 30, 2019