Photo by Ryan Olbrysh
Teenage hearts are breaking all over the world tonight, as half of quirky Las Vegas scenesters Panic At The Disco announced they were leaving the band to, quote, “embark on a musical excursion of their own”. Guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker announced their departure in a quietly conciliatory posting on the band’s website (that essentially amounts to a more flowery version of the old ‘creative differences’ line so often used to conceal ugly tensions). Vocalist Brendan Urie and percussionist Spencer Smith will continue performing under the name.
Marcus Kernohan is the founding editor of Stereokill. 
Poor show, they were one hit wonders though really weren’t they?
Depends. First album was braw. Second album was totally different, some people thoguht it was pretty bitchin. I didn’t, just “Nine in the Afternoon” did it for me. The rest might have been a grower, but it didn’t grown on me fast enough. That was their Beatles-y album.
Aye that’s what i mean though, the first album was brilliant. They set the bar very high and very early. A lot of bands just jumped the bandwagon so coming round to the second album there could be no similar level of impact. Shame really, they actually did seem like a talented bunch.
but you never know, the replaceents for ryan and jon may make the band better. mayber worse. it could go either way. but either way im a fan
I prefer Pretty. Odd. to their first album, much better song writing, and definently more of my style, first album wasn’t that original.
I agree with the above poster, I really wasn’t too keen on their debut, aside from a few songs that squirmed into my brain like a tapeworm, but Pretty. Odd. was absolutely brilliant, in my opinion, it showcased just what exactly they were capable as a band and proved that they weren’t just purveyors of bubblegum pop-emo. It’s just a shame that it, in all essence, they alienated their original fanbase with their sophomore album, but they also appealed to a completely different demographic.
I’m curious as to how this will work out, as I’m pretty sure Ryan wrote most of the music.
Lemme start and say that I was one of those teenagers that were completely heartbroken when Ryan and Jon left but I’ve got to say that i still cannot pick an album that i like better. I wouldn’t mind if they went back to their original crazy music that makes people go, ‘O.o what are YOU singing??’ lol.. They did very well on both their albums and I think they’ll do incredible either way they go.
I don’t see how Panic! will go back to how they were in the first album, seeing as the lyrics were done by Ryanross and they lyrics are what made it that little bit MORE different.
I can’t wait to see how this all turns out though, Now we get two bands instead of one. Bonus.
Ryan was the primary force behind Panic’s shift towards Beetle’s-esque rock. I don’t think that Brendan and Spencer wanted to follow him there during the following years, so that obviously created tension. I’m a recording guy and I love old-school stylings so I’m a Pretty Odd fan. I believe that Panic will revert to their old style (hell, they added the exclamation point back to their name) and that Ryan will blossom into a retro-style songwriter with his new band. It’s a shame, I wanted to hear at least one more record with the entire band together.