Today, pop punk band Panic! At the Disco announced that they were breaking up after 19 years. The strange thing about the breakup is that the only remaining member of the band was Brendon Urie. He shared a statement on Instagram expressing gratitude for his long career as a part of Panic!, and explained that the reason for the breakup was because him and his wife are expecting their first child together, and he wants to focus on his family.
@z100newyork #panicatthedisco is officially “no more” #brendonurie announces! #brendonurieedit #z100 #elvisduranshow
The band was formed in Las Vegas in 2004 by then high school students lead singer Brendon Urie, guitarist and singer-songwriter Ryan Ross, drummer Spencer Smith, and bassist Brent Wilson. The band later included Dallon Weekes as bassist, keyboardist, and singer-songwriter, Jon Walker on guitar, Mike Viola on backing vocals and guitar.
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Ryan Ross was the first to depart from the band in 2009 following their album Pretty. Odd. Ross cited creative differences as his reason for leaving, as Urie wanted to explore pop music while Ross wanted to pursue rock music.
Panic! At the Disco’s last release received predominantly negative reviews from fans of the band and genre, though it faired well with critics. Urie is known for his vast vocal range, but some fans felt that he had burned out his vocals on 2022’s Viva Las Vengeance.
@olivia.leavitt it was time… it was time #brendonurie #panicatthedisco #vivalasvengeance
Today, former band member Ryan Ross trends on Twitter amid Urie’s announcement to retire the band. Ross wrote some of the band’s most well known lyrics during his tenure in the band.
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ryan ross having to see brendon urie slander the panic! at the disco name for a decade pic.twitter.com/NGwFJIh8Pm
— alex ! (@gloompool) January 24, 2023
Urie’s solo songwriting has frequently been criticized, as Ross was initially the band’s principal songwriter. Fans of the band’s older music were quick to comment on the situation.
ryan ross won once and for all pic.twitter.com/1CjGWLC4L9
— imon ♪♬♫ (@arustedsmile) January 24, 2023
Others await comment from Ryan Ross on the breakup news, hoping this brings his talents back to the forefront of the genre.
ryan ross hearing the news pic.twitter.com/lQSMt5HTJp
— chey ⊬ (@shlofolina) January 24, 2023
Others pointed out the irony of using the phrase “breakup” to describe the end of Panic! at the Disco, since it’s been a solo project for Brendon Urie for the past few years.
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https://twitter.com/suxxen/status/1617953419616210945?s=20&t=nac6abV-LWAwtGqDRYrX9A
As all of the original and interim band members gradually left the band, some have inferred that Brendon Urie’s creative control is ultimately what drove the band’s decline and disbanding.
Ryan Ross and Jon Walker hearing the news about panic at the disco pic.twitter.com/jJxOjEQoZT
— . (@JamesDmndStan) January 24, 2023
Amid the recent trend of tell-all documentaries hitting streaming platforms, fans of the band’s original members are hoping for one all about what really happened behind the scenes in Panic!’s early days.
netflix documentary about brendon urie’s crimes where they interview ryan ross, jon walker, dallon weekes and any other individual he’s screwed over WHEN
— sierra (@sierralayko) January 24, 2023
Others captioned a popular Zoolander scene that went viral on TikTok in relation to the band’s breakup.
https://twitter.com/riverindale/status/1617915211859759106?s=20&t=nac6abV-LWAwtGqDRYrX9A
Some creators on TikTok are suspicious that the poor internet reactions to Viva Las Vengeance are really what caused the band to break up, not Urie’s plans to start a family.
https://www.tiktok.com/@joylesspie/video/7192241119797759275?_r=1&_t=8ZIuvn7iswN
Fans of emo and pop punk had mixed emotions at the news–while some felt the decision brought justice to Ross’ songwriting talents, others felt a tug of nostalgia for one of the most important bands of their teenage years.
@stevop Idk how to feel #fyp #alttiktok #panicatthedisco #alternative
Ryan Ross has led a private life in the past few years, and hasn’t posted on Instagram or any social media since 2020.
