Panic! at the Disco

August 8, 2009 · 4:42 p.m.

With more songs to tap, Panic will offer less spectacle: MUSIC:; Monday, October 6, 2008; By Jerry Fink; Jon Walker tells how a kid from Chicago ended up riding a rocket ship to success with the Las Vegas band Panic at the Disco.

Hard 8 band members, from left, drummer Patrick Stockburger, singer/guitarist Kurtis Imel and bassist Anthony Pirrello think their time has come. The Las Vegas-based band, which has been together for about six years, combines elements of rock, hard core, alternative, metal and hip-hop.

One way or another, these bands are hot: Deals with UFC, a Grammy-winning producer up their odds; Tuesday, June 17, 2008; By Jerry Fink; When the Killers and Panic at the Disco hit the big time, it made local bands realize that Las Vegas could be their launchpad for fame and fortune.

John Katsilometes on a battle of the bands that's been less than friendly competition: Monday, August 7, 2006; By John Katsilometes; And somehow, they have managed to slip into a public rift.

Panic! at the Disco

Occupation: Rock band
Members: Brendon Urie, Spencer Smith, Ian Crawford and Dallon Weekes. (Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the band in July 2009. Brent Wilson left in 2004)
Home town: Las Vegas
Official Web page: www.panicatthedisco.com
Performing: Since 2004.
Recent shakeup: Guitarist, vocalist and primary lyricist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker recently left Panic to form a new band, The Young Veins. To fill in the gap, Panic's Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith brought in Ian Crawford, former guitarist of Vegas-based The Cab, and bassist Dallon Weekes, of Salt Lake City's The Brobecks. The new lineup has come up with a single, “New Perspective,” which will be on the soundtrack for the movie “Jennifer’s Body,” out Aug. 25. The band has also recently brought back its exclamation point, which was used on stage at its performance Aug. 8, 2009, at The Joint at the Hard Rock.
Early years: The band was formed in the Las Vegas Summerlin area by Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith. Brent Wilson joined the band. And he urged Brendon Urie, who he met at Palo Verde High School, to join the band as a guitarist when Trevor Howell moved on. The band mates recognized Urie's strength as a vocalist and moved him over to lead singer. After meeting Pete Wentz, the band signed with his Fueled by Ramen label Decaydance.
Breakthrough: The band's debut album, "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out," developed a fan base through PureVolume and MySpace. It eventually hit No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and has sold more than 2.2 million copies.
Top Hits: The single, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," 2006, reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the Pop 100. The band's second album, "Pretty Odd." was released March 25, 2008, and debuted at No. 2 in the U.S.
Notable The music video, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," won MTV Video Music Awards' Video of the Year for 2006.

The Kats Report

New Panic! At the Disco lineup? Pretty. Odd.

Brendon Urie, with new Panic! At the Disco guitarist Ian Crawford in the background.

Updated August 10, 2009 (7:01 p.m.) 13

Panic! At the Disco unveiled its new lineup at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel last night, and watching the band perform without deposed members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker was a bit odd.

Culture and Entertainment

Panic at the Disco joins the historic ranks at the Hard Rock

Ryan Ross and Brendon Urie work their instruments in front of the hometown crowd.

Updated April 30, 2009 (7:29 p.m.)

Under a row of signed drums and cymbals from artists like Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, local boys Panic at the Disco signed their way into Hard Rock history.