ARTIST

Panic! At the Disco

Just barely out of high school, pop-punk outfit Panic! At the Disco burst out of suburban Las Vegas in 2005 with their full-length debut, "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out." Taking their name from a line in Name Taken's "Panic," the group materialized when friends Spencer Smith (drums) and Ryan Ross (guitar) grew tired of covering Blink 182 tunes together, and thus recruited classmates Brendon Urie (guitar/vocals) and Brent Wilson (bass) to complete the quartet.

Crafting pop-influenced songs with theatrical touches, quirky techno beats, and perceptive lyrics, Panic! At the Disco posted some demos online and soon caught the attention of Decaydance, the Fueled by Ramen imprint headed by Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz. Even though the band had yet to play a live show, they were subsequently signed. With their record issued in September 2005, the guys hit the road that fall on the successful Nintendo Fusion Tour, alongside Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, Boys Night Out, and The Starting Line.

As their single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" found its way into TRL hearts (and the Top 40) by the early months of 2006, the band kept the momentum going on the road with the Academy Is..., Acceptance, and Hellogoodbye. Proving to be a popular lineup, the tour consistently sold out venues across the country. Wilson parted ways with the group mid-year. Panic! pressed on with a full summer of headlining dates around the country that culminated with appearances in Chicago at Lollapalooza, and overseas at the U.K.'s Reading and Leeds festivals.

Written by Corey Apar, All Music Guide