Members of the group Panic at the Disco arrive at the 50th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 10, 2008. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Panic at the Disco guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker are leaving the band “to embark on a musical excursion of their own,” they announced Monday.
“Though the four of us have made music together in the past, we’ve creatively evolved in different directions which has compromised what each of us want to personally achieve,” Ross and Walker wrote in a post on the band’s website. “Over the years, we have remained close and honest with each other, which helped us to realize that our goals were different and that parting ways is truly what is best for each of us. We are all excited for the future, you should be too.”
The post confirmed that drummer Spencer Smith, who founded the rock band with Ross in 2004, and frontman Brendon Urie will continue as Panic at the Disco. It also said that all touring and album plans for Panic will continue as previously announced.
Panic at the Disco is scheduled to open for No Doubt on August 8 in San Diego, and has U.S. dates with Blink-182 planned throughout August.
The band had been writing on tour last fall with hopes of releasing their third album sometime this year.