The History of PATD!

Bobby Turner

Panic! At the Disco was an American rock band known for its unique sound and energetic performances. And my lineup of favorite artists remains in the top ten.

The band was formed in 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada, by childhood friends Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson. Panic! At the Disco quickly rose to fame with their debut album, “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out,” which featured hits such as “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” Since then, the band has released several other successful albums and undergone significant changes.

The formation of Panic! At the Disco can be traced back to the friendship between Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith. The two met in junior high school and bonded over their love of music. They started playing music together and eventually formed a band, which they called Pet Salamander. Brent Wilson, another childhood friend, joined the band as the bassist. The trio played local shows and eventually caught the attention of record label Fueled by Ramen.

In 2005, Panic! At the Disco released their debut album, “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.” The album was a critical and commercial success, selling over two million copies in the United States alone. The album featured a unique blend of pop, rock, and electronic music, with lyrics that tackled themes such as love, betrayal, and societal norms. The album’s lead single, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” became an instant hit and remains one of the band’s most popular songs to this day. 

After the success of “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out,” Panic! At the Disco went through several lineup changes. Brent was replaced by Jon Walker on bass, and the band added touring member Dallon Weekes on guitar and keyboards. Ryan Ross and Jon Walker eventually left the band in 2009, and Brendon Urie became the sole remaining original member. Despite these changes, Panic! At the Disco continued to release successful albums and evolve their sound.

One of the band’s top three best albums is their second studio album, “Pretty. Odd.” released in 2008. This album marked a significant departure from the electronic sound of their debut album, instead featuring a more traditional rock sound with elements of folk giving a vintage feel to their muisc. The album showcased the band’s versatility and highlighted their musical talents, with songs such as “Nine in the Afternoon” and “That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)” becoming fan favorites. My personal favorite in the album is also “Nine in the afternoon”.

Another one of the band’s top three best albums is their fifth studio album, “Death of a Bachelor,” released in 2016. This album featured Brendon Urie as the sole member of the band and showcased his vocal range and musical talent. The album blended various genres such as pop, rock, and jazz, with songs such as “Victorious” and “Emperor’s New Clothes” becoming hits. “Death of a Bachelor” was also well-received by critics and earned the band their first Grammy nomination. This album is quite good start to finish I enjoyed every last song they each have some novelty factor that cannot be easily dismissed no matter how many times I listen to it.

The third album in Panic! At the Disco’s top three best albums is their sixth studio album, “Pray for the Wicked,” released in 2018. The album featured a more pop-oriented sound, with songs such as “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” and “High Hopes” becoming chart-topping hits. The album also showcased Brendon Urie’s vocal range and musical abilities, with the album earning critical acclaim and commercial success. This album is as close to feeding into industry that Brendan Urie gets aside from his most recent album following his public retirement from music.

Panic! At the Disco has had a significant impact on the music industry and pop punk as a whole since their formation in 2004. The band’s unique sound and energetic performances have earned them a loyal fan base and numerous accolades. From their debut album “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” to their most recent album “Viva las vengeance ,” Panic! At the Disco has consistently pushed the boundaries of their music and remained relevant in the industry.

With their undeniable talent and passion for music, although every original member of the band has left and Brendan Urie publicly retired I will always hold onto these great albums as will all fans.