Panic! At the Disco were one of the biggest names in the music industry in the 00s, but fans have now been left in shock after discovering the origin of the group’s odd name
Fans of Panic! At the Disco have only just worked out the origin of the band’s name.
The indie-rock band, fronted by Brendon Urie, dominated the charts after exploding onto the scene back in 2003. After first topping the charts, the band would go on to release a string of albums and hits before eventually disbanding back in 2023.
With Brendon on lead vocals and guitar, Ryan Ross on guitar, Spencer Smith on the drums and Brent Wilson on the bass, the band would go on to have huge commercial success. Among the group’s biggest hits are Nine in the Afternoon and High Hopes, each of which raking in millions of streams.
But 20 years after first forming in Las Vegas back in 2004, the band officially decided to go their separate ways and pursue solo projects. However, two years after the band split, fans have only now discovered the meaning the group’s rather bizarre name.
During the band’s heyday, they were often speculated to have been inspired by British alternative rock band The Smiths. But according to lead singer Brendon, the inspiration behind the name was actually a lot closer to home.
Brendon revealed that the band took their name from an emo collective group by the name of Name Taken. One their songs, Panic, is directly responsible for the chart-toppers’ name, thanks to the song’s dark lyrical tone.
In the song, Name Taken – formerly known as All That’s Left – sing in the opening verse. “Panic at the disco,” the song sings, “Sat back and took it so slow / Are you nervous? / Are you shaking?”
Brendon, who would go on to release several songs together with Benny Blanco and Taylor Swift, said that the band had been particularly popular while his fledgling group were recording their first demos. Taking advantage of the literary potential, the band then ran with the name, releasing their hit track I Write Sins, Not Tragedies in 2005, and becoming incredibly popular.
The band’s debut album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, was released the same year, with I Write Sins, Not Tragedies peaking at No7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The album itself would go on to be certified as being triple platinum.
Panic! At the Disco went through a number of changes throughout the years, with a host of switches of the band’s members – with Brendon remaining the band’s lead vocalist. However, in 2023 – he announced that Panic! At the Disco was officially coming to an end as a musical project.
Revealing he was to become a father with doting wife Sarah, he said: “That said, I am going to bring this chapter of my life to an end and put my focus and energy on my family. And with that Panic! At The Disco will be no more.”
For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
