Panic! move on without Smith

Panic! At The Disco frontman Brendon Urie says he’s proud of departed drummer Spencer Smith.

The co-founder had been absent for personal reasons since 2013, and earlier this month confirmed he wouldn’t return.

Urie tells Billboard: “We had a few discussions. He told me what he wanted to do and I backed that 100%. Obviously I’m going to miss him in the band – but I’m proud of him. I love him to death.”

He insists there’s no question of him breaking up the band and adds: “I joined as the last member before we started touring and got signed. Now I’m last man standing – but I love everything about it, the touring and songwriting.”

Panic’s next performance takes place at the Shorty Awards in New York on April 20. Urie says: “We’ve played without Spencer for a while, but this will be one of the first since he officially left. The fans are always very supportive, so that makes it a lot easier.”

Urie, Dallon Weekes plus touring members Kenneth Harris and Dan Pawlovich will play this year’s Reading and Leeds festivals on August 28-30.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.