Pete Wentz Adds the Latest Piece to the Panic! at the Disco Puzzle

Last week, Panic! at the Disco released a snippet of what they told their fans was “something for all of your patience over the last year.” The prize was a ninety-second clip from a new song called “We’re So Starving” that the band admitted would “undergo some change” when they headed to Abbey Road Studios this month to finish their sophomore record, due in March. Fast forward to yesterday, when Pete Wentz (who signed the over-the-top Vegas quartet to his Decaydance imprint) put up a blog entry in defense of his pals: “Not too sure that anyone gets that the new Panic! song is a joke,” he wrote. “Sell me a sense of humor. The new record is different than whatever you are thinking.” What led to Wentz’s latest defense of the band? A chronology of recent Panic! developments (and a possible solution to the latest puzzle) after the jump. December 12th: After going completely blank, Panic! at the Disco’s official site is replaced by a Wheel of Fortune-style puzzle, solved two days later with the words “You Don’t Have to Worry.” On the same day, an open call for extras goes up for the video accompanying the new single, “Nine in the Afternoon,” which they performed live at several gigs during ‘07. December 18th: A jigsaw puzzle appears on Panicatthedisco.com, along with a timestamp referring to 01:01:08. Speculation mounts that an announcement is coming in the new year and rumors begin circulating that the band is headlining the 2008 Honda Civic Tour. December 22nd: Pete Wentz posts a photo from the set of “Nine in the Afternoon” and says “this band has blown me away again.” December 25th: As a Christmas surprise, the puzzle pieces on the official site are updated with short clips of a new song. January 1st: Panic’s MySpace is updated with “We’re So Starving.” The song is a marked change from the band’s sma

Published: 2008-01-08 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Interview Panic at the Disco at RollingStone.com!

If you could ask Panic at the Disco one thing, what would it be? Want to know what their favorite coffee shop is in Las Vegas? Curious about a particular lyric? Figure it out and let us know, because we’ll be talking to the spunky theatrical punk band next week, and we want questions from you. Send us a YouTube video of yourself asking a question to the band, and the best of the lot will run in a special video Q&A with Panic at the Disco next week. Put that webcam to good use by February 21st at 9 AM EST. To submit your video question, you can either: Join our YouTube group here and upload your video to the group, or Upload your video to a video-hosting site (YouTube, MySpace Videos, Vimeo, etc.) and email the URL of your uploaded video to: askarockstar@gmail.com. Please: NO ATTACHMENTS! We will not accept video files. RollingStone.com reserves the right to edit videos for length and/or clarity. And there’s no use in asking what songs inspired their band name, either – no questions you can answer by looking at their Wikipedia entry! Related Stories: High School Musical Panic In the Mosh Pit Panic! at the Disco Dance [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-02-14 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Ask a Rock Star, Rock Daily

Panic! At the Disco’s Ryan Ross Talks New Album As He Turns Legal at Pete Wentz’s Bar

Last night Panic! at the Disco’s Ryan Ross turned twenty-one in New York City at Angels and Kings, the East Village “dive bar” owned by labelmates Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, the Academy Is …, Cobra Starship and their management, Crush. Ross was in town between last weekend’s gigs at the Reading and Leeds festivals and this weekend’s Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival in Seattle. After that, it’s back to work on the band’s sophomore disc, which is Ross’ main focus: “We’re trying to finish up in the next month, month and a half,” he says. After Bumbershoot and San Diego Street Scene at the end of September the band plans to head into the studio with a release slated for February or March of 2008. The scene at the bar last night was suitably carnival-esque for the dramatic Panic! guitarist. Ross’ girlfriend, Keltie Colleen (of Pussycat Dolls-esque troupe Sugar and Spice) planned the ordeal: She hung mini versions of Ross’ high school yearbook photo (which she found on the Internet) from the ceiling by ribbon, commissioned Ross’ friends to wear T-shirts sporting the image of a twelve-year-old Ross holding a fish, and planned her own midnight surprise: having fellow Sugar and Spice members wheel her out in a wrapped box. Though Ross and his bandmates chose not to invest in Angels and Kings when it opened because they were underage, the band is now halfway to legality (singer Brendan Urie and drummer Spencer Smith still have to hit the twenty-one milestone) and Ross says its possible the band would buy into the investment in the future. Some of the current owners were also in attendance last night: Gym Class Heroes’ Travis McCoy, whose band is heading out on the Young Wild Things Tour with Fall Out Boy this fall, and Gabe Saporta and Ryland Blackinton of Cobra Starship, whose next album comes out October 23rd.

Published: 2007-09-01 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Panic at the Disco Debut Stripped-Down Set, Sound on Honda Civic Tour

There were some jarring product placements at the opening night of Panic at the Disco’s North American outing — even for something called the Honda Civic Tour. Motion City Soundtrack, the Hush Sound and Phantom Planet opened, and between sets automobile commercials alternated with videos from acts on the record label that distributes PATD’s music. (Click here for photos from last night’s show.) The Las Vegas quartet finally took the stage more than two and a half hours after the show began, opening with the salutary “We’re So Starving” and the current hit “Nine in the Afternoon.” The band alternated considerably less aggressive versions of tracks from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out with stripped-down selections from its elaborate new album Pretty. Odd. Whether it was first-night jitters, a lack of sufficient rehearsal time, or the simple fact that their music is dependent on dozens of overdubs both from themselves and a myriad of outside players, Panic’s live presence was decidedly tentative. Drummer Spencer Smith proved himself the most confident musician: While other members cautiously approached what was essentially an entire set comprised of new and daunting arrangements, he supplied a momentum otherwise lacking from older album tracks like “Camisado” and intricate new cuts like “She’s a Handsome Woman.” Singer Brendon Urie furrowed and arched his brow to signify emotions he couldn’t fully articulate with hands occupied with guitars, while guitarist Ryan Ross looked uncomfortable and affable bassist Jon Walker acted as spokesman. Despite the fact that Panic had traded its burlesque dancers, frilly costumes and androgynous makeup for muted beige outfits and facial hair, the largely teenage and female audience screamed as if attending a boy-band spectacle. And to some degree, they were: Walker chided Urie for taking a sip from a beer, as the frontman was two days shy of his twenty-first birthday; an event Smith won’t celebrate for several m

Published: 2008-04-11 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Live Shows

Photo Gallery: Paramore, Snoop Dogg and Others at Bamboozle 2008

Paramore, Snoop Dogg, Bret Michaels, Jimmy Eat World, Panic at the Disco and a bevy of other bands stormed East Rutherford, New Jersey over the weekend for the annual Bamboozle festival. Click here for live shots from the festival, including Coheed and Cambria, Gym Class Heroes and Cobra Starship. [Photo: Ryan Muir for RollingStone.com]

Published: 2008-05-05 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Festivals, Bamboozle

In the Studio: Panic! at the Disco (With Bonus Pete Wentz Video Interview)

Panic! at the Disco guitarist-lyricist Ryan Ross is tired of computer-tuned vocals and software-tweaked drums. “People have taken technology so far, to the point where music is almost sterile these days,” he says from the studio in Las Vegas’ Palms Hotel, taking a break from recording sessions for the band’s second album. “With all those old rock & roll records, you can really feel there’s a character to them, because it was played by real people. I feel like a lot of that’s missing now.” It’s a common argument these days, but Ross is an odd person to be making it: His own band’s platinum debut, the Fall Out Boy-plus-synth-style A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, was a prime offender, overflowing with maxed-out pitch-correction and baroque Pro Tools trickery. “That’s a valid point,” Ross says. “That record is basically programmed to a T. I mean, everything is lined up and perfect.” Click here to watch Pete Wentz talk about the new Panic! songs he’s heard so far, his favorite new lyrics and how he’s watched the band grow up and evolve. For their second album, everything is different: The band is writing songs on acoustic guitars, not on computers. And even though the group members have a far higher budget at their disposal than the $10,000 they spent on the first one, they’re recording the album live in the studio. “We do take after take until we get it right,” Ross says. “It’s a lot harder, but it’s making us play better.” They were still in high school when they recorded Fever, and it seems like they’re faintly embarrassed by it: “I think that everybody kind of changes a lot between the time they’re seventeen and when they’re twenty-one or twenty-two,” says Ross. The growing process hasn’t been easy. The band discarded ten or so songs for what would have been an entirely different v

Published: 2007-11-17 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, In the Studio

Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fall Out Boy Storm the U.K. for Reading and Leeds Festivals

Over this past weekend, the twin premiere U.K. festivals known as Reading and Leeds overtook the English countryside as acts like Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco and dozens of British buzz bands took turns rocking out in the two cities (more than 150,000 people packed the events, known as Carling Weekend, combined). Festival-goers and bands were treated to uncharacteristically sunny weather, which meant that celebrity attendees like Kelly Osbourne got to wear snazzy heels instead of wellies. And despite some artists exchanging words before the concerts even got underway, the event went off almost totally violence- (and beef-) free. The three-day weekend’s standout moments: Billy Corgan crooning an acoustic version of “1979″; Fall Out Boy delivering covers of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and Huey Lewis’ “The Power of Love.” Less electric moments: Anthony Kiedis accidentally unplugging a crucial cable resulting in sound problems for the remainder of his band’s set; Panic! at the Disco getting pelted with detritus for the second fest in a row. Last year, Panic! frontman Brendon Urie was briefly knocked out after being hit by a bottle; this year bassist Jon Walker received only a mild nick. “I was happy to take one for the band,” Walker told the NME. Take our bottle-free visual tour of the action at Reading and Leeds via our Carling Weekend photo gallery.

Published: 2007-08-28 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Ask a Rock Star: Panic at the Disco

Panic at the Disco stopped by Rolling Stone last week, and we bombarded them with questions sent in by you, the readers, to see what makes this young quartet tick. Click above for the band’s favorite Beatles songs, what they sing in the shower and what inspired the tracks on their upcoming album Pretty.Odd. Related Stories: Album Preview: Panic at the Disco On Tour: Panic at the Disco Panic at the Disco Drop Exclamation Point [Video by Jennifer Hsu]

Published: 2008-02-28 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Videos, Ask a Rock Star, Panic at the Disco

Rewind: The Week in Rock Daily

Rolling Stone went in the studio to get the exclusive scoop on the next Coldplay album, plus a first listen to Mariah Carey’s E=MC² and http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/02/25/in-the-studio-the-black-keys/" target="blank">the early word on the Black Keys’ Danger Mouse-produced new work. Dave Clark Five singer Mike Smith passed away, as did Band of Gypsys drummer Buddy Miles. Panic at the Disco’s fans demanded to know the group’s favorite Beatles and shower songs. The band answered these questions in more in our Ask a Rock Star video feature. Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood teamed up in New York and broke out Hendrix covers, Blind Faith songs and more. Rock Daily pondered whether Perez Hilton could ever become the next Clive Davis. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-02-29 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

News Ticker: Abbey Road, Judas Priest, Jay-Z, Frank Lucas Jr.

Mary J. Blige, Panic at the Disco and Sheryl Crow will be among the artists that will perform on the second season of Sundance Channel series Live From Abbey Road. Metal icons Judas Priest will release their sixteenth album, a double-length entitled Nostradamus, on June 17th. The band’s first concept album will tell the story of the legendary sixteenth century prophet Michel de Nostradamus. Jay-Z will join Radiohead and My Bloody Valentine as a headliner at this year’s Roskilde Festival, to be held in July 3-6 in Denmark. Rapper Frank Lucas Jr., son of American Gangster focus Frank Lucas, is suing the NYPD for $25 million, claiming the police used excessive force and racially profiled him during an arrest in March.

Published: 2008-04-16 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup

Panic at the Disco’s Secret Influences

Panic at the Disco’s new album Pretty. Odd. hits stores today, representing a clear evolution in the band’s sound and vision. The group has talked a lot about the Beatles influence on this outing, but what else does Panic at the Disco draw upon to arrive at their unique aesthetic? For the guide to what makes the Panic boys tick, click here, and for the complete review of Pretty. Odd., click here.

Published: 2008-03-25 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

New Rothbury Festival to Hit U.S. in July: Matthews, Mayer, Snoop, Modest Mouse

A new, environmentally conscious music festival is about to hit the ever-growing U.S. market July 4th weekend: AEG Live (the folks behind Coachella) and Madison House Presents are introducing the Rothbury Festival, to be held in Rothbury, Michigan on July 3rd through 6th at the idyllic Double JJ Ranch near Lake Michigan. Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh & Friends, Modest Mouse, 311 and Snoop Dogg are among the many confirmed acts, and organizers say the festival’s goal is to draw attention to climate change and clean energy alternatives. To wit, the weekend will feature a think tank featuring panel discussions on those climate concerns, an energy fair where attendees can get their hands on related technology and products, and the festivals’ campgrounds will strive for a zero-waste experience via composting, carbon-offsetting and more strategies (alternative lodging will also be available for festival-goers who don’t want to pitch a tent). For the initial lineup announcement — the fest promises more than seventy bands on eight stages — keep reading. The first batch of tickets go on sale February 27th at the fest’s official site. Dave Matthews Band Widespread Panic John Mayer 311 Phil Lesh and Friends Primus Thievery Corporation Snoop Dogg Modest Mouse Michael Franti and Spearhead Gov’t Mule Sound Tribe Sector Nine Colbie Caillat Slightly Stoopid The Black Keys Yonder Mountain String Band with Jon Fishman Gogol Bordello Citizen Cope Keller Williams and The WMD’S The Disco Biscuits Medeski Martin & Wood Ray LaMontagne Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival Drive-By Truckers Of Montreal The Dresden Dolls Gomez Brett Dennen Taj Mahal Mike Gordon Zappa Plays Zappa Crystal Method DJ Set JJ Grey & MOFRO The Greyboy Allstars The Secret Machines Beth Orton Jakob Dylan and the Green Mountain Rebels A 3 Bettye Lavette Lotus Yard Dogs Road Show State Radio The Beautiful Girls Sage Franc

Published: 2008-02-13 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Rewind: The Week in Rock Daily

We learned Led Zeppelin motivated Marilyn Manson’s reunion with bandmate Twiggy Ramirez. As a bonus, Zep’s John Paul Jones provided some behind-the-scenes info about the big December reunion show, and revealed the band is meeting this month. Rock Daily brought you an all-Crow(e) In the Studio extravaganza: the scoop on upcoming discs from the Black Crowes and Sheryl Crow. Fans hyperventilated at the news that Panic at the Disco is dropping their ! with the release of their next album, Pretty. Odd. Rock Daily got an early look at U2’s 3-D movie U2 3D and wondered why there weren’t more Achtung Baby songs represented. We pondered whether the Writers Strike would make this year’s Grammys anything like the People’s Choice Awards and celebrated Jonny Greenwood’s Critics Choice Award. Snoop Dogg forced us to remember the MTV Europe Awards. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-01-11 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Kelly Clarkson’s Rough Patch Continues, 50 Cent Goes Soft On New Album? Metallica Added To Live Earth London

It’s been a rough few weeks for Kelly Clarkson, and it just got a whole lot rougher. First, she fired her manager. Then, she canceled her summer tour because of poor ticket sales. Now, Clarkson’s new album My December has leaked more than a week before hitting shelves. The tracklist for 50 Cent’s Curtis reveals a kindler, gentler Fiddy. Now, he’s a man who’s not afraid to show his sensitive side while rapping on tracks titled “Officer Down,” “187,” and “Fully Loaded Clip.” Metallica is the latest band to befriend the environment as they will play the London leg of the Live Earth concert. While we’re slightly amused by this video of Hillary Clinton spoofing the Sopranos ending, the shocking revelation that she’s chosen Celine Dion’s “You and I” as her campaign song is almost as terrifying as a George Bush third term. Beleaguered boy band mastermind Lou Pearlman is complaining about the “less than favorable” conditions of the Guam detention center he’s currently being held in. Sorry Lou, but that’s what you get for subjecting us to “Bye, Bye, Bye.” Updating a previous item, the wrath of Britney Spears has the strength to bring down billboards. The Killers, Muse, and Panic! At the Disco are set to headline San Diego’s Street Scene Festival. Photo: Getty

Published: 2007-06-19 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup

Jordin Sparks Is America’s New “Idol,” Scott Stapp Is Sorry, Fugees Not Reuniting

As some of our moms (and Kelly Clarkson) predicted, Jordin Sparks is America’s newest “Idol”. The seventeen-year-old singer scored more of the 74 million votes cast for her than for the other finalist, Blake Lewis. Check out Sparks’ first single, “This Is My Now.” Scott Stapp has issued a public apology for the events surrounding his recent arrest, which came about after he allegedly threw an Orangina bottle at his wife’s head. While Green Day will appear in the Simpsons movie, the band’s music won’t be included on the soundtrack, which will feature artists like Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, and Akon. Pras has quashed all immediate hopes of a Fugees reunion album, calling the project “straight dead.” “You know, unfortunately Miss Hill, she got some things she needs to deal with,” the rapper, who is currently working on his third solo album said. “I wish her the best, but life goes on.” Check out the White Stripes video for their new single “Icky Thump.” The band has also announced new September tour dates. There is speculation that Kelly Osbourne may collaborate with her good pal Amy Winehouse. Osbourne will begin work on her third album soonish, is super tight with Winehouse and has said this about her collaboration aspirations: “I want to collaborate with one of my friends but I have to finish my TV projects first.” Bob Dylan turns 66 today. Happy birthday Bob! Check out our awesome new video made in honor of the man’s big day. Neko Case’s underwear is for sale on eBay. Okay it’s just a bustier she wore a few times but it’s been on her skin …. [via Pitchfork]

Published: 2007-05-24 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Morning News Roundup

Rewind: Week in Rock Daily

Scott Weiland celebrated his release from Velvet Revolver by announcing a massive tour (and performing a private show) with Stone Temple Pilots. Y’all put on your thinking caps and selected Chris Cornell to fill the VR vacancy, but Axl Rose may also be in need of a back-up band. American Idol’s second “Idol Gives Back” special raised $22 million during Wednesday night’s telecast, enough to buy four and a half Prince concerts. We predicted Carly would go home Thursday, TiVo scientifically selected Syesha, but in the end Michael Johns was sent back to Kangaroo Land. We caught Panic at the Disco live in San Fran, photogged Gnarls Barkley emulating James Brown in NYC, reminisced about forty years of the Rolling Stones playing live and questioned Serj Tankian’s ability to perform via hologram. Rock Daily sneak-peaked some of the season’s most anticipated albums, with the Roots, My Morning Jacket and N.E.R.D. all giving us video exclusives about their upcoming discs. For more about what you need to listen out for, check out our massively comprehensive Spring Music Preview.

Published: 2008-04-11 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News