Where did Panic! At the Disco get its name?

Panic! At The Disco has been around for nearly two decades filled with angst and existential dread. This American pop-punk band got its debut in 2004 after Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz originally signed them. Not long after, their first studio album was released, entitled “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.” Since then, the group has had almost immediate success among fans of the genre, as well as plenty of teenagers getting to know the punk scene, previously popularized by groups like Blink-182, Green Day, and of course, Fall Out Boy.

Nowadays, several fans of the genre have remained fans of Panic! At The Disco since their primordial starts in the early 2000s. Just recently, though, the one-man band, led by Brandon Urie, have announced their split from the music world. In an emotive letter to fans, Urie said goodbye to Panic! At The Disco via a UK and Europe tour one last time before officially being “no more.” In spite of spending well over a decade in the music industry, with plenty of pebbles along the way, many fans still have wondered about the origin behind their name. Where exactly did the catchy and memorable name Panic! At The Disco come from?

Panic! At The Disco is not an ode to a Smith’s song

The band today known as Panic! At The Disco originally consisted of members Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson. Friends from childhood, the trio originally created the band with the intention of being called “Pet Salamander.” The idea was then discarded in favor of the name “Summerleague Rock,” which also did not take off with the trio of friends. The latest addition to the group was Urie, and upon his integration as the vocalist, guitarist, and bassist, the band took on the name Panic! At The Disco, derived from an underground emo band called “Name Taken.”

According to AmericanSongwriter, Urie has disproven the rumor surrounding the band’s name. Apparently, Urie took inspiration from the Orange, California band’s 2004 track “Panic,” which featured the lyrics “Panic at the disco/Sat back and rook it so slow.” Previously, it was believed the name was an homage to The Smith’s song “Panic,” which featured the chorus “Burn down the disco,” thus making it believable that the group would adopt the wording into their own band’s name.

As of 2023, the group now consists of Urie alone, with two touring members Nicole Row and Mike Naran, who join the singer during tours and concerts. The former members of the group included Ryan Ross (guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter 2004-2009), Jon Walker (bassist, 2006-2009), Brent Wilson (bassist, 2004-2006), Ian Crawford (touring guitarist, 2009-2012), Dallon Weekes (bassist, 2009-2017), Kenneth Harris (touring guitarist, 2013-2018), and Spencer Smith (drummer 2004-2015), who have all since left the band.

Panic! At The Disco will end their legacy in Pop-punk after their upcoming European concerts.