Spencer Smith (musician)

Last updated

Spencer Smith
Spencer Smith 15.08.2009.jpg
Smith in 2009
Born
Spencer James Smith

(1987-09-02) September 2, 1987 (age 36) [1]
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • talent agent
Years active
  • 2004–2015 (musician)
  • 2018–present (talent agent)
Spouse
Linda Ignarro
(m. 2016)
Musical career
Origin Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Drums
  • percussion
Labels
Formerly of Panic! at the Disco
Website panicatthedisco.com

Spencer James Smith (born September 2, 1987) is an American talent agent and former musician and songwriter. He is best known as a co-founding member and the former drummer of the rock band Panic! at the Disco. [2] He recorded four studio albums with the band: A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005), Pretty. Odd. (2008), Vices & Virtues (2011), and Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! (2013). The band's debut album went triple platinum and charted at No. 13 on the US Billboard 200, spearheaded by the hit single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies", which peaked at No. 7 in the Billboard Hot 100.

Contents

After recording four albums with the band, he announced his departure from Panic! on April 2, 2015 via the band's official website, citing a need to settle his drug issues. [3] As of February 7, 2018, Smith works as an official manager and talent finder at DCD2 Records. [4]

Early life

Born in Colorado, Smith was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and attended Bishop Gorman High School, [5] with former bandmate Ryan Ross.

Panic! at the Disco (2004–2015)

Spencer performing with Panic! at the Disco in 2006. Spencer Smith.png
Spencer performing with Panic! at the Disco in 2006.

Spencer Smith was the drummer for American rock band Panic! at the Disco, formed in 2004. Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz discovered the band through the Internet and quickly signed them to his Decaydance Records label before the band had even played a single show. Smith has played the percussion parts on the band's first four studio albums, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005), Pretty. Odd. (2008), Vices & Virtues (2011) and Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! (2013). A Fever You Can't Sweat Out has sold over two million units worldwide, spurred on by the lead single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" which became the band's second most successful song, reaching #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming the band's mainstream breakthrough so early in their career. The 2008 album Pretty. Odd. debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, however it was less widely received in comparison to Fever and quickly fell off the charts.[ citation needed ]

In 2007, members of The Cab sent Smith a demo and he helped sign them to Pete Wentz's record label, Decaydance. [6] Smith appears in the music videos "What a Catch, Donnie" and "Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet" by Fall Out Boy, and also appears in the Gym Class Heroes video for the song "Clothes Off!!" alongside bandmate Brendon Urie, and former Panic! at the Disco band members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker. The members are seen dancing in animal costumes, Smith being in a seal suit. In 2010, Smith and bandmate Brendon Urie appeared in Butch Walker's music video "Pretty Melody", appearing as ninjas. [7]

In 2009, founding member/guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker left the band, leaving Smith and vocalist Brendon Urie as the sole remaining members. [8] [9] Smith completed work on Panic! at the Disco's third studio album Vices & Virtues with bandmate Brendon Urie, which was released in March 2011. Prior to the release of Vices & Virtues, Smith co-starred with Brendon Urie in a seven-minute short film, called The Overture, directed by Shane Drake. [10] The short film addressed the departure of two former Panic! at the Disco members, founding member and guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker. [10]

In an April 2011 interview with Blogcritics , Smith revealed plans to expand Panic! at the Disco from the current duo with the addition of new band members saying, "We knew it would be just me and Brendon, but we have also left the option open to work with other people." [9] Smith also stated that being on tour is his favorite part of the musical process, though that would be impossible without work in the recording studio. [9]

On August 2, 2013, he released an open letter to his fans, coming clean about his battle with alcohol and prescription pills. [11] On August 7, 2013, Brendon Urie announced via the band's website that Smith would no longer be taking part in the tour, stating that "He is away getting the help that he needs." [12] On April 2, 2015, Smith announced his departure from Panic! at the Disco.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panic! at the Disco</span> American pop rock band (2004–2023)

Panic! at the Disco was an American pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 by childhood friends Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, Brent Wilson, and Brendon Urie. Following several lineup changes, Panic! at the Disco operated as the solo project of frontman Urie from 2015 until its discontinuation in 2023.

<i>A Fever You Cant Sweat Out</i> 2005 studio album by Panic! at the Disco

A Fever You Can't Sweat Out is the debut studio album by American pop rock band Panic! at the Disco. Produced by Matt Squire, the album was released on September 27, 2005, through Decaydance and Fueled by Ramen. The group formed in Las Vegas in 2004 and began posting demos online, which caught the attention of Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz. Wentz signed the group to his own imprint label, Decaydance, without them having ever performed live. It is the only album released during original bassist Brent Wilson's time in the band, but the exact nature of his involvement in the writing and recording process became a source of contention upon his dismissal from the group in mid-2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Ross</span> American guitarist

George Ryan Ross III is an American musician, singer, and songwriter best known for his work as the former lead guitarist, backing and lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of the American rock band Panic! at the Disco before his departure in 2009. He alongside former Panic! bassist Jon Walker formed the Young Veins later that same year, in which Ross was the lead vocalist and guitarist. They broke up in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">But It's Better If You Do</span> 2006 single by Panic! at the Disco

"But It's Better If You Do" is a song by American rock band Panic! at the Disco, released on May 1, 2006, as the third single from their debut album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005). Taking its title from a quote said by Natalie Portman's character in the 2004 film Closer, the song was written by band members Ryan Ross, Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith, and is about being in and not enjoying the location of a strip club. "But It's Better If You Do" failed to recreate the success the previous single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" had in the United States but found chart prominence in Europe and Oceania, peaking at number 10 in New Zealand, number 15 in Australia and number 23 in the UK. The accompanying music video for the song, directed by Shane Drake, features the band performing at a masquerade-style strip club.

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"Build God, Then We'll Talk" is the fifth and final official single from Panic! at the Disco's 2005 album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, including the radio-only single "The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendon Urie</span> American singer and musician (born 1987)

Brendon Boyd Urie is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is best known as the former lead vocalist and frontman of Panic! at the Disco, the only constant member throughout the band's 19-year run.

<i>Pretty. Odd.</i> 2008 studio album by Panic at the Disco

Pretty. Odd. is the second studio album by American pop rock band Panic at the Disco. Recorded at the Studio at the Palms in Paradise, Nevada with additional production at Abbey Road Studios in London with producer Rob Mathes, the album was released March 21, 2008 on Decaydance and Fueled by Ramen. Inspired by baroque pop and the works of the Beach Boys and the Beatles, the psychedelic-styled rock album differs greatly from the techno-influenced pop-punk of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005). It is the band's only major release to not feature an exclamation point in their name, being credited as "Panic at the Disco" for all major activities until summer the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Downpour</span> 2008 single by Panic at the Disco

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet</span> 0000 single by Fall Out Boy

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">What a Catch, Donnie</span> 2008 single by Fall Out Boy

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Perspective (song)</span> 2009 single by Panic! at the Disco

"New Perspective" is a song by American rock band Panic! at the Disco, released on July 28, 2009, as a single promoting the film Jennifer's Body. Vocalist Brendon Urie began writing the song two years prior to its recording regarding a lucid dream he had. The song was completed in the summer of 2009, and was co-written by producer John Feldmann. "New Perspective" was Panic! at the Disco's first single in aftermath of the departure of guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker, both of whom had no involvement in the track. It also saw the return of the exclamation point in their name, after it was retired during the Pretty. Odd. era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallon Weekes</span> American musician and singer-songwriter from Utah

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<i>Vices & Virtues</i> 2011 studio album by Panic! at the Disco

Vices & Virtues is the third studio album by American pop rock band Panic! at the Disco, released on March 22, 2011, by Fueled by Ramen. Produced by John Feldmann and Butch Walker, the album was recorded as a duo by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Brendon Urie and drummer Spencer Smith, following the departure of lead guitarist, backing vocalist and primary lyricist Ryan Ross and bassist/backing vocalist Jon Walker in July 2009.

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<i>Death of a Bachelor</i> 2016 studio album by Panic! at the Disco

Death of a Bachelor is the fifth studio album by Panic! at the Disco, and their first as a solo project, released on January 15, 2016 on Fueled by Ramen and DCD2. It is the follow-up to the band's fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! (2013), with the entire album written and recorded by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Brendon Urie, who collaborated with other writers including Jake Sinclair, Morgan Kibby, Lolo, and Sam Hollander. It is the band's first album to not feature drummer Spencer Smith and also follows bassist Dallon Weekes' departure from the official line-up, subsequently becoming a touring member once again.

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<i>Viva Las Vengeance</i> 2022 studio album by Panic! at the Disco

Viva Las Vengeance is the seventh and final studio album by American pop rock solo project Panic! at the Disco, released on August 19, 2022, through Fueled by Ramen and DCD2 Records. It is their first studio album in 4 years since their 2018 album, Pray for the Wicked, and the last album prior to the project's disbandment. It was announced alongside the release of the lead single and title track "Viva Las Vengeance" on June 1, 2022, and was supported by a tour that began in North America in the third quarter of 2022, and ended in Europe in March 2023.

References

  1. Spencer Smith (V) IMDb. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  2. Montgomery, James (July 30, 2009). "Spencer Smith Explains Why Panic! At The Disco Brought Back The '!'". MTV News . Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  3. Panic! At The Disco - A message from Spencer.... Panicatthedisco.com (April 2, 2015). Retrieved on 2017-12-07.
  4. Smith, Spencer; Wentz, Pete. "Spencer Announces his Involvement in DCD2 Records via Twitter". Twitter. DCD2. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  5. "Panic! comes home to play House of Blues". Las Vegas Sun . June 18, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  6. "Alternative Press | News | Decaydance signs The Cab". Altpress.com. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  7. "EXCLUSIVE: Butch Walker's Kung Fu Epic". SPIN.com. April 12, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  8. Cochrane, Greg (July 7, 2009). "Panic At The Disco split in two". Newsbeat . Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 Melchor, Michael (April 3, 2011). "An Interview With Panic! At The Disco's Spencer Smith". Blogcritics . Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Goodman, William (March 10, 2011). "Panic! Address Breakup in Trippy Mini Movie". Spin Magazine . Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  11. Exclusive: Panic! At The Disco's Spencer Smith On Addiction, Recovery And Honesty. MTV (February 8, 2013). Retrieved on 2016-02-21.
  12. "HI. I'M BRENDON URIE FROM PANIC! AT THE DISCO". Official Website. August 7, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.