Panic! At The Disco Drummer Pulls Out Of Tour To Seek Help For Drink And Drug Addiction
Thursday, 08 August 2013
Written by Elliott Batte
Spencer Smith - drummer for Panic! at the Disco - has pulled out of the band’s current US tour after admitting that he is addicted to drink and drugs.
The sticksman revealed back in July that he has been battling an addiction to alcohol and prescription painkillers for four and a half years, writing a very personal statement to fans via the band’s website.
Now, the band’s frontman Brendan Urie has released a new statement, revealing that Smith won’t be taking part in their current US tour, and will instead be seeking treatment. Writing via the Panic at the Disco! website, Urie said:
“Spencer and I have been through a lot of hurdles together, but witnessing one of my closest friends immersed in such a battle has been the most difficult. There was never anything I could say to comfort him or empathize with his situation. What the fuck could I possibly say to him to make him feel like everything was gonna be okay? So I told myself that all I could do was work even harder with whatever I was doing to make sure he didn’t have to stress about anything. So I did.
“And I wrote as sincerely and honestly as I could for this album. I didn’t want to hold anything back. No one was telling me what I could and couldn’t say. This was my diary and the pages were filled with confessions. About everything. About my story. What I had gone through and what I was going through. I kept writing and never really stopped. So, here’s another confession for my diary. Only this time there’s no musical soundscape or background in which I can flood the message. All I can do is say it. So here it is.
“It’s become evident Spencer still needs more time to take care of himself. I can’t expect him to be fighting addiction one minute and be fully immersed in a national tour the next. With all that said, the tour will continue without Spencer while he is away getting the help he needs. Thank you all for your support and kind words. I love you. I believe in you. Just show up and don’t ever give up.”
While it's certain the band will perform without Smith at their August and September US dates, it's unclear whether he’ll take part in any of their upcoming UK gigs in November - Urie simply wrote that ‘the tour’ will continue without him.
What do you think of the news? Leave us a comment in the box below. You’ll also find links to buy tickets for Panic at the Disco’s up and coming tour dates through Stereoboard!
Sun November 17th 2013 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Mon November 18th 2013 - EDINBURGH The Picture House
Wed November 20th 2013 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy
Thu November 21st 2013 - LONDON The Forum
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
