Ryan Ross says quitting Panic At The Disco was like ‘splitting up with a girlfriend’

Guitarist also talks to NME about his new band The Young Veins

Former Panic! At The Disco member Ryan Ross has admitted that quitting the band felt like “breaking up with a girlfriend”.

The guitarist, who left the group with ex-bassist Jon Walker to form The Young Veins last July, told NME that he walked out on the Las Vegas four-piece because he didn’t enjoy playing anymore.

Jon and I just realised that we were never going to be happy being in that band because of certain compromises that we had to keep making,” he explained.

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“When we were writing for Panic whether we knew it or not, having that name over the songs we were trying to do made me second guess things and change things. I started to go against my instincts.

“To most people it would seem a crazy thing to do,” he continued. “But we were just incapable of faking it. We realised what was more important was writing songs and music that we absolutely believe in.”

The pair quit the band after Panic! At The Disco released and toured second album ’Pretty. Odd’.

Ross said the duo have rarely spoken to the remaining members, Brendan Urie and Spencer Smith, since the split.

“It’s been nearly a year now and it’s a tough thing when you’re in touch with people that long,” he said. “I can see us being friends in the future but it’s going to take some time for everyone to get over it. It’s like when you break up with your girlfriend after five years it’s not like the next day you’re best friends with them again, is it?”

Ross also admitted that he was surprised when the remaining members carried on as Panic! At The Disco despite their departure.

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“When we split I didn’t think anyone was going to take the name,” he said. “I was shocked at the time but I understand it a bit more now because those guys are having a blast being in that band. I couldn’t expect everybody not to be having as much fun.”

Ross and Walker have recently completed their forthcoming debut album ’Take A Vacation! with their new band The Young Veins, which also features Tilly And The Wall keyboardist Nick White, Nick Murray on drums and Andy Soukal on bass.

The 11-track album, the bulk of which was recorded at Los AngelesSunset Sound Studios, saw the pair reunite with Rob Mathes who produced ’Pretty. Odd’ and former Phantom Planet frontman Alex Greenwald.

Despite its retro sound, Ross dismissed recent comparisons with The Beatles and The Kinks.

“Those comparisons seem lazy to me,” he argued. “Don’t get me wrong The Beatles are one of our all-time favourite bands, but there’s a lot more we were influenced by. We got really excited by Motown and early ’60s soul music that was fun sounding. You can tell there’s no bullshit in that kind of music.”

Although the name of the record also suggests that the band are temporary, Ross was quick to point out that they are a permanent outfit.

“It’s a tongue and cheek thing but I don’t want to give people the impression that we’re taking a vacation, it’s permanent,” he said. “It gives a good impression of the album not taking itself too seriously too.”

Songs slated to appear on the record, which is due out on July 5, include the title track, recent single ’Change’, ’Cape Town’ and ’Heart Of Mine’.

“Each song is about something pretty specific,” he added. “There’s little stories about Cape Town and there’s a song called ’Heart Of Mine’ which we wrote in Asia, and it’s about missing your girlfriend.”

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