Panic At The Disco split in two

TWO MEMBERS of Panic At The Disco have quit the band, it was announced today.

Lead guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker walked out on the rock band to "embark on a musical excursion of their own".

A statement on the group's official website confirmed that the pair had left and said lead vocalist Brendan Urie and drummer Spencer Smith will continue performing as Panic At The Disco on their own.

Ross and Walker issued a statement that said: "Though the four of us have made music together in the past, we've creatively evolved in different directions which has compromised what each of us want to personally achieve.

"Over the years, we have remained close and honest with each other, which helped us to realise that our goals were different and that parting ways is truly what is best for each of us. We are all excited for the future, you should be too."

Ross founded the group with Smith and Urie while at high school in 2004 and were signed to Fall Out Boy star Pete Wentz's Decaydance label in 2005.

They released their first album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, which sold around 2.2 million copies in the US and have been recently working on their third, the follow-up to 2008's acclaimed Pretty. Odd.