Image Courtesy of Fueled by Ramen Drummer Spencer Smith, a founding member of Panic! At the Disco, has officially announced his departure from the band.
"After 10 years of being a part of this unbelievable journey it saddens me to say that I will be leaving Panic," Smith writes in a statement on the band's website. "This was not an easy decision to come to, but after a lot of thinking it became clear that this is what's right for me and the band."
Smith had been on hiatus from Panic! since 2013, when he revealed he had been battling an addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs.
"A few years ago, when my addiction grabbed hold, and wouldn't let go, they could have easily kicked me out, and never looked back, but they didn't," Smith writes. "Instead, they encouraged me to seek treatment, and gave me the time I needed to get my life back in order."
"They helped me through those rough times," he continues. "Now, on the other side, with two years sobriety from prescription medication, and working on a year sobriety from alcohol, I am nothing but grateful for all they have done."
Panic! continues with frontman Brendon Urie and bassist Dallon Weekes. The band will be playing a handful of festivals this summer, including a set at the Reading and Leeds in the U.K.
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