Spencer Smith
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Spencer Smith | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Spencer James Smith V |
Born | September 2, 1987 |
Origin | Summerlin, Nevada |
Years active | 2004-present |
Spencer James Smith V (born September 2, 1987 in Summerlin, Nevada) is the drummer for the rock band Panic at the Disco. He founded the band along with Ryan Ross, whom he grew up with and is therefore one of the original members of the band. He is also the youngest member of the band.
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Biography
Early life
Spencer grew up with his parents and two younger sisters, Crystal and Jackie, in Summerlin, Nevada. He and Ryan Ross went to the same Catholic High school. He asked his parents for a drum set for Christmas at 12 years old, while Ross asked for a guitar. The two started to play only Blink-182 cover songs during their first few learning years, and later formed a band. The band needed practice space, so Smith's grandmother allowed them to play in her living room. After being signed to Pete Wentz's label, Smith and Brent Wilson had to complete their high school credits through an online course.
Panic at the Disco
After Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson finished with their band, Summer League, the three added Brendon Urie to begin Panic! at the Disco. Panic was eventually heard by Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, who signed them to his record label, Decaydance, a child label of Fueled by Ramen. Panic eventually released A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, which sold 2.2 million copies. A Fever You Can't Sweat Out became a cult hit, with its first single, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" winning the Video of the Year Award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards and peaking at #7 on the US charts.
However, on May 17, 2006, the band officially announced the departure of bassist Brent Wilson. A friend of the band, Jon Walker, filled in for Wilson on one of the upcoming tours and eventually became his replacement. A Fever You Can't Sweat Out eventually went platinum, and the band began a world tour in the later part of 2006. The band also covered "This Is Halloween" on Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack and the Smashing Pumpkins' "Tonight, Tonight" on a tribute LP.
The band began writing their follow-up album in early 2007, but started from scratch in July 2007. After writing until the beginning of 2008, the band announced they would be mixing their album at Abbey Road Studios. On January 9, 2008, the band announced they would drop the "!" from Panic! at the Disco, being referred to as Panic at the Disco from that point on. The next day, January 10, the album name was officially confirmed as being Pretty. Odd.. It was released on March 25th, and to date, the album has sold over 400,000 copies. Its first single was "Nine in the Afternoon".
Personal life
He bought his own house in the summer of 2007.
He also has a dog named Boba-Fett.
He is currently dating his girlfriend of 2+ years, Haley.