Brendon Urie

Brendon Urie
Brendon performing at Sokol Auditorium in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Brendon Boyd Urie
Born	(1987-04-12) April 12, 1987
Origin	Summerlin, Nevada, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, pop rock, pop punk
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musician, guitarist, pianist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, piano, keyboard, synthesizer, programming, drums, percussion, accordion, organ, cello, violin, trumpet
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Decaydance, Fueled by Ramen
Associated acts	Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Travie McCoy, The Cab
Website	panicatthedisco.com
Notable instruments
Fender Telecaster Deluxe Fender Stratocaster

Brendon Boyd Urie (born April 12, 1987) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, guitarist, and pianist, best known as the lead vocalist of Panic! at the Disco. He also plays drums, bass guitar, accordion, organ, cello, violin, and trumpet.

Early life

Urie was born in Summerlin, Nevada. He is the fifth and youngest child to Grace and Boyd Urie.^[1] He was raised in a Mormon family.^[2] Urie attended Palo Verde High School,^[3] where he met future ex-Panic bassist Brent Wilson in his guitar class. Wilson asked Urie to try out for a band he was in, since they needed a replacement guitarist.

In a 2011 interview, Urie described himself as a "spazz in high school". He explained that one student would always bully him.^[4] Urie worked at Tropical Smoothie Cafe in order to pay his band's rent for their practice space. At the cafe, Urie often sang for customers. He explained: "I would sing anything I was listening to at the time, but I was down to take requests. I remember singing some Scorpions songs, some W.A.S.P. 80s anthems are usually good for tips. It was a huge range of stuff. ... Some people liked it, and some people didn’t. I had to respect other people’s wishes, but I had a couple people come in who would ask me to sing for a tip. That’s always fun."^[4]

Career

Urie met Brent Wilson while taking guitar classes offered at their high school and Wilson asked Urie to try out as lead guitarist for Panic! at the Disco, as they were looking for a replacement at the time. Originally, Ryan Ross was their lead singer. When Urie filled in for Ross during a band rehearsal, they were impressed with Urie's vocal abilities and he was chosen as their lead singer.^[5]

Since then, Panic! at the Disco has released 4 studio albums with Urie as lead vocalist. A Fever You Can't Sweat Out was released in 2005 and their sophomore record, Pretty. Odd. in 2008. On Pretty. Odd., Urie also took lyrical responsibility and wrote two of the tracks on the record by himself; those tracks being "I Have Friends in Holy Spaces" and festival favorite "Folkin' Around". He also wrote "New Perspective" for the soundtrack to the motion picture Jennifer's Body.

In March 22, 2011 the band released their 3rd album "Vices & Virtues" Following the departure of Ross and Walker.

In October 8, 2013 "Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!" was released.

Other projects

Apart from his work in Panic! At the Disco, Brendon Urie has been featured in songs and music videos of other artists, as well as other projects. Urie provided guest vocals alongside Patrick Stump on The Cab's song "One Of THOSE Nights" from their debut album, Whisper War.^[6] Urie also appeared in Razia's Shadow, a musical created by the band Forgive Durden, with whom Panic! At The Disco has toured and become close friends.^{[citation needed]} Past touring keyboardist Eric Ronick also got Urie involved with the song "Plans and Reveries" from his band, Black Gold.

Urie has also been involved with several songs by labelmates Fall Out Boy. He provided vocals on the songs "What A Catch, Donnie" and "20 Dollar Nose Bleed" from Fall Out Boy's 2008 album, Folie à Deux. Urie also sang back vocals on the track "7 Minutes In Heaven" off of Fall Out Boy's From Under The Cork Tree.^[7]

In 2008, Brendon Urie became involved with a song for the Coca-Cola Company, called "Open Happiness". Urie sings the chorus of the song, which also features labelmate Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, labelmate Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes, Cee-Lo Green, and Janelle Monae. The song was written and produced by Butch Walker, co-written by Cee-Lo Green and remixed by Polow Da Don. Urie was also featured as an elated news reporter in the music video for the song, which was released on July 16, 2009.^[8]

Urie appeared in the music videos "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More Touch Me", "What A Catch, Donnie" and "Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet" by Fall Out Boy. Urie appears in the Gym Class Heroes video for the song "Clothes Off!!" alongside bandmate Spencer Smith and former Panic! at the Disco band members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker. The members are seen dancing in animal costumes, Urie being in a dog suit. Urie also appears in "One of THOSE nights" by The Cab, which also features Ryan Ross, Jon Walker, Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump and Spencer Smith. Recently Urie and bandmate Spencer Smith appeared in Butch Walker's music video "Pretty Melody", appearing as ninjas.^[9][10] Brendon co-wrote a song with Rivers Cuomo of the band Weezer. Rivers has said that "If Panic! wants it, they have first dibs, but if not, it could work for Weezer." ^[11] Urie and band mate Spencer Smith appeared in Butch Walker's Panic! at Butch Walker's, a parody in which Urie discovers Walker is a psychotic homicidal cannibal, and Brendon is his next meal.^[12]

Personal life

In September 2011, it was confirmed that Urie is engaged to Sarah Orzechowski (born 1987).^[13] The couple got married on April 27, 2013.^[14]

References