Will Paramore Keep Rocking After Brothers Quit?

Punk popsters face a new lineup in the wake of the departure of two of its founding members

By Josh Grossberg Dec 21, 2010 3:58 PMTags
ParamoreChristopher Polk/Getty Images

The brothers are bailing.

Paramore principals Josh and Zac Farro have confirmed they're exiting the Tennessee pop-punk outfit, which has earned a massive following over the years through relentless touring and a plum spot on the Twilight soundtrack.

But not to worry, Twihards. Paramore isn't dead—yet.

"A couple of months ago, Josh and Zac let us know they would be leaving the band after our show in Orlando last Sunday," Paramore said in a statement on the band's official website.

"None of us were really shocked. For the last year it hasn't seemed as if they wanted to be around anymore. We want Josh and Zac to do something that makes them happy and if that isn't here with us, then we support them finding happiness elsewhere."

Josh, the band's 23-year-old lead guitarist and Zac, the 20-year-old drummer, plan to shift gears and pursue other endeavors.

The siblings' decision pares the band down to a trio—vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis and guitarist Taylor York—all of whom say they have no plans to give up their day job anytime soon.

"You have always been what keeps us going so why would we stop now? We want to stick by you," said the remaining members.

The threesome plan to embark on a previously scheduled tour of South America beginning in February.

The Farros formed Paramore with Williams and Davis back in 2004, when they were still teenagers in private school. After playing the Vans Warp Tour for three straight years starting in 2005, York joined as rhythm guitarist during the making of the band's second album, Riot! which went platinum.

The quintet got a big boost from MTV, going on to score a 2008 Grammy nod for Best New Artist losing to Amy Winehouse. But Paramore's biggest claim to fame is the song "Decode," the lead single off the Twilight soundtrack, which gained them a slew of new fans.