Zac and Josh Farro Release Exit Statement

We knew that founding members Zac and Josh Farro had decided to leave Paramore–the “band” (Hayley, Taylor and Jeremy) released a statement about their depature:

A couple of months ago, Josh and Zac let us know they would be leaving the band after our show in Orlando last Sunday. 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.

Last night Josh Farro posted a statement on behalf of him and his brother. And let me tell you, children, it ain’t pretty.

Here are some of the kickers (not posted in it’s entirety):

Let me start by apologizing to you for the way everything went down on Saturday.I had a statement typed ready to post to you guys but Hayley released one without my permission.We were not going to issue a statement until we worked out our exit agreement with Hayley.I wish it didn’t have to happen that way, Zac and I wanted to be the ones you heard it from.I want to be honest with you guys about how this band formulated from day one. I did not think Hayley’s version told the whole story, at least from our perspective and hopefully this will explain a bit about why we are leaving.

Formulated? Uh oh.

Months down the road things changed and this band became all about Hayley.She had a manager at the time that controlled her every move along with her parents.They didn’t like the idea of Hayley being in a rock band so they forced her to leave wanting her to pursue a solo career.

I feel like rumors about this had been adrift for years.

Hayley went off to write and record her solo demos while the four of us continued on without her.A couple of months later Hayley came and asked us if she could use the song “Conspiracy” that we had all previously written together.We agreed that that would be fine.I got a call a while after that from Hayley telling me that her manager said that Zac and I were invited to be back in the band (the band we started), but not Taylor and Jason because they weren’t good enough in his eyes. Hayley brought in Jeremy and our first rhythm guitarist Jason Bynum as the other two members.

Oh, it gets worse.

After many meetings between Hayley, her manager and the labels they decided to sign her to Atlantic records. We didn’t understand why Hayley was the only one signing the contract since we were told this was a “band”, but we were too young to grasp all of this.

…

The label and management then decided to build our band up the grass-roots route. They put Hayley on Fueled by Ramen not making it known she was signed to Atlantic as well. All the while we still questioned whether or not we were an actual band

…

we finished the record, replaced Jeremy, and hit the road with Hayley’s father as our tour manager/driver of a twelve-passenger van. Her dad would constantly threaten to “pull the plug” on the whole band if we complained about anything, suggesting that we were hired guns and Hayley was the real artist, when in reality we were also part of the band. We’ve always been treated as less important than Hayley. It’s been obvious how her family views things.

Who’s feeling ill right now?

Once we finished touring on Riot, we came home for a break and started writing for Brand New Eyes. Hayley presented lyrics to us that were really negative and we didn’t agree with. For example, “the truth never set me free”, which contradicts what the Bible says in John 8:32 (“and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall sat you free”). We fought her about how her lyrics misrepresented our band and what we stood for, but in the end she got her way. Instead of fighting her any longer, we decided to just roll over and let it go.

The intention of this statement was not to belittle or disgrace the rest of the band, it was simply to clarify our decision for leaving and our desire to finally tell you guys the truth. (The whole statement can be read here)

Mind… blown. Seriously.

I don’t even know what to think about this yet. This is a villainous story! Does it change how you perceive Hayley? Do you think she’ll release another statement? What do you think this means for the remaining members of Paramore? What does this mean to YOU, as a fan?

Discuss.