Breaking News: Ian Crawford to Play Dates with Panic! At the Disco

Fans attending the Blink-182 tour dates with Panic! at the Disco as an opening act: consider yourselves warned. The chance of killer riffs and awesome hair has just increased.

Because Ian Crawford, who earlier this year parted ways with The Cab, is replacing Ryan Ross as Panic!’s guitarist for those dates.

Spencer Smith made the announcement to MTV in an exclusive article. He also named the group’s bassist for the tour: Dallon Weekes of the Brobecks.

Smith also stressed again that Ryan Ross and Jon Walker’s departure from Panic! was “beyond amicable.” As for the fan reaction to the split, Spencer said “”It’s one of those things where, it’s sad for us to know, but at the same time, it’s sort of heartwarming to know there’s people that love your band that much that they would genuinely be upset that we were splitting apart. And I think that there was absolutely no way to get around that, and we have to keep reminding ourselves of that. And also knowing that it was the right decision, and as me and Brendon are moving forward and I’m sure Ryan and Jon are moving forward too. … It’s unfortunate that there’s no way to sort of get around the initial fan reaction, but it makes sense, and it’s amazing that they care about our band that much to really feel that way. Hopefully over the next few months, the music will amend that.”

He also compliments Ryan and Jon’s new project, The Young Veins, and says that he and Brendon maintain a friendship with their former bandmates.

But, in conclusion: IAN CRAWFORD PLAYING GUITAR FOR PANIC! No word on whether he and Weekes will continue on with the band after the tour or if this is a temporary situation. It’s entirely possible that they haven’t reached that decision yet. But…yeah. IAN CRAWFORD!