Don’t Sweat It
October 22, 2015
The first album of alternative rock band Panic! At The Disco, just recently celebrated it’s ten year anniversary on Sep 27, the theme heavy album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, launched the band into world-wide success.
Frontman, Brendon Urie, commemorated by writing a short, but heartfelt letter towards fans on the bands official website. “I’ve been using Panic! At The Disco as a creative catalyst for over ten years now. That fact seems so bizarre and yet so fitting,” Urie said. “Even after ten years, it doesn’t seem so far away.”
A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out is an intense reflection of reality, touching on sensitive topics such as prostitution, the sanctity of marriage, alcoholism, mental health, and adultery.
“I feel like they look at the views, and I don’t feel like they romanticize them, as much as like, show them to their younger audience that they have,” sophomore, Raquel Luna, said. “They don’t really embrace it, but more of like ‘Yo, this is going on in the world, and you should be aware of it.’”
Despite internal band conflict and loss of multiple members, Urie, along with additional back-up musicians, kept the name of the band relevant and alive, with the official release of two new singles: “Hallelujah” and “Victorious.” Another unofficial single was released, “Death Of A Bachelor”, and received it’s first airplay on bassist of Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz’s Beats 1 Radio show.
“I feel like, especially in “Death Of A Bachelor”, he was reflecting a lot, like on his life and on his wife, and also the things he’s done in the past,” senior, Genesya Flores, said. “He’s such a personality. He projects himself onto you.”
The edginess and personality of Panic! At The Disco has made them completely iconic in the alternative and pop rock music scene. With four albums under their belt and another in the works, this band shows no sign of slowing down and no sign of sweating out their fever.
“I was the youngest member in the group,” Mendoza said. “I got a special robe with patches and stars on it.”
Mendoza was required to audition to join the prestigious traveling demonstration team. She described the atmosphere as very welcoming due to her friendly instructors, but also very competitive. Eventually, Mendoza had to quit karate due to the amount of time she was spending in her demonstration team and being unable to attend practices consistently. Her mother would start to make small sacrifices to get her daughter to her classes and watch her perform.
“I would leave from work a bit early so I could get her ready and I would stay and watch the complete class,” Xiomara Varela, Mendoza’s mother, said.
After she stopped practicing martial arts, Mendoza soon turned to music to occupy her time. She began to constantly listen to music, and now she considers music a huge part of her life.
“She’s introduced me to a lot of artists and bands,” sophomore, Raquel Luna, said. “Almost all of our conversations are on songs or artists. I can’t remember a time we hung out without music.”
Mendoza attends live shows often, and has seen artists such as The Vaccines and Walk the Moon perform. She plans to go see more of her favorite artists perform live within the year.
![Practicing her monologue for the upcoming play, Rachelle Escurel, 10, is auditioning to play Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible, which will be held at Downey High School in April. “I’ve previously been a part of a production here at Downey and when I first was a part of it I created so many new memories, experience, and made a whole other family with the people there,” Escurel said. “My heart broke when I [didn’t audition for the last] production and I missed everyone and wanted the experience again.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cruciable.cast_-475x316.jpg)
Very eloquently written, created a great conversation within the article whilst sticking to the original concept and ideas. Overall a great piece of writing from someone with a lot of promise in the world of journalism! I hope to see more of Montze in the future!