In what should come as something of a shock to longtime fans of local rockers Paramore, bassist and founding member Jeremy Davis has exited the group, according to a statement from the band’s Facebook page:
These last few years have held some of the most fulfilling moments we’ve had yet… as people, as friends, and as a band. The Self-Titled era was one that we knew would be important for us but also one we’d eventually have to move on from. In moving forward, there is growth, pain, and change… and sometimes the change is not at all what you hoped for. We’ve written and re-written this countless times and there’s just not a good way to put it… Jeremy is no longer going to be in the band with us. To be honest, this has been really painful. After taking time to consider how to move forward, we ultimately found that we really do believe Paramore can and should continue on. And so we will.
We’re really thankful for the people who have helped see us through hard times before and what we’ve discovered is that those people are just as much a part of this as we will ever be. We’re hopeful for Paramore’s future and we’re also excited for what Jeremy’s going to do next. Thank you all for your support and your belief in us. It’s kept us going. We will see some of you really soon on Parahoy. If you’re not coming on the cruise, we will still see you in 2016.
Almost exactly five years ago, founding members Josh and Zac Farro (who now make up local acts HalfNoise and Farro, respectively) also left the band, and, at that time, Davis and frontwoman Hayley Williams seemed to harbor the strongest conviction that Paramore should persist. Williams and guitarist Taylor York, who joined officially in 2007, but had been a part of the Paramore family for several years prior, are the two sole members who now remain. Following their second sponsored Parahoy cruise early next year, the group will presumably begin work on the followup to their 2013, Grammy winning self-titled album, which marked a more alt-rock shift and maturation, and received endless critical and commercial praise.
Notably, Jeremy Davis quit Paramore once before, for a brief period in 2005, right before the group recorded their debut album, All We Know Is Falling, but rejoined soon after its release, and has been a fixture in band’s lineup in the decade since. It is unclear what or when Davis’s next project will be.
An important part of the local (and global) rock scene, and the first band to break the “Nashville curse,” we’re happy to see Paramore’s intention to continue forward, and hope that they once again emerge stronger than ever with new material. Expect updates in the new year.
