ROUND 1: THE BIG BREAK
Fall Out Boy, rooted in Chicago, formed in 2000 and released their debut, Fall Out Boy’s Evening Out With Your Girlfriend, in 2003. That first record introduced a sharp, witty take on pop punk, blending brisk guitars with clever wordplay. As the years passed, the band built momentum with additional releases and touring, earning a sizable following and turning heads across the music world. In Las Vegas, Panic! At The Disco began to emerge after they reached out to Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, who offered to sign them to his label. Their debut album arrived in 2005, drawing attention with its theatrical flair and cinematic hooks. If the story of Panic! At The Disco depends on the ripple created by Fall Out Boy, then Wentz stands as a catalyst who helped ignite a broader conversation in the scene. SCORE: FALL OUT BOY – 1 PANIC! ATD – 0
ROUND 2: SOUND BITES
FALL OUT BOY: The quartet — Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman, Pete Wentz, and Andy Hurley — forged a sound rooted in Patrick’s unmistakable voice and a tight, driving rhythm section. It is a fusion that respects the tradition of punk while embracing the pop elements that made it accessible. The result is a compact, catchy energy that could ignite a crowd in seconds and keep it moving for minutes. PANIC! ATD: Panic! At The Disco crafted something unmistakably their own. Brendon Urie, Ryan Ross, Jon Walker, and Spencer Smith stitched together boisterous theatricality with danceable rhythms, indie textures, and a willingness to push beyond the expected. The band’s music feels like a carnival ride from start to finish, startling and exhilarating, with no simple label to pin on it. Panic! takes the lead here by proving how far a band can reach when it refuses to fit a single box. SCORE: FALL OUT BOY – 1 PANIC! ATD – 1
ROUND 3: SINGLE SCUFFLE
FALL OUT BOY: Dance, Dance stands out as a bass-driven anthem with a memorable chorus. It is a powerful single that showcases the band’s knack for kinetic energy and singalong hooks, even if the core sound sits within the familiar orbit of mainstream pop-punk. PANIC! ATD: Panic! At The Disco’s number one hit I Write Sins Not Tragedies remains a theatrical touchstone. The track’s storytelling and dramatic presentation invite listeners to sit up and participate, turning a radio staple into a stage-worthy moment. In this face-off, Fall Out Boy brings a solid track, but Panic! At The Disco earns the round with its signature showmanship. SCORE: FALL OUT BOY – 1 PANIC! ATD – 2
ROUND 4: THE CD SELL-OUT
FALL OUT BOY: The label chatter around being a sell-out becomes a badge of honor when a band’s most successful era arrives. From Under the Cork Tree, released in 2005, became the group’s best-selling album, selling more than two million copies in the United States and earning multi-platinum status. PANIC! ATD: Panic! At The Disco’s debut album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, released in 2005, achieved platinum status within ten months. It introduced a vibrant, theatrical sound and a live-energy blueprint that fans have carried forward. Yet the broader reach of Fall Out Boy would edge this round. SCORE: FALL OUT BOY – 2 PANIC! ATD – 2
ROUND 5: BACK TO THE FUTURE
FALL OUT BOY: Looking toward a new chapter, Infinity On High was slated for release in 2007. Its first single, This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race, was already pushing through airwaves, signaling a shift toward bigger production and more expansive storytelling while keeping the band’s core energy intact. PANIC! ATD: Panic! At The Disco pressed ahead with momentum built on a major-label deal and platinum sales, signaling that their next release would be highly anticipated. The band’s sophomore effort loomed on the horizon, promising a continued blend of drama and melody that fans eagerly awaited. Fall Out Boy had shaped a strong past, but the story suggested a bright future for Panic! At The Disco. SCORE: FALL OUT BOY – 2 PANIC! ATD – 3
ROUND UP: Fall Out Boy should take its own advice and keep creating, but Panic! At The Disco carries forward with a haunting, original sound and smart lyrics that continue to resonate. Having a Fever is a line fans still quote with affection, and the energy surrounding Panic! At The Disco feels persistent and alive. Citations: FalloutBoyRock; PanicAtTheDisco