Forget the Web rumors that report Panic! At the Disco will cover “Space Cowboys” by *NSYNC.
While the ever-popular emo band will bring new songs to the Virgin Festival, a Justin Timberlake cover is not among them.
“Wow. That?s new. I hadn?t heard that before,” said guitarist and band co-founder Ryan Ross, from his Las Vegas home. “No, that?s not true. Not, yet at least.”
Since the incredible success of the band?s 2005 debut album, “A Fever You Can?t Sweat Out,” and a world tour, the group?s members have hunkered down to craft their next album, due for release in the first quarter of 2008. But that hasn?t drained their enthusiasm for an extravagant live show.
While the heat and humidity at other recent festivals has prompted the band to leave the dancers and contortionists behind, expect M.A.C. cosmetics, circus costumes, and rock-star struts to be in full display.
“Wesort of have a fascination with theater, Cirque de Soleil,” Ross said. “We just want people to have a good time at a show, so we add a little something. I feel like a muse that puts on a pretty good live show.”
Not to mention pretty good music, too. Good enough, in fact, that the Fall Out Boy?s Pete Wentz signed them to his label after hearing just a few demos. His faith was not misplaced. Panics? first album hit #13 on Billboard and received five out of five stars from Rolling Stone.
“On all fronts, Panic pillage two pop-friendly musical trends,” wrote Rolling Stone. “Eighties keyboard nostalgia and angry-boy pop punk — and create something new.”
That innovation translated into their videos. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” snatched the coveted “Video of the Year” award away from Madonna, and other music heavyweights at the 26th MTV Music Awards.
Can lightning strike again with the second release?
“We?re actually in the middle of making that record. It?s been a long process,” Ross said. “It?s easy to make a song that is hard to understand. It?s a lot harder to make a simple song really good.”
IF YOU GO
Virgin Festival
>> Incubus; 3:25-4:20 p.m. Sat.; North Stage
>> Panic! At the Disco; 3:45-4:45 p.m. Sun.; North Stage
>> Where: Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore
>> When: 10 a.m. throughout the day Saturday and Sunday
>> Details: $97.50 to $450; virginfest.com
