Musically, lyrically and through their actions, Panic! At The Disco, an up-and-coming pop-punk band, has followed suit in the genre and has continued in the footsteps of similar-sounding bands.

The band was discovered by Fall Out Boy’s bassist Pete Wentz, who did not hesitate to help get them signed on Decadence/Fueled By Ramen records, and in a very short time has gained mainstream popularity.

“We really clicked with [Decadance/Fueled By Ramen] and they understood what we wanted to do as a band,” said Ryan Ross, guitarist for Panic! At The Disco, according to the labels’ Web site.

“They gave us a lot of freedom to do what would make us happy with our music.”

With members who just barely graduated from high school, Panic! At The Disco has been found touring with bands such as Fall Out Boy, donning magazine covers and appearing on VH1 and MTV.

On March 16 they will be in Des Moines at the Val Air Ballroom as part of the XBox 360 tour – their second video game-titled and themed tour after opening the Nintendo Fusion Tour this fall. This time Panic! At The Disco will move up on the bill and will be appearing with fellow pop-punkers The Academy Is.

The rise in popularity of this genre among young music fans and their recently released CD, “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out,” is helping Panic! At The Disco (whose name was derived from the Name Taken song “Panic”) fit right in.

To compliment their interesting sound, the debut album is full of unique song titles, including “There’s a Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven’t Thought of It Yet.”

If you think they are a passing fad, the band’s Web site insists that they are not a trend and to prepare accordingly.

– Shannon Sanders