The band Paramore originated from the small community of Franklin, Tennessee, where teenagers Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis, and brothers Josh and Zac Farro came together in 2004. They quickly gained popularity, particularly with their hit “Misery Business,”and have continued to evolve ever since, marking their journey with significant highs and lows.
Over the years, both Zac and Josh Farro departed from Paramore, but the narrative surrounding their exits is more complex than typical band lineup changes. Notably, while Josh has remained distanced from the band, Zac has made a remarkable return, prompting fans and observers alike to wonder about the dynamics at play.
To understand Zac’s return and why Josh remains absent, it’s essential to delve into the reasons behind their departures from Paramore.
Examining Josh & Zac Farro’s Departure from Paramore
Internal Strife Disrupted the Original Lineup
In December 2010, Paramore made headlines by announcing the exit of the Farro brothers through a blog post that has since been deleted. The statement hinted at their unhappiness over the previous year, suggesting their departure was not entirely shocking. However, on December 21, Josh publicly responded on his blog, expressing frustrations regarding how their exit was handled, particularly criticizing Hayley’s unilateral approach to the announcement.
In his statement, Josh elaborated on how internal conflicts had been brewing since their formative years. He recounted how, even when performing in their garage during high school, the band dynamic shifted to revolve primarily around Hayley. He cited external pressures from her management and family that shaped their trajectory, asserting that early on, they were discouraged from collaborating with certain friends, though allowed to join with the Farros.
Matters escalated during the recording of their album, Brand New Eyes, leading to significant discord over lyrical content that conflicted with the brothers’ religious beliefs. For instance, the song “Careful”included phrases that directly contradicted their biblical values. Ultimately, familial stress, compounded by the demands of touring, contributed to the brothers’ decision to exit the band.
What Prompted Zac Farro’s Return to Paramore?
Zac Exhibited More Composure Than Josh
While both brothers agreed to leave, Josh’s statements revealed a deeper resentment towards Paramore, contrasting with Zac’s more measured response. While Josh candidly described frustrations stemming from an earlier relationship with Hayley, Zac maintained a quieter disposition about the split, even suggesting he didn’t entirely endorse his brother’s public comments.
In a tweet, Zac expressed that he didn’t align with Josh’s sentiments in their joint 2010 statement. This distancing from personal grievances facilitated Zac’s reintegration into the band. In 2017, he reclaimed his role as drummer for Paramore during the production of their fifth album, After Laughter, and has remained a dedicated member since then.
I had this moment, after leaving the band, walking to my mailbox, and I had no identity anymore. I was just a person. It was kind of a freeing thing—the thing that I thought I wanted. But it was this really uncomfortable feeling. Not that I care about fame or being in a cool band. I’ve never cared about that in my whole life. But it was something we did. This is our occupation. We live and breathe music, and I was like, ‘I don’t have that anymore.’ When he [Taylor] asked that [to join the band again], I was taken back because I was so thankful and didn’t expect that. It was also, on the flipside of that, it was a really heavy decision, in the first place, that I left. It was even just a rad thing that we were hanging out, and I was being able to play on the record, so I wanted to make a really smart and adult decision about it. I took a week. I already knew that I wanted to do it.
I knew it then when we talked to you [Lowe] on the couch, I knew it when we first started, I know it now, I’ve obviously missed the six years I was out of it, but I’ve seen a lot of this—there was only one record that I didn’t play on and that was self-titled—I saw a lot of it, and the thing that drew me back the most, and the most immediate yes, was getting to spend time with Hayley and Taylor everyday.
Zac’s decision to return was significantly influenced by a personal invitation from guitarist Taylor York. After spending six years apart, rekindling the camaraderie with old friends proved to be a compelling draw for him.
Josh Farro’s Journey After Departing Paramore
Embracing Family Life Over Music
In early 2011, shortly after leaving Paramore, Josh Farro introduced Novel American on social media as his new band. Serving as lead guitarist, he collaborated with childhood friends but faced swift challenges as creative differences led to lineup changes. Novel American never released any music before disbanding in 2014.
Transitioning to a solo career, Josh released his debut album, Walkways, in 2016 under the name Farro. Despite announcing plans for a follow-up album in 2017, little has been shared publicly since then. While Zac focused on Paramore’s evolving sound, Josh embraced family life, welcoming a daughter in 2018 and a son in 2020 with his wife Jenna Rice. In 2022, he collaborated with the gospel group The Church Will Sing on their record “Name Above the Grave.”
Other Departures from Paramore
Current Status of Former Members
While the Farro brothers’ exits from Paramore gathered significant attention, they were not the only members to leave the band. Jason Bynum, the initial rhythm guitarist, departed for personal reasons, leading to Hunter Lamb’s brief tenure before he left in 2007 to prioritize family life, paving the way for Taylor York.
As the band prepared for their debut album All We Know Is Falling, John Hembree temporarily filled the bass role but left shortly thereafter. Jeremy Davis also had an on-and-off presence throughout the band’s history, citing personal reasons—including speculation around a lawsuit regarding songwriting credits during his second departure in 2015. Currently, the enduring members of Paramore include Zac Farro, Taylor York, and Hayley Williams.
Sources: Tetelestai (via Web Archive), X
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