NEW YORK - Paramore founding members Josh and Zac Farro have quit the pop-punk band, confirming Internet speculation about the brothers' departure.

"A couple of months ago, Josh and Zac let us know they would be leaving the band after our show in Orlando last Sunday," the band wrote in a blog published Saturday.

"None of us were really shocked. For the last year it hasn't seemed as if they wanted to be around anymore. We want Josh and Zac to do something that makes them happy and if that isn't here with us, then we support them finding happiness elsewhere."

The remaining three members -- frontwoman Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis and guitarist Taylor York -- said it was otherwise business as usual, and the new year would kick off with a scheduled tour of South America.

Last week, a blog post about the Farros' departure circulated on the Internet. Though that statement claimed to be from the band, the group has since denounced it as a fake.

The Farros -- 23-year-old lead guitarist Josh and 20-year-old drummer Zac -- co-founded Paramore in 2004. The group hit it big in 2007 with its second album "Riot!" The 2009 follow-up, "Brand New Eyes," peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. pop chart.