Former Paramore members Josh and Zac Farro have explained their reasons for leaving the band and launched an attack against singer Hayley Williams.

The brothers’ departure was announced on Saturday in a statement on Paramore.com.

It was released by remaining members Williams, Jeremy Davis and Taylor York, who said they were not “really shocked” about the Farros’ decision.

But in a response posted on joshnfarro.blogspot.com, the brothers said the official statement was released without their permission.

"I wish it didn't have to happen that way, Zac and I wanted to be the ones you heard it from,” Josh Farro wrote.

The brothers went on to describe the band as "a manufactured product of a major label” and accused Williams of treating it as her solo project.

They said her bandmates were "riding on the coattails of 'Hayley's dream”.

Josh Farro also confirmed that he had dated Williams in the past - an already long standing rumour - and that it had affected the band.

He closed the statement by saying that he and his brother didn’t want to “belittle or disgrace” their formats bandmates, but “clarify” their position.

(by Jason Gregory)