The Shins (band) biography
Date of birth : -
Date of death : -
Birthplace : Alburquerque, New Mexico, US
Nationality : American
Category : Arts and Entertainment
Last modified : 2012-06-13
Credited as : indie-rock, James Mercer,
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Formed back in 1997, The Shins started music career in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States as a side project of Mercer (previously of Blue Roof Dinner) and drummer Jesse Sandoval, who were both members of Flake Music. The band's original lineup was Mercer (vocals, guitar), Sandoval (drums), Marty Crandall (keyboards) and Dave Hernandez (bass). Neil Langford replaced Hernandez in 1998. Hernandez returned to the band in 2003, as Langford had left the band in 2001. Hernandez remained in the band until 2009. Fruit Bats keyboardist Eric Johnson joined the band in 2006.
Their debut album, Oh, Inverted World was issued in 2001 and contained the singles “New Slang” and “Caring is Creepy”, which were both featured in the 2004 film “Garden State”. The band’s next album, Chutes Too Narrow was released in 2003 and featured the single “So Says I”. The band’s third album Wincing the Night Away, was released in 2007 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts, the highest charting album in Sub Pop history until Arcade Fire’s”The Suburbs” debuted at #1. After a short hiatus, Mercer announced in 2009 that the band was to record a new album and that Marty Crandall, and Jesse Sandoval were no longer members of The Shins.
