<… Read Full Bio ↴The Shins is an American indie rock band centered around James Mercer.
The band formed in 1997, 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. The band's new lineup included James Mercer, Eric Johnson, Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer and Grand Archives keyboardist Ron Lewis.
Before the release of Port of Morrow, the band lineup changed once more with only Mercer and Plummer remaining from the previously announced lineup. The newly added members were announced as guitarist Jessica Dobson, bassist Yuuki Matthews (formerly of Crystal Skulls) and keyboardist Richard Swift.
The Simple Song Songfacts reports that "Simple Song." was the first single from the Port Of Morrow album, the band's debut release on James Mercer's Aural Apothecary record label. It was also the first offering to be heard from the band following the departure of Jesse Sandoval and Marty Crandall.
The current line-up for the live act is James Mercer (vocals, guitar), Jessica Dobson (guitar), Yuuki Matthews (bass), Richard Swift (keyboards) and Joe Plummer (drums).
2017 - Fifth Album & World Tour
The band released their 5th studio album, "Heartworms" on March 10, 2017 on the Aural Apothecary/Columbia Records, together with a supporting world tour. "Heartworms" features Mercer's most diverse lyrical palette to date: From fictional character sketches ('Fantasy Island', 'Rubber Ballz'), autobiographical accounts ('Mildenhall'), to first single 'Name For You', a resounding call for female empowerment inspired by Mercer’s three daughters.
More information:
*http://www.theshins.com
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shins
Painting A Hole
The Shins Lyrics
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The tycho, don't you know nothing?
The doors on the oven
Wide enough to make us all kin
Psychotic boy scout
Let it all gush out
Shopping your brains out now at the bargain bins
Thinking about it just nurtures them
Baby, return to your toys
A little mental hideaway
You're painting a hole
Can you crawl up inside it?
You're painting a hole
On everyone in your way
You're painting a hole
To magical violence
You're painting a hole
But it keeps fading away
Morning dove
One thing I'm sure of
Kisses ain't near enough
To reign the vultures in
Every good girl and boy
Prized away from the firmament
Elegant hands unemployed
Or on a permanent holiday
You're painting a hole
Can you crawl up inside it?
You're painting a hole
On everyone in your way
You're painting a hole
To magical violence
You're painting a hole
But it keeps fading away
Every popsicle enjoyed
Prized away from the firmament
But baby return to your toys
A little mental hideaway
You're painting a hole
Can you crawl up inside it?
You're painting a hole
On everyone in your way
You're painting a hole
To magical violence
You're painting a hole
But it keeps fading away
La-la-la-la
Singing a nonsensical melody
The tycho, don't you know nothing?
You, who seem knowledgeable, actually know nothing
The doors on the oven
The opportunities available to us
Wide enough to make us all kin
Sufficiently broad to bring us all together
Psychotic boy scout
An unstable individual with preparedness
Let it all gush out
Allow your emotions to overflow
Shopping your brains out now at the bargain bins
Frantically searching for meaning and satisfaction in discounted items
So many germs to avoid
Numerous negative influences to stay away from
Thinking about it just nurtures them
Constantly pondering on these influences only strengthens their presence
Baby, return to your toys
Return to your distractions and escape from reality
A little mental hideaway
A place in your mind where you find solace
You're painting a hole
You are creating an empty space
Can you crawl up inside it?
Can you find refuge within that emptiness?
On everyone in your way
Impacting and affecting everyone you encounter negatively
To magical violence
Fascinating yet destructive actions
But it keeps fading away
But that emptiness gradually disappears
Morning dove
A symbol of hope and peace
One thing I'm sure of
One thing I am certain about
Kisses ain't near enough
Love and affection alone are inadequate
To reign the vultures in
To bring control or moderation amidst greedy individuals
Every good girl and boy
Every innocent and well-behaved person
Prized away from the firmament
Taken away from the heavenly realm of purity and goodness
Elegant hands unemployed
Skilled and graceful individuals with no purpose
Or on a permanent holiday
Permanently detached from reality and responsibilities
Every popsicle enjoyed
Every pleasurable and fleeting experience
But baby return to your toys
But go back to your distractions and escape from reality
A little mental hideaway
A place in your mind where you find solace
But it keeps fading away
But that refuge gradually disappears
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Russell Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sanchitvarma1282
This is so unlike what they have done till now. Has to be the funkiest Shins song ever.
This album is shaping out to be fantastic.
@cestlavegan5793
Yes! They're definitely turning up the psych dial for this album and I couldn't be happier about it.
@andrehebert4115
I really believe this band lacks the ability to do wrong. The songs are so simple, but so original, and I feel like that's such a hard thing to pull off as a songwriter (especially for an entire discography that's still continuing as far as we know).
@markdowning9409
I cannot believe this has less than 100,000 views!....This is a classic recording!.....One of the best, if not thee best song that's out right now!!.....The Shins are great, and have always been one of the best bands around!...Love, peace and respect from this fifty-two year old indie rock and world music collector from Oklahoma, USA
@ryandornan8698
This is fucking great! Mercer is one of the few people that keeps growing as a producer and songwriter. not a single let down.
@alexanderpanaccione9415
I know. His singing is also getting better and more unique over time.
@JoshSearlVideos
Going by the songs I have heard, they are definitely back to their best this album! So stoked for it.
@MagicHarps
All the songs released so far are super unique on their own. Can't wait to see what the albums like on a full listen through.
@thewokksy6715
MagicHarps Cherry Hearts and Half a Million are gonna blow your mind
@AnnieKeller
AGREED, THOSE ARE MY FAVORITES. Sorry for the caps but that's how excited I get over the Shins