• 1996-

  James MercerVocals, guitar

  Jesse Sandoval Drums1996-2009

  Martin CrandallKeyboards1998-2009

  Dave Hernandez Guitar1998-2009

  Jessica DobsonGuitar2011-2013

  Yuuki MatthewsBass2011-

  Richard SwiftGuitar, vocals2011-2016

  Joe PlummerDrums2011-2016

  Mark WatrousGuitar, keyboards2014-

  Casey FoubertGuitar2016-

  Jon SortlandDrums2016-

  Patti KingKeyboards2016-
• In 2009, The Shins frontman James Mercer stared in a movie with Wild Flag front woman Carrie Brownstein called Some Days Are Better than Others. At the time, Brownstein was already an established actress through her TV show Portlandia with Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen, but Mercer had yet to break into the acting business. The movie was directed by Portland filmmaker Matt McCormick, who had already directed music videos for The Shins, YACHT, comedian Patton Oswalt, and Brownstein's previous band Sleater-Kinney.
• The Shins frontman James Mercer isn't one to mince his words. When asked why the band left their label Sub Pop in 2009, Mercer said it was about making more money. After the split, Mercer started his own label, Aural Apothecary, and explained that even though running your own label is more work, the financial benefits are worth it.
• The Shins frontman James Mercer appears on The Dark Night of Soul, a collaboration album he created with producer/DJ Danger Mouse and Alt-Country rockers Sparklehorse. Mercer told Pitchfork that "the challenge of writing to somebody else's music was really fun."
• The Shins frontman James Mercer isn't a bit fan of Valentine's Day. Mercer believes the occasion is "synthetic" and that "it's one of those greeting card holidays." Mercer says that although he enjoyed Valentine's Day in elementary school, he doesn't sweat it like some of his married friends do.
• The Shins frontman James Mercer met his wife during a press interview. She was writing for Spin at the time and asking him questions about the band. The couple didn't want an extravagant wedding, so they went to Hawaii to elope. Mercer's parents were there but other friends and extended family members were not invited.
• In 2006, actor John Krasinski from The Office interviewed The Shins for Stereogum. Krasinski said one of the coolest compliments he ever got was that The Office was the indie rock of television. The Shins frontman James Mercer agreed, complimenting that the show "really is amazing."
• The Shins frontman James Mercer also plays in a band called Broken Bells with producer Danger Mouse. Mercer says the duo formed because life in The Shins had become "heavy" for him. The pair actually met at the famous Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 2004.
• In 2009 Mercer dismissed longtime bandmates Dave Hernandez, Marty Crandall, and Jesse Sandoval, terming it "an aesthetic decision."
• After being sacked from The Shins, drummer Jesse Sandoval opened a food cart in Portland called "Nuevo Mexico," which sells Mexican food to Portland hipsters. "I'd always wanted to do my food cart," he said. "These tacos will change your life."

Comments

More Songfacts:

Black WidowIggy Azalea

Katy Perry co-wrote Iggy Azalea's hit single "Black Widow." Perry was originally going to sing on the track, but she couldn't fit it into her schedule, so Rita Ora provided the sung vocals instead.

IronicAlanis Morissette

The events described in Alanis Morissette's song "Ironic," like rain on your wedding day, are not examples of irony. Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.

StayShakespears Sister

"Stay" by Shakespears Sister is based on a 1953 B-movie called Cat-Women Of The Moon.

KashmirLed Zeppelin

"Kashmir" is the only Led Zeppelin song to use outside musicians, as it needed strings and horns.

Against The WindBob Seger

Bob Seger's "Against The Wind" has the famous mind-bending line, "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Seger was going to cut it, but his Eagles buddies Glenn Frey and Don Henley told him it was the best line in the song.

Wrecking BallMiley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus didn't write "Wrecking Ball" but could very much relate to it. She was having problems in her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, so the theme of giving your love only to have it wrecked really resonated with her.

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.