The Shins is an interactive Fan site aiming to provide interesting and up to date information for both the casual as the die hard fan. Featuring members blogs, videos, audio samples, tour data, lyrics and much, much. It's a MUST READ for any The Shins Fan.
The Shins' story begins in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1996. Brought together by a genuine love of pop music – singer/guitarist James Mercer, drummer Jesse Sandoval, keyboardist Marty Crandall and bassist Dave Hernandez formed The Shins. James Mercer had taught himself to play the guitar as a teenager, while listening to bands like Echo & The Bunnymen and My Bloody Valentine. With time, he developed a more pronounced interest in ‘60s pop and the art of well-crafted songwriting. Mercer’s aesthetic, paired with the like-minded sensibilities of his bandmates, gave rise to this most friendly troupe of disbelieving pop heroes. 
New Mexico quartet The Shins, deliver their US representation of indie rock to our shores, with new album "Chutes Too Narrow", the follow up to 2001's "Inverted World." A bittersweet offering, full of turbulence and surrealism, it is indie rock experimented with and The Shins add another dimension to a genre thought forgotten. From the cynical "Kissing the Lipless" with it's husky melodic whispers, and contradicting emotional but tuneful screams, to the 60s tinged "So says I," The Shins show more diversity than an assorted biscuit tin at Christmas. With it's the beach boys similar vocals, and glimmer of The Coral's infectious ditties, "So Says I" is a carefree summery tune able to get anyone up dancing, whilst cleverly overcoming the need for cheesy lyrics to accommodate the summery feel. "Saint Simon" is a prime example of the lyrical mournfulness and often cynicism often emanated from the band 
Wincing the night away, Indie Rock Band "The Shins" third album, was released by Sub Pop Records on 23rd January 2007. It is the band's final album under their current record deal. Recording for the album occurred in James Mercer's basement studio, in Phil Ek's home in Seattle, and in Oregon City with veteran producer Joe Chiccarelli. The title is a play on the name of a Sam Cooke song, "Twistin' the Night Away". It is a reference to band member James Mercer's insomnia. "Sleeping Lessons", the title of the first track, also references insomnia and was considered as a possible album title. 
