What Happened to The Shins?
The Shins are an American indie rock band formed in 1996 by singer-songwriter James Mercer, who remains the sole constant member through various lineup changes. After achieving mainstream success with hits like "New Slang" and critical acclaim for albums such as "Wincing the Night Away," the band has continued to tour and release new material, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a special vinyl release and an ongoing North American tour.
Quick Answer
The Shins, led by James Mercer, remain active in 2026, celebrating their 30th anniversary with a limited edition 7-inch vinyl featuring previously unreleased tracks from 1996. The band is currently on a major North American tour, "The Gathering," alongside Weezer and Silversun Pickups, with dates extending through October 2026. While a new full-length album has been reported as "basically finished," no release date has been announced as of September 2026, following their last studio album, 'Heartworms,' in 2017.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline18 events
The Shins Formed
James Mercer forms The Shins in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a side project to his band Flake Music.
First Release: Nature Bears a Vacuum EP
The Shins release their first material, the 7-inch EP 'Nature Bears a Vacuum', via Omnibus Records.
Debut Album 'Oh, Inverted World' Released
The band releases their debut full-length album, 'Oh, Inverted World', to critical acclaim, solidifying their place in the indie rock scene.
'Chutes Too Narrow' Released
The Shins release their second album, 'Chutes Too Narrow', which continues to receive positive reviews.
'New Slang' Featured in 'Garden State'
The song 'New Slang' gains significant mainstream attention after its prominent inclusion in Zach Braff's film 'Garden State'.
'Wincing the Night Away' Released and Grammy Nomination
The band's third album, 'Wincing the Night Away', debuts at number two on the Billboard 200 and earns a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.
Major Lineup Changes
James Mercer announces that original members Jesse Sandoval (drums) and Marty Crandall (keyboards) are no longer with the band, citing 'aesthetic decisions'.
James Mercer Forms Broken Bells
James Mercer forms the successful side project Broken Bells with producer Danger Mouse, releasing their self-titled debut album.
'Port of Morrow' Released
After a hiatus, The Shins release their fourth studio album, 'Port of Morrow', marking their debut on Columbia Records with a new lineup.
'Heartworms' Released
The Shins release their fifth studio album, 'Heartworms', which Mercer described as a return to the band's earlier sound.
'The Worm's Heart' Released
A reimagined version of 'Heartworms', titled 'The Worm's Heart', is released, featuring alternate versions of the songs in reverse order.
Former Bassist Neal Langford Dies
Neal Langford, former bassist for The Shins and Flake Music, passes away at the age of 50.
Perform at 'Garden State' 20th Anniversary Concert
The Shins participate in a benefit concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 'Garden State' soundtrack, performing alongside other artists from the film.
New Album Teased by James Mercer
In an interview with Architectural Digest, James Mercer confirms that a new, as-yet-untitled Shins album is expected to be released in 2025.
Announce Tour with Weezer and Silversun Pickups
Weezer announces 'The Gathering' arena tour for Fall 2026, featuring The Shins and Silversun Pickups as supporting acts.
New EP with Unreleased Tracks Announced
James Mercer reveals via his Substack that an EP featuring old, unreleased Shins tracks is forthcoming, with test pressings for vinyl underway. He also mentions a new album is 'basically finished'.
30th Anniversary 7-inch Vinyl Release
To celebrate their 30th anniversary, The Shins release a limited edition 7-inch vinyl featuring two previously unreleased 1996 tracks, 'The Living End' and 'All Messed Up'.
Ongoing 'The Gathering' Tour
As of today, The Shins are actively touring North America as part of 'The Gathering' tour with Weezer and Silversun Pickups, with multiple dates scheduled through October 2026.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Shins emerged from Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1996 as the brainchild of James Mercer, initially a side project to his band Flake Music. Their distinctive melodic indie rock sound, characterized by Mercer's introspective lyrics and unique vocals, quickly garnered attention. The band's debut LP, "Oh, Inverted World," released in 2001, received critical acclaim and established them as a definitive indie rock act. Their song "New Slang" gained significant mainstream exposure after being featured in the 2004 film Garden State, propelling them to wider recognition.
Commercial success continued with their third album, "Wincing the Night Away" (2007), which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. This period marked a peak in their early career, but also led to significant internal changes. Following this success, Mercer made what he described as an "aesthetic decision" to part ways with the entire original lineup in 2009, seeking a different sound and a healthier work environment. Former drummer Jesse Sandoval publicly stated he was fired due to an inability to play more complex drum parts Mercer was writing.
After a nearly five-year hiatus, during which Mercer collaborated with Danger Mouse on the successful Broken Bells project, The Shins returned with a new lineup and released "Port of Morrow" in 2012. This album marked a shift to Columbia Records. Their fifth studio album, "Heartworms," followed in 2017, with a reimagined version titled "The Worm's Heart" released in 2018. The band also released a new single, "The Great Divide," in September 2020.
Recent years have seen The Shins engaging in anniversary celebrations and active touring. In 2021, a 20th-anniversary reissue of "Oh, Inverted World" was released, followed by a "21st birthday" tour in North America in 2022 where the album was played in its entirety. The band also participated in a Garden State 20th Anniversary Benefit Concert in 2024. Tragically, former bassist Neal Langford passed away in July 2023 at the age of 50.
As of September 2026, The Shins are highly active. They are currently on a major North American tour, "The Gathering," supporting Weezer and performing alongside Silversun Pickups, with dates scheduled through October 2026. In July 2026, the band celebrated its 30th anniversary with the release of a limited edition 7-inch vinyl featuring two previously unreleased tracks from 1996, "The Living End" and "All Messed Up". James Mercer has also indicated in a May 2026 Substack post that a new full-length Shins album is "basically finished," though a release date has yet to be announced. Mercer was also interviewed by NPR in June 2026, discussing his music and fatherhood.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The Shins made different choices?