James Mercer (musician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Mercer | ||
---|---|---|
Background information | ||
Birth name | James Russell Mercer | |
Born | December 26, 1970![]() |
|
Origin | ![]() |
|
Genre(s) | Indie rock Indie pop |
|
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter | |
Instrument(s) | Vocals Guitar Harmonica |
|
Years active | 1997–present | |
Label(s) | Sub Pop Transgressive |
|
Associated acts |
The Shins Flake Flake Music |
|
Website | theshins.com |
James Russell Mercer (born December 26, 1970 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American guitarist and rock musician. He attended high school in both England and Germany. He is currently the lead singer/songwriter for The Shins, an indie rock group from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Before the Shins, Mercer fronted the group Flake, which later became Flake Music.
His father was a fan of The Music Man, and James named his band The Shins after the family in the musical.
His musical influences include The Smiths, The Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Beach Boys and The Jesus and Mary Chain.[1]
Mercer also sang backup vocals on the tracks "Florida", "Missed The Boat" and "We've Got Everything" on Modest Mouse's 2007 album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.