Shins lead singer James Mercer discusses fame, 'The OC'
Brendan Nowlin
Issue date: 11/16/04 Section: Arts & Society
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The fact that bands like the Shins have been finding their way into the mainstream media is no secret to Mercer. He has been aware of it since 2001, when the Strokes' debut Is This It paved the way for great up-and-coming bands that actually wrote their own stuff.
"I think back when the Strokes were doing well I remember thinking, 'This has got to eventually be good for the Shins' because they were not nu metal or hip-hop or anything ... They are a band. That is a big difference right there," he said.
While Mercer appreciates the fact that a performance on "The OC" would give them a huge audience, it doesn't mean that he is a fan of the show.
"'The OC' does not seem quite as cool as the 'Gilmore Girls' to me," Mercer said.
"I actually watched it for the first time because of all this talk about it. It seems kind of like 'Knots Landing' or something, like one of those '80s soap operas."
"OC" performance or not, the future looks great for the Shins. Though it's only been a year since the release of Chutes Too Narrow, people are already asking about a new album.
"We are starting to get that question," he said. "I always have to be careful because I think I will say something in an interview and then Sub Pop [Records] will hear about it and they will start making deadlines."
"I think back when the Strokes were doing well I remember thinking, 'This has got to eventually be good for the Shins' because they were not nu metal or hip-hop or anything ... They are a band. That is a big difference right there," he said.
While Mercer appreciates the fact that a performance on "The OC" would give them a huge audience, it doesn't mean that he is a fan of the show.
"'The OC' does not seem quite as cool as the 'Gilmore Girls' to me," Mercer said.
"I actually watched it for the first time because of all this talk about it. It seems kind of like 'Knots Landing' or something, like one of those '80s soap operas."
"OC" performance or not, the future looks great for the Shins. Though it's only been a year since the release of Chutes Too Narrow, people are already asking about a new album.
"We are starting to get that question," he said. "I always have to be careful because I think I will say something in an interview and then Sub Pop [Records] will hear about it and they will start making deadlines."