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Former Shins Drummer Says He Was Fired

Former Shins drummer Jesse Sandoval says he was sacked by frontman James Mercer after a 16-year working relationship. Following Mercer's cryptic answers on why the band's lineup, which also saw the forced exit of longtime keyboardist/bassist Marty Crandall, shifted, Sandoval has spilled the beans in a new interview with the Portland Mercury.

"I unequivocally got fired, and it kind of confuses me why [Mercer] has a hard time saying that," Sandoval said. "I understand he's probably doing it out of respect for me reading interviews, it might be hard for him to say it, but ... I got fired. There's no other way of looking at it."

Earlier this year, Mercer told Pitchfork it was "an aesthetic decision". Sandoval -- who has since opened a Portland lunch truck called Nuevo in honor of his New Mexican roots -- was initially hesitant to open up about being discharged.

"We played our last Christmas festival run of shows for radio," Sandoval said. "It was in Atlanta, and in all honestly, I definitely remember walking offstage and calling my girlfriend and saying, 'I don't know why, but I just have a feeling like this is it. I feel like this is probably my last Shins show.' And it wasn't coming from my end, I just had this feeling."

After a long break at Mercer's request following the lengthy promotional efforts behind 2007's 'Wincing the Night Away', Sandoval said he hadn't heard from Mercer so he contacted him. "I'd caught wind from a couple people that James was processing moving further along with the idea of working with other people, but I never quite got the impression that it was going be an across-the-board change." Sandoval said.

Mercer ultimately sacked Sandoval by phone. "You could tell in his voice that it was really hard," Sandoval continued. "He started to explain his thought processes and his reasoning and, of course, I'm shocked. Even though I knew it was going to happen, I was shocked ... There was nothing. There was no follow-up."

Despite all this, Sandoval says he directs no ill will toward Mercer or the Shins 2.0. "I wanted my answers to be out there so every time I do any sort of press for the [food] cart and what I'm doing in my life, I don't have to repeat myself," he explained. "Also something that's been bothering me is a lot of people have been saying, 'I'm never going to buy another Shins album again! How can James Mercer do that?' And I have my reasons to be angry at James, but I don't want to be a part of any sort of movement where everybody's against the Shins."

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jonny day

haha some of you people are hilarious. This is news, you're just used to listening to the same awful 'popular' music, and havn't bothered to try something different. The Shins are a brilliant band with a large fanbase and I have many friends who enjoy them. Somehow I think spinnermusic know what they are doing and can be deemed responsible enough to decide what is and isn't news, rather than some narrow minded nobody, who because they are on the internet, ultimately decide they know better than everyone else. No-one cares if you havn't heard them, others have and like them and therefore it is of interest to them. grow up.

March 04 2010 at 8:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TBone1347

This kind of "news" belongs in some obscure music magazine, not on AOL.

August 08 2009 at 4:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chris

who the hell is shins? if dude was a real drummer like Phil Rudd from ac/dc he wouldnt have to worry bout being fired!

August 08 2009 at 3:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to chris's comment
Jess Sandoval

He was better than Phil!

August 10 2009 at 12:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SJLangT

You people are idiots. Just because we're not talking about Britney Spears, you have to trash a band you don't know?! Typical of the ignorant masses. The Shins are a fantastic band! If you'd like to experience a little of their magic, check out a link or two on YouTube (for example, listen to "New Slang"). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M11Kr1-q-pA

August 08 2009 at 1:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lance

Remember: The Beatles fired drummer Pete Best and replaced him with Ringo...

August 08 2009 at 1:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
robert frechette

Mercer should have left the band and pursued a solo career. His departure would have meant and end to the Shins, but he wouldn't look like a jerk for "firing" his longtime band mates.

August 08 2009 at 1:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Scott

Who???

August 08 2009 at 12:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
loverded

does everyone live under a fuckin rock?

August 08 2009 at 12:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to loverded's comment
Harold

I like rock.

August 08 2009 at 1:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jess Sandoval

Sounds like a fucking rock crushed a lot of duds!

August 10 2009 at 11:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ron

The Shins make beautiful, smart music. They are a refreshing change from Top-40 drudgery.

August 08 2009 at 12:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cal4RCE

If the only way they make the news is by breaking up after 16 years, I'd say they were not much of a band anyway. Hope they have better success with their roach coach business.

August 08 2009 at 12:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply