The Shins are an American indie rock band . The band members are singer , songwriter , and guitarist James Russell Mercer , bassist Ron Lewis , bassist\/guitarist Dave Hernandez , drummer Joe Plummer , and Eric Johnson . The Shins are an American indie pop band comprising singer , songwriter , and guitarist James Russell Mercer , guitarist\/bassist Dave Hernandez , Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats , drummer Joe Plummer and bassist Ron Lewis .