Not all of these people are even in the Shins anymore, but this is the band that last posed for promo shots.

Shins find ‘Sea Legs’

The Shins are back, with a new lineup and a new tour

James Mercer is in Seattle, where it’s raining like crazy. His band, the Shins, is two dates into a tour that seems to have come out of nowhere. After all, promotion for the Portland-based outfit’s third album,
“Wincing the Night Away” — which crashed into the Billboard Top 10 in January 2007 — ended before 2008 began. Could it be the band is out to road test new songs for a follow-up? But, says Mercer, there’s no great plan right now, other than to keep a hand in.

“My management was worrying we were going too long without playing,” he moans, sounding like a remorseful child caught playing hooky. But the singer and guitarist agrees that it’s a good point. “It starts to scare you if you go too long. It’s like you’ve forgotten how to do it.”

Perhaps there’s more to it than that, though. The  Shins are evolving once again: A new lineup includes drummer Joe Plummer (Black Heart Procession, Modest Mouse), bassist Ron Lewis (Fruit Bats), longtime Shins members Dave Hernandez on guitar and keyboard player Eric Johnson (also of Fruit Bats).

And with the new members comes a new realm of musical possibilities. Alongside Shins comfort staples, several obscure songs have been dusted off, creating a Shins nerd’s idea of heaven.

“We added B-sides and album rarities that we’ve had a hard time pulling off before, because it’s usually done by me with a computer. We’re doing ‘Sea Legs’ now with no sampling,” says Mercer.

With two new songs — “Double Bubble” and “The Rifle’s Spiral” — being aired on this tour, the new record can’t be too far off.

“I’ve written a bunch of new songs. When I get back to Portland, after this tour, the recording will begin,” Mercer promises.

The Shins
Tonight and Thursday, 7 p.m.
Terminal 5
 610 W. 56th St.
$40, 212-260-4700
www.ticketmaster.com