Broken Bells

Shins frontman James Mercer and producer Danger Mouse first met and collaborated back in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2009 that their band together, Broken Bells, became a known fact. That these two indie heroes -- in the first instance, a Brian Wilson-esque crooner known for intricate pop structures and a rather famous spot on Natalie Portman’s playlist; in the second, a guy who first made his name mashing-up Jay-Z and The White Album before going on to work MF Doom and Cee-Lo -- should come together isn’t as surprising as it might appear on first blush. They both share a love for the melodic playfulness of the 1960s, for one thing. And Danger Mouse is no stranger to indie-rockers; he’s also sat behind the boards for Sparklehorse and the Black Keys.

Broken Bells released its debut self-titled album in 2009, a well-received blend of classic rock-style hooks and funky instrumentation. Mercer and Danger Mouse insisted in interviews that the band is more than a one-off project, and that more albums will follow. ~Wilson McBee

• 13 Sep 2011

  Did Dell Rip Off Broken Bells In This New Commercial?

• 01 Mar 2011

  Broken Bells Return With 'Meyrin Fields EP'

• 01 Oct 2010

  Broken Bells Sit Down For Interview On QTV

• 24 Jun 2010

  James Mercer Gives Insightful Interview to Pitchfork, Comments on the (Potential) Return of The Shins

• 20 May 2010

  Broken Bells May Record a Sophomore CD

• 04 May 2010

  The Morning Benders Touring With Broken Bells, The Black Keys

• 24 Mar 2010

  Fang Island (And Some Emo Band) The Most-Buzzed Bands From SXSW

• 12 Mar 2010

  Little Kids Critique Broken Bells' "Vaporize"

• 15 Dec 2009

  Hear Some Broken Bells

• 30 Sep 2009

  James Mercer + Danger Mouse= Broken Bells

• 08 Mar 2011

  "Windows"

• 15 Dec 2010

  "The Ghost Inside" (Live On Conan) (Video)

• 13 Oct 2010

  "Vaporize" and "The Mall And Misery" (Live On Carson Daly) (Video)

• 12 Oct 2010

  "The High Road" (Live On Ellen) (Video)

• 12 Aug 2010

  "October" (Video)

• 18 Jun 2010

  "The High Road" (Live on Kimmel) (Video)

• 03 Jun 2010

  "Ghost Inside" (Video)

• 19 Apr 2010

  "The High Road" And Other Songs (Live On Interface) (Video)

• 12 Mar 2010

  "The Ghost Inside" (Live On Fallon) (Video)

• 10 Mar 2010

  "The High Road" (Live on Letterman) (Video)

• 09 Mar 2010

  "The High Road" (Live Video)

• 02 Mar 2010

  "The High Road" (Panel Video)

• 11 Feb 2010

  "Vaporize"

• 27 Jan 2010

  "The High Road" (Video)

• 21 Dec 2009

  "The High Road" (MP3)

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  Broken Bells
  Meyrin Fields
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  Broken Bells
  Broken Bells

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  13 Dec 2010

  Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Phoenix, Black Keys, Broken Bells @ HP Pavilion in San Jose (Pics)

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  07 Oct 2010

  Broken Bells, Autolux @ The Wiltern Theater (Pics)

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  23 May 2010

  Broken Bells, The Morning Benders @ Regency Ballroom in San Francisco (Pics)

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  22 May 2010

  Broken Bells, Morning Benders @ Henry Fonda Theatre (Pics)