Neal Langford, an early bassist for indie outfit the Shins, has died. The Shins frontman James Mercer introduced the information in a press release on the group’s official Instagram, writing, “among the finest mates I’ve ever had has handed.” He added that Langford was a “essential determine” in his life, and that his former bandmate helped him overcome his shyness and carry out dwell. “A useful particular person,” Mercer added, “who turned me onto Dinosaur Jr. and Interview Journal and the Cocteau Twins.” Discover Mercer’s full eulogy beneath.
Langford performed with Mercer previous to the Shins forming, when the 2 males had been members of Flake Music (previously often called Flake) within the early Nineties. After banding collectively in 1992, Flake Music issued only one album: 1997’s When You Land Right here, It’s Time to Return. That document included a prophetic music title: monitor 9 is known as “The Shins.” Sub Pop reissued the LP in 2014.
Along with Mercer and Langford, Flake Music’s lineup featured Jesse Sandoval, Martin Crandall, and Phil Higgs—all of whom performed on the Shins’ 2001 debut, Oh, Inverted World. However by the point the Shins recorded their sophomore album Chutes Too Slim, Langford was not within the band. On the time, Langford stated that he had taken up hot-air ballooning.
On July 21, NBC affiliate WITN in North Carolina reported that Langford, whom they known as a neighborhood scorching air balloonist, was discovered lifeless in Bathtub Creek close to a non-public dock. A reason for dying was not revealed, however legislation enforcement officers don’t suspect foul play.
In a 2020 interview with Radio Milwaukee, Mercer spoke at size about his early friendship with Langford, particularly discussing Langford’s affect on his musical tastes. “He was simply the best child I’d ever met,” Mercer stated, including that Langford was dwelling in North Carolina together with his associate on the time, and “doing nice.”
Mercer concluded his tribute to Lanford by saying: “There’s an excessive amount of to the story however I cherished him. And I owe him quite a bit. Neal Langford you had been all the time cherished and also you all the time can be.”
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