James Mercer Says Shins-Decemberist Fake 'Portlandia' Band May Have a Future

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It was the wildest fantasy of music nerds come to life.

James Mercer of the Shins, Colin Meloy of the Decemberists and Corin Tucker formerly of Sleater-Kinney got together recently to form a supergroup called Echo Echo. Unfortunately, the band, not to be confused with the Santa Ana, CA, indie rockers of the same name, didn't play any shows, or actually record any music together. Mostly they just sat around on a couch looking bored in a skit called "Deuce Hotel" for IFC indie comedy program 'Portlandia.'

Mercer says the idea of making music together never actually came up, even though the three were playing the parts of fictional band members.

"We never talked about it," he tells Spinner while doing press in advance of the Shins' fourth album, 'Port of Morrow,' set for release on March 20.