Who was Neal Langford? Former Bassist of The Shins Band Dead at 50

Neal Langford was a former bassist who played together with James Mercer in a band called Flake in 1992. The band released one album, When You Land Here, It’s Time to Return in 1997, which was later reissued by Sub Pop Records.

He was also a band member of The Shins, a band that was developed as a side project by Mercer and Flake Music drummer Jesse Sandoval in 1996; Langford joined the band in 1999 after Flake Music disbanded and former Shins members Dave Hernandez and Ron Skrasek left the band.

Langford notably played on the group’s debut album, Oh! Inverted World. The release – now regarded as a classic of the indie rock genre – peaked at No. 19 on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums chart and was later certified platinum by RIAA.

He was found dead in Bath Creek near a private dock on July 21, 2023, by law enforcement in Beaufort County, however, no foul play is suspected, and the cause of death is not known yet. He was 52 years old. His death was announced by his former band member, Mercer.

“Just want to let you guys know one of the best friends I’ve ever had has passed. He was in several bands with me including the Shins. A very important figure in my life you could say. I mean this is the guy who talked me into getting over my shyness and up on the stage. He put me in front of the microphone!” he wrote.