Watch The Shins (performing at Popped! on September 23rd) cover David Bowie and play a new song

The Shins’ first tour in three years is off to an epic start: In the first two nights, James Mercer and his new touring lineup have both covered David Bowie and debuted a new song. Supporting lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Mercer on this tour is an all new band, featuring Yuuki Matthews of Crystal Skulls, Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse, Richard Swift, and Jessica Dobson. The first treat came on Monday night at Wow Hall in Eugene, Oregon, when the group took on Bowie’s 1980 hit “Ashes to Ashes.” Check out a fan-captured video of the performance below, via One Thirty BPM.

The group continued to dish out the crowd-pleasers last night at the Domino Room in Bend, OR, performing a brand new song. The tune is rumored to be called “For A Fool,” and although Mercer noted that, “It’s a slow song, sorry,” you probably won’t find his apology necessary if you’re a fan of The Shins. Another audience-captured video can be found below, via The NJ Underground.

It was recently announced that The Shins will release their fourth studio album sometime in 2012 on Mercer’s Aural Apothecary Label. The group’s current tour will stop in Philadelphia on September 23rd to play the Popped! Music Festival at FDR Park. Single-day tickets are available for $59.50, with two-day passes going for $110; both options can be purchased here.