Silversun Pickups Bassist Nikki Monninger Expecting Twins

It's a girl! And another girl! Bassist Nikki Monninger of the Silversun Pickups will be leaving the group temporarily in the fall to give birth to twin girls, she announced today.

The band begins a two-month North American theater tour on Sept. 1 in Calgary in support of their latest release, 'Neck of the Woods,' and Monninger plans to stick it out on the road for as long as she's able. She said in a press release, "This is such an exciting and happy time for me -- new record, first babies. I'll lay low for a little while, but they won't be able to keep me off the road for too long."

When Monninger eventually takes her maternity leave, she'll be replaced by Sarah Negahdari from the Happy Hollows for the rest of the tour.

Monninger added, "We'll put the twins to work ASAP.  If they can't lift heavy equipment after their first few months of life, we'll start them off selling merch. In the meantime we're very happy to have Sarah filling in. We are huge fans of the Happy Hollows and are very excited she'll be joining our family."

Silversun Pickups' fall tour includes dates with the Cloud Nothings, Atlas Genius, School of Seven Bells, and the Hives. The band — Monninger included — will perform live on 'Conan' next Monday, Aug. 27.