Setting sail from the landlocked environs of Iowa City, Iowa, Death Ships are not what you’d expect. Rather than a band full of heshers, overrun with long flowing locks, cranking out screeching metal from Marshall full stacks, the bands sound eschews this notion by mixing up elements of rock, folk, pop, and alt country. Started as a solo project by lead singer and guitarist, Dan Maloney, in 2001, Death Ships now has a full crew, and is presently promoting their upcoming release, “Seeds of Devastation,” to be officially released Sept. 5th, 2006 on Faithful Anchor Music. This new release builds on the momentum the band has established from playing with the likes of The Decemberists, Pinback, Tapes n’ Tapes, Low, Jets to Brazil, and Sound Team, as well as playing frequently at such Chicago ports of call as Schubas and The Empty Bottle. The record also comes on the heels of earlier success with their single, “Thelma Lou,” specifically chosen and released by Deep Elm Records as part of their “This is Indie Rock” compilation series, and which debuted at Number One on University of Iowa’s college radio station, KRUI. Lauded by both press and blogs alike, Death Ships were declared in the May 2006 issue of Alternative Press magazine as “Unsigned Band of the Month.” “Seeds of Devastation” was recorded with crunk hip-hop/rock impresario, and old friend, Matt Malpass (Young Bloodz, Lil Jon, Juvenile), in the summer of 2005 in Atlanta, capturing all the songs in a week. The band is now prepping for smooth sailing on the road for the rest of 2006.