Death Ships

A quick perusal of Death Ships' show history betrays the dirty little secret that modesty prohibits: these guys are a very hard-working band. After a 2006 that saw the boys opening for Low and serving as Jay Bennett's backing band for a West Coast tour (and who is ostensibly producing their next album), the Ships have put in time every month on the road in support of Seeds of Devastation.

On August 14th, they played a throwaway show at the Canopy Club in Urbana, coming off a week-long, dog-days-of-summer tour through the Midwest. With no more than ten people in attendance, lead guitarist Dan Maloney, bassist Randall Davis and drummer Matt Winegardner, accompanied by Ryan Groff sitting in on keyboard, put on a compelling and energetic show. Through the half-hour set, Ellis and Winegardner layed down a smooth, solid rhythm under Maloney's clean and tasteful guitar work. As well, the transitions were tight and the set never dragged. This band has proven the talent and the gumption to stand shoulders, if only in spirit and not in venue, next to the headliners at Pygmalion.

The Iowa City band with the deceptively intimidating name will be playing September 21st at Mike N Molly's in Champaign as part of the 2007 Pygmalion Music Festival. You can have a gander at their Myspace page, too.

Correction: Thanks to Mike Ingram for pointing out that it was Randall Davis, not Chris Ellis on bass at this show.