I got to chat with Dry Cleaning’s drummer, Nick Buxton, a bit at Chicago’s Thalia Hall before their set. He told me they love playing in the U.S. and especially in Chicago. Guitarist Tom Dowse mentioned during their set that the Chicago show was the fastest one to sell out for their current U.S. tour. It was thus an enthusiastic crowd for them.
First up were post-punkers YHWH Nailgun. At least, I think they’re post-punkers. They’re difficult to describe and also fascinating to watch. Sparse guitar arrangements from Saguiv Rosenstock that sound like synthesizers, synthesizers from Jack Tobias that sound like bass, acoustic drums from Sam Pickard that sound electric, and vocals from Zack Borzone that sound like chants and sometimes beatboxing. Their set was frenetic, weird, and had everyone intrigued for the entire half-hour they played.
Dry Cleaning came out to a loud welcome and got down to business with “Sliced by a Fingernail” and the whole band sounded great from the start. “Blood” was the first song they played from their newest album, Secret Love, and they ended up playing the entire record interspersed with some of their (by now) classics.
“Gary Ashby” was the first of those other tracks, and I’m surprised that fans aren’t showing up in turtle costumes to Dry Cleaning shows by this point. The song is a fan-favorite and is about a lost turtle, after all. The place went nuts for “Scratchcard Lanyard.” “Don’t Press Me” was a solid cut from Secret Love that had everyone agreeing with Florence Shaw.
Lewis Maynard was practically throwing down metal riffs by this point, and Buxton’s drumming was top-notch for the whole set. My favorite part of the show was their stretched-out, psyched-out version of “Conversation” (all the way back to their first EP – Sweet Princess) that ended the main set. It was great to hear them trying a new spin on it.
They closed the show with the funky “Hit My Head All Day,” which had the whole crowd grooving. It’s easy to overlook how good this band is at times, as it’s easy (and fun) to get lost in the stories and mysteries of Shaw’s lyrics. Hearing them live gives you a new appreciation for them. Get your tickets before their next show sells out.
Keep your mind open.
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[Thanks to Matt for the press credentials!]