Any discussion of the new wave of London post-punk – we're talking killer riffs, bumping bass lines, and semi-cynical sprachgesang – has to include Dry Cleaning.
When members Lewis Maynard, Tom Dowse, and Nick Buxton started getting serious about their new band, they realised they needed a vocalist. They called Florence Shaw, whom they liked for her distinct voice.
Shaw, suddenly expected to perform, began reciting from random bits of text she had: diary extracts, random notes on her phone, adverts. The trio liked it, and so Dry Cleaning was born.
They would join a blossoming post-punk scene native to London, bringing their sprachgesang stylings, clever guitar riffs, and eye for the mundane to an already popping scene.
Their debut EP, Sweet Princess (2018), certainly turned some heads. And whilst they've certainly evolved throughout their time together, Dry Cleaning have maintained their detached-yet-sincere tone.
Going from South London pubs to international music festivals in the matter of just a few years, their particular sound seemingly scratched an itch the rock world didn't really know it had.
A new segment on Drive where our host Tom recommends you music based on what you already like. This episode: dead–pan post–punk band Dry Cleaning.
The hosts at RTl Today Radio certainly got hooked, and were very excited when their third studio album Secret Love dropped in early 2026.
Having just announced a gig at den Atelier on 9 November, this is your chance to experience this vanguard band – who led the new sprachgesang wave, who hook you with ridiculously good guitars, who regularly sing about hot dogs, oven chips, and being obsessed with Meghan Markle.
Indeed, you might just sight the odd RTL Today Radio host there, too. Not to name any names, but regular listeners might be able to guess which one of us will be right up in front.
