Spin Class Serve Up a Sonic Feast with ‘Dinner at Derek’s’

Following the buzz of their April single “Bagel Bagel Bagel,” Bristol’s own Spin Class are back with their second studio EP, Dinner at Derek’s—a five-track, adrenaline-fueled journey that’s as satisfying as it is unpredictable. Louis Slater, Sonny Gazzard, Sam Savidge, and Harry Parkes formed Spin Class in 2023 and have quickly established themselves as one of Bristol’s most exciting rock exports. Their sound is a heady blend of proggy riffs, hook-laden melodies, and grunge-dusted, desert rock swagger. But what truly sets them apart is their willingness to dive deep into the mind’s eye—delivering what they call an “ADHD-fuelled, visually stimulating riff machine.”

Their debut six-track EP, Wednesday, dropped in December 2024, culminating in a sold-out headline launch at Bristol’s iconic Loco Klub. Spin Class is fiercely proud of its city’s artistic melting pot, collaborating with local musicians and illustrators to elevate not only its own work but Bristol’s vibrant creative community as a whole. With Dinner at Derek’s, Spin Class set out to bottle the frenetic, unfiltered energy of their live shows. Teaming up with producer Josh Gallop (Krooked Tongue, Phoxjaw, Sergeant Thunderhoof) at Stage 2 Studios in Bath, they recorded the entire EP live—a bold move that pays off in every electrifying transition and raw, punchy riff. The result is a feverishly moreish collection of songs exploring mental health, intrusive thoughts, and addiction, all delivered with a visceral punch.

The band describe Dinner at Derek’s as a concise, 12-minute musical journey, likening the EP to a five-course meal designed to leave listeners both satisfied and hungry for more. This new release is seen as a defining evolution for Spin Class, reflecting a year spent honing their collective sound, writing together in Bristol, and embracing the spontaneity of live performance. The group’s latest songs are intentionally shorter yet fuller, packed with dynamic shifts, memorable riffs, and melodies that linger long after the last note.

Spin Class has emphasized that the creative process behind this EP was led by instinct and feeling, rather than overthinking—an approach that shines through in the live recording. The band views this project as a significant milestone, both in terms of artistic growth and as a blueprint for future work.

Inspiration for the live recording approach came from legendary acts like Soundgarden and Led Zeppelin, whose raw, in-the-moment studio sessions served as a model for Spin Class. The band sees itself as a live-first act, and capturing that unmistakable energy in the studio was a top priority. The resulting tracks are marked by an overstimulated punk intensity, with each transition amplifying the sense of a gig brought directly to the listener.

With critical praise already rolling in for “Bagel Bagel Bagel,” Spin Class’s Dinner at Derek’s is shaping up to be a defining chapter for the band—a testament to their growth, their city, and their commitment to music that’s as honest as it is exhilarating.