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Specimen was an 80s batcave British band. They have been described as being many different genres of music, including; glam, goth, punk and deathrock.
Biography
The band formed in Bristol, England during 1980. Their first show was at a street party celebrating the wedding of The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. In 1982, the band relocated to Soho, London, where they would play many shows at the infamous club known as The Batcave, Specimen’s vocalist Ollie Wisdom founded and ran the club during 1982-1983.
Unusual for a keyboardist, Johnny Slut became the face of the band and its most famous member, due largely to his striking image and fashion sense.
While the band were together, they never released a full album, only singles and an EP, although in 1997 two full-length compilations would be released featuring various Specimen songs.
Post-Specimen
After the band went its separate ways, guitarist Jon Klein worked with Siouxsie & The Banshees for a period of 7 years, before working with Sinéad O’Connor.
Johnny Slut went on to work with The KLF, Adamski and is now in Atomizer.
Current Lineup
* Olli Wisdom - Vocals
* Jon Klein - Guitar
* Jonny Slut - Keyboards
* Kev Mills - Bass
* Chris Bell - Drums
Previous Lineup
* T.bias - Vocals, additional guitar, & keyboards
* Jon Klein - Guitar, vocals
* Stephan X - Guitar
* Kimba - Bass
* Tim Huthert - Drums
Specimen Today
2008 saw the Batcave’s 25th Anniversary celebration in London, for which Olli and Jon reassembled their favorite 1983/4 Specimen lineup including Jonny Slut, Kev Mills and Chris Bell.
Biography
The band formed in Bristol, England during 1980. Their first show was at a street party celebrating the wedding of The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. In 1982, the band relocated to Soho, London, where they would play many shows at the infamous club known as The Batcave, Specimen’s vocalist Ollie Wisdom founded and ran the club during 1982-1983.
Unusual for a keyboardist, Johnny Slut became the face of the band and its most famous member, due largely to his striking image and fashion sense.
While the band were together, they never released a full album, only singles and an EP, although in 1997 two full-length compilations would be released featuring various Specimen songs.
Post-Specimen
After the band went its separate ways, guitarist Jon Klein worked with Siouxsie & The Banshees for a period of 7 years, before working with Sinéad O’Connor.
Johnny Slut went on to work with The KLF, Adamski and is now in Atomizer.
Current Lineup
* Olli Wisdom - Vocals
* Jon Klein - Guitar
* Jonny Slut - Keyboards
* Kev Mills - Bass
* Chris Bell - Drums
Previous Lineup
* T.bias - Vocals, additional guitar, & keyboards
* Jon Klein - Guitar, vocals
* Stephan X - Guitar
* Kimba - Bass
* Tim Huthert - Drums
Specimen Today
2008 saw the Batcave’s 25th Anniversary celebration in London, for which Olli and Jon reassembled their favorite 1983/4 Specimen lineup including Jonny Slut, Kev Mills and Chris Bell.
Shouts:
161 shouts
Top Albums
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Wet Warm Cling - Film Red Velvet Crush
Specimen
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Electric Ballroom
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Azoic
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Wet Warm Cling Film Red Velvet Crush
SpecimenBuy- Download Album
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- Buy Album
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Shoutbox
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Nostratarus wrote:
Like it :-)
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TheWormPrincess wrote:
Kiss kiss bang bang is a sexy song ;)
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Meiryac wrote:
I love kiss kiss bang bang >.<
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Riverter wrote:
Johnny Slul and Specimen are awesome in my opinion
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Deathcoach wrote:
Johnny Slut, your hair is so cool! I want to start a whole scene around it!
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floriealice wrote:
I'm so proud to be bristolian! although also from the era...
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AnonymBleat wrote:
Няшки =*
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Demonera wrote:
Their music sounds great.
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Riverter wrote:
My favorite Deathrock band; I love Gothic Music!!!
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My_Sharona wrote:
Nothing Lasts Forever<3
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clytie_hizashi wrote:
@AndrewT1989: There is no point in discussing what is and what is not "good" music. Music appeals to something other than the logical, mathematical sections of the brain. It's nostalgia, desire, lust, freedom, pleasure, pain, "saudade" all rolled up. You can't quantify it. It's impossible.
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helllbilly wrote:
весёлые типы, очень радуют!
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fucking-suicide wrote:
<3
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Cazxiro wrote:
Andrew's comment does the exact opposite of what he/she is trying to accomplish. It actually made me WANT to check out the band. Good job promoting them Andrew! Keep that hate rolling.
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missmiffs wrote:
totally off topic but does anyone know where I can get a copy of Patti Palladin singing 'The nuns new clothes'? It's off a very very old Batcave album, Young Limbs abnd Numb hymns....c'mon guys, scrabble around in the memory banks!!! Reply to my shoutbox if anyone can help x
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Sayumii wrote:
♥
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vatstolorde81 wrote:
Sharp teeth pretty teeth
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CMoon_ wrote:
We love BEAUTY OF POISON
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intri_cath wrote:
Ability to play good music doesn't mean playing music to everybody's taste.
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intri_cath wrote:
You see i just don't know enough facts about the musical education of Olli Wisdom etc. Somehow i believe deathrock in whole isn't your cup of tea. Why not stop asking people favouring it? It's just like asking a David Lynch whether he likes anime. / Generally: if you find nice melodic Specimen "unmusical", what would you say about Radio Scarlet? :3
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Recent Activity
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ChrisAllen3000, KyaRAWRR, DasBerryBell and 17 other people added Specimen to their libraries. yesterday evening
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DarkObscureGoth tagged Specimen with batcave, gothic rock and deathrock. last week
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DarkObscureGoth, JESCIE, moffoazevedo and 1 other person added Specimen to their libraries. last week
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IcyTear tagged Specimen with gothic rock, 80s, goth rock and 4 other tags. last week
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KiSSyHeartiez and SickDeathCity added Specimen to their libraries. 9 days ago
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Self-MadeWolf tagged Specimen with gothic rock and post-punk. 10 days ago
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dzinrikis added Specimen to dzinrikis’s library. 10 days ago
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phenazepam_girl tagged Specimen with british and gothic. 10 days ago
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ACDC-fan tagged Specimen with ‘deathrock’. 10 days ago
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Fascination_St, kevincrypt, KharisLynch and 5 other people added Specimen to their libraries. 10 days ago
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Groups (71)
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Old School Goths
51 members
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Gothic(goth rock, deathrock, darkwave, post-punk, cold wave)
127 members
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Europe: goth, dead rock ,post punk
36 members
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Gothic Punk
234 members
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Alien Sex Fiend
152 members
More Information
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