Specimen

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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.

Tagged as:

batcave, deathrock, post-punk, gothic, goth
See more…

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Top Albums

Wet Warm Cling - Film Red Velvet Crush
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Electric Ballroom
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Azoic
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Wet Warm Cling Film Red Velvet Crush
Specimen
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Top Tracks

1	Hex full track	228
2	Kiss Kiss Bang Bang	113
3	Syria	78
4	Nothing Lasts Forever	65
5	Tell Tail	58
6	Lilacs	55
6	Dead Man's Autochop	55
8	Stand Up Stand Out	52
8	Electric Ballroom	52
10	Lovers	51
11	Death Drive	49
12	Returning From a Journey	48
13	Sharp Teeth Pretty Teeth	45
14	Aftershock	44
15	Play Prey	43

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8GotH8 wrote:
15 days ago

http://www.last.fm/group/Gothic+Philosophy

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ma5ka5 wrote:
17 days ago

Found them two days ago. Great band!

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Lady_Burlesque wrote:
23 days ago

jonny slut...yes! great band

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shumai-my-heart wrote:
24 days ago

<3 jonny slut

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TetsumiBat wrote:
last month

Great music! I love them

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Kolyamarkov wrote:
last month

гламурные засранчеги

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Lady_Burlesque wrote:
last month

Batcave!

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dying-is-fine wrote:
September 2009

JUST got into this band. good stuff. sad story that i overlooked them as much as i did. "electric ballroom" is all that i have though. i'd like to get the first release.

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GoHangYourself wrote:
September 2009

If you hate sun, heat, prefer night over day, join! http://www.last.fm/group/Sun+Is+Evil

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Gothtowncryer wrote:
September 2009

The Skeletal Family + Guests The Gassienda, Keighley. Friday, 25 September 2009 The Gassienda Russell Street Keighley, United Kingdom

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Dimmz wrote:
August 2009

имхо, один из лучших примеров саунда 80х. классика))

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Gothtowncryer wrote:
August 2009

Anne-Marie Hurst (GHOST DANCE / SKELETAL FAMILY) Return of Influential Queen from the Vanguard of “Old Skool” Goth An influential queen from the vanguard of “Old Skool” Goth Rock returns Watch this space as to latest progress / tour dates!! Live appearance .. Saturday 31 October 2009, Bradfords Gasworks. My Space http://www.myspace.com/annemariehurst Email annemariehurst@hotmail.co.uk

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Alomir wrote:
August 2009

Обожаю их. Они великолепны )

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BiohazardZombie wrote:
August 2009

Specimen is the sex <3

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verlainee wrote:
August 2009

For all Specimen fans ! http://www.last.fm/group/Specimen

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Freelove_ wrote:
August 2009

Join my group: Post-Punk.

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jasonBLOODDRUNK wrote:
August 2009

I saw them yesterday but I learned at last who they were! THEY ARE AMAZING!

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djalienspagan wrote:
July 2009

www.myspace.com/thecemetarygirlz

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PleasureVictim1 wrote:
June 2009

Looooooove!

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BlooD_NosferatU wrote:
June 2009

...потрясающе!!!

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