Specimen (band)

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Specimen
Johnny Slut
Origin Bristol, England
Years active 1980 – 1985
2006 – present
Genres Goth
Labels Sire
Metropolis Records
Members Jon Klein
T.bias
Stephan X
Kimba
Tim Huthert
Past members Ollie Wisdom
Jonny Slut
Kev Mills
Jon Klein
Jonathan Trevisick

Specimen is a British band formed in the 1980s. Their music has been described as being comprised of many different genres of music, including; Glam, Goth, Punk and Deathrock and are widely credited as one of the pioneers of the Gothic movement, both musically and stylistically.

Contents

[edit] 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. Prior to forming Specimen and opening The Batcave, Ollie was the vocalist for another band known as "The Unwanted". Unlike Specimen, The Unwanted were a traditional '77 / '78 style English garage-core punk band. Their most well known song was a cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Were Made For Walking".

Unusual for a keyboardist, Jonny 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 E.P. Though in 1997 two full-length compilations would be released featuring various Specimen songs.

[edit] 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 formed Diskord Datkord with Mark Tinley and Adam Tinley before going on to work with The KLF, Adamski and is now in Atomizer. He also founded the Nag Nag Nag club in London, where he is one of the house DJs.

[edit] Current Lineup

  • T.bias - Vocals, additional guitar, & keyboards
  • Jon Klein - Guitar, vocals
  • Stephan X - Guitar
  • Kimba - Bass
  • Tim Huthert - Drums

[edit] Previous Lineup

  • Olli Wisdom - Vocals
  • Kev Mills - Bass (Replaced by 'Kimba' after the band relocated to the US)
  • Jon Klein - Guitar
  • Jonny Slut - Keyboards
  • Jonathan Trevisick - Drums
  • Chris Bell - Drums
  • Tim Huhtert - Drums


[edit] Specimen Today

  • In 2006 original Specimen guitarist and song writer, Jon Klein, collaborated with two past, latter Specimen members Kimba (bass) and Tim Huthert (drums), along with two new members, Stephan X (guitar) and T.bias (vocals). This collaboration resulted in the band's first full-length album, Electric Ballroom, due to be released by Metropolis Records in Summer 2007. The album will also feature collaborations with original Specimen members, Olli Wisdom and Jonny Slut.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • Electric Ballroom (2007) Metropolis Records

[edit] Compilations

  • Warm Wet Cling - Film Red Velvet Crush (1997)
  • Azoic (1997)

[edit] E.P.

  • Batastrophe (1983)

[edit] Single

  • Returning From A Journey /Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (1983) London Records
  • Beauty Of Poison [London Records 1983]
  • Sharp Teeth /Hex / Holes (1985) Trust Records
  • Indestructible / Brainburst {1986) [Rampant Records]


[edit] References


[edit] External Links


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