Specimen (band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in Bristol, England |
| Founder | Olli Wisdom, Jon Klein, Kevin Mills |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music (singles, albums) |
Specimen is a British musical group that emerged in the 1980s, recognized for merging elements of glam, goth, punk, and post-punk genres. They hold a prominent place as trailblazers within the goth movement, influencing both its sound and visual identity.
Early days
Specimen was established in 1981 in Bristol, England by lead singer Olli Wisdom, alongside guitarists Jon Klein (formerly with Europeans) and Kevin Mills (previously part of the X-Certs). Their first public appearance took place at a street celebration marking the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. The following year, the band moved to Soho in London, where Wisdom founded the notable weekly club-night known as the Batcave.
Ian Astbury characterized their sound as a shadowy blend of punk and glam influences: "Specimen were very dark, but they were as much German as they were The Addams Family. They were like a Death Bowie." Keyboardist Jonny Slut joined after initially declining due to his limited skills but quickly learned to play using labeled stickers on the keyboard, adding to the band's unique aesthetic alongside Wisdom.
During their initial period, Specimen released singles and a mini album but never produced a full studio album. Nonetheless, two comprehensive compilations featuring their material were released in 1997. The original formation dissolved in 1985 soon after releasing the single Sharp Teeth Pretty Teeth. Following this, Olli Wisdom relocated to San Francisco and briefly created an American iteration of Specimen.
Post-Specimen
Following the band's dissolution, guitarist Jon Klein spent seven years collaborating with Siouxsie and the Banshees, later working with Sinéad O'Connor. He also had a cameo role without dialogue in the 1998 British film Married 2 Malcolm.
Jonny Slut went on to form Diskord Datkord with Mark Tinley and Adam Tinley, later working alongside the KLF, Adamski, and joining Atomizer. Additionally, he launched London's Nag Nag Nag club-night where he served as a resident DJ.
Tim Huthert became part of Until December, performed with the reformed Jetboy, and collaborated with Jon Klein on the Electric Ballroom album. He currently resides in New York.
Olli Wisdom pursued psychedelic trance music under the alias Space Tribe.
Kevin Mills became a member of Flesh for Lulu.
Specimen today
In July 2008, members from the original 1983 lineup reunited to celebrate the Batcave’s 25th anniversary in London. This event resulted in the live album Specimen Alive at the Batcave, released through Metropolis Records. The reunion was inspired by connections made during the 2007 Electric Ballroom project, which involved T.bias, Kimba, Stephan Byron-Salit, Tim Huthert, along with collaborations between Jon Klein, Olli Wisdom, and Jonny Slut.
In February 2009, Jonny Slut and Jon Klein participated in New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology symposium titled 'Subculture and Style', held during the Gothic Dark Glamour exhibition. The display featured one of Klein’s stage costumes alongside pieces by designers such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Rick Owens.
Specimen performed at Vilnius’ Drop Dead Festival on August 19, 2010.
In May 2011, the band announced via Facebook that Jonny Slut had retired from performing. By December of that year, Johann Bley, formerly of Juno Reactor, was confirmed as his successor on keyboards.
Also in December 2011, Specimen began collaborating with producer and bassist for Killing Joke, Youth, on a new album. The following month they revealed its title – Wake the Dead – and initiated a Pledgemusic campaign to finance its release scheduled for 2013.
Band members
- Present lineup
- Jon Klein – guitar, lead vocals
- Johann Bley – keyboards
- Kev Mills – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Chris Bell – drums
- Past members
- Olli Wisdom – lead vocals (passed away August 2021)
- Jonny Slut – keyboards, backing vocals
- T.bias – lead vocals
- Kimba – bass guitar
- Stephan Byron-Salit – guitar, backing vocals
- Tim Huthert – drums
- Jonathan Trevisick – drums
- Peter Cook – keyboards
- Danny Pepworth – drums
- George Lynch – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Smeg – guitar
- Gere Fennelly – keyboards
- Naunton – drums
- Simeon – keyboards
- Jonny Slag – bass guitar
- Jeff St. Pierre – drums
Studio albums
- Electric Ballroom (2007), released through Metropolis Records
- Wake the Dead (2013)
Compilation albums
- Warm Wet Cling – Film Red Velvet Crush (1997)
- Azoic (1997)
Live recordings
- Alive at the Batcave (2009), issued by Metropolis Records/Eyeswideshut Recordings
Singles and EPs
| Year | Title | UK Chart | UK Indie Chart | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | "Returning (from a Journey)" / "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" | 85 | – | London Records |
| 1983 | "Beauty of Poison" / "Tell Tail" | 81 | – | London Records |
| 1983 | Batastrophe EP | – | – | London Records |
| 1985 | "Sharp Teeth, Pretty Teeth" / "Hex" / "Holes" | – | 20 | Trust Records |
| 1986 | "Indestructible" / "Brainburst" | – | – | Rampant Records |