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 originally 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.
The band also played a headline slot at the 2008 Whitby Goth Festival and will play the Waves Gothic Festival in Leipzig in 2009.
Olli and Jon were reunited for the first time in 20 years on the 2007 Electric Ballroom album, which was a series of collaborations with members new and old (see previous lineup).
Discography
*Specimen Alive at the Batcave (2009) Metropolis Records
* Electric Ballroom (2007) Metropolis Records
* Wake The Dead (2013)
Compilations
* Warm Wet Cling - Film Red Velvet Crush (1997)
* Azoic (1997)
E.P.
* Batastrophe (1983)
Single
* Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (1983)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Specimen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Kiss this and hang
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Kiss this and hang
A beautiful sight. We lay down inside. My head it never believed the tide.
Tiiiiiiiiiide
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (chorus)
A beautiful sight. We lay down inside. Our head it never will leave the tide.
You understating, understand your undeceiving, and it's sad the breach comes with the peace it makes you like you want. Hear this.. Kiss!
And Bang... 1....2.....3....4....5....6......7
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (chorus)
I know your watching, so why you could wear that Leather(?). Our friends talk talk about the weather. I know your waiting, why you waiting to exist(?) Scar, Scar, and now you take chances(?). Since your a suicide my bro.. trash trash my gash, oh it's the gas.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang!
The lyrics of Specimen's song Kiss Kiss Bang Bang centers around the themes of attraction, passion, and death. The recurring phrase "kiss kiss bang bang" refers to a popular phrase in the movie industry that describes the combination of a romantic storyline and intense action, often involving violence. The lyrics speak of a beautiful sight where two lovers lay down inside, but the head does not believe the tide or the approaching danger of the situation, which is likely a metaphor for the risk and danger of infatuation.
The verse then progresses to speak about sad circumstances that often accompany peaceful moments that lead to a breach. The singer seems to be encouraging the listener to take chances and live fully, as implied by the lines "and it's sad the breach comes with the peace it makes you like you want" and "since you're a suicide my bro, trash trash my gash, oh it's the gas." In the verse that follows, the singer reveals that someone is watching and waiting, and there is a sense of danger or edge, possibly alluding to the character's destructive tendencies.
Overall, the lyrics of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang are cryptic and open to interpretation, but they evoke a sense of danger and the risks involved in intense passion, desire, and infatuation.
Line by Line Meaning
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Kiss this and hang
Idle chatter on trivial frames of thought, let it go and be free.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
You must always move forward and not look back.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Kiss this and hang
An invitation to live life in the moment and make it count.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Emphasizes that life is short and unpredictable.
A beautiful sight. We lay down inside. My head it never believed the tide.
The mesmerizing beauty of the world, breathtaking and ever-changing, and our endless fascination with it.
Tiiiiiiiiiide
A nod to the ebb and flow of the tides, as well as the constantly changing nature of life itself.
A beautiful sight. We lay down inside. Our head it never will leave the tide.
An allusion to being one with nature and fully embracing the highs and lows of life, without judgment or fear.
You understating, understand your undeceiving, and it's sad the breach comes with the peace it makes you like you want. Hear this.. Kiss!
Reflects the strange and often unsettling emotions that arise when we confront our true selves and the reality of our existence.
And Bang... 1....2.....3....4....5....6......7
A visceral, explosive release of pent-up energy and emotion, symbolizing the power of individual expression.
I know your watching, so why you could wear that Leather(?). Our friends talk talk about the weather. I know your waiting, why you waiting to exist(?) Scar, Scar, and now you take chances(?). Since your a suicide my bro.. trash trash my gash, oh it's the gas.
A flurry of abstract thoughts and images that evoke a sense of unease and disconnection from the world around us.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Reaffirms the fleeting, unpredictable nature of life and the importance of living in the moment.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang!
The song's title and repeating chorus, serving as a reminder to embrace life's highs and lows with open arms and an open heart.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JONATHAN DAVID KLEIN, JONATHAN SIMON MELTON, JONATHON TREVISICK, KEVIN SEAN MILLS, OLIVER JOHN WISDOM, SEAN MILLS KEVIN, SIMON MELTON JONATHAN
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