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)
Stand Up Stand Out
Specimen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me a bite.
Call me anytime that'ya want!
Mission with a mind!
Face enshrined!
A present for your presence….
Stalk like a cat.
Why smile,
When you can pout?
Taste in time.
It's so sublime!
A dollar for your collar.
Stand Up.
Stand Out.
Look Up!
Turn and face the music.
Eat out your heart…..
Shoot from the lip!
"Oh no!" The crimes of a lifetime.
Arms entwined.
Face enshrined.
A color for your lover.
Stalk like a cat.
Walk back to back.
Why smile-smile,
When you can pout?
Taste in time.
Its so-so sublime!
A dollar for your collar.
Stand Up.
Stand Out.
Look Up!
Turn and face the music.
Look on the line, locked up in brain cells
Storm and a hiccup
Head-strong and leg-long
White man,
Speaks before some punch in the face while makin' the back-slap!
Look on the line, locked up in brain cells,
Storm and a hiccup.
Head-strong and leg-long.
White man,
Speaks before some baby, watching the face crack, makin' the back-slap!
Stand Up.
Stand Out.
LOOK UP!
Call me a dog.
Give me a bite.
Call me anytime that'ya want.
Mission with a mind.
Face enshrined.
A present for your presence!
Stalk like a cat.
Walk back to back.
Why smile-smile-smile,
When you can pout?
Taste in time.
Its so sublime!
A dollar for your collar.
Stand Up.
Stand Out.
Look Up!
Turn and face the music.
The lyrics of Specimen's "Stand Up Stand Out" seem to be about rebellion, individuality, and not conforming to societal norms. The song encourages the listener to stand up and stand out, to not just blend in with the crowd. The line "Call me a dog, give me a bite," could be interpreted as someone who is willing to fight back against those who try to bring them down. The lyrics also reference stalking like a cat and walking back to back, which could be a metaphor for walking confidently and fearlessly through life. The song urges the listener to take control of their life and not let others determine their path.
The part where it says "look on the line, locked up in brain cells, storm, and a hiccup" could be interpreted as the limitations that society puts on individuals, and the storm and hiccup being their attempts to break free from those limitations. The phrase "White man, speaks before some punch in the face while making the back-slap" could be a criticism of privilege and entitlement, and the frustration that people of color may feel when dealing with such individuals.
Overall, the song encourages individualism, self-expression, and taking control of one's own life despite the pressures and constraints of society.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me a dog.
Refer to me as a creature or animal that is often seen as lowly or unworthy.
Give me a bite.
Provide me with an opportunity to prove myself and take action.
Call me anytime that'ya want!
Feel free to reach out to me whenever you desire or require my assistance.
Mission with a mind!
An undertaking that requires both mental preparation and implementation.
Face enshrined!
A countenance that is cherished and revered by others.
A present for your presence….
A gift that I present to show my appreciation for your company and influence.
Stalk like a cat.
Move stealthily and with grace, like a feline predator on the prowl.
Walk back to back.
Stand firm and resolute with someone, facing adversity together.
Why smile,
What is the use of smiling,
When you can pout?
When you could instead wear a sulking or dissatisfied expression.
Taste in time.
A preference that develops over a period of experience and exposure.
It's so sublime!
It is of the highest quality and delight to the senses.
A dollar for your collar.
A payment or reward that is commensurate with your worth or status.
Stand Up.
Rise up from a seated or prone position.
Stand Out.
Be distinctive or prominent, setting oneself apart from others.
Look Up!
Direct one's gaze towards a higher position or source of inspiration.
Turn and face the music.
Confront and tackle one's problems and obstacles head-on.
Eat out your heart…..
Feel bitter and resentful about a situation or outcome.
Shoot from the lip!
Speak impulsively and aggressively without considering consequences.
"Oh no!" The crimes of a lifetime.
Regretful realization of past mistakes and misdeeds of significant severity.
Arms entwined.
A physical embrace, often with a sense of closeness and intimacy.
A color for your lover.
A hue or shade that symbolizes or represents a person's romantic partner.
Look on the line, locked up in brain cells
Mental fixation or preoccupation with a particular issue, thought or dilemma.
Storm and a hiccup
A tumultuous or disruptive episode, often unexpected or sudden in nature.
Head-strong and leg-long
Determined and confident in one's abilities to overcome an obstacle, regardless of the distance or time required.
White man,
A reference to a person of a particular race.
Speaks before some punch in the face while makin' the back-slap!
Engages in confrontation and provocation without fear of retaliation, often with a patronizing or condescending attitude.
Contributed by Camilla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.