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)
Tell Tail
Specimen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreams of things,
Dreams of sins.
I wonder will you tell on me,
As I would you
And then, and then
This legendary beast of pleasure.
Sure doom?
(Chorus)
Tell tale signs of a happy ending
Heeray forsight
Till this moment,
But now the time is here,
But now the time is here.
Did he really tell tail me,
And I could like his spell,
Could he walk on water, sorta
And martyr this, and martyr that
And after this,
I walk into the corner.
In "Tell Tail" by Specimen, the lyrics are cryptic and surreal, evoking a dream-like atmosphere. The song seems to be about the singer feeling enchanted and possibly even cursed by someone else. The first verse implies that the singer is experiencing intense and perhaps forbidden desires. The line "I wonder will you tell on me, as I would you" suggests that there is a mutual secret keeping between the two. The lyrics then take a fantastical turn with the mention of a "legendary beast of pleasure" and the ominous question "sure doom?". This could be interpreted as a warning that indulging in forbidden desires can have dangerous consequences.
The chorus of the song is open to a range of interpretations. The lyrics "tell tale signs of a happy ending, heeray forsight, till this moment" could be interpreted as mocking the idea of a happy ending or suggesting that the singer is aware that they are heading towards a tragic conclusion. The last line of the chorus "but now the time is here" adds to the foreboding feeling that something significant is about to happen.
The second verse of the song is even more surreal than the first, with the mention of someone walking on water and martyring themselves. The singer seems to be questioning if they have been betrayed by this person or if they have willingly gone under their spell. The final line "and after this, I walk into the corner" adds to the sense of defeat and resignation. The lyrics of "Tell Tail" are open to interpretation, but they create a sense of uneasiness and suggest that the singer is grappling with powerful feelings and potentially dangerous consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
I can tell you put a spell on me,
I can sense that you have enchanted me with your charm or influence.
Dreams of things,
My mind is filled with desires and aspirations.
Dreams of sins.
My subconscious is haunted with my wrongdoings and transgressions.
I wonder will you tell on me,
I am curious if you will expose my secrets or mistakes to others.
As I would you
Just as I would reveal your flaws if given the opportunity.
And then, and then
Indicating a shift or transition to a new idea or thought.
This legendary beast of pleasure.
Referring to a powerful and overwhelming feeling of enjoyment or gratification.
Sure doom?
Questioning whether such intense pleasure will ultimately lead to negative consequences or outcomes.
Tell tale signs of a happy ending
Indicating indicators or hints that suggest a positive outcome or outcome.
Heeray forsight
Expressing a hopeful and optimistic outlook for the future.
Till this moment,
Up until this point in time or experience.
But now the time is here,
Revealing that the moment of truth or fulfillment has arrived.
Did he really tell tail me,
Questioning if someone has actually gossiped or shared information about me behind my back.
And I could like his spell,
Feeling attracted or drawn to someone's mystery or charm.
Could he walk on water, sorta
Wondering if someone has supernatural or god-like abilities.
And martyr this, and martyr that
Talking about the sacrifice or suffering that may be required in order to achieve something worthwhile.
And after this,
Referring to the future or what will come next.
I walk into the corner.
Representing retreat or seeking a place of solitude or safety.
Contributed by Abigail V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DJ Addambombb official
I asked Jonny for the lyrics once. He told me best he could remember, and i'm telling you best i can remember from that. i couldn't tell he put a spell on me, dreams of things, dreams of sins - i wonder will he tell on me, as i on him - and then - within this legendary beast of pleasure, we're assured...
Prometheus 25
Uuuuff hace muchos años no escuchaba esta canción!! Goth's not dead!!
Hans Salander
Un de mes groupes favoris.
Batcave forever!!
elsienette1
Came home from NYC with a Specimen LP/33 from Tower Records because my home town was too tame (or lame...you pick) to carry it. Fell in love with their sound immediately!
Michelle Fullager
<3 amazing band 1 of my fave goth bands <3
Smellz
Bloody amazing
DJ Addambombb official
tell tail signs a happy ending, delay foresight til this moment, but now the time is here... did he really tell-tail me? could i break the spell? and could he walk on water, sort of - and martyr this and martyr that, and after this? walk into a corner... tell tail signs a happy ending delay foresight til this moment, but now the time is here, look down and frown, all hung up and clean, i'll gun down your dream - rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat
Dark Christian
swhat a sound,one ov thee best bands.killer hooks english glam at itz finest.
watchtower183
Oh, that's such a great song...
Sabrina Black
R.I.P. Olli.