The Specimens

The Specimens were a Melbourne rock and roll band that existed from 2001 till 2007. Influenced by the likes of Radio Birdman, The Lime Spiders and The Onyas. Beginning as a sketchy outfit from St Kilda featuring a stand up drummer with leanings towards rockabilly and street punk, the band quickly evolved with core members (Tim, Terry, Brent & Adam) to become solid local act that pumped out a repertoire of 3 albums, 2 eps and a 45 in total spanning 6 years on multiple indie labels with appearances on a string of compilations both in Oz and overseas. With acclaim from Europe & USA after the release of the band's 2nd album 'The Quick & the Deaf' on Bruce Milne's Infidelity label, the release with consistent rotation on national radio, saw the band embark on an extensive tour of Europe in 2006. By the release of the 3rd album 'Jazz Brutus', the band had clocked up a steady history of east coast tours and cut their teeth as a regular support bands for International acts. Throughout this period The Specimens were lucky enough to share stages with some of their idols including MC5(dkt), New York Dolls, Radio Birdman, Rose Tattoo, Celibate Rifles, The Drones, Beasts of Bourbon, X, Cosmic Psychos, Meanies, Warped, Datsuns, D4, Rocket Science, Guitar Wolf, Deniz Tek plus some festival appearances such as Big Day Out & Livid Festival. During 2007, a JJJ Live at the wireless recording session saw the Specimen's 6 year touring & recording binge come to a close with their final show taking place at the NSC. 3 of the 4 members went on to form 'Kids of Zoo' which embarked on subsequent tours of Europe off the back of 2 LP releases.